[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

I have become acutely aware that artists have begun to portray Conan in a fur loincloth and boots. Why?

Yes, Conan is a barbarian. But to me the most intriguing thing about him, visually speaking, is that he wears the armor and costumes of whatever land or kingdom he is living or traveling in. So the idea of putting him in fur loincloth and boots so much makes no sense to me. Further, in terms of art, it limits his appeal.

[Bri]

El Borak, on Sep 27 2003, 08:18 PM, said:

in terms of art, it limits his appeal.

Possibly. But Marvel decided in 1970 that character recognition was more important to the franchise. Nowadays, a recognizable 'costume' is not as important since the comic buyer today is quite different from those kids of yesteryear. Dark Horse's decision to be truer to the original Howard descriptions with their new comic starting early next year is a change for the better IMO.

-Bri

[GreyDawnAnew]

I agree, the "fur and loincloth" image is stale. Conan wore many things, and I for one would love to see him portrayed in such.

[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

It's not only stale, but keeping Conan in fur loincloth and boots all the time turns such an incredible character into a farse. I recently bought Conan, The Sword of Skelos, its cover somewhat portraying a scene in the first chapter. I say somewhat 'cause rather than reproducing a scene within a book as described a'la Frazetta, the artist added and changed things, including putting Conan in a fur loincloth and boots rather than the armor, etc., as in the story. Absolutely ridiculous!

[budgie]

I think one of the reasons for the fur undies and boots is recognition..

Not all Conan fans read the books, theres a great many people who get into conan through the Arnie films.. what did he wear? fur undies and boots.. The publishers are just trying to get the attention of those types to try the medium of books (or comics), its a sort of visial aid as it were..

once you are inside the cover though thats a different story..

Budgie

[matsellah]

Right you are. It's for recognition and it isn't recent. The fur undies (that made me laugh) and boots go way back. Years. I first read the comic back in the early 70's.

You have to picture the think tank at Marvel discussing how they were going to present the character and somebody (most likely an artist) asking...

"What's his costume look like?"

[Orkin]

It appears to be an amalgam of garments described in the original tales. Conan himself in Hour of the Dragon said that he wore a pantherskin loincloth in his youth, although the "fur undies" are not really a loincloth. Conan is decribed as wearing high boots in his buccaneer tales.

Perhaps they wanted one outfit that could be identified and perhaps stereotyped as a barbarian outfit...

[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

Ah, you have hit the nail on the head, Orkin. By putting Conan in fur loincloth and boots over and over artists are creating a stereotype of a barbarian of which Conan is not. Or to be more accurate, Conan isn't the stereotype the ordinary person envisions when thinking of a barbarian. As I believe I mentioned above, in his travels, his positions in this army and that, in just whatever land or kingdom he is in, Conan wears the armor and dress appropriate.

I noticed on the reissue of Poul Anderson's Conan the Rebel the artist has him in a scale mail shirt and of all things a scale mail skirt with bare legs and tall boots.

[cimerians]

I like the fur loincloth and boots.

I like the other stuff he wears too.

Doesn't matter for me. I just wasnt a good artist,
especially for the new comic coming out by Darkhorse.

[Orkin]

Here's a site dedicated to loincloths. I don't quite know what to make of it...
http://www.karstensloinclothsite.com/

[budgie]

ehmm.. oooo-kayyy that was "interesting"

Just goes to show youi can get anything on the net

Budgie

[Kane]

While an intresting site, I find there lack of the female form dressed in loincloths somewhat bias.

Yes, I am a pig. But, i'm honest about it.

[budgie]

Kane,
That might have something to do with the gay links at the bottom of the page

Budgi

[Kane]

budgie, on Oct 2 2003, 11:23 AM, said:

Kane,
That might have something to do with the gay links at the bottom of the page

Budgi

Ooops.

That would explain the lack of womens.

[Orkin]

Oops. I didn't check out that part...

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

[broncoboxer]

Too freaking funny!

[Kurt Busiek]

In fact, I have pointed out that site to both Cary Nord and one of the CONAN cover artists, when loincloth reference was needed...

kdb

[broncoboxer]

Kurt Busiek, on Oct 5 2003, 07:06 AM, said:

In fact, I have pointed out that site to both Cary Nord and one of the CONAN cover artists, when loincloth reference was needed...

kdb

Well, that's a good comics writer for you. Like a quarterback watching game tapes, he's always ready to lead his team and to suggest good...um...websites to reference.

[Dragon Girl]

Well, that website is certainly, um, intriguing. Any chance of loincloths making a fashion comeback?

[El Borak's Li'l Brother]

I don't know, Dragon Girl, but if they do I hope they're not fur with matching fur boots.