The Evolving Tale of Conan the Barbarian: From Pulp Magazines to Popular Culture

Conan the Barbarian has captivated audiences for nearly a century, starting with the creation of his story in 1932 by the legendary American pulp writer, Robert E. Howard. This iconic character has undergone many adaptations throughout the years, transforming from a series of short stories in the pulp magazines to a beloved figure in popular culture across various mediums. This article explores the origin of Conan the Barbarian and delves into the multiple sources that contributed to his character, including books, comics, and movies.

Origins in Pulp Magazines

Conan was first introduced to the world in the pages of Weird Tales, a pulp magazine for fantastical and horror stories. The first Conan story, titled The Phoenix on the Sword, was published in 1932. This marks the birth of Conan, the fearless swordsman and sorcerer who would go on to become a legend in the realm of fantasy literature. Robert E. Howard, the author behind Conan, is often referred to as the father of the Sword and Sorcery tales.

A Flurry of Stories

Before his untimely death in 1936, Robert E. Howard wrote numerous Conan stories, showcasing the hero in his earlier years as the King of Aquillonia. These tales painted a vivid picture of a barbarian king who was also a refined conqueror, adapting to the changing political landscape of his time.

The story came to a brief halt with Howard's death in 1936, and it wasn't until the 1950s that the character was revived. A single collection of stories in the 1950s marked the beginning of the modern Conan era, which would significantly expand during the 1960s when fantasy fiction became more popular. Howard was a prolific writer, leaving notes for further stories which were then picked up by Lin Carter and L Sprague de Camp. They continued to write Conan stories and even expanded the character's universe with their own adventures, essentially breathing new life into the original character.

A Deluge of Adaptations

After Lin Carter and L Sprague de Camp, the character saw an explosion of new stories and adaptations. In the early 1970s, Marvel Comics acquired the rights to Conan, leading to a series of comics that were both adaptations and original stories. These comics, initially excellent, featured Howard's original stories with minor alterations and new writers' original tales, blending existing narrative threads with fresh ones.

Notable authors such as Karl Edward Wagner, Poul Anderson, and Robert Jordan also contributed to the Conan mythos with their own novels and collections. This expansion has kept the character alive far beyond the original stories and has maintained his popularity in the realm of fantasy literature and popular culture.

The Film Adaptation

Almost half a century after the original story, the character of Conan was brought to the silver screen in a film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. This adaptation, although praised by some, led to mixed reviews and mixed reception among fans of the character. However, it further cemented the character's place in public consciousness.

Conclusion

The character of Conan the Barbarian has a rich and diverse history, rooted deeply in the pages of pulp magazines and evolving through various mediums. His origin story, through the imagination of Robert E. Howard, has been adapted and expanded by countless authors and artists. The enduring popularity of the character speaks to the timeless appeal of his story, and his legacy continues to shape the landscape of fantasy literature and popular culture.