Conan the Barbarian #1, page 16 (Barry Windsor Smith and Dan Adkins)
Artists: Barry Windsor Smith (Penciller) , Dan Adkins (Inker)
58 Comments - 492 Views - 31 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionHere's one from the archives and from the very first issue of Conan the Barbarian.It is classic Smith with inks from the late great Dan Adkins and has a futuristic vibe about it as well. There has been a lot of discussion about how classic original comic artwork (such as this as well as much older pieces from the Silver Age and even Golden Age) will fare financially in the future. When I entered this hobby, financial gain was the furthest thing from my mind. It is true that artwork was more affordable then but, relatively speaking, the best artwork still cost much more than most of us could afford. I recall that this particular page, for example, stretched me to the limit. However, it was in pursuit of the artwork, the craftsmanship on a unique page, that motivated me to try for it. And I enjoy modern artwork very much as well (as will be evident from my CAF Gallery) - which is just as well because the older pieces are so much more expensive now. I am still prepared to dip my toes in, so to speak, for really nostalgic pieces as well. It is a simple approach of mix and match. The bottom line, however, is that while capital appreciation of artwork is fine, it is just a bonus. And it's fine to talk about prices as a helpful guide to future action and purchases (especially for those new to the hobby). But when I go into my collection and look at a piece such as this, I am reminded about why I entered the hobby in the first place - to enjoy the artwork I am stewarding and to be transported back to that sense of wonder that got me into the hobby in the first place. Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Comicart Boston 
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/10/2025
Rick W wrote:
Crom's bones!
Many thanks, Rick. I think that even Crom would have approved of this page!
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 2/10/2025
that is a helluva page by BWS and Dan Adkins from a great Conan debut key issue, thanks for sharing out of the archives. congrats it is incredible. I like what you said about appreciating the art and the hobby for why you got into it in the first place, cheers
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/10/2025
Kavi H wrote:
that is a helluva page by BWS and Dan Adkins from a great Conan debut key issue, thanks for sharing out of the archives. congrats it is incredible. I like what you said about appreciating the art and the hobby for why you got into it in the first place, cheers
Many thanks, Kavi. Fortunately, for most of us, I am preaching to the choir. On the piece itself, Adkins was a vastly underrated artist. His inking reminds me of Wood's inking, which is not surprising as he was Wood's assistant in his formative years.
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/10/2025
I have always loved Conan the Barbarian and therefore always enjoy seeing art from this series. While Smith's (he added the Windsor- later on because he thought it sounded cool) art at this point in his career was still very raw and Kirby inspired, it nonetheless teases us with signs of great potential that he would soon after come to realize. Congratulations on this acquisition, CAB, it is very nice to see you dig deep into your archives!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/10/2025
Ruben DaCollector wrote:
I have always loved Conan the Barbarian and therefore always enjoy seeing art from this series. While Smith's (he added the Windsor- later on because he thought it sounded cool) art at this point in his career was still very raw and Kirby inspired, it nonetheless teases us with signs of great potential that he would soon after come to realize. Congratulations on this acquisition, CAB, it is very nice to see you dig deep into your archives!
Many thanks, Rubén. Yes, early Smith was very Kirbyesque and I was thankful when he finally established his own style - principally in the Conan series. He is already beginning to demonstrate some of that potential in this inaugural issue although I agree that, artistically, his later issues were far better.
E DLS
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/10/2025
Hopefully someday you and I will get the chance to sit down and have a nice long conversation about all the reasons people collect and why they buy what they do. I think that's a conversation I would very much enjoy having with you. As far as this historic BWS page, I think it pretty much speaks for itself. So I will simply say, congratulations!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/10/2025
E DLS wrote:
Hopefully someday you and I will get the chance to sit down and have a nice long conversation about all the reasons people collect and why they buy what they do. I think that's a conversation I would very much enjoy having with you. As far as this historic BWS page, I think it pretty much speaks for itself. So I will simply say, congratulations!
Many thanks, Eric. I would like that very much too. Whilst acknowledging that times do change (not necessarily for the better, in my view), there is a sense in which extremes are always to be avoided. I am afraid that we are presently leaning into the more materialistic extreme, forgetting why many of us at least entered the hobby in the first place. On my end, I was careful when I began collecting to avoid the other extreme - which was to get carried away by an irrational passion for the hobby and not being financial prudent. Balance in life is always essential but not easily achieved in practice.
J. Lim
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 2/10/2025
Frick'n FANTASTIC! Love the futuristic feel and look
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/10/2025
J. Lim wrote:
Frick'n FANTASTIC! Love the futuristic feel and look
Many thanks, Jerome. There are shades here of 2001: A Space Odyssey and Kang the Conqueror.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/10/2025
Amir E wrote:
Lovely page!
Many thanks, especially to a collector with such impeccable taste.
