Zubby Newsletter #150: Mega-March

Posted by Jim Zub on March 24, 2026 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

Lots to cover here in issue #150, so let’s go!

*All set up for Megacon, and a Rocketeer sketch cover.*

Megacon Orlando was a hoppin’ show, a steady thrum of excitement (plus warm weather, which made for a nice respite from the ‘False Spring’ in Toronto where it’s nice for a day or two before we get blasted with snow flurries or cold rain).

I flew in Thursday a couple hours before the show started and left Sunday mid-afternoon, which made for a breakneck pace but also kept me from losing Monday to travel.

I had lots of memorable conversations (including one I had to immortalize below) both at the show and after hours. When creators get together like this we chat about the good and bad of the industry, creativity, and state of the world in general. It’s nice to celebrate and commiserate with peers as we ride out each rise and fall.

Being introduced as “The Conan Guy” has taken some getting used to, but it’s also a badge of honor thanks to the character’s deep cultural cache and excitement for the work our team is doing. As you might expect, tons of people asked me about new Conan movie possibilities, but I don’t have details I can share at this stage. Fingers crossed and all that. Whatever happens, we’ll have more great stories for people to discover and enjoy.

The Ultimate Compliment

*Conan the Barbarian #0 line art by Rob De La Torre, colors by **José Villarrubia**.*

Speaking of great stories – At Megacon on Friday afternoon, an older gentleman was browsing the Conan comics at my table and I told him-
“I’m the writer.”
“No you’re not. These books are from the 1970’s.”
“We’re deeply influenced by the classic comics, but I assure you, it’s brand new stories and art.”

*painful pause*

“Liar.”
And he walked away. 😃

I consider it the ultimate compliment and that we’re hitting the mark with old school fans.

Check This D’Orc Out

*Brett is not prepared for the Megacon to come, and D’Orc cosplay rules.*

My friend Brett Bean is having a moment and I couldn’t be happier for him. Brett just launched his new creator-owned comic series D’ORC at Image last month and it has absolutely rocketed to awareness and sales in a way no one could have anticipated: Customers snapping up multiple printings, readers loving the fun cartoon-fantasy vibe, and collectors speculating on how much hotter it can get.

If Brett thought February was intense, Megacon March took it to a whole new level. When the show opened on Thursday for VIP badge holders, Brett instantly had a huge signing line and it did not let up for the entire weekend! Seriously – Whenever he was at his table there was a steady stream of people getting books signed. Yes, there were retailers and collectors aplenty in those lines, but also lots of kids and families. If this keeps up, D’Orc could very well be a Scott Pilgrim/Saga/Invincible-sized hit. Seeing a kind and hardworking person like Brett have explosive success on a personal project after years of busting away on his craft is genuinely exciting and inspiring.

Brett and I grabbed dinner last year during Fan Expo Canada and chatted about new stories we wanted to put out into the world. These are the kind of passion projects you just hope can sustain themselves because wishing for more than that seems cocky in such a shaky publishing market. Now, just six months later, Brett is making big waves and, with a bit of luck, I should have a new creator-owned book to announce later this year. I don’t expect to have the same kind of success, but even just knowing it’s possible is encouraging.

Free Comic Book Day at Gotham Central

In late January I mentioned I have TWO FREE COMIC BOOK DAY releases this year, and I’m happy to announce that I’ll be close to home for the big day.

GOTHAM CENTRAL comic shop in Mississauga is pulling out all the stops on Saturday May 2nd and I’ll be there from 11am to 2pm, signing copies of CONAN: TIDES OF THE TYRANT-KING #0 and UDON’s JOURNEY TO THE WEST Manga Classics Sampler, as well as any other Zub-able Comics people buy at the store or bring to the event.

In past years, Conan the Barbarian collectors have special ordered signed copies of the FCBD issues, and Carlos from Gotham Central assures me you’ll be able to do that here as well. Contact him through email at gothamcentralcc@gmail.com and he’ll take care of you, by Crom!

Dungeon Dudes in the Hyborian Age

In early February I teased a TTRPG liveplay I filmed with The Dungeon Dudes here in Toronto and now it can finally be revealed – I ran a CONAN: THE HYBORIAN AGE adventure for Monty, Kelly, Joe, and TroySteel!

The first episode, with character introductions and a surge of barbaric action, is now up on the Dungeon Dudes YouTube channel and future installments will arrive as exclusive content on their Patreon. If you enjoy the session, please comment on the YouTube video and let them know. It would be a blast to run other adventures or kick the tires on other game systems with the Dudes.

Sam Kieth Broke the Mold

Two days ago, news broke that Sam Kieth passed away on March 15th at age 63. I wish all of his family and friends strength and solace.

Sam’s work on The Maxx, arguably the purest expression of his creativity, was an explosion of warped weirdness that felt both kinetic and calm, cartoony-ridiculous but also fragile and human. He wrote flawed characters and thrust them into dream-shattered locations while revealing their innermost fears and fantasies. Even when the series refused to follow conventional storytelling models or give readers definitive answers, it engaged and entertained because you could feel Sam’s passion for the work come through on every page, and when it didn’t any more he wasn’t afraid to jettison all of it and move on to new things. I think that’s the mark of a true artist, and I wish he knew how many people admired him.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Skullkickers: Compact Attack Edition Vol. 1 – released Feb 17.
Conan the Barbarian #29 – released Feb 25.
Avengers: No Surrender/No Road Home Omnibus – released Mar 10.
Skullkickers: Compact Attack Edition Vol. 2 – released Mar 17.
Conan the Barbarian #30 – releases Mar 25.
Mad About DC – releases Apr 1.
Skullkickers: Compact Attack Edition Vol. 3 – releases Apr 21.
Conan: Tides of the Tyrant-King Prelude – releases May 2.
Manga Classics: Journey to the West Prelude – releases May 2.
Savage Sword of Conan #14 – releases May 6.
Conan: Scourge of the Serpent TPB – releases May 6.
Conan the Barbarian Vol. 7: The Conquering Crown TPB – releases May 20.
Conan the Barbarian #31 – releases May 27.
Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 4 TPB – releases May 27.

Upcoming Appearances

Apr 23-26, 2026	Calgary Expo	Calgary, AB, CANADA
May 2, 2026	FCBD – Gotham Central	Mississauga, ON, CANADA
Aug 15, 2026	Comics Assemble	Gloucester, England, UK

This installment ran long, so I’ll include ‘Other Links’ next time.

Thank you for reading! I’m a bit mind-boggled that I’ve put out 150 of these newsletter posts and people are following along, commenting, and sharing. Your support means a lot.
Jim