“The Hand of Nergal!”
Writer: Roy Thomas based on story by Lin Carter & Robert E. Howard
Artists: John Buscema & Ernie Chua
Conan is battling the rebel forces of satrap Munthassem Khan. He is single-handedly kicking butt. Then mysterious translucent bats attack the Turanian forces. The soldiers flee and Conan is almost killed but a mysterious amulet he just recently found protects him. He wakes up to find himself the sole survivor. At the river he finds a beautiful girl who was almost trampled by retreating soldiers. She has come from Atalis in the city and seeks Conan. The offer of gold decides the matter and Conan goes to see Atalis.
He arrives and finds out that the wise man and a rebel prince need Conan because he has the Heart of Tammuz. Seems the Khan was a wise and gently ruler until he came into possession of the Hand of Nergal. This hand made him a cruel tyrant. So the three go and sneak into the palace while the Khan is sleeping. Only he knew they were coming and sets a trap with his supernatural powers. As the three are brought down the slave girl comes in and seizes the amulet and throws it at the Khan. It hits him between the eyes and he drops the hand. Then the two objects produce the godlike figures that battle. The heart wins and the Khan is turned to dust. Later Conan rides out with a new horse, a bag of gold and the slave girl as payment.
So this is the beginning of when they could start using the stories from Carter and De Camp. This one was an excellent story. Its once again Conan at his best. A savage who is a one man army. A guy who would rather have adventure than a comfy post in the new satrap’s guard. A guy who likes his women. Definitely another quality entry in the Conan saga.
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