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“A man’s life is not measured in years, but in deeds.” – Pliny the Younger

I think the Wanderer Era stands among the most defining periods in Conan the Barbarian’s timeline.

Following the loss of Bêlit, the pirate queen, Conan roams the Hyborian Age as a swordsman-for-hire, monster slayer, mercenary, and reluctant hero.

He spends a lot of time in Kush and the Africa-inspired Black Kingdoms of the Hyborian Age.

It’s an era of loss, transformation, and hard-won wisdom, bridging his restless youth and the wisdom of kingship.

What Is the Wanderer Era?

The Wanderer Era represents Conan’s years of rootless travel across kingdoms and ruins after his Corsair days. Everywhere he goes, he faces sorcery, betrayal, and political intrigue – but also some self-discovery.

Common themes include:

• Haunted isolation after Bêlit’s death
• Supernatural horror and ancient ruins
• Political and moral dilemmas
• Growing wisdom and pragmatism
• The tension between barbarism and civilization

Where the Wanderer Era Fits in Conan’s Life

Although there is plenty of healthy debate on Conan’s internal chronology, I place the Wanderer Era after his time as a corsair.

Conan’s Life Order

1. Cimmerian Youth
2. Thief Era
3. Mercenary Era
4. Corsair Era
5. Wanderer Era
6. Pirate
7. Freebooter
8. Soldier / General
9. King Conan

The Wanderer Era deepens his identity, teaching him tactics, leadership, and empathy – all traits that shape his later rise to kinghood.

Key Robert E. Howard Stories of the Wanderer Era

Only a few original Robert E. Howard stories directly depict this phase, but they define its tone and spirit.

The Snout in the Dark often finds itself at the bottom of best of Conan books, and I totally disagree. 

I thought it was a solid story, and very fitting to the Wanderer time. Where else do we see giant killer pigs in the middle of the night?!

1. The Snout in the Dark

Status: Fragment by Howard, completed by L. Sprague de Camp & Lin Carter
Comic Adaptation: Conan the Barbarian #106–107 (Marvel)

In the jungles of Kush, Conan becomes entangled in royal assassinations and faces a supernatural creature stalking the night.

Why it defines the era: A perfect Wanderer story – blending political intrigue, dark sorcery, and Conan’s inner turmoil after losing Bêlit.

2. The Shadow of the Beast

Status: REH fragment completed by Roy Thomas
Comic Adaptation: Conan the Barbarian #114

An eerie, atmospheric story that plunges Conan into solitude and terror in a cursed land.
Why it defines the era: Emphasizes Conan’s distrust of magic and growing loneliness – a warrior coming to grips with mortality.

3. Hawks Over Shem

Status: Adapted from an REH historical tale by L. Sprague de Camp
Comic Adaptation: Savage Sword of Conan #36

Conan becomes a mercenary caught in espionage and palace conspiracies.
Why it defines the era: Reveals his evolving strategic mind and emerging political acumen – foreshadowing his future as a general.

For a full guide to the Conan books start here. 

How These Stories Were Adapted Into Comics

Canon Wanderer Adaptations

• The Snout in the Dark – Conan the Barbarian #106–107
• The Shadow of the Beast — Conan the Barbarian #114
• Hawks Over Shem — Savage Sword of Conan #36

These comics represent the core canonical adaptations of the Wanderer Era.

High-Quality Pastiche Comics Worth Exploring

These are not by Howard but respected among fans for capturing the right tone and world:

• Valley of Forever Night (Conan the Barbarian #118–120) — a haunting jungle tale of loss and magic.
  
• Mud Men of Keshan (Savage Sword #111) — an oppressive, horror-infused adventure.

For a full guide to the Conan comics start here. 

To start collecting right away I would recommend one of these:

Conan the Barbarian Omnibus 4 (end of Corsair era, beginning of Wanderer)

Savage Sword of Conan Omnibus 3 (Hawks over Shem)

Conan’s Personality in the Wanderer Era

Haunted but Resilient

After Bêlit’s death, I think Conan becomes more introspective and hesitant to form attachments.
He travels through deserts, jungles, and haunted ruins with a grim determination.

Growing Wisdom

This is when Conan learns patience and discretion. He becomes:

• Politically aware
• Wary of wizards and priests
• Observant of human nature
• A strategist who calculates before striking

A Multicultural Adventurer

During this period, Conan gains a wide understanding of Hyborian cultures:

• He learns new languages, tactics, and survival lore
• Masters local customs and superstitions
• Encounters cults, demigods, and sorcerers across continents

His grasp of language learning is incredibly impressive. I speak two languages and that’s more than challenging enough. I’m not sure my brain could cope with a third. It’s another sign that our favourite barbarian is both brains and brawn.

The Birth of a Moral Code

Though he often claims to fight only for gold, Conan repeatedly risks his life for justice, truth, or compassion.
He punishes tyrants, defends innocents, and spares enemies when honour demands it. His personal code forms here – pragmatic and sometimes noble.

One caveat I will make is that a lot of this growth is from the Conan comics, not the original stories from REH. That means it cannot truly count as canon and has been shaped by other writers.

Conan the Barbarian Omnibus 5 (continuation of Wanderer)

Best Comics to Read for the Wanderer Era

Why the Wanderer Era Matters

The Wanderer Era is the turning point in Conan’s mythology. During this phase, he becomes wiser and more worldly, hardened by loss yet increasingly introspective.

His experiences sharpen his moral awareness despite his cynicism, refine his abilities as both fighter and commander, and leave him deeply conscious of the dangers posed by sorcery and the supernatural.

This is Conan’s crucible, shaping him into the seasoned warrior who will one day lead armies and seize the throne of Aquilonia.

In the Wanderer Era, he is at once man and myth – scarred, free, and unbroken.

Overall, I think wandering time of Conan’as life is very important. It makes him a better mercenary (Conan Mercenary Guide here) and we can see many important lessons from his youth era being utilised (Conan Youth era guide here).

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclosure: This post is reader-powered and contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Introduction

I think there’s something about Conan’s pirate years that captures the essence of who he really was.

During this legendary phase of his life, Conan sails the Western Sea as a pirate alongside Bêlit, Queen of the Black Coast, raiding merchant vessels and Stygian outposts while living out what many consider his greatest love story. 

This guide covers Conan’s mid-twenties – a period where passion, loyalty and loss define him as much as sword and sorcery.

It’s also famous for one of the most well-known Conan quotes:

“I know this: if life is an illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content.” – Conan.

Beautiful, philosophical lines showcasing Robert E Howard’s talent as a writer.

This conversation I found on Reddit very much sums up my feelings for it, too.

What Is the Conan Corsair Era?

The corsair era encompasses the years when Conan operates as a pirate and raider along the Black Coast and the shores of Kush, most famously as Bêlit’s lover and right hand aboard the Tigress. 

This phase is anchored by Robert E. Howard’s 1934 novelette “Queen of the Black Coast”, one of the most acclaimed Conan tales ever written.

Quick Start: Essential Corsair Reading

If you just want the core of the Conan corsair era:

• Prose: “Queen of the Black Coast” by Robert E. Howard
• Classic comics: Conan the Barbarian (Marvel) #57–59 & #100. Roy Thomas was the king of Conan at this time. Conan Omnibus 3 and Omnibus 4 are perfect.
• Modern adaptation: Conan the Barbarian (Dark Horse, Brian Wood) #1–3, #22–25 or Ablaze’s The Cimmerian.

It’s easy to build out from here into the wider Black Coast and Black Kingdoms story cycles.

Key Events of the Corsair Period

Flight from Argos

After refusing to betray a friend to an Argossean magistrate, Conan kills the official and flees south from Messantia. He boards the merchant vessel Argus seeking escape from the law and a path into unknown waters.

Please note there are some spoilers ahead.

Meeting Bêlit

When Bêlit’s corsairs attack the Argus, Conan fights with such ferocity that the pirate queen orders her men to spare him. Impressed by his battle prowess and drawn by an instant, almost mythic attraction, she offers him a place at her side aboard the Tigress. And who can forget that dance?

Plundering the Black Coast

Together, Conan and Bêlit raid coastal settlements and Stygian shipping, becoming a whispered terror along the Western Sea. Among the Black Kingdoms, Conan gains the name Amra – “the Lion” – and starts to become a legend in his own right.

The Zarkheba Expedition & Tragedy

In pursuit of cursed treasure, they sail up the forbidden Zarkheba River into ancient, demon-haunted ruins. A winged horror destroys the Tigress and slaughters much of the crew. Bêlit is killed, but keeps her final vow – she returns from beyond death to aid Conan one last time.

Aftermath in the Black Kingdoms

Haunted by Bêlit’s death, Conan drifts inland, becoming a war-chief among the Bamulas and other Black Kingdom tribes. His time as a corsair is over, but the skills, scars and legend he forged on the Black Coast follow him for the rest of his life.

Who Is Bêlit?

Bêlit is far more than a supporting character. She is the central figure of the corsair era and arguably Conan’s greatest love. Her presence reshapes his character and gives this phase of his life a unique emotional weight.

Character Overview

• Origin & name: A Shemite woman, her name likely links to Bel, a Shemite god of thieves. Historically, “Bêlit” is related to an Akkadian word for “lady” or “mistress”, giving her title a mythic flavour.
• Appearance: Howard describes her as ivory-skinned, with long black hair and burning dark eyes, wearing little more than a girdle and jewels. Her pale skin contrasts with her Black corsair crew, visually underlining that she rules through will and charisma, not kinship.
• Leadership: Bêlit leads hardened pirates who obey her without hesitation. She chooses targets, sets strategy and commands absolute loyalty – pirates will gladly die for her.
• Relationship with Conan: She treats Conan as an equal and often as her superior in execution, not a subordinate. They recognise each other as kindred predators; their romance is immediate, violent and consuming.

What Makes Bêlit Unique

In a pulp era full of passive damsels, Bêlit drives the narrative:

• She rescues Conan as much as he rescues her.
• She teaches him seamanship, navigation and the art of raiding from the sea.
• She opens him up emotionally, exposing a vulnerability we rarely see elsewhere in his life.

After her death, Conan continues to grow, but he never fully recovers from losing her. Understandably. Many readers and scholars treat Bêlit as the one love that permanently marks him.

Robert E. Howard’s Core Corsair Stories

“Queen of the Black Coast” (1934)

The essential corsair story. Conan becomes a pirate, joins Bêlit on the Tigress, builds a legend on the Black Coast and then loses everything in the Zarkheba ruins. 

Bêlit’s ghostly return to fulfill her vow is one of the most powerful moments in the entire Conan canon.

If you only read one text from this era, make it this one.

“The Vale of Lost Women”

Chronologically, this fits into Conan’s time in the Black Kingdoms after Bêlit’s death, when he serves as a tribal war-chief. It is important for strict chronology, but:

• It contains overtly racist and sexist elements typical of early 20th-century pulp.
• Its depiction of African-coded tribes and its treatment of women are deeply problematic by modern standards.

Here is a guide on where to start with the original Conan books. 

Further Reading: Poul Anderson’s Conan the Rebel

For fans who want to dig deeper, Poul Anderson’s 1980 novel Conan the Rebel acts as an unofficial prequel to the corsair era. 

Set before “Queen of the Black Coast”, it follows Conan as he becomes involved in struggles against Stygian power while trying to aid Bêlit’s family.

It isn’t Howard and it isn’t strictly canon, but it enriches the political and religious backdrop around Stygia, Set worship and rebellion – the world Bêlit operates in before Conan ever boards the Argus. In my opinion, this is best as optional side reading, not core era material.

For more stories check out this page on other Conan pastiches (stories about Conan written by other writers).

Conan & Bêlit: Why Their Love Defines the Corsair Era

Conan During the Corsair Years

At this stage I think Conan is:

• Seasoned but not yet jaded – hardened by mercenary campaigns, but still capable of intense loyalty and love.
• A student of the sea – Bêlit trains him in shipcraft, boarding tactics and coastal raiding. He arrives as a landlocked fugitive and leaves as a fully-fledged sailor.
• Emotionally exposed – his bond with Bêlit makes him reckless. He takes risks for love that later, more cynical Conan would probably refuse.

Bêlit in the Corsair Years

Bêlit is:

• A commander first, lover second – she leads a crew of killers and chooses targets with ruthless clarity.
• Conan’s equal – she doesn’t want a tame consort but a partner who can match her in violence and courage.
• A transformative figure – she doesn’t just love Conan; she changes him, hardening his legend and softening his emotional walls at the same time.

Why Their Partnership Matters

The corsair era is special because the emotional stakes match the physical stakes:

• Love and grief sit alongside treasure and sorcery.
• The cost of adventure is not just scars and lost crew, but the loss of the one person who truly understood him.
• Later eras (wanderer, pirate, king) are haunted by what he had – and lost – on the Black Coast.

This human, tragic dimension is why readers and critics keep returning to this phase of his life.

Major Themes & Story Cycles on the Black Coast

Queen of the Black Coast – Love, Loot & Doom

“Queen of the Black Coast” is the emotional core of the corsair era:

• Conan chooses loyalty to a friend over safety, forcing his flight from Argos.
• He and Bêlit meet in battle and fall into an all-consuming romance.
• Her drive for cursed treasure leads them up the Zarkheba and ultimately to doom.
• Her ghost returns to fight beside him one last time.

This story proves that a Conan tale can be about love and mourning as much as about monsters and steel.

Amra & the Black Corsairs – Building a Legend

Marvel expanded a single Howard line about ‘Amra’ into an entire myth cycle:

• Conan the Barbarian #60–63 and #94–97 show Conan becoming Amra the Lion, a legend among coastal peoples.
• We see everyday pirate life, rival corsairs, tribal politics and how inland kingdoms view Bêlit and her Cimmerian lover.
• After Bêlit’s death, his “Amra” reputation continues to precede him, even far inland.

These arcs turn a brief mention into a fully-fledged pirate career.

Stygia, Set & the Inland Seas

Corsair life quickly intersects with Stygian religion and politics:

• Priests of Set and Stygian nobles dispatch ships and sorcerers to crush Bêlit’s raids.
• Inland cities like Khemi, Luxur and Kehmi become staging grounds for counter-strikes.
• River voyages up the Styx and its tributaries blur the line between seafaring and jungle exploration.

The corsair era is where Stygia and Set solidify as recurring central antagonists in Conan’s life.

After Bêlit – Bamulas & Haunted Wandering

Once Bêlit is gone:

• Conan moves inland, helping lead Black Kingdom tribes such as the Bamulas.
• Stories from this period show him as a war-chief still carrying Bêlit’s memory and methods.
• His legend as Amra, his comfort with non-Hyborian cultures and his hardened outlook all trace back to his time on the Tigress.

These tales feel like emotional aftershocks of the corsair years.

Best Conan Corsair Comics (Curated Reading Path)

1. Essential Marvel Run – Foundation of the Comics Era

Conan the Barbarian (Marvel) #57–59, #100

• #57 – “Incident in Argos”
  Conan’s clash with authority in Messantia and flight toward pirate waters.
• #58 – “Queen of the Black Coast”
  Classic adaptation of Howard’s story: meeting Bêlit and embracing piracy.
• #59 – “The Ballad of Bêlit”
  Expands their legend and gives a broader sense of their reign on the Black Coast.
• #100 – “Death on the Black Coast”
  Climactic adaptation of the Zarkheba expedition and Bêlit’s ghostly return.

If you want the bare minimum comics for the corsair era, start here – Conan Original Comics Omnbous vol. 3 and Conan Omnibus vol. 4.

2. Expanded Marvel Corsair Cycles – The Pirate Legend Grows

Conan the Barbarian (Marvel) #60–63, #70–71, #74–81, #84–90, #94–97

Highlights include:

• #60–63 – “Riders of the River-Dragons” / “Coming of Amra”
  Deep dive into day-to-day corsair life and the rise of Amra as a mythic figure.
• #70–71 – “City in the Storm” / “Marchers of Valhalla”
  Storms, supernatural forces and a stronger sense of cosmic stakes around Bêlit’s raids.
• #74–81, #84–90 – Stygian and hawk-rider arcs
  River voyages, religious intrigue and clashes with Set’s followers.
• #94–97 – “The Return of Amra” / “Long Night of Fang and Talon”
  Post-Bêlit stories in Abombi, where Conan’s corsair past catches up with him.

These issues are perfect for readers who want to see Marvel expand a single Howard story into a whole phase of Conan’s life.

I’ve written reviews of some of these individual issues and they are so much fun to read. This era of Marvel’s Conan the Barbarian was just excellent.

Check these out:

• Sorceress of the Swamp #82 Review
• The Dance of the Skull #83 Review
• Two Against The Hawk City # 84 Review
• Swords Against Stygia #85 Review

3. Contemporary Corsair Echoes – Titan Comics

Conan the Barbarian (Titan, 2023+) – “Thrice Marked for Death” & other upcoming arcs

Titan doesn’t re-adapt “Queen of the Black Coast” directly, but:

• Uses Bêlit-centred flashbacks and scars from the Black Coast as emotional fuel in “Thrice Marked for Death”.
• Has new arcs bringing Conan and Bêlit back into focus.

These issues serve as a bridge between the classic corsair tales and the ongoing Conan series. I’m really enjoying the current run. The writer, Jim Zub, has a real gift for blending the spirit and plots of the original stories with fresh adventures and new details.

4. Dark Horse’s Queen of the Black Coast

Conan the Barbarian (Dark Horse, Brian Wood) #1–3, #22–25

Next we move on to the worst Conan comics ever created. In my humble opinion, of course.

Here we have a skinny, emo Conan who is lovesick and missing (an ugly) Bêlit so much he turns helpless. I still can’t believe these comics were ever given the green light.

Still, not everyone feels the same way I do, and it would be unfair to not give the same chance to read them. 

I’m quite sure Robert E Howard would never have signed off ‘Conan yearning for her assurances of love and devotion.’ Utter tripe.

Thankfully they’re not easy to get hold off at the moment but the best way is probably The Conan Chronicles Epic Collections, starting with Horror Beneath The Stones.

5. Ablaze – The Cimmerian. 

This version of Queen of the Black Coast is racy and well-written – if you can get past the art. It’s European and not for everyone. I’ve found for some pages it works well, and terribly for others. Your mileage may vary.

Corsair Echoes in the 1982 Film – Valeria as a Bêlit Parallel

I’m a big fan of the 1982 Conan film. I watched it many times as a teenager then kind of forgot about it until about ten years ago, where they were showing it at my local cinema in Germany. I watched it once more and went down the deep, deep rabbit hole that led to me writing this very post (and a whole lot more!).

The film Conan the Barbarian doesn’t adapt “Queen of the Black Coast” directly, but Valeria effectively fills Bêlit’s emotional role.

Key Parallels

• Warrior lover as equal: Valeria, like Bêlit, meets Conan as a rival turned ally. She is a skilled fighter who stands beside him, not behind him.
• All-consuming partnership: Their relationship combines shared danger, passion and mutual respect, echoing the intensity of Conan and Bêlit’s romance.
• Death and supernatural return: Valeria dies to save Conan from Doom’s forces, then returns briefly in spectral form during his darkest battle – just as Bêlit returns from beyond the grave to save Conan from the winged demon in “Queen of the Black Coast”.
  

Why This Matters

For many viewers, the film is their first exposure to Conan (me included, all those years ago!). Valeria gives them an emotional arc that mirrors what Bêlit represents in the prose and comics. 

Even without naming Bêlit, the film captures the core idea of the corsair era: a warrior woman whose love and loyalty to Conan cross the boundary of death.

Where the Corsair Era Fits in Conan’s Life

In most chronologies, the corsair era sits roughly in Conan’s early to mid-twenties and follows a clear developmental arc:

1. Cimmerian Youth
2. Thief Era
3. Mercenary Era
4. Corsair Era
5. Wanderer Era
6. Pirate
7. Freebooter
8. Soldier / General
9. King Conan

Understanding the corsair era in this chain helps new readers know where to slot their reading and why Conan behaves differently here than in thief, mercenary or king phases.

A Wrap-up of the Corsair Era

The corsair era shows Conan at his most emotionally vulnerable and most fiercely alive. I think it’s the only phase where love sits on the same pedestal as battle. It’s where he learns that grief can cut deeper than steel, and that loyalty can push someone to defy even death.

For new readers, it’s a perfect entry point: a self-contained tragedy with clear stakes. For anyone studying sword and sorcery, it’s living proof that pulp adventure can carry real emotional and literary weight.

Disclosure: This post is reader-powered and contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Era Guide, Key Comics & Foundational Stories

Conan the Cimmerian’s youth era explores his brutal early life in Cimmeria: born on a battlefield, hardened by winter and clan duty, scarred by the brutality of Venarium, and tested on the frozen borderlands where he first learns to fight and kill. 

These tales reveal the origins of his strength, his distrust of civilisation, and the primal code that shapes every later era of his life.

Who or What is Conan the Cimmerian (Youth Era)?

Before Conan ever reached Zamora or became a thief, mercenary, or wanderer, he was a northern youth growing up in Cimmeria, one of the harshest lands in the Hyborian Age. 

Cimmeria is a mist-shrouded, mournful homeland where winters are long, life is short, and survival is earned with blood, discipline, and clan loyalty.

The youth era generally covers:

• Conan’s birth on a battlefield during a winter raid.
• His upbringing among hunters, warriors, and clan elders.
• Early brushes with sorcery, ghosts, and ancient horrors.
• His first kills, first journeys, and formative personal losses.
• The Battle of Venarium, which drives him south into the wider world.

This era defines Conan’s worldview: grim, pragmatic, honour-bound, and deeply suspicious of priests, kings, and any “civilisation” built on the backs of the powerless.

REH Stories Connected to the Youth Era (and other works)

Robert E. Howard wrote very little directly about Conan’s childhood, but several works strongly resonate with this period.

• “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” – A heavy hitter that has been adapted and readapted multiple times. One of the more divisive Conan stories as Conan acted out of character (in my opinion he was clearly under a spell, but check it out for yourself).
  Usually placed early in Conan’s career, many adaptations treat it as happening soon after Venarium, emphasising his youth, fury, and vulnerability to supernatural temptation.
• “Cimmeria” (poem) – Howard’s atmospheric description of Conan’s homeland; it is essential tonal context for any youth-era material about Conan the Cimmerian.

A beautiful, brooding, melancholic piece and it was recently reprinted in the new Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged.

Non-Robert E Howard

• “The Thing in the Crypt” – A later pastiche that has become a fan-favourite youth-era survival horror tale, pairing well with Howard’s bleak vision of the north. There is a great adaptation by Roy Thomas, Sal Buscema (brother of John) and Ernie Chan in Conan the Barbarian #92.
• “The Legions of the Dead” – a personal favourite of mine. It’s a kind of The Walking Dead crossed with Conan and a bunch of Aesir. It’s a very short story but incredibly haunting and evocative.

Together, these texts and adaptations help define the mood of Conan’s early life: cold, haunted, and heavy with ancestral gloom.

The sacking of Venarium is also mentioned in other Robert E Howard stories and clearly played a large role in Conan’s formative years.

Conan’s Traits in the Youth Era

During the youth era, Conan is wild, instinct-driven, and brutally tough, raised to endure cold, hunger, and sudden violence. He is naturally athletic, climbing cliffs, hunting boar, and sparring with older warriors long before most boys are considered adults. 

If the legends are to be believed, Conan also strangled a bull with his bare hands at around fifteen years of age.

Cimmerian superstition and myth shape his imagination, filling his nights with tales of dark gods, ghosts, and ancestral spirits. 

Emotionally he is raw and volatile, wrestling with grief, rage, and the tension between honour and survival, but he is not yet fully cynical – the world has not betrayed him enough times yet.

This is the Conan who learns what strength really means before he ever sets foot in Zamora, Turan, or the great southern kingdoms.

Best Conan the Cimmerian (Youth) Comics – Curated

Most young Conan stories we have from comics, not original stories. I tend to view them not as canon, but rather – the stories that show Conan the Cimmerian before fame, when he is just a furious teenager trying to survive Cimmeria, empire, and the supernatural.

