Conan the Barbarian #16

Conan the Barbarian number 16 was published by Marvel Comics in June 1972, serving as a pivotal entry in the series that brought Robert E. Howard’s sword-and-sorcery icon to a mass-market audience. This issue marked the continuation of the creative partnership between writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, who together were instrumental in establishing the visual and tonal language of the Hyborian Age in comic book form during the early 1970s.

The issue features the story 'The Garden of the Fear' and showcases Windsor-Smith's intricate, highly detailed illustrative style, which was heavily influenced by Pre-Raphaelite art and a deliberate departure from the standard Marvel house style of the era. This artistic direction was well-received by readers for its moody, atmospheric depiction of Conan’s world, solidifying the title's reputation as a more sophisticated, character-driven alternative to the traditional superhero comics of the time.