Conan the Barbarian #3

Published by Marvel Comics in 1971, Conan the Barbarian #3 represents an early installment in the company's successful effort to adapt Robert E. Howard’s pulp fantasy hero into a modern comic book format. The series was spearheaded by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, who sought to capture the grit and visceral atmosphere of the original stories. This specific issue, titled 'Twilight of the Grim Grey God,' is notable for its exploration of Norse mythology, marking a transition in the character's early adventures toward more epic, mythic storytelling.

Barry Windsor-Smith's aesthetic, characterized by intricate linework and a distinctly lyrical approach to action, was essential in establishing the tone for the Conan franchise. At the time of its release, the comic was met with significant critical appreciation for elevating the sword-and-sorcery genre within the medium of mainstream comics. This issue remains a sought-after piece among collectors for its representation of the foundational collaboration between Thomas and Windsor-Smith that helped define the visual language of Marvel's fantasy line during the early 1970s.