Conan 'Rage of the Undying' Statue Unboxing and Review

Christmas strikes in Bardic Lands and only one legendary figure of modern myth is sufficient to the task of enduring the merriment that follows... I speak of Conan! Yes, my microphone stand is a goblet. What of it?

[@TheDMGinfo]

came for the HeroQuest, stayed for the Barbarians.

[@Onemurillo]

Me too!!!!!!!!!

[@Nakkikassi]

Me three.

[@MisterBones2910]

AND MY AXE

[@damienvalentine5043]

AND MY BROEDSOED!

[@noobiesnacks1636]

lol!!

[@mattregan6128]

Does anybody else kind of want to read his Barbarian Thesis?

[@METALGEARMATRIX]

I'm trying to write a Conan-inspired pulp story. So yes, I need that thesis.

[@tikiux5]

I neeeed it

[@danielphipps6309]

The best I could do was break down that the title is, I believe, "The Pattern of Exile.

[@Liberty-or-Death-1776]

No. I want him to read it to us!

[@Megalomaniakaal]

@@Liberty-or-Death-1776 Like a bedtime story? As told by a barbarian?

[@lordazn]

When he talked about his childhood memory of his uncle and mom taking him down to the local video shop, I pictured him as a kid but with his full beard still intact.

[@seangreen6456]

Also, the exact same voice.

[@graf666orlok]

Hey there! I am one of the many that worked on that statue! (base design primarily, oddly enough, the ring was my idea! :) ha ha) thanks so much for the kind words! The sculptors responsible will be thrilled to see this!

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Ahh, well a hearty 'well done' from me. Thanks for the ring, it remains my favorite detail.

[@guilmon182]

Do you think we could ever read your thesis on Barbarian Heroes? It sounds fascinating!

[@WearyWizard]

"look at the mussss-que-laarrrity" gets me every time ^_^

[@yabbadabbindude]

look at the muscularity..

[@florentdemeyere4779]

you meant M U S C U L A R I T Y

[@mcfarvo]

5:31

[@poponachtschnecke]

I love how in depth these reviews are. This is interesting entertainment, even for a chick who hasn't bought a figurine or model in over 20 years.

[@daniel_dumile]

Amazing, my ADD riddled brain rarely sits through entire youtube videos, let alone 10 minute unboxing videos. Adding the fact I have zero interest in collectibles or fantasy, this video review was fantastic. I actually downloaded Conan: The Barbarian.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

You do me much credit, sir :)

[@kolsveinnskraevolding]

When I grow up, I wanna be like BardicBroadcasts.

[@mantistoboggan5171]

i really don't give a shit about unboxings, nor do i care about these types of items he is unboxing, but this dude is absolutely brilliant. i searched for heroquest, but i subbed just to see the animation in this guy every now and then to lighten my spirits.

[@dacedebeer2697]

I like how they made his face somewhat feline. Very fitting considering the constant comparisons between him and tigers in Howard's books.

[@ohnoitisnt666]

I am late to your work Sir, but by Crom I am glad I found you! A true internet unicorn! So very very good!

[@noacarvajal8647]

i know that you haven't uploaded any videos for quite a while but i just wanted to say how wonderful it is to hear such insightful and sincere critiques of the things you unbox and rebox while maintaining a wit and joy in doing so. it's really amazing and so engaging

[@CinKaiDRocks]

I was staring at that damn ring too... a great Little detail to the figure. :D Another amazing review! I thank you sir.

[@mygaffer]

I can't believe how good this figure review is.

[@TorQueMoD]

OMG, please come back and make these on a weekly basis! I can't get enough of your videos :P

[@diaz5292]

"The lamentations of Moff Tarkin."...Impressive. Most impressive geekery... lol

[@ohnoitisnt666]

Just brilliant. Re watch your videos and they never cease to entertain and inform.

[@joeymaximus8146]

As outlandish as it may sound that ring on the platform is BY FAR my favorite feature/detail on the whole piece. Whomever came up with that was utterly brilliant!

