Conan the Barbarian #1 comic by Jim Zub
I’m a huge fan of Conan the Barbarian, and have been excited about this new series for quite a while.
I got a preview of the first of the new Conan comic series from Heroic Signatures and Titan comics and just finished reading it.
What’s it all about?
Time for the blurb:
Years after the battle of Venarium, a weary CONAN returns to his homeland to seek rest and solitude. However, a mysterious scout rides in to warn the Cimmerians of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness.
Will CONAN and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders?
And here are some specs:
Writer: JIM ZUB
Artist: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
Colorist: JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA
Letterer: RICHARD STARKINGS OF COMICRAFT
Publishers: HEROIC SIGNATURES & TITAN COMICS
FC, 32pp, $3.99, On sale: July 26, 2023
So is the new Conan series any good?
There are lots of Conan comics around, because he is such an awesome character. Generally speaking, they are of a pretty high standard. What sets the better ones apart are the writing and artwork. And this is where Conan the Barbarian #1 absolutely shines.
Roberto De La Torre is a great artist and the action really comes alive. You feeling get a good sense of all the smiting and violence. Which is pretty important in a story about Conan. Here is a sample page:
I’ve only read the first one so far, but Jim Zub’s story has certainly got me hooked. I’ve read nearly every Conan book that came out in the 80s and I’ve obviously read all the classic Robert E Howard books and short stories. Howard’s stories, and those written by L Sprague de Camp and Lin Carter, Robert Jordan (yes that one), Karl Wagner, and others were a lot of fun.
However, some of newer comics became a bit formulaic, with too many starting with Conan pursuing or being pursued, then coming up again some weird magic stuff. Usually a wizard with a hot woman.
This story though, has gotten me in. Undead hordes, sexy pict warriors, and a healthy dose of decapitations. He’s having a punch-up in a pub in the first frame, which is a good intro.
So yes, my review is a glowing one. I’ve really enjoyed the story and the art – at least so far. This is a five comic series, which you can check out here:
Conan the Barbarian (5 book series).
I should mention that this isn’t out until the 26th of July. However, as you’ll see on the link, you can get a free comic book day edition to tide you over.
If all that isn’t enough to persuade you then, by Crom, here is a trailer!