Thousands of years in the past, Kull, an exiled barbarian from Atlantis, has risen to become king of the declining nation of Valusia. But the role of a king requires more than simply bravery and a strong sword arm.
- "The Power and the Kingdom" (#1) finds Kull dealing with the aftermath of an earthquake in Valusia - and inadvertently unleashing an ancient curse on his kingdom. It's written by Alan Zelenetz, with art by John Buscema and Danny Bulanadi. Color art is by Marie Severin.
- "The Blood of Kings!" (#2) begins with Kull's advisors pressuring him to strengthen Valusia's alliances by entering into a political marriage with a foreign noble. Kull can, perhaps, be persuaded - but there will be unforeseen consequences to any such betrothal. It's written by Doug Moench with art by John Bolton; color art is by Bolton and Christie Scheele.
The 1982 Kull the Conqueror series doesn't directly refer to the shared Marvel Universe, but Kull's crossover appearances elsewhere establish that his adventures do take place in that setting.
Kull the Conqueror contains the following tropes:
- Decapitation Presentation: After his rematch with the wolf-man who killed Sareena, Kull strides through the battles raging in the city, carrying its severed head in one hand. He holds it aloft when he finally reaches Sareena's father and the Pictish king, leaders of the invading forces.
- Earthquakes Cause Fissures: The first issue starts just after an earthquake strikes Valusia, with Kull and Brule both part of the rescue effort. At one point a fissure abruptly opens beneath Brule's feet.
- Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: After an earthquake strikes Valusia, Kull and his advisors discuss the possible causes. Theories include ancient gods, the monstrous children of the earth goddess and giant moles. Kull himself suspects that nature simply suffers growing pains. The story implies that he's right and it's simply an earthquake, but given the nature of Kull's world, any of the options might be true.
- Neck Snap: Kull delivers a one-handed neck snap to the Atlantean assassin who kills his bride-to-be, Sareena. It's not until later that he discovers the assassin wasn't human and the broken neck was just an inconvenience.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: The Valusian earthquake uncovers a door carved with hieroglyphs and images of serpent-men. Kull, who's fought the snake-men before, promptly smashes it down and finds catacombs and bones, but nothing more. Once his advisors have time to translate the hieroglyphs, they discover that it was the tomb of some of the first true men, those driven insane by their war against the evil serpent-men. And breaking it has unleashed their madness and curse on the city.
- Treacherous Advisor: Kull's elderly advisor Tu, who's been part of the supporting cast ever since the first issue of the 1971 series, is revealed to be the leader of the wolf-men, and proclaims that he was never loyal to Kull. It's promptly subverted when the real Tu is found as the wolf-men's prisoner a few pages later.
- Widowed at the Wedding: Kull's Atlantean bride-to-be Sareena is stabbed to death at their wedding. The ring-bearer concealed a dagger beneath the pillow he used to present the ring.