[@Tenchinu]

Instantly subscribed. Adored the passion and love you have for everything in your channel... and thats coming from someone that could not care less for unboxing or miniatures altogether. Thank you for the reeducation on the subject, and cant wait to see whatever else you post, hopefully, in the near future

[@Grieyls]

That last bit cracked me up XD

[@kilppa]

I don't care at all for these games and have never played (would be intrested to try, though), but I accidentally came about one of his videos and just his performance and voice keeps me so captivated. I could probably watch him talk about grass growing and be entertained.

[@Slit518]

This was the best description of anything I have ever heard.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Grand!

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

My mother took me to see Conan the Barbarian in the theater when I was 12. We liked it so much we stayed and watched it again. I have watched it hundreds, if not thousands, of times over the years. The directors cut is not so great, though. It has a couple nice additional scenes, but too much that ruins the feel of the movie for me. To this day I still get so excited at that opening monologue by Mako, and the story Conan's father tells him.

[@PeterSmithwoodsmith]

I have become obsessed with the word Muscularity.

[@roproart6529]

I love your way with words Bard.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Ｔｈａｎｋ　ｙｏｕ！

[@shipadre]

Once again, great stuff! Can't wait for more.

[@guigondi7671]

Goddamn! for some reason it is really satifying to hear you gush about things you like.

[@Mightypi]

6:50 this is some of the most powerful and raw description i have ever heard.

[@Fyarl666]

What is your thesis on? What do you do for a living? Where do you live?? WILL YOU PLEASE BE MY FRIEND??

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Don't you want to know the air/speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

[@Fyarl666]

+BardicBroadcasts what do you mean? African or European?

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Dwarfen! Having an answer ready is the main reason that dwarf bridge-keepers have never been bested.

[@Fyarl666]

+BardicBroadcasts seriously though, can I send you an email or something? I think it's fascinating that you did a thesis on the barbarian warrior.

[@GavWorm]

Can I get in on this befriending??? =D I have a cat.

[@bosco685]

A fantastic representation of one of the best fantasy characters - EVER!

[@pirwzy]

Just discovered your channel today. Top notch stuff! Looking forward to more from your in the future! :D

[@nikolaosgordatos1635]

Dude, I would kill to have you as my dungeon master whenever I play sword and sorcery tabletop and pen-and-paper RPGs!

[@johnsalsa4818]

Your thesis sounds like a cracking good read, good dwarf. Perhaps you should unbox that one of these days!

[@HellfireComms]

Was recommended to you by a mate of mine. Definitely earned a sub!

[@ricardoslhenriques]

Man, you are blessed with narrative prowess and deep growling voice to go with it. You would fit a proper Conan narrator part easily.

[@coppershark1973]

Thanks for these videos. You are brilliant!

[@elmustardtiger8507]

I played Barbarian on the Commodore 64. Easily my favourite game, cleaving your foes head from their lifeless shoulders is an unparalleled high. The lizard that kicked the head along was also nice touch

[@mistersharpe4375]

A thesis on barbarian heroes? For the love of Crom, please publish that somewhere for us undeserving peasants! Or perhaps make more swords & sorcery related videos. I'm dying to see something Slaine related be giving the spotlight.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Slaine is an amazing deconstruction and subversion of the barbarian hero. I would love to harp on it at some point. I probably will when the stars align!

[@mistersharpe4375]

BardicBroadcasts Awesome, can't wait! And best of all about Slaine, though he is a subversive example of the barbarian hero turned king, he is not quite overtly so and never devolves into mere parody. The Horned God and the Book of Invasions should be essential reading to all genuine sword & sorcery fans.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Mister Sharpe I think the Horned God resonates most with those familiar with celtic myth and lore. These days I tend to favor recommending Lord of Misrule because the Robin Hood myth has much broader (almost universal) penetration and the medieval period is generally more 'active' in the common imagination. It is excellent and showing the divide between celtic myth and later romances, but it might not be optimal as a sword and sorcery peice (or an introduction to Slaine!) I will have to re-read it.

[@mistersharpe4375]

BardicBroadcasts A very astute observation I agree. I do not yet own Lord of Misrule, though it is definitely next on the hit list. Though I'm actually quite surprised that those Arthurian connections weren't explored much earlier in Slaine's history. I must say however that the Horned God was my first Slaine story and I would heartily recommend it to newcomers (even if it might set the bar a bit too high for the other books). I myself wasn't at all intimate with gaelic lore back then and I found that Horned God was instrumental in giving me an appreciation and understanding of the broader mythology. Hell, now it's no wonder why Irish heroes were the go-to protagonists for R.E. Howard. But then again, I am sure that I'm not in advertisement for a reason...

