Ah, Dan! You're presenting the crown jewel of the Bronze Age with this "Conan the Barbarian number 1" from Marvel, October 1970. Sporting a fiercer cover than Conan’s mighty sword, Barry Windsor-Smith’s artwork catapults us into a fantasy realm that would make Robert E. Howard proud. Now, it's condition and elegance as a raw copy is what I'd call "Very Good" (corner wear, color breaks, spine stress) — not officially graded, but each creased edge whispers tales of comic shop racks from yesteryears. To own this is like holding the pulpy essence of heroic fantasy in your hands, much like keeping a Barbarian's soul in your collection! A treasure as iconic as Cimmeria itself.
Used for this report's TTS and avatar presentation.
Item Report
Conan the Barbarian #1 Comic Book (Marvel, 1970)
By:Barry Windsor-Smith (artist), Roy Thomas (writer); Marvel Comics Group
Style:Bronze Age American Comic Book
Origin:United States
Materials:Newsprint paper, ink (standard comic book materials, staple-bound)
Age:Circa October 1970
Condition:Very Good (corner wear, color breaks, moderate spine stress, slightly rounded edges; not officially graded, raw copy)
Value:$1,000 – $2,500 (depending on condition; raw ungraded copy with moderate wear)
Maker's Marks / Writing:Top left box: 'CONAN THE BARBARIAN' | '15¢ 1 OCT' | Small Comics Code Authority stamp at top right, 'APPROVED BY THE COMICS CODE AUTHORITY'. Publisher/branding: 'MARVEL COMICS GROUP' on left vertical banner. Bottom splash: 'THE COMING OF CONAN!' and 'TO THE DEATH!' in speech balloon.
Date:2025-06-11 02:38:27.600980
Description:
This is the first issue of Marvel Comics' 'Conan the Barbarian', released in October 1970. The cover features striking, dynamic artwork by Barry Windsor-Smith, with Conan depicted in fierce combat, sword raised against monstrous enemies, and the tagline 'To The Death!' in a starburst. This comic marked the debut of the character Conan in comic book form, adapted from Robert E. Howard's pulp stories.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
A highly collectible and historically significant comic marking the debut of Conan in sequential art form. Its value is determined by condition, and raw (ungraded) examples with some wear fetch significantly lower prices than those in Near Mint or slabbed condition. Early Marvel superhero/fantasy comics, especially first issues, are in high demand among collectors.
Individual Images:
Main image clearly shows the front cover. Notable details: visible spine stress
minor color-breaking creases along the edges
blunt corner on lower left
small color wear on top right. Minor pencil/ink residue near the price box may be present (not obscuring details). Cover art is fully intact and colors remain bold
but some yellowing due to age is visible.
Provenance:
No provenance documents or supporting materials shown.
Condition:
Very Good (corner wear, color breaks, moderate spine stress, slightly rounded edges; not officially graded, raw copy)
Identification Score: 99%
The comic is easily identified by its distinctive cover artwork, consistent issue and publisher information, date, and recognizable branding. The presence of all these elements leaves little room for doubt about its identity.
Authenticity Score: 90%
The comic appears genuinely vintage and not a modern reprint, based on visible newsprint aging, cover price, and print characteristics. There is no evidence of reproduction in the photo, but a hands-on inspection would be needed to confirm authenticity definitively.
Image Memory Note
Front cover shows Conan the Barbarian in action, holding a sword, leaping with a woman in purple (Valeria) at his feet; fighting green and blue monsters. Top left corner: 'CONAN THE BARBARIAN', '15¢', '1', 'OCT'. Top right: Comics Code Authority stamp. Bold yellow 'NEW! FIRST TIME IN COMIC-BOOK FORM!' at top. Lower left: Marvel logo with running Conan figure. Small price and issue info at top left. Lower edge: 'THE COMING OF CONAN!'. Noticeable wear: upper right corner mild crease; lower left somewhat blunt, some color loss on spine and edges, minor creasing near barcode area, staple position visible but no rust. No apparent signatures or inscriptions. No dust jacket (as expected for comics). No interior pages shown.
Keywords
Conan the Barbarian, Marvel Comics, Bronze Age, comic book, first issue, 1970, Barry Windsor-Smith, Roy Thomas, United States, collectible
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
Share: