'Conan 2099' Will Be a New Opportunity for the Hyborian Hero to Seize His Destiny
Writer Gerry Duggan and editor Mark Basso preview the future of Conan the Barbarian!
Conan has been living in the present for a while now after his arrival during AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME and later SAVAGE AVENGERS -- but what does the future of the Marvel Universe hold for a hero who began his journey during the Hyborian Age? We'll find out in a few short weeks when Conan arrives in the year 2099! CONAN 2099 #1, written by Gerry Duggan with art by Roge Antonio, arrives in comic shops on Wednesday, November 27 -- but you can get a look at the brave barbarian's new story today! Marvel.com spoke with Brisson and series editor Mark Basso to see what we could expect from the far-flung future:
Conan is once again a man out of time, and a king, but now his kingdom is being threatened. Can you provide any details on the threat faced by Conan in 2099?
Gerry Duggan: Every threat is an opportunity to expand. That's the joy of Conan 2099.
Mark Basso: From Robert E. Howard’s original stories through the original Marvel Comics to the current Marvel Comics, Conan is a man constantly in motion, striving towards new opportunities and his eventual kingdom. Here we posit he stayed in the Marvel age of heroes after coming here in AVENGERS: NO ROAD HOME, but he still reached that ultimate goal of becoming a king. The problem is, the world around him very much has changed, and while he can protect his people from invaders and outside forces, we’ll see that the state of the planet itself has turned the tide against him… as well as magic. Even in 2099, Conan can’t get away from that damned magic.
How does CONAN 2099 figure into all the 2099 books coming out this year?
Mark Basso: Conan has adapted to 2099, but he hasn’t changed, if that makes sense. He’s not in love with a planet run by corporations, or technology, and as the progress of man has poisoned the planet, it’s from the same perspective of logic and survival that he’s going to take action. This is going to put him at odds with the same forces you’ll see in the other 2099 books, and maybe put him on the wrong side of the Public Eye.
What kinds of things do you keep in mind when writing Conan the Barbarian when he’s out of the Hyborian Age? He’s already adjusted to the world of SAVAGE AVENGERS – what does the future hold for him?
Gerry Duggan: I'm not sure I would agree that he's adjusted to the current Marvel Universe – he's only in the most recent issue seen a boat with a metal hull or a light bulb. There's more for Conan to understand and overcome, but those are opportunities for him to expand again. The future is not a threat to him – it's a destiny to seize.
Now that Conan is cursed to live a longer life, how does he pass the time?
Mark Basso: The same way he always has—by treading the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his feet!
Gerry Duggan: Biding his time until he can slay his enemies.
CONAN 2099 #1, written by Gerry Duggan with art by Roge Antonio, arrives in comic shops on Wednesday, November 27! Pre-order your copy today online or at your local comic shop!
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