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Mister Sharpe If Slaine and Arthurian connections interest you then Treasures of Britain is the must-read story since it involved Slaine directly interacting the the figures of Arthurian lore. It is a fascinating looks at they dysfunctionality of the Arthurian dynamic.

[@fongdimbulator]

I don't collect models or do tabletop gaming but I can't stop watching. I think it's your dulcet Middle Earth accent.

[@mattrobins2002]

I love the bard. We need more cracking unboxings

[@Wildboy789789]

the aggressive plastic and mighty cod-peice has earned my subscription... ur only 1 of 6 that I sub to and I intend to watch all new videos

[@BardicBroadcasts]

I am honoured, lad.

[@rustybuckets07]

I got lucky with 'The Prize'. It looks perfect from every angle.Who ever painted it....kudos.You are every bit as good as Leonardo.

[@bechtholdillustrator9378]

Love your Videos. Rewatching for years now lol. Finally Time for a comment i guess. It's funny, my introduction to Sword and Sorcery as a kid was also Conan the Destroyer, my Father owned it on Vhs.Watched it tons of Times. Since this day im deeply into all this Stuff. Also still own that VHS.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Grand! I had a viewing of Conan the Destroyer recently, now that you mention it. I still rank that early battle scene very highly.

[@mortengottschalck]

You're such a great storyteller, tip of the hat

[@DubiousByName]

If anyone else was wondering what the reference was at 2:29, a commentor below pointed it, but I'll but it here with the full quote: "Narrator: 'It is said Sláine killed three hundred men, women and children that day... He didn't think it too many.' 2000 AD prog 858."

[@Ropetupa]

Thank you for the info. Personally have read just Dredd and Nemesis from 2000 A.D so was wondering about that quote for a long time.

[@brandonsalcedo4142]

Brilliantly analyzed. Admire your Knowledge and I learned a lot from it. :) cheers.

[@Anjohl]

Wonderful piece. My issue with SS pieces is that the figure itself is only the *beginning* of the spending! A proper dust-free display case will cost as much as the figure itself, and then there is the issue of how much space in your home the entire setup will take up in your home. Beautiful nonetheless.

[@thiagobecker6144]

for that awesome presentation vid. you get nothing less than a subscription from me. you are a real cool dude with your big beard and your ellaborated way of talking, iam also really keen on getting your thesis get explained by you in that magnificent way.

[@IceJoust]

I'd love to see you do a longer video focused on Sword and Sorcery, perhaps a reading list or similar? Completely rekindled my love of Conan by watching this! Had to re-read the collection and run a bit of RPG to satisfy the craving..

[@9Hand0Cannon7]

I am not a big collectibles fan but you are entertaining enough to watch anyway!

[@shawnmartin1289]

Can I read your thesis on barbarians?

[@commissarjb]

Watching this for the first time today. I want to read it too.

[@benaldridge3732]

Yeah! I want to read it!

[@rickyjacksonandunsee]

Love your video's mate !

[@Rowsdow3r]

You're the best. Don't ever change.

[@xxmineoklxxhd3688]

love your videos bro!

[@Vocc1]

I also would love to see a video about your thesis!

[@Kalosius]

Whenever you say muscularity, I laugh out loud, every time

[@ragnar3434]

Can't wait to see what your next Sideshow statue is going to be.

[@stevenkennedy4130]

So much fun. Thank you!

[@rwburdett]

Enjoyed the Slaine reference - there's a blast from the past.

[@adriansmith2639]

8:04 I thought this was a gag but I just read Maneaters of Zambula. Also the first big appearance of Yog, for those who like Conan Exiles.

[@leng4610uk]

Is such insightful dwarf-like magnificence present elsewhere on our the Interweb? It seems not. Hail The Bard! [Playlist on repeat.]