1. “Born on a Battlefield” (multiple versions) – Marvel / Dark Horse
   The foundational origin where Conan is born during a raid, surrounded by snow, steel, and screams. Key versions include Conan the Barbarian #232, Dark Horse Conan #8, and a flashback in Savage Avengers #2.
2. “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” – Marvel / Dark Horse / Ablaze / Titan
   A defining northern myth in which young Conan pursues an unearthly woman across a bloody field and confronts both beauty and death in the icy north. Themes of temptation, rage, and supernatural horror make it a touchstone for his early psyche.
3. “Day of Manhood” – Savage Sword of Conan #227
   At fifteen, Conan must endure a brutal rite of passage to be recognised as a man of his clan, revealing his raw determination and refusal to break.
4. “The Thing in the Crypt” – Conan the Barbarian #92
   A formative survival tale in which a young Conan, fleeing captivity, confronts an undead guardian in a frozen tomb. Many fans view this as the moment he truly proves his will to live against the uncanny.
5. “The Battle of Venarium” – modern retellings (Marvel / Dark Horse / prose tie-ins)
   The Aquilonian invasion of Cimmeria, where Conan fights in his first true war, sees his people crushed, and is ultimately driven out of his homeland. It is one of the major pivot points in the entire Hyborian timeline.
6. “Rite of Blood” – Savage Sword of Conan #89
   A youth-era story that explores clan culture, loyalty, and Conan’s early instincts when family honour clashes with survival.
7. “Wild Cimmerian Bull” – Dark Horse Conan #32
   An alternate look at his fifteenth year, mixing mythic imagery with grounded brutality and showing how the clan views Conan’s savagery.
8. “The Legions of the Dead” – Savage Sword of Conan #39
   Conan’s first real taste of unnatural armies and mass horror in the Hyperborean north, planting seeds for his later hatred of sorcerous kingdoms.

Major Themes and Story Cycles of the Youth Era

The Cimmerian Homeland

In Cimmeria, life is harsh, clan-driven, and tied tightly to ancestral memory and oral tradition. Stories set here focus on survival against a cruel landscape, early training with his father and elders, tribal customs, and grim campfire tales that colour Conan’s understanding of gods and the dead.

The world feels smaller than his later globe-spanning adventures, but far more intense, with every hill, stone circle, and battlefield carrying generational weight.

The Venarium Cycle (Age 15)

When Aquilonian forces invade Cimmeria, Conan sees his first true war and the full might of a “civilised” army. He witnesses the destruction of his people, the moral ambiguity of imperial conquest, and the terrible cost of resisting a richer, more organised foe.

Venarium is the wound that drives him away from home and directly leads into Conan the Thief; without it, he might never have left Cimmeria at all.

The Northern Borderlands (Asgard & Vanaheim)

After Venarium, Conan drifts through the frozen border regions of Asgard and Vanaheim, where northern myths bleed into reality. 

Themes here include rage and youthful arrogance, battles against beast-men and frost giants, first clashes with organised warrior cultures, and the constant grind of hunting and survival in hostile terrain.

These tales show Conan pushing beyond Cimmeria’s borders for the first time, testing himself against other hard people and learning that the world is wider and stranger than his clan ever told him.

Where the Youth Era Fits in Conan’s Life

The Conan the Cimmerian youth era is the first chronological phase of his life and is usually framed roughly as:

• Birth to about age 15: childhood and adolescence in Cimmeria.
• Around 15–17: the Battle of Venarium and the northern borderlands. Plenty of trekking through mountains and forests here, to the edges of Hyperboria and beyond.

The era ends with Conan leaving Cimmeria for the first time, turning his back on the smouldering ruins of Venarium and heading south toward Nemedia and, eventually, Zamora and the Thief Era.

This period forges the emotional, physical, and moral foundations that every later version of Conan rests on; without understanding his youth, eras like thief, mercenary, pirate, and king lose much of their weight.

Alternative Youth (1982 film)

The 1982 film (Conan the Barbarian) portrays Conan as being taken captive and kept as a slave for many years before he is eventually freed. This seems fairly anti-Robert E Howard as: one – it’s hard to imagine Conan being a slave for a long period of time, and two – Conan needed to be released instead of freeing himself.

I’m a fan of the film and thankful that it introduced me to Conan and in turn REH, but for Conan’s youth era it doesn’t really match up and I do not count it as canon.

Collecting Conan the Cimmerian (Youth Era)

Here is a simple collecting guide for Conan the Cimmerian’s youth era that avoids chasing endless alternates.

• Marvel Omnibus: Conan the Barbarian Vol. 1 – Includes early “Frost Giant’s Daughter” material and several key youth-era flashbacks.
• Dark Horse Conan Library Editions Vol. 1–2 – High-quality retellings of “Born on a Battlefield,” Venarium, and other early northern adventures. Quite hard to get hold of, currently.
• Ablaze “The Cimmerian” adaptations – Mostly faithful, REH-focused reinterpretations, especially strong for “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” and related material.
• Titan Comics (2023 – present) – New stories with continuity-friendly youth flashbacks that reframe and expand Conan’s childhood.

See Also

• Conan the Thief guide – his first steps into civilisation.
• Conan the Mercenary era guide – the shift from survival to warfare.
• Conan the Wanderer era guide – Conan covers huge areas of the map, learns new languages and customs and defines his moral code.
• Conan Lore pages – Cimmeria, Venarium, Asgard, Hyperborea.
• Characters – Conan’s father, clan elders, Venarium-era commanders, and early allies and rivals.

FAQ: Conan the Cimmerian (Youth Era)

After the shadow-work of Zamora comes something harsher: war in daylight.

In the Mercenary Era, Conan leaves tower climbing and alley survival behind and steps onto battlefields where armies clash, cities burn, and kings wager thousands of lives for a throne or a diamond crown.

It is here – in muddy trenches, desert sieges, and doomed fortresses – that the young Cimmerian learns the brutal mathematics of the Hyborian Age: strength alone does not win wars, and loyalty is a currency more fragile than gold.

This era finds Conan between the ages of about 20 to 23. I think it’s a great era as Conan (mostly) leaves the thieving behind but it’s before the more emotionally challenging Corsair times with Bêlit.

Note: Robert E. Howard never wrote an exact “Mercenary Era.”

Most of what we call this era comes from Marvel comics, particularly Conan the Barbarian #17–31, later additions in Savage Sword, and modern reinterpretations.

The one thing we do have from the main man himself (Robert E Howard) is The Hand of Nergal – but it was an unfinished fragment, later completed by Lin Carter.

There are several non-Conan Robert E Howard stories that were adapted by Roy Thomas and fit in perfectly to the era (The Blood of Bel-Hissar) is a great example.

Mercenary Era in 30 Seconds (Quick Summary)

If you’re new to this era, start here:

• Conan the Barbarian #17–18 – The Gods of Bal-Sagoth (here we meet the legendary Fafnir)
• #19–21 – The Makkalet war begins
• #23–24 – Red Sonja enters the legend
• #25–26 – Fall of Makkalet and a turning point for Conan
• #27–29 – Desert wanderings and service in Turan
• #30–31 – The Hand of Nergal (one of the best standalone arcs)

Optional extras:
Savage Sword of Conan #1 – Curse of the Undead-Man
Conan the Barbarian #228–229 – Red Teeth (flashback)

This gives you a perfect entry path into the mercenary era.

