Item Report
Marvel Comics Bronze Age 'Conan the Barbarian' King-Size Special #1 Comic Book
By: Marvel Comics (cover by Barry Windsor-Smith)
Style: Bronze Age Comic Book
Origin: United States
Materials: Paper, ink
Age: 1973
Condition: Very Fine (sharp cover, bright color, light surface wear, not officially graded)
Value: $70 - $175 (depending on condition; auction estimate for raw, ungraded copy as pictured)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Publisher: Marvel Comics Group; cover artist's signature ('Barry Smith') visible lower left.
Date: 2025-06-03 17:12:28.973930
Description:
This is the first King-Size Special issue of 'Conan the Barbarian', published by Marvel Comics in 1973. The cover features dynamic artwork of Conan in battle, indicative of the Bronze Age of comics (early 1970s). Notable elements include the 'Special Academy Award Issue!' banner, referencing the comic's notable acclaim at the time. The cover art is by Barry Windsor-Smith, a celebrated artist in the comics field.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A collectible example of early Bronze Age Marvel comics, featuring the iconic sword-and-sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. The copy features sharp cover colors and minimal visible wear, making it desirable for collectors, though it is not officially graded. The presence of the 35¢ cover price, bright color, and clean edges suggest it is better than average for the era. Very collectible, especially for fans of the Conan franchise or Barry Windsor-Smith's art.
Individual Images:
- Single image provided shows complete front cover: surface gloss appears intact
- corners only lightly blunted
- spine looks mostly flat. No visible major creases or tears. No images of back cover
- interior
- or spine close-ups to fully rule out defects or restoration.
Provenance:
No provenance documentation provided.
Condition:
Very Fine (sharp cover, bright color, light surface wear, not officially graded)
Identification Score: 99%
Extremely high confidence due to clear title, issue number, date, and unmistakable cover artwork consistent with known copies.
Authenticity Score: 90%
Appears authentic given visible details, period-correct indicia, and cover art. Slight reservation as the comic is not slabbed or third-party graded, meaning restoration or reproduction cannot be completely ruled out from image alone.
Image Memory Note
Keywords
Conan the Barbarian, Bronze Age, Marvel Comics, 1973, King-Size Special, Barry Windsor-Smith, comic book
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