[@asherett]

Another fantastic unboxing (well, more of a detailed, reasoned, critique)! I am wondering, Mr. Bard: in the video there appears to be some very distinct changes in Conan's skin tone, which you generally praise, especially on his face compared to the rest of the body? Also perhaps seems to be on his hands, especially the right one (holding the mace). See 8:15 - It seems distinctly darker and more "orange" in tone. At 9:45 we can see the tone change clearly from his neck, up towards the jaw line. Just tricks of the light, or?

[@BardicBroadcasts]

I can answer that, aye. It's my camera. I have no idea how to use it properly. If a cloud happens to go over it will do some weirdo automatic colour correcting and the image will be different from some others from the same day. The second oddity you mention does seem to be a bit of light tomfoolery. I can see Conan from where I am sitting and his skintone looks perfectly grand. That said, his face is much less highlighted due to the frequency of recesses as compared to large, smooth musculature as seen elsewhere.

[@madamechaos7481]

It's seems as though, because of the order in which I liked this video. It now appears in the playlist right after my workout video. Now when I finish my workout, I'm met with a hearty "Yohohoho". Thanks! XD

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Keen! Maybe I should make motivational workout tracks?

[@madamechaos7481]

That would be hilarious. "Now you too, can attain the mighty physique.....of the dwarfs!"

[@thegreywanderer8427]

Ooh that Jubilee is absolutely gorgeus! Never saw it before, I guess my nerd-fu is severely lacking. And the size of that Conan... CROM!

[@joka619]

he has a song of ice and fire books in the back, we need review bard!! :D

[@RussellChilds]

Great video!!! Good job!! Stay tough!

[@vesavius]

Nice Slaine reference in there :)

[@pixelartingames]

I like to think that it's solely Barbarian on the Atari ST that made me the person i am today, bald, fat but incredibly charming......yet another quality vid Mr.hairy, good job..

[@Bobbyholland901]

Fantastic review. I mean it. Thank you.

[@alistairsmith6961]

I don't even care about miniatures, or board games that much, but I stay for you Bard

[@psilocybegames1678]

Hey man! WE LOVE YOU! Oink!

[@jeffsmith40]

Nice use of the word 'girt' in there. As a fellow Australian, I approve

[@andrepakulak2513]

When you say musculaaaratee! I laugh everytime

[@atinybard6594]

How do you not have a million subs yet...?

[@tommoblue2296]

this video alone made me go and buy and read every Conan story

[@AnthonyDark]

great review

[@Smoothhands602]

Srsly, i am on my 4rth video and you are already my favorite youtube channel, if i can paint a good enough portrait of you will you use it?

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Will it be a spooky haunted portrait where the beard follows you around the room?

[@Smoothhands602]

Imagine if you had a child with cthulu

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Imagine the custody battle!

[@Smoothhands602]

sorry Cthulhu

[@Smoothhands602]

Damn, that would be one hell of a movie

[@dungeonforcevids]

This dude needs a Patreon. I'd pay to listen to him review spark plugs.

[@strikethespike816]

This was fantastic. I found you HeroQuest video and have watched some of your other videos (Like the Silver Tower videos) and one thing I have found is that you have one of the keenest understandings of what made the Sword and sorcery genre and The Barbarian Hero so great and what makes the old works still hold up. I'd love to read your Barbarian Hero Thesis as it sounds extremely insightful. I myself have always been a fan of Sword and Sorcery (And Conan). After watching so many B Flick Barbarian movies myself I found what I think may have helped killed the concept which was the (Barbarian Revenge Formula) The first instance of it is the Conan the barbarian movie (that I can find) and after that almost every other Barbarian movie copies that Formula. (Conan the Barbarian is still good make no mistake but when on one does anything new with the concept of a barbarian hero it starts to become plain. Which is sad sense many of the themes you talked about in this video are great such as the idea of a man that uses his own power to shape the word around him by using his own mind and body.) Any way your videos are a joy to watch. They are always filled with lots of insight and energy keep up the great work!

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Many folk want to read that thesis it seems. Maybe I will adapt the most relevant parts into a video of some kind? Your comments on the barbarian-revenge formula is interesting. I wonder if it is useful because revenge is such a simple and direct motivator that it fits with the short format of a movie very well and leaves plenty of room for many other things of interest. The revenge film is indeed a genre unto itself 'Conan the Barbarian' is a great example, I think, as notable in that context as 'I Spit on your Grave' or 'John Wick'. It is perhaps not surprising that the 1982 Conan film chose that path rather than adapt existing Conan literature. The influence of this choice is certainly evident, as you say, as the sword and the sorcery boom that followed certainly had a lot of revenge stories. They even went that rout for the 2011 Conan film.

[@strikethespike816]

I would love to see that video. As for the Formula If I recall (I had figured it out years ago and never really put it on paper sadly.) was typically as follows: Barbarian/Barbarians has home (Could be village or just a little place they live with their family, or a cart) Place get burned down by big bad (more often than not some sort of evil wizard) and all there are ether enslaved or killed, Barbarian(s) then learn to fight (Normally gladiator but sometimes they learn from a master, Conan did both in the movie) Barbarian after training makes friends, Barbarian gets revenge (and sometimes the girl, Though girl can die as well, Conan did both). There are some movies that don’t do this but the majority that I have seen do this. It’s a simple plot that can be condensed into a movie that is easy to follow and though it works well for Conan it after a while got used a lot by a lot of very cheesy (I’ll be it fun) movies. It works well for Conan as picking one story of Howard’s (Though would have been good I think if they picked like Red Nails) would have had a tricky time adapting it to a movie (Though it would be good if they did) The reason being is that the revenge plot set’s up for the characters’ background so that if someone goes into the movie having no clue who Conan is they can still enjoy it. It’s sad sense I’d love a Conan move that is an adaptation of one of Howard’s stories but I just don’t think we will get it.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Red Nails is a fine story and could make a good film. It almost did as there was an animated adaptation that was well into production before being ultimately cancelled. I hold that the best way to make a film featuring a barbarian hero is not to deal with his origins in any specific way. I'm sure that film-makers baulk at this idea but it's important to understand what the barbarian hero is: he is the other. In Howard's Conan stories, we never see Cimmeria. We hear about it occasionally and there is that wonderful poem by Howard (which is debatable in its actual relation to Conan) but we never see the place. Conan comes from a place synonymous with danger and mystery. It is vital that a light is never shed upon it. Of course a light is immediately shined on it by other authors, but that is a different discussion. As an archetype, where does the barbarian hero come from? He comes from -outside-; from the chaos the bounds the known. He embodies it even as he tames it. This is so central to the idea that its baffling that it is so often missed. I take it from your allusion to carts that you've seen 'The Barbarians' - an absurd but lovable movie. It's idea of a barbarian is really nothing more than a muscle-man. Like so many others of late, it takes only the surface appearance and votes that to be the defining characteristic. In the film, the two brothers are made to slave at hard labour until they have transformed into the exta-muscular Paul brothers. 'They had become barbarians!' exclaims the film as though the built body is the defining feature and the ultimate product of 'becoming' a barbarian. This is an extreme sort of example by similar reductions are evident all over the place, especially in games these days. I don't think I have ever seen someone refer to Mad Max as a barbarian hero but I absolutely think he is. Does he have an outlandish physique? Well, no. But in every other way that counts, he is a perfect fit. This is why a knowledge of science fiction - and the genre twin genres of post-apocalyptia and dystopia are vital to a full understanding of Sword and Sorcery, as strange as that may seem.

[@strikethespike816]

You know I can totally get how Mad Max could be a Barbarian hero, At the very least he has a lot of the same themes that make a good Barbarian hero going on. Even his villains are great for a barbarian to fight. And I agree Showing too much of a Barbarian's past can sometimes spoil some of the mystery and even complexity of a barbarian (Not that I don't think there are exceptions like Farfard and the gray mousier, though in that case you like Farfard for very different reasons than you would Conan) I can't tell you how many times I've face palmed when someone thinks Conan is just "a big dumb warrior" In fact is reminds me of a roll playing game I played (As a barbarian) where our Game master though a Barbarian hero was nothing more than a "big dumb warrior" and thus all adventure was basically my Barbarian being hated or looked down on by everyone for no reason until the very end where he finally had a chance to prove that he was actually rather smart and everyone just thought he was dumb cause of the DM's stereotyping my character. (The movie Barbarians is fun and I like it but it is also a clear example of what put Sword and Sorcery and The Barbarian hero out of popularity I think). I mean Conan's past is bested done when it is only referenced on rare occasions though dialog (Like when he said how he ripped the head off and ox with his own 2 hands as a boy to a man that had been barraging about how he ripped the heads off Old people and children as a boy.) Though I always saw that in a way the barbarian Hero is also not just the outsider, but also in a way an ideal example of a human in many ways (He may not always be the most heroic of heroes but he or she is someone to be admired. They are impressive and represent in a way the mightiest of humanity, in both will and raw power.) And yes I was making an allusion to "The Barbarians" Also my friend thinks I should call you Gargoyle-senpai