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Significant issue as the birth of the sword and sorcery genre! It was so big that Conan was a top star of Marvel along with well established favorites. It marked the maturity of the audience that have been with Marvel since the start with it's more sophisticated themes and artwork. This page brings visions of our world and demonstrates Barry Windsor-Smith's artistic versatility.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Marcus Wai wrote:
Significant issue as the birth of the sword and sorcery genre! It was so big that Conan was a top star of Marvel along with well established favorites. It marked the maturity of the audience that have been with Marvel since the start with it's more sophisticated themes and artwork. This page brings visions of our world and demonstrates Barry Windsor-Smith's artistic versatility.
Many thanks, Marcus, and well put as always!
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
What an extraordinary, classic and peculiar page. That thierd panel in Egypt and the last cosmic one make it unique. Thank you for unveiling it from your amazing collection. Thank you for remindind us why we collect. Pure love.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Toni S wrote:
What an extraordinary, classic and peculiar page. That thierd panel in Egypt and the last cosmic one make it unique. Thank you for unveiling it from your amazing collection. Thank you for remindind us why we collect. Pure love.
And thank you, Toni, for your exceedingly kind words and for your affirmation of the love we all have for our hobby.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Brian Boggs wrote:
Great page. Fantastic.
Many thanks, Brian. And many congrats on a simply wonderful BWS page yourself.
Ron S
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Great page and another #1 in a simply amazing collection. More importantly, I hope everyone reads your thoughtful write up.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Ron S wrote:
Great page and another #1 in a simply amazing collection. More importantly, I hope everyone reads your thoughtful write up.
Many thanks, Ron, for your very kind words - coming as they do from a collector with an even more amazing collection. Yes, we love our hobby, and long may that continue.
CommanderInBeef
Member Since 2024
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Conan seeing what the star stone showing him is such a great page. You have made every Conan fan jealous lol! Congrats CAB, this page is now in great hands
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
CommanderInBeef wrote:
Conan seeing what the star stone showing him is such a great page. You have made every Conan fan jealous lol! Congrats CAB, this page is now in great hands
Many thanks, CIB. You are too kind. I feel privileged to be the current steward of this page.
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
I owned the comic many moons ago and must admit..do not recall this page. Spacemen?! In Conan?! Congrats!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Duke Fleed aka #1 Groo Fan wrote:
I owned the comic many moons ago and must admit..do not recall this page. Spacemen?! In Conan?! Congrats!!
Many thanks, Duke. And, yes, this page is there! But you always like to kid me!
Dave W
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Barbarian and space theme on the same page, by BWS, from issue 1?!!?Yes, please! Congrats CAB - you are building a legacy level collection - thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Dave W wrote:
Barbarian and space theme on the same page, by BWS, from issue 1?!!?Yes, please! Congrats CAB - you are building a legacy level collection - thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Many thanks, Dave. You are far too kind. In the final analysis, we are just stewards of all our artwork.
Eelco V
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Stunning page to own from this classic run by Barry Smith!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Eelco V wrote:
Stunning page to own from this classic run by Barry Smith!
Many thanks - to one with superb pages from the same series!
Comics Superworld
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
From Cimmeria to Hyperboria and onward! Historic issue
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Comics Superworld wrote:
From Cimmeria to Hyperboria and onward! Historic issue
Many thanks, Ted. The fact that it was from the first issue provided me with a little more incentive to try hard for this particular page.
Mark Levy
Member Since 2004
Posted on 2/11/2025
Great piece of history with a lot of visual interest - get a strong 2001 vibe from the bottom landscape panel!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Mark Levy wrote:
Great piece of history with a lot of visual interest - get a strong 2001 vibe from the bottom landscape panel!
Many thanks, Mark. BTW, your BWS collection really rocks! And, yes, I immediately thought of Kirby's 2001: A Space Odyssey when I saw the bottom panel.
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Read your description. You are buying artwork for the right reasons, for the joy it brings you. Wish you lived in Ireland and then I might be able to see some of your treasures. Nothing better than seeing original artwork in reality.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Read your description. You are buying artwork for the right reasons, for the joy it brings you. Wish you lived in Ireland and then I might be able to see some of your treasures. Nothing better than seeing original artwork in reality.
Many thanks, Peter, for your very kind words. Yes, there is nothing better than seeing the actual original artwork. Never say never - I've never been to Ireland but hopefully we might be able to meet one day.
Alberto Gonzalez
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/11/2025
Incredible incredible incredible piece!!!! BWS on Conan was so great!!!!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/11/2025
Alberto Gonzalez wrote:
Incredible incredible incredible piece!!!! BWS on Conan was so great!!!!
Thank you so much, Alberto. Conan did indeed afford BWS the opportunity to blossom into his own style.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/12/2025
Nick - Barry - Matt - Hal - Namor wrote:
Historic and gorgeous!
Many thanks, Nick. Do take good care, my friend.
Andy Wurst
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 2/12/2025
What a fantastic page and addition to your collection. Congrats.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/12/2025
Andy Wurst wrote:
What a fantastic page and addition to your collection. Congrats.
Many thanks, Andy. OT, but I love your Spidey collection!
