Kull the Conqueror #1 1988 Turkish Comic Turkey #9 SSOC #3
Kull – Issue #1 – Marvel Yayınları Turkish Edition (1988)
Description:
This comic is Issue #1 of the Turkish Kull series published by Marvel Yayınları in 1988. Limited to a total of six issues, this series represents another notable Turkish adaptation of Robert E. Howard’s sword-and-sorcery universe, presenting the character Kull to local readers through a curated selection of translated and adapted stories.
Kull, created by Robert E. Howard, is a barbarian warrior from Atlantis who ultimately becomes a king. Preceding Conan in Howard’s literary chronology, Kull’s stories are often characterized by philosophical undertones, political intrigue, and themes surrounding identity, authority, and illusion. These elements distinguish the character within the broader sword-and-sorcery genre and contribute to his enduring appeal among fantasy readers.
The Turkish edition was printed in black and white, despite the original American publications being released in color. This production choice reflects the economic constraints of the Turkish publishing industry during the late 1980s, where cost considerations often dictated monochrome printing. As a result, the visual presentation emphasizes line work and shading, offering a different aesthetic experience compared to the original color editions.
The cover of this issue is sourced from Kull the Conqueror #9, featuring artwork adapted from the original Marvel publication. Inside, the issue compiles multiple stories from various sources within the Kull and broader Conan-related publications, following an anthology-style structure common in Turkish comic adaptations of the period.
The included content consists of “Barbar Kral” and “Kılıçtaki Yazgı,” along with “Kull of Atlantis” from The Savage Sword of Conan #3, presented as a key narrative exploring Kull’s origins and thematic foundations. In addition to translated material, the issue also features “Kral Kıll,” a parody interpretation of Kull created by Turkish artist Yıldırım Örer. This inclusion reflects a localized publishing tradition where original parody works were occasionally integrated alongside international content, adding a uniquely Turkish creative layer to the publication.
From a collector’s perspective, this issue is significant as part of a complete six-issue Turkish run and for its combination of international adaptations and domestic parody content. The anthology format, combined with its black-and-white presentation and mixed-source storytelling, makes it a distinctive entry within Turkish fantasy comic publishing.
Key Features:
• Series: Kull (Marvel Yayınları Turkish Edition)
• Issue: Issue #1
• Publisher: Marvel Yayınları
• Publication Year: 1988
• Language: Turkish
• Printing: Black and white (originally published in color)
• Format: Standard comic format
• Character: Kull, created by Robert E. Howard
• Cover Source: Kull the Conqueror #9
• Included Stories: “Barbar Kral”; “Kılıçtaki Yazgı”; “Kull of Atlantis” (The Savage Sword of Conan #3); “Kral Kıll” parody by Turkish artist Yıldırım Örer
• Content Type: Anthology combining multiple sword-and-sorcery stories and a local parody
• Series Scope: 6 issues published in 1988
• Collector Appeal: Early Turkish Marvel-branded adaptation featuring mixed-source content and original Turkish parody material