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Baal Pteor the strangler! Man-Eaters of Zamboula is one of my favourite Conan stories. Your game master likely can't be blamed for thinking a barbarian is that way - the game manuals likely taught him that was the case. And as a general term, actually, it fits 'barbarian' quite well which is why it is so important to distinguish the 'barbarian hero' as a discrete term. The human ideal is likely how Howard saw the barbarian archetype, mainly as an opposition to civilisation which is almost always coruptive and weakening. I have a soft spot for the barbarians. I can't really give it any blame for killing the sword and sorcery genre, though. It was in a pretty moribund state in 1987 thanks for the giant layer of (majorly Italian) Conan knock-offs. This includes one of my favourite films, Deathstalker, which I like and think is genuinely good even as I admit that it is a hard film to like and it is certainly less than the sum of its parts.

[@MinekEzQM]

"He didn't think it too many!" - aaaw. A Slaine (2000AD) reference.

[@samuelquisemo9969]

The new mezco static 6 Conan 1:6 statue looks incredible

[@helionomicon7455]

"Rage of the Undying" simply cracking!

[@mkaali]

5:31 quick replay button for the best line

[@wimwiddershins]

Why, Robert E Howard himself would be proud of this fine review.

[@Awoken_Remmuz]

Everytime I hear his way of saying "muscularity" I feel myself becoming more muscular as a result.

[@herryoung]

You can’t ever not love “the mus cue laRRRitee!!!!”

[@carlos358]

You Sir, are a truly fan of our beloved Conan. PS- I love Frazetta's work, but I can overlook Sal Buscema & Ernie Chan works from the sacage sword neither: Both are awesome.

[@Haze_E1]

man you are great :) would be great to play a game of D n D with you imo, you would make a grand DM

[@shuvian4]

Great Video! I started with your explanation of the glory of Heroquest, and several hours later here I am:) Any chance it would be possible to look at your thesis?

[@joqqeman]

What?! I could've done my thesis on fantasy?! Damn the gods for not enlightening me!

[@BardicBroadcasts]

I am constantly amazed that people who love fantasy and science fiction go to university and study IT or business. I see how much they come to resent it. I studied the stuff dreams are made of and I intend to continue doing so.

[@Brabbel93]

@@BardicBroadcasts yeah, agreed! I'm studying german with emphasize on literature over linguistics and will write my thesis about repition in the STAR WARS saga in comparison to Arthurian Romances (mostly "Erec" by Hartman von Aue)

[@overlord606]

This man needs a Red Sonja statue beside him from side show the last one with twin swords i own both of them after one year starvation and they look amazing together.Worth it.

[@Illmyst]

can you narrate my life? I could listen to you all day.

[@ludomancersvault5518]

Wonderful and quire clever. Wish you lived nearby I am sure we would get along famously.

[@CcReap3r]

Good show bardy boy, good show!

[@WhiteWolfWatcher]

my quest to find Bard's thesis begins!

[@arodreth]

you should make a compilation video about your never ending battle against the demonspawn that is clear plastic wrap. including all plastic references, the jabs & jokes and most certainly their sinister strike seen in this video.

[@K_Mcwa]

Bard, have you considered doing a video about Boris Vallejo, Frank Frazetta, and other fantasy artists? Your commentaries on art work is always insightful and deepens the image.

[@BardicBroadcasts]

Aye; maybe I will!

[@Shadow298]

As a pop culture academic I am genuinely interested in your thesis. have you posted it published it anywhere? thanks for all the great videoes too. so fun to watch.