Marvel Bronze Age Conan King-Size Special #1 Comic Book
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Item Report
Marvel Bronze Age Conan King-Size Special #1 Comic Book
By:Barry Windsor-Smith (cover artist); Marvel Comics Group
Style:Bronze Age Comic Book
Origin:United States
Materials:Paper, ink (standard comic book stock from the 1970s)
Age:Circa 1973
Condition:Very Fine (light edge and spine wear, bright color, appears ungraded/raw copy)
Value:$100 - $225 (if Very Fine or better; sharp copies may fetch slightly more depending on market demand; average copies usually sell for about $85-125 at auction)
Maker's Marks / Writing:Typical Marvel Comics Group masthead, Comics Code Authority stamp, cover artist's stylized signature in the bottom left (Barry Smith); issue number (King-Size Special #1, 1973).
Date:2025-07-03 13:14:51.925168
Description:
This is the first issue of Conan King-Size Special published by Marvel Comics in 1973, featuring the sword-and-sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The cover displays dramatic and detailed artwork by Barry Windsor-Smith, depicting Conan after a fierce battle, showcasing the intense style for which the series is known. As a 'King-Size' (annual/special) release, it contains two of the greatest Conan sagas retold, as indicated on the cover. This issue is a sought-after item among collectors of Bronze Age comics.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A strong example of a key Bronze Age comic. With its dramatic cover art and first King-Size issue status, this comic is valued by fans of Conan and Marvel collectors alike. Condition appears very good or better, with bright color and visible gloss, but some minor spine and edge wear is visible—common for comics of this vintage.
Individual Images:
Single image provided. The close-up clearly shows consistent cover gloss and only minor handling wear along spine and corners
with no major creases
tears
or writing visible. No evidence of restoration or trimming. The lower left corner appears sharp
which is rare for books of this vintage.
Provenance:
No provenance documents provided; assumed to be from a private collection based on photo.
Condition:
Very Fine (light edge and spine wear, bright color, appears ungraded/raw copy)
Identification Score: 99%
Title, publication year, and number are clear on the cover—matched to known issues. Signature Barry Windsor-Smith art confirms authenticity of the publication and issue.
Authenticity Score: 95%
Cover, publisher's marks, publication data, typical wear, and paper stock are all consistent with genuine issues from this period. No signs of reproduction, facsimile, or significant restoration detected. A word about fakes: reprints, facsimiles, and counterfeits do circulate, but this copy shows no obvious indicators of being a modern reproduction.
Image Memory Note
First issue of the Conan King-Size Special (Marvel, 1973), Barry Windsor-Smith cover, appears in above average collectible condition. Distinctive for early Bronze Age Marvel collectors.
Keywords
Conan the Barbarian, King-Size Special, Barry Windsor-Smith, Marvel Comics, Bronze Age, comic book, 1973, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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