Conan the Barbarian
The muscular chap first appeared on Weird Tales magazine in 1932, created by Robert E. Howard.
The interesting fact to know is, the very first story plot that Conan appeared in was actually a rejected storyline meant for Howard's other more famous hero Kull the Conqueror.
Conan is a Cimmerian. The Cimmerians were based on the Celts or Gaels. He was born on a battlefield and is the son of a village blacksmith. Conan matured quickly as a youth and, by age fifteen, he was already a respected warrior who had participated in the destruction of the Aquilonian outpost of Venarium.
Despite his brutish appearance, Conan uses his brains as well as his brawn. The Cimmerian is a highly skilled warrior, possibly without peer with a sword, but his travels have given him vast experience in other trades, especially as a thief. He is also a talented commander, tactician, and strategist, as well as a born leader. In addition, Conan speaks many languages, including advanced reading and writing abilities.
The stories of Conan the Carbarian was published countless times and almost without any halt through time. But notably, 2 publication houses stood out - Marvel and Dark Horse.
Conan's first appearance under Marvel was in 1970, under the title Conan the Barbarian. Another title of the warrior, Savage Sword of Conan, was launched 4 years later, with more gore and adult content in story plot.
Dark Horse only started the prints at a later time in 2003.
Through the many interesting and exciting adventures of the warrior king sprout one character whom later gained her own self-titled comic book - Red Sonja.
She is a Hyrkanian warrior created for the Conan comics. Based on the Howard character, Red Sonya of Rogatino, who appeared in The Shadow of the Vulture tale set in the 16th–century.
The character had went on to gain a lot more fame and followers, and was ranked first in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.
Another interesting fact relating to the character of Conan was, Barack Obama is an avid fan to him and is a collector of his comic books. He even appeared as a character in a comic book called Barack the Barbarian from Devil's Due.
