Jim Zub's A Nest of Serpents part 3: Power and Influence
Zula from Conan the Barbarian #20 frees the Cimmerian from his chains! Conan suggests that they should kill Thoth-Amon.
Zula wants to know all about Thoth-Amon's big plan. Since Conan is in Zula's debt, he will help the shapeshifter of the Black Kingdoms and then free Livia from slavery.
Zula plunges the enchantress Athyr-Bast into a deep mystic sleep and transforms into her doppelgänger. The impersonation spell will dissipate at daybreak.
The Cimmerian masquerades as Athyr-Bast/Zula's armoured bodyguard. They depart to meet Thoth-Amon at his inner sanctum, Kheshatta's Dark Temple of Set.
A whining wizard, a blood pact connaissance of Athyr-Bast detects that something is wrong with Zula's aura. Conan kills the escorts of the acquaintance, but gets hurt and Zula silences the sorcerer forever. Zula and Conan dump all three bodies in wine barrels.
Thoth-Amon offers Zula some Stygian wine, he refuses, Thoth-Amon quaffs his benign beverage.
Thoth-Amon asks Conan if he's the famous Amra of the Black Coast. Conan lies through his teeth by saying no.
Thoth-Amon mentions that Thulsa Doom's Death Cult has mysteriously gone into hiding and that the reborn sorcerer Thugra Khotan/Natohk the Veiled One (from Black Colossus) is ignoring Set's grand plan.
Thoth-Amon eats a cockroach and Conan fantasizes about killing the insectivore.
Thoth-Amon has been talking to the Serpent god, and her message is that "greater" threats are coming.
Thoth-Amon suggests that Athyr-Bast could take care of Set's children (residing beneath Kheshatta), that she could become an immortal like himself.
Thoth-Amon is shocked to realize that Zula is blessed by Set. Zula mentions that he and Set are allies.
Thoth-Amon thinks that he's dealing with a rival/usurper, that Set is testing him. Thoth-Amon whips up a screeching rage storm that attacks our heroes. Conan attempts to terminate Thoth-Amon.
The storm suddenly ceases. The Lord of the Black Ring is willing to be evaluated by Set and is sure that Athyr-Bast will be a loyal ally in the future.
Conan and Zula leave Thoth-Amon. It is already morning, Zula's disguise is melting away. Conan and Zula run to Athyr-Bast's bedroom to find her gone.
War Horns start blaring! Have Conan and Zula been discovered already?
À suivre.
What I did like:
Spanish penciller, Fernando Dagnino Guerra is getting better and better.
Archaeologist Jeffrey Shanks talks Stygia, The Hyborian Age essay by Robert E. Howard, the Riders Beyond the Sunrise draft, Acheron and Kuthchemes.
What I did not like:
Conan never berates himself for utilizing his Amra alias.
I'm kinda getting tired of Serpent Men. Give us something new.
The editor is not doing his job.
Zula can make clothes and decorations appear out of thin air. Ridiculous. Zula is not the T-1000 from Terminator 2.
The barrels do not spill over? Tiny barrels that can easily hide complete bodies? Whatever.
Zula is able to trick Thoth-Amon? Absurd!
Thoth-Amon wants Athyr-Bast to babysit for Set. Sexist, unimaginative and disappointing.
The storm strips Conan of his armour, but his loincloth stays on.
Thoth-Amon does not notice that Athyr-Bast's attire remained unaffected by his storm.
Zub's Thoth-Amon acts like a fool who cannot keep his cool.
Zula uses the b-word. Out of character.
No humour.
Athyr-Bast does not appear on any of the covers!
A female character appears... but she never speaks.
No letters page!
I give it a 7/10. We do not learn much from this inconsistent Cinderella tale... but it looks freaking fantastic. Conan should have stayed a gladiator for multiple issues. The Cimmerian is not The Littlest Hobo, he doesn't have to be constantly on the move to keep us captivated. Conan should be allowed to make new friends, not just pre-existing ones like Zula and the Bamulas.