What Is “Conan the Mercenary”?

The Mercenary Era covers the years Conan spends fighting for coin across Turan, Hyrkania, and the border kingdoms. 

He serves under princes, generals, rebel tribes, and occasionally alongside Red Sonja. He learns the tactics of cavalry, siege warfare, desert marching, and the ugly politics behind every throne room.

This era is defined by:

• vast battles rather than rooftop duels
• shifting alliances that never last
• Conan building the discipline and leadership that will eventually make him a general, warlord, and king
• early lessons in the cost of loyalty

If the Thief Era is smoky torchlight and whispered deals, the Mercenary Era is the clash of shields and the thunder of massed cavalry.

That being said, there are definitely still adventures where Conan is sneaking into tombs and temples (and he will always continue to do).

Conan’s Transformation in the Mercenary Era

Here, Conan evolves from lone wanderer to soldier capable of commanding men. He becomes:

More strategic

He studies supply lines, scouts, chokepoints, and troop morale – survival depends on more than raw strength.

More worldly

He works alongside Turanians, Hyrkanians, desert tribes, and borderland city-states, learning their customs, armour, and gods.

More dangerous

He becomes a battlefield tactician, mastering the spear wall, cavalry charge, and ambush.

More disillusioned

Conan discovers that kings and generals rarely fight for noble causes; most wars are about wealth, pride, or magic best left buried.

These lessons shape his later roles as general, warlord, and finally king.

Mercenary-Era Reading Order (Light Guide)

This is not a strict continuity chart – just a tight reading flow that captures the best of the era. Dark Horse have also done some sterling work on this period, and it can be found in the early Epic Collections or Dark Horse omnibus.

1. Conan the Barbarian #17–18 – The Gods of Bal-Sagoth
2. Conan the Barbarian #19–21 – Hawks from the Sea – Black Hound – Monoliths
3. Conan the Barbarian #23–24 – The Shadow of the Vulture – The Song of Red Sonja
4. Conan the Barbarian #25–26 – Mirrors of Kharam-Akkad – Hour of the Griffin
5. Conan the Barbarian #27–29 – Blood of Bel-Hissar – Moon of Zembabwei – Two Against Turan
6. Conan the Barbarian #30–31 – The Hand of Nergal – The Shadow in the Tomb

Optional / Expanded:

• Savage Sword of Conan #1 – Curse of the Undead-Man
• Conan the Barbarian #228–229 – Red Teeth (flashback to Turanian service)

I would highly recommend getting hold of the Conan Original Comics Omnibus One and then moving onto the second Conan omnibus if you haven’t already. 

Essential Comics of the Mercenary Era (Curated Guide)

This section highlights some of the strongest, clearest stories depicting Conan as a mercenary.

Conan the Barbarian #17–18 – “The Gods of Bal-Sagoth”

A violent introduction to the era: crashed ships, warring island factions, forgotten gods, and first hints of Conan’s battlefield cunning.
Themes: destiny vs manipulation, early leadership, mythic warfare.

Conan the Barbarian #19–21 – The Makkalet War Begins

These issues plunge Conan into a multi-faction war around Makkalet, featuring Turanian princes, shifting alliances, and brutally costly battles.
This is where the series begins treating Conan not as an isolated adventurer, but as one soldier in a much larger geopolitical struggle.

Conan the Barbarian #23 – “The Shadow of the Vulture”

Conan crosses paths with Red Sonja for the first time during a siege filled with political betrayal, long-range assassins, and clashing armies.
This is one of the most iconic mercenary-era stories and essential for understanding their dynamic.

Conan the Barbarian #24 – “The Song of Red Sonja”

A legendary one-shot where Sonja steals every scene – swaggering, sharp-tongued, and impossible to ignore.
Conan learns that allies can be as dangerous as enemies.

Conan the Barbarian #25–26 – “Mirrors of Kharam-Akkad” & “Hour of the Griffin”

Court intrigue collides with battlefield chaos, and Conan discovers just how fragile Turanian politics are.
These issues close the Makkalet sequence with high sorcery and tragic consequences.

Conan the Barbarian #27–29 – “Blood of Bel-Hissar,” “Moon of Zembabwei,” “Two Against Turan”

A transition arc where Conan begins drifting out of the war and toward new lands. The Blood of Bel-Hissar has some of my favourite Conan art of all time.

• #27: desert mutinies and cursed relics
• #28: jungle sorcery
• #29: Conan joins the Turanian army formally

Conan the Barbarian #30–31 – “The Hand of Nergal” & “The Shadow in the Tomb”

A classic supernatural arc. The Hand of Nergal is one of the most memorable magical artifacts in Conan lore – a talisman that preys on fear itself.
These issues show Conan fighting not just soldiers but a force of cosmic dread.

Bonus: Curse of the Undead-Man (Savage Sword of Conan #1)

Though not strictly war-bound, this is a superb early-career mercenary tale: necromancy, betrayal, and a nightmarish chase through a doomed city. It again includes Red Sonja and I see it as a kind of crossover between Thief and Mercenary.

Major Themes of the Mercenary Era

The hollowness of noble causes

Many wars Conan fights have no heroic purpose. Makkalet is the prime example: a conflict fuelled by false relics, pride, and political self-deception.

The fragility of alliance

Turanian nobles betray each other; mercenaries switch sides; Red Sonja remains loyal only to herself.

The growth of a leader

Conan begins observing which commanders inspire loyalty and which drive men to pointless death. These lessons build the future general.

Magic on the battlefield

Artifacts like the Hand of Nergal show that war in the Hyborian Age is never purely mundane.

Where the Mercenary Era Fits in Conan’s Life

This era sits after his early Zamorian adventures but before his days as pirate, corsair, free companion, warlord, and king.
It is here he learns:

• how armies actually function
• why political power corrupts
• how to lead men through fear, courage, and example
• why he will later distrust priests, kings, and “noble causes”

Without the Mercenary Era, King Conan would probably not exist.

Collecting Conan the Mercenary (Simple Guide)

For readers and collectors who want a clean bookshelf path:

• Marvel Omnibus: Conan the Barbarian Vol. 1 – includes #17–31, the core mercenary run
• Epic Collection: The Coming of Conan / Queen of the Black Coast – overlap with early-war material
• Titan’s Savage Sword Omnibus line – excellent for expanded material and beautifully restored art. Also includes Curse of the Undead-Man and other early mercenary-flavoured tales.

