It’s hard to stand out in the comic book industry, but we’re officially one week away from one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. Conan the Barbarian is back, baby!
Technically, pulp author Robert E. Howard’s most famous fictional creation – arguably the greatest, and most influential icon of fantasy’s sword and sorcery sub-genre – has only been without a comic series since last year. However, the “sullen-eyed,” sword-swinging anti-hero is getting a fresh start this August, as Titan Comics, in partnership with Conan rights holders Heroic Signatures, takes over the publication of new, and older, Conan comics from Marvel (who had the licence from 1970 – 2003, and then again from 2018 – 2022).
First up is ongoing series Conan the Barbarian, which brings together a band of Conan comic veterans for its first arc, titled Bound in Black Stone. From the Marvel days, there’s writer Jim Zub and artist Roberto De la Torre, with colorist José Villarrubia and letterer Richard Starkings both returning from the Dark Horse-steered Conan days of the Noughties and 2010s.
Together, these creators deliver a Conan the Barbarian Issue 1 that is exactly what you would want of a new Conan comic, standing confidently, poised for battle, on the line between past and future. In every way, the book honours the franchise’s past while offering something fresh and forward-looking. If you’re completely new to the character, Conan the Barbarian #1 is a solid jumping on point. The opening page of the first issue provides a paragraph-long explanation of Howard’s beloved Hyborian Age time setting, a map, and a little backstory that explains where the title character in his eventful life.
In short, after years of wandering and work-for-hire as a mercenary, a weary Conan finds himself on the southern borders of his homeland Cinmmeria for the first time in almost a decade. As Conan considers a return to his fierce, isolationist people, a Pictish scout rides in with warnings of an unstoppable force sweeping in from her lands – a cursed horde of undead warriors known as the Army of the Lost.
With confirmed sales of the initial print run exceeded 80,000, and two more re-prints likely, the 32-page Conan the Barbarian #1 is the largest selling issue in Titan Comics’ history – making it kind of a big deal. And it’s worth the hype.
Zub’s writing has an appropriate punchy gravitas, without feeling forced, and the choice of enemy for this first storyline is a strong one, upping the stakes and skin-prickling sense of terror. Calling to mind the wights of Game of Thrones, this is an opponent that will just keep coming, and is uncowed by Conan’s battle prowess. Meanwhile, the latter, who has honed his skills fighting man and beast, is technically wading through uncharted adversarial waters.
Of course, being Conan, there is no wavering of confidence, or obvious expression of traditionally “softer” emotions. De la Torre delivers page after page of big hits, and even bigger battles, typically pulling the frame back from the action so that readers have a very clear sense of the many bodies in extreme motion. It’s a throwback leaning style that comes across like Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant meets the Conan of John Buscema – graphic but not particularly gratuitous. Given the source material, though, you can expect exaggerated physiques for the heroes; scruffy, bearded mercenaries and peasants who all look the same; buxom tavern wenches (and the occasional exposed titty); plus a female lead who could pick up a second gig as a Sophia Loren lookalike. Completing the classic tribute package is Starkings’s tight, italicised lettering.
Conan the Barbarian #1 is a lightning jump-start that should please existing fans, and give newcomers a great sense of pulp adventure, and sword and sorcery’s, distinct escapist offering.
If you need a further taste of what to expect of the new Conan, this year’s Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) saw the release of Conan the Barbarian #0, which leads narratively into the debut issue. Titan Comics has even made the issue available online for free in multiple formats.
Conan the Barbarian isn’t the only new Conan comic on the horizon either, for the record. Announced just this past weekend at San Diego Comic-Con, and also from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics, The Savage Sword of Conan is returning as a monthly series in 2024. Just in time to celebrate the spin-off title’s 50th anniversary.
Decidedly more R-rated than the primary Conan the Barbarian series (and possibly more popular for it), The Savage Sword of Conan is going back to its anthology roots, presenting tales from the Hyborian Kingdoms in a black-and-white, magazine-sized format. Some of the comic creators already on board to tell all-new Conan stories include The Mask’s John Arcudi, Wolverine’s Frank Tieri, Nightwing’s Patch Zircher, American Flagg’s Howard Chaykin, as well as Rafael Kayanan, Cary Nord, Rebeca Puebla, Dan Panosian, Richard Pace, and Gerardo Zaffino – some of who have worked on Conan books before.
Conan the Barbarian #1 will be available from 2 August in comic shops everywhere, as well as digitally. The first issue is releasing with over 10 variant covers, by the likes of Mike Mignola, Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Colleen Doran, Dan Panosian, and E.M. Gist. Find all your options to purchase here. And get excited.