Nils E
Member Since 2014
1 - Posted on 2/12/2025
Amazing how an artists style can so transform over a few issues, along with his name ;-)
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/13/2025
Nils E wrote:
Amazing how an artists style can so transform over a few issues, along with his name ;-)
Many thanks, Nils. Yes, Barry really came into his own in the later issues of this particular series.
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 2/13/2025
Stunning page from Conan the Barbarian #1 by Barry Smith (This was before he changed his name) and Dan Green, What a glorious page! I remember when this issure first came out and I was startled by how cool and original it seemed to be Barbarian tribes fighting one another/Sorcerers having visions of the far-away future/. This was mind-blowing stuff for my young self. And Smith's art was otherworldly to me. The way he drew bodies and faces was not like the Superhero art I was used to studying. I knew nothing of Frazetta or any of the other artists doing this sort of material. This was the stuff of dreams to me. Glorious pick-up, congrats!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/13/2025
Bill J wrote:
Stunning page from Conan the Barbarian #1 by Barry Smith (This was before he changed his name) and Dan Green, What a glorious page! I remember when this issure first came out and I was startled by how cool and original it seemed to be Barbarian tribes fighting one another/Sorcerers having visions of the far-away future/. This was mind-blowing stuff for my young self. And Smith's art was otherworldly to me. The way he drew bodies and faces was not like the Superhero art I was used to studying. I knew nothing of Frazetta or any of the other artists doing this sort of material. This was the stuff of dreams to me. Glorious pick-up, congrats!
Many thanks, Bill. You have almost totally described my own experience - those were wonderful days indeed!
Felix Lu
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 2/17/2025
A double-win for us: A peek into the deep CAB vault, along with (as Ron S puts it) a very thoughtful writeup.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 2/17/2025
Felix Lu wrote:
A double-win for us: A peek into the deep CAB vault, along with (as Ron S puts it) a very thoughtful writeup.
Many thanks, Felix, for your exceedingly kind words. The simple truth is that I love this hobby and, while acknowledging the different (and constantly evolving) realities, would like to focus simply on that sense of wonder which brought most of us into the hobby in the first place.
Jordan Joanou
Member Since 2008
Posted on 2/24/2025
Classic art pages are great time machines...taking us back to when we first read these wonderful issues. Congrats my friend.
Kevin Koch
Member Since 2015
1 - Posted on 2/25/2025
Thanks for sharing this, and I love (and agree with) your comments about collecting OA. I got my first piece in 1980 and you're right, work by people like Barry Smith was expensive even then, especially relative to the meager means of most of us then. But the motivation was about enjoying the craftsmanship up close, about holding this precious art in our hands, and studying it up close and personal.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
1 - Posted on 2/25/2025
Kevin Koch wrote:
Thanks for sharing this, and I love (and agree with) your comments about collecting OA. I got my first piece in 1980 and you're right, work by people like Barry Smith was expensive even then, especially relative to the meager means of most of us then. But the motivation was about enjoying the craftsmanship up close, about holding this precious art in our hands, and studying it up close and personal.
Many thanks, Kevin, not only for this comment but also for taking the time and trouble to comment on my other (especially Daredevil) pieces as well. And many congratulations on having a really amazing collection of original comic artwork yourself.
Corey Rust
Member Since 2023
Posted on 3/1/2025
CAB you will always be my hero!
Absolutely amazing page! Congrats!
CJ Design
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 3/2/2025
How amazing iconic...BWS and Dan (who I love all his work) on the start of the Bronze age Premiere issue! Always brinhging the gems CAB!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/4/2025
CJ Design wrote:
How amazing iconic...BWS and Dan (who I love all his work) on the start of the Bronze age Premiere issue! Always brinhging the gems CAB!
Many thanks, CJ, for your kind and encourging words. Adkins was a wonderful inker and artist indeed.
Miki Annamanthadoo
Member Since 2003
1 - Posted on 3/9/2025
Really love the futuristic vibe on the page!
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 3/9/2025
Miki Annamanthadoo wrote:
Really love the futuristic vibe on the page!
Many thanks, Miki. As mentioned, the futuristic vibe is so reminiscent of Kirby.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/8/2025
Mario Losada wrote:
Wonderful page
Many thanks, Mario. And many congratulations on some brilliant X-Men pages!
ilia georgiev
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 4/20/2025
BWS is an incredible artist. Dan Adkins an incredible student of the great Wally Wood. The last panel shows the influence of Wally Wood and allows one to imagine what could have been. The but, Adkins style isn't as expressive as Marie Severin when I examine the top 2/3 of the page. No slight on Dan Adkins, just an observation, on a stellar page.
Comicart Boston
Member Since 2010
Posted on 4/20/2025
ilia georgiev wrote:
BWS is an incredible artist. Dan Adkins an incredible student of the great Wally Wood. The last panel shows the influence of Wally Wood and allows one to imagine what could have been. The but, Adkins style isn't as expressive as Marie Severin when I examine the top 2/3 of the page. No slight on Dan Adkins, just an observation, on a stellar page.
Many thanks, Ilia. It was also the very first issue and Smith's pencils may also not have been as facilitative, so to speak. Adkins was indeed a great artist and did learn much from Wood.
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