See Also

• Conan the Thief era guide – precursor to the mercenary mindset, and where he learnt many relevant skills.
• Conan the Wanderer era guide – Conan covers large swathes of the Hyborian Age and expands his knowledge rapidly.

FAQ

A read of the new Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged (pictured above) got me thinking. Is there a ‘best’ time in Conan’s life or career? I decided to find out.

Sidenote: the new, colourised Reforged is beautiful, by the way. Now, without further ado…

Before Conan was a mercenary, pirate, or king, he was a thief. In the night-soaked streets of Zamora, especially the cities of Arenjun (Zamora the Accursed) and Shadizar the Wicked, the young Cimmerian learned stealth, survival, and the treachery of civilisation.

Table of Contents

• Who or What Is “Conan the Thief”?
• Conan’s Traits in the Thief Era
• REH Stories That Define Conan the Thief
• Best Conan the Thief Comics
• Major Themes and Story Cycles
• Key Thief-Era Locations
• Notable Adaptations
• Where the Thief Era Fits in Conan’s Life
• Collecting Conan the Thief
• See Also
• FAQs

Who or What Is “Conan the Thief”?

“Conan the Thief” covers Conan’s earliest adult adventures in the Hyborian Age, when he leaves the wilds behind and steps into the decadent cities of Zamora. He is believed to be around 17-18 years old at this point in his life.

Arenjun, also known as the City of Thieves and sometimes called Zamora the Accursed, is a crossroads for rogues, assassins, and smugglers from across the world.

From there, Conan drifts toward Shadizar the Wicked, a corrupt capital where temples, taverns, and back alleys hide both easy riches and sudden death.

Conan’s Traits in the Thief Era

This is the age of climbing forbidden towers, robbing sorcerers, and slipping through mazelike streets under cover of darkness. Conan learns to treat civilisation as just another jungle, filled with predators in silk instead of fur, and he builds the skills that will support every later phase of his life.

During the thief era, Conan is fast, lean, and almost feral in his reactions, able to scale walls and slip through windows with unnerving ease for a man of his size. His instincts are tuned to danger, and he is as likely to dodge trouble with a quick decision as he is to carve a path through it with steel.

Conan’s personal code is still forming, which means he may work with thieves, mercenaries, or priests if it serves his goals, but he never fully trusts any of them. Gold, strange relics, and forbidden temples draw him forward, yet betrayal by allies, patrons, and cults steadily shapes his contempt for authority and organised power.

REH Stories That Define Conan the Thief

Robert E. Howard’s original prose stories are the bedrock of the thief era and shape how later comics depict Conan in Zamora.

I still remember the day I first listened to The Tower of the Elephant (yes, I listened to the audiobooks before later turning to the written stories) and I was absolutely blown away. I vividly recall stopping what I was doing as Yag-Kosha related his tale and it was this story that made me not just a bigger fan of Conan, but come to regard Robert E Howard as one of the finest writers who ever lived.

So, the three main stories from the man himself are:

• “The Tower of the Elephant” – Conan infiltrates a tower in Arenjun to steal a legendary jewel and discovers the tragic truth behind its guardian.
• “The God in the Bowl” – A murder mystery in a museum-like setting, showing Conan entangled with authorities after a theft goes badly.
• “Rogues in the House” – A tale of treachery, hired murder, and a monstrous prison-break that exposes the rot in high places.

The God in the Bowl is an excellent story for conveying the loyal/betrayed side of Conan (DO NOT screw him over) and Rogues in the House is another all-time classic, and includes the loveable Murillo, the man-like Thak and the despicable Nabonidus.

These three stories are strong contenders for any ‘best of’ Conan lists and define the Thief era.

I listened to the stories on the Weird Tales audiobook, though The God in the Bowl was not included as it was never published by Weird Tales.

Check this out for an overview to the original Conan books.

We also get the excellent quote “Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.” from this era, and the Tower of the Elephant in particular.

Best Conan the Thief Comics (Curated)

These comics give a clear, atmospheric look at Conan the Thief and make a strong reading path for new fans and collectors.

1. Conan the Barbarian #4 – “The Tower of the Elephant” (Marvel)
   A definitive thief-era story set in Arenjun, where Conan joins Taurus of Nemedia to scale a sorcerer’s tower for a legendary jewel and discovers something far stranger at its heart.
2. Conan #17 – “The City of Thieves” (Dark Horse)
   A sharp modern take showing Conan actively learning the thief’s trade, navigating urban corruption, and realising how little honour exists in city alleys.
3. Conan the Barbarian #11 – “Rogues in the House” (Marvel)
   A brutal mix of political intrigue, the Red Priest, and the unforgettable creature Thak, highlighting how Conan is used as a pawn and how he refuses to stay one.
4. Conan #41-44 “Rogues in the House” (Dark Horse) Cary Nord’s stellar artwork takes the original story up a notch. Not to be missed.
5. Savage Sword of Conan #174 – “Red Stones”
   A heist that begins in Arenjun and spills into Corinthian trouble, blending urban skulduggery with the wider Hyborian world.
6. Conan the Barbarian #6 – “Devil-Wings Over Shadizar” (Marvel)
   A city-of-thieves tale that fuses decadent Shadizar nightlife with lurking supernatural horror above its rooftops.
7. Savage Sword of Conan #165 – “City of Rats”
   A moody return to the underbelly of Arenjun, where rot, vermin, and human treachery all compete for Conan’s life.
8. Conan #29–36 (Dark Horse) – “Wrath of Anu” Prelude
   A longer arc of border-town intrigue and urban corruption that expands the thief-era feel beyond Zamora while preserving its noir atmosphere.

The Barbarian Original Years Omnibus One is a good place to start.

Check out this general guide to the Conan comics for a clear overview.

Discussions on Conan comics chronologies can be found here.

Major Themes and Story Cycles

Arenjun Cycle (Zamora the Accursed)

Arenjun, often identified as the City of Thieves or Zamora the Accursed, is the core setting for many thief-era tales. Here Conan specialises in tower climbs, temple break-ins, and thefts from powerful sorcerers who guard more than mere gold.

