Zub Tales

Conan the Barbarian #300 arrives today at your favorite comic shop. Sure, the current numbering says ‘#25’, but in my heart every series follows original numbering, because that ongoing legacy is one of the many reasons why working on these series is such a thrill.

Having 12 out of the 13 issues of this run on a dream title be released during a pandemic has been bittersweet. I wanted to celebrate with fans and friends out on the road, to travel and chat about what this character means to me and how much work I put into making sure each story felt pulpy and old school even as I tried to bring unexpected little turns to classic concepts. Promoting the issues in person wasn’t possible, but the heartfelt messages from fans online have been much appreciated.

Our whole creative team did an incredible job, starting with Rogê Antônio, then Robert Gill and Luca Pizzari, and finally syncing it all up with Cory Smith and Roberto Poggi for the latter half. Erik Gist and Geoff Shaw turned in bombastic covers worthy of the Hyborian Age, Israel Silva provided moody colors, Travis Lanham lettered it all sharply, and our editors Mark Basso, Martin Biro, Shannon Ballesteros, Martin Biro, and Lauren Amauro kept the whole thing running. Each of them worked incredibly hard and I’m so grateful to see these journeys brought to life thanks to their efforts.

Until Our Stories End, my story in Conan #300, is a short and pointed tale about the uncertainty of the future. It seems relevant without anchoring it to this absolute point in time. Cory, Rob, Israel, and Travis pulled out all the stops and made it one for the ages.

Getting to write new stories for one of the biggest and most well-known characters in sword & sorcery has been a dream. These Days of High Adventure have been a salve for me in troubled times. I hope they are for you as well.

I also hope it’s not the last time I get to be a bard for our barbarian but, whatever happens next, I’m so damn happy it happened at all.

Thank you for reading.
Jim