Savage Tales (1st Series)

    (Marvel, 1971-1975)
™ and © Marvel Characters, Inc.

Following the successful debut of Conan the Barbarian in its color comics line the year before, Marvel attempted to move to the less-restricted, non-Comic Code arena of the black and white magazine format in 1971. Rated “M For The Mature Reader!” the stories presented here contained slightly more daring themes and partial nudity. The lead feature was a Conan story; “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” adapted by Roy Thomas and illustrated by Barry Smith. Additional features included the first appearance of The Man-Thing and a more brutal, Ka-Zar.

Poor distribution led to the title‘s cancellation after one issue. The magazine was revived in 1973, this time with more success. In 1974, Ka-Zar became the lead feature with Conan headlining a new title, The Savage Sword of Conan. “The Frost Giant’s Daughter” was colored to make some nude scenes appropriate for the color comic and saw print in Conan the Barbarian #16.
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1

May, 1971
Cover Price: $0.50
1 copy available for $900.00 		Roy Thomas, Stan Lee, Gerry Conway, Sergius O’Shaugnessy, Robert E. HowardBarry Windsor-Smith, John Romita Sr., Gray Morrow, Gene Colan, John Buscema
#2

October, 1973
Cover Price: $0.75
10 copies available from $8.50 		Roy Thomas, Robert E. Howard, Gerry Conway, Joe ManeelyBarry Windsor-Smith, Al Williamson, Frank Brunner, Gray Morrow, Bernie Wrightson
#3

February, 1974
Cover Price: $0.75
13 copies available from $2.28 		Roy Thomas, Robert E. Howard, Ray Capella, Stan Lee, Jim SterankoBarry Windsor-Smith, Esteban Maroto, Al Williamson, Frank Brunner, John Romita Sr., Leo Margulies, Jim Steranko
#4

May, 1974
Cover Price: $0.75
7 copies available from $5.25 		Roy Thomas, Robert E. Howard, Stan LeeNeal Adams, Gil Kane, Diverse Hands, Joe Maneely, Barry Windsor-Smith, P. Craig Russell
#5

July, 1974
Cover Price: $0.75
9 copies available from $3.64 		Roy Thomas, John Jakes, Dan Adkins, Stan LeeJim Starlin, Roy G. Krenkel, Tony DeZuniga, Dan Adkins, Val Mayerik, John Buscema
#6

September, 1974
Cover Price: $0.75
6 copies available from $16.00 		Gerry Conway, Len Wein, Stan Lee, Roy Thomas, Fred Blosser, Don RicoJohn Buscema, Al Williamson, Steve Gan, Rudy Nebres, Gil Kane
#7

November, 1974
Cover Price: $0.75
6 copies available from $6.98 		Gerry Conway, John Jakes, Doug MoenchJohn Buscema, Steve Gan
#8

January, 1975
Cover Price: $0.75
6 copies available from $9.80 		Gerry Conway, John Jakes, Doug Moench, Bob WeinbergJohn Buscema, Steve Gan
#9

March, 1975
Cover Price: $0.75
5 copies available from $8.00 		Gerry Conway, Carla ConwaySteve Gan
#10

May, 1975
Cover Price: $0.75
4 copies available from $10.00 		Gerry Conway, John Jakes, Carla ConwayRuss Heath, Ross Andru
#11

July, 1975
Cover Price: $0.75
5 copies available from $3.75 		Doug Moench, Archie GoodwinSteve Gan, Russ Heath, Sandy Plunkett
Annual #1

June, 1975
Cover Price: $1.25
7 copies available from $6.00 		Roy Thomas, Len Wein, Gerry ConwayGil Kane, Steve Gan, Barry Windsor-Smith, Gray Morrow