Conan: The Blood-Stained Crown and Other Stories (Conan 2004 #18, 26-28, 39)

Eisner Award-winning writer Kurt Busiek (Astro City, Superman, Marvels) teams up with some of the best artists and writers in this collection of stand-alone stories from Conan. In "Helm," Busiek and Fabian Nicieza (X-Men, Buffy The Vampire Slayer) write and EC Comics legend John Severin draws the story of a certain very famous horned helm. Renowned comics and animation artist Bruce Timm (Batman The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited) lends his styling to the darkly comic "Conan's Favorite Joke." Current Conan writer and Conan and the Songs of the Dead artist Timothy Truman takes pencil in hand as the Cimmerian's influence crosses generations in "Seeds of Empire" and "The Blood-Stained Crown." Eisner Award-winning Goon creator Eric Powell draws the poignant story of a young and unsung hero in "Storyteller," Dark Horse's centennial tribute to Conan creator Robert E. Howard. And classic Savage Sword of Conan artist Rafael Kayanan returns to the world of Hyboria with "In the Tower of Tara-Teth," a gritty adventure set during the Cimmerian's years as a mercenary and pirate.