It's the most political and least hack and slash Issue so far, with a fair amount of debauchery and cynicism, and it is clearly intended to set the scene for the finale, ending as it does not on a cliffhanger like all the rest of the series, but on a triumphal shot of Conan, dressed for battle, sword held high, gem of power clutched in his other hand, astride a rearing horse. It fairly cries, Behold the King, come to reclaim what is his. Sure, the ending may be foreordained" after all, not only is this a flashback, but this is Conan, a heroic scoundrel who never losses, but it's still glorious. I'm psyched.