The third part of our Cursed Shores Beyond story arc brought big action. Conan battles a twisted cult on a desolate island while Valeria and the Red Brotherhood discover the depths of darkness. What did critics think of it?

• 9 Panel Grid: “Jim Zub continues to write these really great story arcs that are really entertaining, really exciting. And the greatest part is that you can dive in at each and every arc and get a satisfying experience…Conan the Barbarian continues to be such a great read.”

• Comic Culture: “Dagnino on the art is doing a great job of capturing these crazy landscapes. We have outdoor scenes, we have cave scenes…Brilliant coloring as well from Rodriguez. It’s just a very atmospheric book and very much on brand for Conan.”

• Comical Opinions: 9/10 “Another winning issue in a winning arc. Jim Zub’s tale of Conan and his allies confronting a cosmic horror ranks up there with the best of Robert E. Howard’s stories, and the art is a gorgeous fit for the material.”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “Jim Zub has written pure poetry, from the narration to the dialogue, delivering another thrilling adventure of the Cimmerian that feels right at home in the tradition of Robert E. Howard. Combined with the incredible artwork of Fernando Dagnino and colors by Diego Rodriguez, this is, in our opinion, the most sensational issue of the run so far!”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: “Great detailed artwork. If you love sword and sorcery, this is the book for you. Don’t skip Conan the Barbarian by Crom and Mitra, go read it and you will not be disappointed.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “Jim Zub is an absolute master on these books, just laying down a legacy at this point on the character. The art by Fernando Dagnino is just killing it. Action, gore, monsters. This is everything you ever wanted in a comic book.”

• Gary B, the Casual Comics Guy: “I’ve really enjoyed Dagnino’s art. The island art has been fantastic. It looks great. I’ve really loved all the places and locations he’s drawn in here, and the way he’s filled out the backgrounds has been exceptional…This is an A+ issue and a fun, exceptional read. Great storytelling, great art, and just what you want out of a Conan story.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “How does Jim Zub keep doing it? Everything feels constantly fresh and badass and it feels like you get a full meal every issue. The art was phenomenal as well; so many good pages and panels.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “Best issue of the story arc so far. Lots of action, lots of good artwork. Looking forward to what’s to come…Another excellent issue.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “Zub’s got his big event going on right now, but that’s not going to sway him from just telling solid Conan stories here in the pages of Conan the Barbarian…I really like this book.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Fernando Dagnino did a hell of a job depicting Conan’s calculated cruelty, returning once again to Valeria, and then the psychic release and promise depicted on that last page. It’s a wonderfully constructed issue…a definite high mark in this arc that leaves this reader eager for what’s to come.”

• Thinking Critical: “Conan the Barbarian continues to be one of the absolute premier books in the entire industry…This was incredibly well written and well illustrated. It has a little bit of something for everyone here – Action, suspense, horror, romance.”

Our third Conan event mini-series kicked off last week in epic fashion! What did the critics think of it?

• 9 Panel Grid: “As far as a kickoff issue, I feel like this could be the most effective one yet…The artwork is fantastic here. The writing was pitch perfect for the character.”

• The Beat: “This is a must read for sword and sorcery, pulp comic fans. Zub’s Conan comics are consistently some of the best comics on sale today and this is no different.”

• Comic Patrol: “I love the line work so much. This is very much my kind of book…This is what I want from comic books. I encourage you to check it out.”

• Comical Opinions: 8.5/10 “Jim Zub has proven he’s the master of Robert E. Howard crossovers, and this issue confirms it…Jesús Merino has mighty big shoes to fill, and fill them he does. Merino delivers a fantastic set of visuals with familiar characters that look and act authentically, gritty action, creepy creature designs, and an excellent sense of flow.”

• Cool Thunder: 9/10 “Zub has been carefully building toward something, and this first issue makes it clear that the stakes are only getting bigger. Jesús Merino delivers a beautiful issue, with artwork that captures the essence of the story.”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: “It’s a good jumping on point. Even if you’ve never read any other Conan, you can just read this and get a full story.”

• Doc Lail: “I’m really digging this. The art by Jesús Merino is amazing. The colors, the letters, and the writing of Jim Zub and his purple prose at its finest. It’s great stuff. Highest recommendations.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Zub now takes these different yet somewhat connected pieces of Howard’s mythology and folds them into the larger narrative he has been building throughout his Conan run. And this is where the issue becomes particularly rewarding for longtime readers.”

• Fanlight Zone: “This book keeps being a 10/10 every goddamn month…By Crom, get to the comic shop immediately because this is just awesome.”

