Pulp Origins

In the 1930's, Robert E. Howard wanted to create a new hero who could populate the pulp sci-fi and fantasy magazines of the day. While the names Conan and Crom first came up in 1932's "People Of The Dark," the character officially debuted in "The Phoenix On The Sword" later that year.

Around that same time, he also crafted an essay called "The Hyborian Age" which detailed the world in which Conan's adventures take place. Since then, many other authors have gotten in on the Conan action, writing new stories, comics, games, and films starring the character.

An Age of Wonder

As described by Howard, the Hyborian Age took place in a sword and sorcery time with somewhat primitive lands drawn out by the author himself and expanded upon over the decades. Over the centuries, some wandering tribes settled down, forming kingdoms of their own, like the Cimmerians that bore Conan. In addition to Barbarian warriors like our hero, the Hyborian Age plays home to pirates, sorcerers, monsters, mercenaries, and more.

In his first story, Conan fought Thoth-Amon, an evil wizard that would become his greatest enemy.

The Man Who Would Be King

The Cimmerian son of a blacksmith, Conan physically matured quickly, become a battle-tested warrior by the age of 15. He eventually decided to leave his home and wander the land, having adventures, romancing women, and fighting evil magicians, monsters, and other merchants of mayhem. The black-haired devotee of the god Crom eventually found himself as the leader of an army of fellow warriors, which helped him kill the King of Aquilonia after felling the previous crown-bearer.