These stories frequently revolve around cult infiltration, cursed jewels, and bargains that twist into betrayal, blending gritty crime with cosmic or eldritch consequences. The contrast between cramped, filthy streets and glittering towers gives the Arenjun cycle its signature tone of urban sword-and-sorcery noir.

The tower heist in the 1982 Conan the Barbarian film is absolutely a tribute/parallel to the Tower of the Elephant as well.

The Shadizar Road

The road between smaller Zamorian villages and Shadizar the Wicked exposes Conan to gamblers, corrupt officials, and rival thieves who treat life as a game of wagers and knives. Ruined waystations and roadside temples often hold forgotten relics and spirits, turning simple travel into lethal adventure.

In these tales, Conan experiences how trade routes and politics feed the decadence of Shadizar, and how common folk suffer under distant, uncaring powers. The mix of travel, roadside danger, and city intrigue makes this thread feel like a Hyborian crime road movie.

Key Thief-Era Locations

• Arenjun – City of Thieves (Zamora the Accursed) – A notorious den of criminals where Conan’s professional thieving begins.
• Shadizar the Wicked – Capital of Zamora, a gateway city famed for decadence, temples, and lethal intrigues.
• Numalia (Nemedia) – A more ordered city whose laws and politics still offer plenty of cracks for a thief to exploit.
• Border towns in Corinthia, Ophir, and Koth – Frontier settlements where corrupt officials and petty lords provide opportunities for bold heists.

Notable Adaptations

• “The Tower of the Elephant” – Adapted multiple times across comics and formats, each with a unique visual take on Arenjun and Yara’s tower.
• “Rogues in the House” – Revisited in different versions that emphasise either the political plot, the Red Priest, or the monstrous Thak.

Where the Thief Era Fits in Conan’s Life

The thief period sits early in Conan’s career, after his harsh youth in Cimmeria and raids on northern borders but before he becomes a regular mercenary in organised armies. Many timelines place his Zamorian years as the true beginning of his adult legend.

Later eras see him transform from mercenary to wanderer, pirate, corsair, free companion, and eventually warlord and king, but his time in Zamora remains the crucible that taught him how civilisation really works. Many of his later decisions about rulers, priests, and empires reflect hard lessons first learned in Arenjun and Shadizar.

Collecting Conan the Thief (Simple Guide)

For collectors who want to focus on Conan the Thief without chasing every appearance, these editions offer strong coverage and good reading flow.

• Marvel Omnibus: Conan the Barbarian Vol. 1 – Key early issues including cornerstone thief-era stories and foundational adventures.
• Dark Horse Conan Library Editions (Busiek run) – Oversized volumes that collect the early Dark Horse material, including “The City of Thieves” and “Wrath of Anu” arcs.
• Dark Horse Epic Collections – especially the first two. Hard to come by, but you might find them on ebay. Aim for ‘The Heart of Yag-Kosha’.
• Titan’s Savage Sword Omnibus line – Newer hardcovers that re-present classic Savage Sword material, ideal for building a thief-era shelf.
• Conan Reforged – The Savage Sword version of The Tower of the Elephant has just been reprinted (and in colour for the first time!) and it is truly excellent.

See Also

Conan the Thief is one of my favourite periods of Conan’s life (along with the Liberator times). I love trying to track his life both backward and forward along the Hyborian roads.

I’ll update the links below as I get around to writing them.

• Conan the Cimmerian – Focus on his brutal northern youth and first steps out of Cimmeria before he ever reaches Zamora.
• Conan the Mercenary – The next major era, where he trades stealth for open battle in armies and free companies.
• Lore pages – Zamora, Arenjun (Zamora the Accursed), Shadizar the Wicked, and related Hyborian locations.
• Characters – Taurus of Nemedia, Jenna, Isparana, Nestor, and other rogues who cross paths with Conan during his thief years.

FAQs

When does the Thief era take place in Conan’s life?

The Thief era happens early in Conan’s adulthood, shortly after he leaves Cimmeria and before he becomes a mercenary or wanderer. Many timelines treat his Zamorian years as the true beginning of his legendary career. He’s generally 17-18 years old here, though so later thief stories see him as probably 19.

Why does Conan become a thief in Zamora?

Zamora offers both danger and opportunity. Its cities, especially Arenjun and Shadizar, are filled with thieves, cults, and decadent nobles. With no allies or wealth, young Conan turns to thievery as a way to survive and to understand how civilisation really works.

Is Arenjun the same as “Zamora the Accursed”?

Arenjun is often called the City of Thieves and is closely tied to the darker epithet “Zamora the Accursed”. The name reflects its corruption, criminal underworld, and the dangerous temples and towers that dominate its skyline. The name Arenjun was made up by Sprague deCamp, a later writer of Conan the Barbarian.

Which stories best represent Conan as a thief?

Core examples include “The Tower of the Elephant”, “The God in the Bowl”, and “Rogues in the House”. These stories show Conan infiltrating towers, getting entangled with city authorities, and dealing with betrayal in the heart of civilisation.

Are the Dark Horse comics part of the Thief era?

Some Dark Horse issues reinterpret Conan’s early years, especially around “The City of Thieves” and the “Wrath of Anu” material. While they are not identical to Marvel’s chronology, many fans treat them as strong thief-era or early-career companion pieces.

What defines the Thief era compared to other Conan phases?

The Thief era focuses on urban adventure: dark temples, criminal factions, corrupt officials, and jobs done under moonlight. Conan relies more on agility and cunning than on battlefield strength or command, and much of the conflict plays out in streets, taverns, and back rooms rather than open war.

Do the Thief-era stories influence Conan later in life?

Yes. The betrayals and corruption Conan faces in Zamora shape his lifelong distrust of authority and organised religion. His time in Arenjun and Shadizar strongly influences his later decisions as a mercenary, wanderer, and eventually as a king.

Do I need to read every Thief-era story to understand Conan?

No. A handful of core stories gives you a complete understanding of the era. Additional tales deepen the lore and fill in gaps, but they aren’t required to follow Conan’s development from thief to mercenary and beyond.

Where should new readers start with Conan the Thief?

The best starting point is “The Tower of the Elephant”, followed by “Rogues in the House”. Modern readers can also begin with Dark Horse’s “City of Thieves” arc, which gives a stylish, accessible look at this period in Conan’s life.

What comes after the Thief era in Conan’s timeline?

The next major period is Conan the Mercenary, where he joins armies and free companies. From there he moves into wanderer, pirate, corsair, and free companion phases before eventually ruling as a king.