Only 13 were signed and graded at 9.4, and only 14 were graded and signed at higher levels.
New King Conan movie just announced starring Arnold Schwarzeneggar.
Conan the Barbarian #1, released by Marvel Comics in October 1970, is a landmark issue that introduced the "sword-and-sorcery" genre to American comics and launched a 275-issue run.
Here are some interesting facts about the debut issue and its creation:
A "High-Risk" Gamble: Marvel was initially skeptical of a non-superhero book, particularly one set in a prehistoric, fantasy past (the Hyborian Age). Stan Lee initially agreed to publish it as a bimonthly title, but sales for issue #1 were strong enough to warrant a monthly schedule shortly after.
The Creative Team: It was written by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Barry Windsor-Smith (then credited as Barry Smith). Their work on this series set new standards for comic book storytelling, shifting away from the superhero aesthetic and toward gritty fantasy illustration.
The Cover is Iconic: The cover, illustrated by Barry Smith and inked by John Verpoorten, is one of the most recognized in comic history. It is highly sought after by collectors, with high-grade copies selling for thousands of dollars.
Failed Original Adaptation: Before they got the rights to Conan, Roy Thomas and Barry Smith tried to adapt a Kull of Atlantis story (another Robert E. Howard character). When that fell through, they instead focused on adapting a Conan story, which led to the creation of the #1 issue.
Based on Howard's Work: While the premiere issue was a new adventure, it was firmly rooted in Robert E. Howard’s original "Hyborian Age" lore.
Initial Cancellation Scare: Despite strong sales for #1, the comic's popularity dropped slightly with subsequent issues, leading Stan Lee to decide to cancel the series with issue #7. Roy Thomas fought for the title, and it eventually became a massive success, running until 1993.
Launched a Wave of Fantasy: The success of Conan the Barbarian #1 launched a "sword-and-sorcery" vogue in 1970s American comics, prompting Marvel to produce Savage Sword of Conan and other similar titles