• Gaming Trend: 8/10 “It’s a riveting start to what promises to be yet another thrilling tale in Zub and Titan Comics’s growing Howardverse.”

• Kabooooom: 10/10 “Another hit for Titan Comics. The works of Robert E. Howard have never been blended or recreated so well. This is a must read book for all fans of sword and sorcery, weird horror and ripping yarns!”

• League of Comic Geeks: 8/10 “This is a setup issue, but it’s good setup…Jesús Merino’s art carries a lot of this issue. It’s detailed and moody and feels right for Conan.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “Conan is in the best hands it’s ever been…This book is awesome.”

• Stygian Dogs: “With artist Jesus Merino and the vibrant color work of Jao Canola bringing it all to life, Tides of the Tyrant King is a visually strong book. Merino’s dynamic artwork pairs beautifully with Canola’s rich colors, giving the issue an almost fever dream quality that feels particularly apt, especially given the increasingly strange time-bending nature of Zub’s narrative.”

• Thinking Critical: “This is incredibly well written, well illustrated, well paced, and a fantastic opening chapter to a big event. This is my pick of the week and my strongest recommendation.”

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #16 kicks off the TIDES OF THE TYRANT-KING event with 3 stories that tie into the big story. Working with Nicola Scott, Chris Campana, and Sean Izaakse was amazing. Let’s see what the critics thought-

• Comic Book Clique: 9/10 “Jim Zub brings the same strong Howardian voice to all three of these stories that he does the ongoing Conan series each month…If the intent of this issue was to get readers hyped for the event, I can say that it definitely worked on me”

• Comic Crusaders: 9/10 “Savage Sword should feel like opening a forbidden drawer full of maps, monsters, doomed men, dangerous women, and stories somebody definitely told you not to read before bed. Issue #16 gets that vibe. It is muscular without becoming brainless, reverent toward Howard without becoming trapped by him, and visually varied without losing the magazine’s identity.”

• Comic Culture: “This is a great foundational book for things to come over in Conan proper…Savage Sword of Conan is one of the best books out right now.”

• Cupcake Comic Reviews: “One of my favorite titles out there…Jim Zub doing what Jim Zub does best, which is staying savage on this book. He’s killing every single issue.”

• The Dragon’s Cache: 9.8/10 “Nicola Scott steeps her epic scenes and heartfelt recollections with shades of gray, lending depth and reality to her art in The Savage Sword of Conan #16.”

• Eternal Crusader: “A strong companion piece to Tides of the Tyrant King…Zub’s Conan can always be more than blood, steel, and pulp spectacle when he decides to dig a little deeper and explore the humanity behind it all.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “Love it, absolutely love it. Jim Zub doing the best work of his career on this character…It is the combination of great art, great story, great character – It all comes together in one kick-ass package. What more could you want?”

• Gaming Trend: 8/10 “This jumbo-sized issue serves as a perfect prequel to Tides of the Tyrant King, with the trio of stories beautifully showcasing the ongoing machinations of Thulsa Doom while also establishing compelling new characters that promise to play big roles in the miniseries.”

• Gary B The Casual Comic Guy: “This is a A+ issue. There is a lot of greatness here. All the stories are a lot of fun and just as good the second time around reading them. They just really suck you in. And what Jim Zub does is fantastic. “

• Goodreads: 9/10 “This is clearly a setup issue, but it did exactly what it needed to do: delivered some great sword-and-sorcery fun and made me even more excited for what comes next.”

• Kabooooom: 10/10 “Zub’s stories are as engaging as ever and he is well-matched by his artistic collaborators. More than any writer to dabble in the Hyborian Age, Zub goes beyond emulating Howard’s style and truly expands his creations.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “I got more than expected. I am a sucker for black and white, especially on newsprint. The two tie in stories were fantastic and I am excited for the new series to begin…Overall, I am adding yet another Conan to my pull list from here on.”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “Jim Zub’s storytelling is as near as dammit masterful; re-establishing the legend of Conan, showing the bitterness that grows in those shadows and introducing a villain for the cross-over event, all at once…Savage Sword of Conan continues to get on with doing exactly what the original series did so well, telling gripping sword & sorcery tales and making sure that Conan remains as iconic as he always has been.”

• Major Spoilers: “I really like the black and white art. It is very conducive to this kind of pulp story and an anthology series…Jim Zub’s writing is really great. He understands the characters, the settings. He knows what he wants to do.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “All three stories were penned by Jim Zub and pretty decent, all three of them. You can see how he’s going to set up this new mini-series. The main story arc was drawn by Nicola Scott. Pretty decent art and I really liked that.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: 8/10 “I love how Jim Zub is not just taking Conan and polishing him off and bringing him fresh and exciting for a new generation of fans and appeasing the older generation of fans, but also putting the spotlight on some of the lesser known characters from the Howardverse.”

