"Black Colossus" featuring Conan.
Princess Yasmela is stalked in her dreams by the mad prophet Natohk, who tells the Princess of his pending conquest of her kingdom of Khoraja, and of his plan to make her his bride. Yasmela prays to Mitra for aid, and is told to go out in the night streets, and meet the man who will save her. She complies and meets Conan, and names his as the Commander of the armies of Khoraja, a major improvement over his position as mercenary. Conan leads the armies of Khoraja against the forces of Natohk, but the battle is a distraction for Natohk to capture the Princess. Conan gives pursuit, and finally faces Natohk, who is unveiled to be an ancient wizard, decaying in flesh, who needs the Princess' blood for resurrection.
Story adapted from Robert E. Howard by Roy Thomas, penciled by John Buscema, and inked by Alfredo Alcala; 30 pages.
"Chronicles of the Sword: An Informal History of Sword-And-Sorcery Fiction, Part 1"
4 pages, text with spot illustrations by Alan Weiss, Al Milgrom, and Joe Staton.
"Blackmark, Chapter Two"
Young Blackmark grows strong and curious about the world, particularly about the Lords of Psi-Keep. His father Zeph tries to shield him from the evil truth of the world, but, one day, invaders murder Zeph, and rape and kill his mother Marnie in front of his eyes. Blackmark vows to one day hold the reins of Earth, and to find the perpetrator of his parents deaths. This vow triggers the event by which the scientific knowledge of dead Amarix floods Blackmark's brain, which will one day bring his quest to fruition.
Story written and illustrated by Gil Kane; 14 pages.
"The Beast from the Abyss" featuring King Kull.
King Kull visits his lands, and spends time in Kamula, a City of easy pleasure. The reverie is cut short when Brule announces that dark forces are kidnapping and murdering his men. Pursuit of the mystery leads Kull & Brule to a black pit, where Kull's men have been prepared as sacrifices to the pit's resident, a monstrous slug.
Story adapted from the story "Black Abyss" written by R.E. Howard and Lin Carter by Steve Englehart, penciled by Howard Chaykin, and inked by the team called Crusty Bunkers, who include Neal Adams, Russ Heath, Dick Giordano, and Alan Weiss; 10 pages.
Cover painting by Neal Adams; frontispiece illustration by Mike Zeck.