Savage Sword of Conan #10 Cover 1976

This is the cover of Savage Sword of Conan #10, painted by Boris Vallejo sometime after 1941. You can tell Vallejo’s worked in illustration – just look at the way he renders the bodies! The drama is heightened by the contrast between the warm flesh tones of Conan and the cool blues and greys of the frozen landscape. I love how the paint's been layered to create a kind of gritty texture, which is perfect for a barbaric scene. It feels like the artist really dug into the surface, especially around the skulls and bones at Conan's feet. You can almost feel the chill of the snow! The gesture of Conan striding forward, sword in hand, is so dynamic. It reminds me of Frank Frazetta’s work, but maybe with a bit more… sparkle? Ultimately, it's about the power of paint to evoke a whole world of adventure and danger.