WARNING: The following article contains MAJOR spoilers for Savage Avengers #25, on sale now.
The latest issue of Marvel's Savage Avengers features the stunning death of an unlikely Avenger hailing from the Hyperborean Age.
Conan the Barbarian meets what appears to be a grisly end at the hands of his archvillain Kulan Gath in the finale of Issue #25, Part 2 of the tale "The Defilement of all Things by the Cannibal-Sorcerer Kulan Gath."
The mortal enemies engage in violent combat, with Conan armed with not only the enchanted armor of Doctor Doom, but also weapons from Kang the Conqueror's citadel beyond time, including Captain America's Secret Empire shield and a symbiote. Unfortunately, none of these accouterments are enough to stop the power-hungry Gath. The issue ends on a cliffhanger with the mad sorcerer ripping Conan's still-beating heart from his chest.
Savage Avengers began with Conan in the Savage Land, working alongside Wolverine, the Punisher, Venom, Doctor Voodoo, Elektra and other unlikely teammates from across the Marvel Universe. The Cimmerian, stuck in a world far beyond the Hyperborean Age thanks to the time-traveling events of 2019's Avengers: No Road Home weekly series, has continuously chased Kulan Gath, who grew in power over the course of the series thanks to ancient artifacts known as the Eyes of Agamotto. Gath also absorbed vast amounts of energy from the elder god Shuma-Gorath, and in Issue #24, the sorcerer unleashed his wrath upon Marvel's various heroes, blasting She-Hulk apart with eye beams, easily catching Captain America's shield and dispatching Doctor Doom without breaking a sweat.
In the aftermath of the tumultuous battle, Gath remade Earth to resemble a twisted Hyperborean Age, placing himself as supreme ruler of all with only Conan remaining to stand in his way. With the barbarian's death, Gath seems set to continue his reign of terror -- unless the still-living icons of the Marvel Universe, like Kang the Conqueror -- choose to intervene.
Kulan Gath made his first appearance in 1972's Conan the Barbarian #14, which featured a team-up with Michael Moore's sword and sorcery character Elric of Melniboné. An ancient, cannibalistic mage who surmounted death by placing his essence into an amulet, Gath has battled with not only the likes of Conan and Red Sonja, but also Doctor Strange, the Avengers and the X-Men.
Savage Avengers #25 is by writer Gerry Duggan and artist Patch Zircher, with covers by Valerio Giangiordano and Frank D'Armata, and Cory Smith and Matt Milla.
- GERRY DUGGAN (W) • PATCH ZIRCHER (A)
- Cover by VALERIO GIANGIORDANO
- VARIANT COVER BY CORY SMITH
- Can the unexpected entrance of an old villain help the Savage Avengers overcome the monstrous Kulan Gath? The entire Earth better hope so!
- 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
Source: Marvel
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