• Stygian Dogs: “The more I think about the story, the more I love it. It’s a success from both the writer and the artist…What else can be said? It’s just awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Add in three tremendous pin-ups and an exciting art contest and the issue is an absolute winner. A must read prior to next week’s release of the excellent Conan Tides of the Tyrant King #1.”

Part 2 of our Cursed Shores Beyond story arc arrived in stores last week. What did reviewers think?

• Comic Culture: “I had such a good time with this. We say that for every single issue of Jim Zub’s Conan run…Fernando Dagnino is the artist on this one and it’s beautiful stuff. He does fantastic work on here.”

• Comic Patrol: “What’s the one book I would keep if I had to drop everything? It’s Conan…I couldn’t sing its praises high enough.”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “Fernando Dagnino is firing on all cylinders with beautifully rendered junglescapes, terrifying monsters, cinematic swordfights, and a fantastic sense of drama…Jim Zub’s tale of woe is as good as it gets, and the art team’s delivery is dead center perfect.”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: “Fernando Daginono’s artwork is sublime. Like all the artists on this book, they’ve all been awesome…And again, Jim can do no wrong.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “It’s almost a broken record at this point to tell you guys how amazing this book is every single month. Just some of the best comic work on the shelves…It’s right up there with some of the best work on this character. I can’t recommend it enough.”

• Gaming Trend: 9/10 “The distinct environment remains a breath of fresh air for long-time readers of the series, and the supporting cast continue to be just as captivating as the titular Cimmerian. With a healthy dose of fast-paced action and an unexpected twist at the end, Conan the Barbarian #34 is a great time from cover to cover.”

• Gary B the Casual Comic Guy: “The coloring in these last two issues by Diego Rodriguez has been absolutely stunning. The coloring just really brought me into this story. Everything is clear, everything’s concise, but there are layers to the coloring that really draw it out.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “This arc is pure sword-and-sorcery adventure, and that final reveal immediately made me desperate for the next issue. An absolute blast from beginning to end!”

• Old Man Hyborian: “Overall, a pretty solid issue. Buy it, read it, and enjoy it.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “Dagnino is such a great artist. Really great stuff. There’s dinosaurs on this island eating people, the figure work is amazing…Jim Zub is the best Conan writer of my lifetime.”

• Sci-Fi Pulse: 9.6/10 “Fernando Dagnino does a great job with the artwork in this story. A particular highlight is the attack by the carnivorous reptiles seeking to make a meal of our heroes…A solid second issue that builds nicely on the story established in last month’s opener.”

• Stygian Dogs: “It’s a fun second part of this four issue arc. It establishes the mystery of the island and the various threats there on, and it gives clear momentum for the next stage of the adventure.”

• Thinking Critical: “Pick of the Week…This was a blast to read from beginning to end. Great dialogue, pacing, terrific art and lettering as well.”

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #33 arrived in comic shops last week, kicking off our 9th story arc Cursed Shores Beyond. What did reviewers think of it? See below-

• 9 Panel Grid: “I think Jim Zub really sets this up well and Fernando Dagnino, the artwork in here, he has a really great grasp on the character and all the action that’s needed for this kind of book.”

• Comic Book Clique: 9/10 “A terrific start to the new story arc, this one focused on Conan and Valeria’s time as pirates…All in all, this book seldom disappoints, and this issue is no exception.”

• Comic Culture: “It has top tier writing and coloring and art. You really can’t go wrong with anything Conan right now.”

• Comic Patrol: “I always encourage people to read Conan because the creative team is phenomenal…There’s not a bad issue in this run.”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “A top-notch start for a new arc…Jim Zub’s start to the latest arc is as strong as ever, and Fernando Dagnino’s artwork is a perfect fit.”

• Cool Thunder: 9/10 “Zub continues to prove why he is one of the definitive Conan writers of this era. Fernando Dagnino’s artwork is outstanding, and Diego Rodriguez’s colors perfectly capture all the savage action.”

• Eternal Crusader: “This is a very promising opening chapter, packed with gorgeous artwork, plenty of mystery, and more than enough reasons to stay aboard for the voyage ahead.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “Conan continues to be fantastic every single month…Jim Zub doing the best work of his career and the artwork by Fernando Dagnino is fantastic!”

