CONAN & DRAGONERO part 1 (of 7): The Shadow of the Dragon
While battling a gem stealing dragon (with a broken wing) in the Hyborian Age, Captain Conan and his soldiers are teleported by mysterious dark forces to Varliendár aka the "Land of the Dragons". Two moons are shining in the firmament.
Algents (savage, mute, albino humanoids who inhabit the desolate ash plains of Varliendár) attack, two of Conan's comrades get killed.
Even more Algents attack, Conan and his men run towards "The Great Wall aka Arcelonte", the immense barrier that extends from east to west along the northern border of Erondàr and separates it from Varliendár. The rest of Conan's comrades get slaughtered.
Conan is rescued by the Red Guards of the Wall, they think that Conan could be from the Kingdom of Raghnar. Conan is chained and incarcerated, a young sorcerer gives Conan a real-time translator pendant, so that they can communicate.
Commander Deynar is in charge of the border outpost, Conan demands to be released, Conan's dragon attacks, the stolen jewels shield the flying beast from the young sorcerer's magic, the dragon decides to depart for Erondàr.
Captain Ian Aranill aka Dragonero the Dragon Slayer, who works as an imperial scout for the Erondarian Empire, pays the imprisoned Cimmerian a visit.
What I did like:
Yag-Kosha from "The Tower of the Elephant" mentioned indirectly.
Mitra and Khame Morhea (the official religion of the Empire) mentioned.
The creators of Dragonero, Luca Enoch and Stefano Vietti, talk about Robert E. Howard, Dragonero, Conan, Tarantia (capital of Aquilonia) and Vàhlendàrt (capital of the Erondarian Empire).
A selection of Lorenzo Nuti's initial page roughs for issue #1 + an unused cover layout.
A sweet new exclusive cover by Rob De La Torre!
I give it a 10/10. The well-written crossover made in Italy is finally here in English! Grazie/Thank you, Heroic Signatures, Titan Comics and Sergio Bonelli Editore for making this happen! A can't miss mini-series! Buy it!
