Warning: SPOILERS for Conan 2099 #1
In the world of Marvel Comics, Conan the Barbarian is a man removed from his own time. Pulled from his timeline and homeland of Cimmeria into the present-day, Conan currently fights as a member of the deadly Savage Avengers. Now readers know he also stays in the present day, and succeeds in his mission to become king. But the bigger surprise is that in Marvel's future, Conan the Barbarian ultimately swaps his crown for a helmet... to become the Nova of 2099.
The new Marvel 2099 event is underway, promising to change the future of Marvel Comics forever. The event has already shown the future Punisher at home in his dystopian future, while the new Captain America Roberta Mendez fights for freedom. And even if fans hate the idea of their favorite hero passing on their mantle to a new generation, even the most opinionated reader can't be too upset about Conan being given the helmet of a Nova Corps officer asking for help with his dying breath.
In the years since Conan fought as a Savage Avenger, it's shown that he finally achieved his quest of becoming a king in the years leading up to 2099. One day, a witch would come to his throne seeking a place by his side. Conan recognized the witch as the villainous Morgan Le Fay, looking for a new ruler to manipulate. As Conan drives his sword through her chest, she curses him to live until the sun burns the Earth under his feet, and she will live within his mind until then, attempting to drive him mad.
With a crown above his brow, Conan ultimately kept his people safe from invaders. But in the present day of 2099 his people face a foe he could not fight with muscle and steel: climate change. Unable to bear ruling over dust, Conan gives up his crown to scatter his people across the land, giving them a fighting chance. And once more, the Barbarian wanders... until a new fate comes hurtling through the sky to crash into the Earth before him.
In a tale right out of Green Lantern Hal Jordan's own origin story, Conan finds a dying Nova Corps member who pleads for the warrior to return his helmet to the Nova Corps. Conan takes the helmet, but recalling the helmet from his earlier days fighting alongside Marvel's heroes, Conan has his own intentions. Conan sets out across the lands, until he finds himself at a tower that once acted as the Nova Corps Citadel. Long dead in this grim future Los Angeles, it becomes clear to both Conan and the building's computerized systems that he has become the last Nova on Earth (if not the galaxy). Recognizing the damaged helmet Conan bears, the headquarter obeys his wishes to take him -- and the spirit of Morgan Le Fay that has possessed his mind -- off to the stars.
Confusion sets in as Morgan tries to understand Conan's intentions. Conan intends to rid himself of his curse, by flying the ship into the sun: burning the earth under his feet. The ship quickly complies once he says a contagion dwells within him, initiating purification protocols. As the ship begins to burn away, and Morgan Le Fay with it, Conan puts the Nova helmet on and is spared from the burning ship. Free of his curse, Conan puts his back to Earth and turns to the stars to begin a new quest... for a new crown. It's a tale fans shouldn't miss, and they can find the full credits and plot synopsis for the issue can be found below:
- CONAN 2099 #1
- Written by: Gerry Duggan
- Art by: Roge Antonia
- Cover Art by: Geoff Shaw
- EONS FROM HOME, THE BARBARIAN BATTLES THE CIVILIZATION OF 2099! In the far flung future of 2099, will barbarism finally triumph over an endangered civilization? When CONAN THE BARBARIAN entered the Marvel Universe with the SAVAGE AVENGERS, he stayed to conquer and claim his kingship in modern times. Now cursed by a mystic to live beyond his years, when Conan's new kingdom is threatened, he swings his blade once more! But as the calamity in 2099 bears down on his secluded realm, will the future shock unseat the barbarian king? An unforgettable chapter unlike anything you've ever seen in the saga of Conan! Parental Advisory
Conan 2099 #1 is available now from your local comic book store, or direct from Marvel Comics.