Talk:Conan the Barbarian/Archive 2009

The Character

Conan as a German

If described as such, being Celtic does not contradict it; the Celts originated in (or near) what is now Germany. Or at least they passed through the region. --KDF

But the language, culture, and physical type are quite distinct. Howard often described Gaels as dark haired, and with a swarthiness peculiar to the north, whereas Germanic people were invariably light haired and skinned. To boot, although both cultures are Indo European, and actually share many similarities, the racial doctrines prevalent before WWII would have emphazized the innate (we would say genetic) differences over surface physical and cultural similarities). --Svartalf 15:04, 2 January 2006 (UTC)

actually the Celts simply passed through what is now Germany. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.12.110.63 (talk) 20:07, 2 February 2009 (UTC)

Magic Use?

I question the validity of this statement under Abilities: "Although he hates magic, he knows certain spells and uses them when he has to" It's been a few years since I read any Conan stories, but I don't recall him ever using magic? Is this accurate? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.30.184.80 (talk) 19:43, 28 January 2009 (UTC)

Conan and Cormac FitzGeoffrey

"Though Howard never gave a strict height or weight for Conan in a story, only describing him in loose terms like "giant" and "massive", he did once state that Conan and another of Howard's characters, the crusader Cormac Fitzgeoffrey, were "physical doubles" at 6'2" and 210 lb (188 cm and 95 kg, a description of Howard's own height and weight)." Can anyone find this quotation anywhere? I can find no direct reference in either Howard's letters or according to anyone in conversation. I am of the opinion that this is a later quotation attributable to De Camp or Carter, since I've read a great deal of Howard's letters regarding Conan and cannot find such a comparison. Unless the source is found, I do not think it should be included.

Other

Australian (and UK) copyright

I don't see why it's considered a matter of "opinion" that Project Gutenberg Australia feels able to carry Robert E. Howard stories. Australian copyright for books is life of the author plus 50 years, so REH's works published before his death in 1936 have been freely useable for years. The same now applies in the UK - here, it's life plus 70, so REH's works published before his death went out of copyright at the end of 2006. 86.143.48.124 14:26, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

I'm not an expert on UK copyright law by any means but it may get complicated by several factors. I believe "works for hire" (owned by the publisher rather than the author) are copyrighted for 100 years from the date of publication. Under that ruling the Conan stories will not be public domain until the 2030s. However, that might have been the law at the time so it may not apply regardless. There seem to be other technicalities as well, certainly enough to cause confusion. Some elements, such as "Conan", are also trademarked. This is a separate body of law and can be maintained as such forever as long as it is renewed.AdamBMorgan 00:52, 7 October 2007 (UTC)

To my knowledge ( without looking them up ) none of the Conan stories Howard wrote were works for hire. They are stories he wrote and sold, not that he was commissioned to write for the pulps. 75.191.157.40 (talk) 01:46, 11 February 2009 (UTC)

Popularity/fame claims

"is the most famous barbarian in fiction and one of the most well known and iconic figures in American fantasy" seems a little presumptuous, and regardless of the citation given, it's still somewhat of an opinion unless you can back it up with solid statistical surveys. I like fantasy fiction. If he's so popular, how come this is the first I've heard of him? Ever. It's not like he's even a name I've heard around here or there, but I've never looked into any media featuring him. And it's not like I've been locked away in a closet somewhere. I get around. I surf the internet a lot, see movies and TV shows, read and listen to books, listen to music, play different games, hang out sometimes with kids who are into fantasy fiction, etc. How in the world does that allow him to be "one of the most well known and iconic figures in American fantasy"? I guarantee you I could ask the next 10 people I see if they've ever heard of Conan the Barbarian, and get blank stares, but I'd find dozens of other fantasy figures they are familiar with. - Blueguy 72.150.217.157 (talk) 06:37, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

I'm going to modify it per your valid point. ChildofMidnight (talk) 20:04, 26 May 2009 (UTC)

"If he's so popular, how come this is the first I've heard of him?" Perhaps it is not because he is unpopular, but rather that you have small reference pools. Just because the people you hang out with and the sites you frequent don't seem to mention Conan (being a surfer myself, I have to wonder exactly what sites they are) does not make it representative of the internet as a whole. Many, many publications attest to the concept of him being very well known, and your anecdotal evidence does not supplant official publications and the opinions of people more qualified to make such statements than yourself (fantasy authors, historians, scholars etc). To use my own anecdotal evidence, I know plenty of people who DO know Conan the Barbarian, and have been to many sites that mention him. But I wouldn't use that as justification for such a phrase as that above, I would use citations from professionals and publications in the field.

hero v. antihero

I guess we have to go by what reliable sources say, but my understanding is that Conan is an antihero ie. he doesn't set out and isn't motivated by service to the greater good. He's simply a barbarian who looks out for his friends and whose judgement is such that he does the right thing. Thoughts? ChildofMidnight (talk) 20:11, 26 May 2009 (UTC)