CATALOG RECORD

Savage Tales #4

Marvel · Series began 1971 · May 1974

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Dates

Cover date: May 1974
On sale: April 2, 1974
Pages: 68

Editions and covers

Original edition
Source ↗

Creators

pencils: Neal Adams, P. Craig Russell, Gil Kane, Al Williamson, Joe Maneely, John Forte, Barry Windsor-Smith, Kelly Freas, Ed Emshwiller, John Romita, John Buscemainks: Neal Adams, P. Craig Russell, Frank McLaughlin, Pablo Marcos, Vince Colletta, Al Williamson, Joe Maneely, John Forte, Barry Windsor-Smith, Ed Emshwiller, Kelly Freas, John Romita, Ernie Chancolors: Neal Adams, Pablo Marcosscript: Roy Thomas, Robert E. Howard, Erwin Stevensonletters: John Costanza, Sam Rosen, Gaspar Saladinoediting: Stan Lee

Stories

Night of the Dark God · 21 pages
Conan travels home to Cimmeria only to discover that his childhood sweetheart, Mala, has been abducted by a band of Vanir raiders. He pursues them by boat and comes across a ship with dead Vanir and Picts next to a dark idol. Conan takes the idol and heads for the Isle of Swords, where Thorfel the Fair is about to marry Mala. But rather than giving herself to Thorfel, Mala kills herself. Conan kills Thorfel and receives unexpected help from a band of Picts who have come to the island looking for their dark idol.
Star-Crossed Swords · 2 pages
Jason and His Electric Argonauts · Heroic Fantasy in the Films · 6 pages
Origin of the Crusader, Part 2 · 5 pages
Upon learning that he is actually Frankish nobility, the Saracen warrior known as El Alemein joins the Crusaders. Saladin appears and challenges King Richard the Lion-Hearted to a duel, but El Alemein offers to fight in the king's place and defeats Saladin. King Richard knights El Alemein and names him Lord O'Dare.
The Hour of the Gnome · The Artists of Conan · 5 pages
The Dweller in the Dark · 16 pages
Conan becomes Captain of the royal guard in the small city-state of Zahmahn as well as the lover of Queen Fatima. When the Queen catches Conan with the servant girl Yaila in a delicate situation, she leaves them in the dungeon to be devoured by the Dweller in the Dark. They manage to escape, however, and Conan throws the Queen to the monster. According to tradition, Zahmahn can only be ruled by a female sovereign, so Conan nominates Yaila as the new queen.

Publisher’s description

Conan must avenge his village that was raided by the Vanir! And his close friend was one of their captives!

Reprinted in

Savage Sword of Conan (2007), Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus (2019), The Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Comics Omnibus (2024), Savage Tales (1972), Marvel Treasury Edition (1974), The Savage Sword of Conan (1977), Conan Saga (1987), Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus (2018), Conan The Barbarian: The Original Comics Omnibus (2024)