WIBR: Conan vol. 8: Black Colossus

 In case you’re wondering about how writer Tim Truman and artist Tomas Giorello’s run on “Conan” has been going — it’s still quality stuff.  While this volume won’t make a believer out of anyone who isn’t already a fan of the legendary barbarian, it’s still an entertaining, action-packed adventure.  “Black Colossus” finds our protagonist falling in with a group of mercenaries who are hired to defend the city of Khoraja from the wizard Natohk and his vile hordes.  When Conan finds himself in the right place at the right time, he winds up becoming the leader of Khoraja’s armies — a position that fits him better than he would have thought.  Giorello is utterly at home depicting whatever situation the title character finds himself in, be it joining a fight in progress on a grassy meadow, leading a group of troops in a parade, and bedding the city’s sovereign in a dark tomb.  Truman continues to show he has a great understanding of how to write the legendary barbarian and makes his transition from soldier to leader of men a believable one.