• Gary B The Casual Comic Guy: “A great issue, a really fun read, really dynamic, well paced, and the art by Dagnino really stands out, especially with the storm sections and the coloring is great…A really strong effort out on this one.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “Jim Zub gives us pretty much everything I want from a Conan comic: sword fights on the deck of a ship, a massive storm, a devil and a strange island waiting on the other side.”

• Kabooooom: 10/10 “The artwork maintains its usual high standard. Fernando Dagnino and Diego Rodriguez work in concert like two virtuoso musicians, reinforcing one another’s contributions. The final effect is masterful.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “The interior artwork by Dagnino is fantastic from the facial expressions to the action scenes and beautiful splash pages. The panel layout is different and adds to the enjoyment of the storytelling as well. Zub delivers again with another fun and interesting story, including great character interactions and dialogue.”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “Zub and Dagnino combine superbly to deliver a deft mix of swashbuckling fights and ‘sword and sorcery horror’. If it’s not one, it’s the other and this issue really keeps you on your toes as it jumps between the two. Zub’s sure hand on the plot and the dynamism of Dagnino’s art was just a real pleasure to experience.”

• SciFi Pulse: 9.6/10 “Fernando Dagnino and colourist Diego Rodriguez produce some dangerously thrilling art for this opening issue…This is a really strong start to the new story arc. Jim Zub does a great job of establishing Valeria as a woman who is every bit as ready for adventure and action as Conan.”

• Stygian Dogs: “An effective introduction to Jim Zub and Fernando Dagnino’s new arc, reuniting Conan and Valeria while charting a course toward a most macabre mystery. It leaves the reader wanting more of the pair and curious to uncover what horrors lie ahead.”

• Thinking Critical: “I thought this was a brilliant issue. I liked it so much. It is absolutely my pick of the week…Conan continues to be one of the two or three best comic books in all the industry.”

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #32 arrived in stores last week, a done-in-one sword & sorcery story called “A Sacred Task”, built in the style of the original Robert E. Howard Conan stories from Weird Tales magazine. What did the critics think? Let’s find out-

• 9 Panel Grid: “Really cool, really great artwork here…You think it’s just action, but no, there’s always Lovecraft and horror aspects that get interwoven into the mysteries of this book. And that’s what this issue does in a really perfect way.”

• Comic Book Addicts: 8.8/10 “A haunting, brutal, and beautifully illustrated Conan issue that gives nostalgic fans classic sword-and-sorcery power while giving new readers an accessible road into the Cimmerian’s world.”

• Comic Book Clique: 9.5/10 “Zub is the master of the Howardian tale—his narration and dialogue are sparse and to the point, never using more or fancier words than necessary, much like Conan himself….The artwork by Braithwaite is always as sharp and true as Conan’s blade, and this issue is no exception. “

• Comic Buzz: 10/10 “Lovely end to this issue, as the plot started in one point and unexpectedly ended in another angle that will surprise readers. Another issue that should be picked up by many.”

• Comic Culture: “I am absolutely blown away by whatever this creative team is able to do with this character. It’s something new and fresh and unique every single time…As always, the interior artwork is absolutely incredible. The coloring is fantastic as well.”

• Comic Patrol: “As a one-shot, this was absolutely fantastic. You don’t need any other issues, you can just pick this up and go for it. Gorgeous art and incredible storytelling…It’s the best book on the shelves.”

• Conan Fans: 8.9/10 “This tale is full of beautiful, contrasting colors. I love the vintage-esque feel, yet it’s modern…Nice job guys. Buy a copy.”

• Cool Thunder: 9/10 “Simply put, this is exactly what you want from a sword-and-sorcery comic. Doug Braithwaite’s artwork and Diego Rodriguez’s colors have not missed a beat throughout this entire run…If you’ve been sleeping on this series, this issue is the perfect jumping-on point.”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: “[Conan] has been crushing it, probably the best sword and sorcery ongoing book on the stands. It’s on issue 32 and it’s been amazing the whole time.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Doug Braithwaite’s artwork is, unsurprisingly, another visual feast. His intricate linework, rich detail, and expressive faces elevate every page…Diego Rodriguez’s colors beautifully complement Braithwaite’s pencils, while Jim Zub’s rich, almost baroque prose continues to feel like a perfect match for the Hyborian Age AND the artwork.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “Thirty-Two issues in, what more can we say about how awesome Conan from Titan and Heroic Signatures has been? Jim Zub is absolutely slaying it on this book. This is the best work of his career…These are the types of runs on comics that you dream about. Grab it, love it, read it.”

• Gaming Trend: 8.5/10 “Zub gives a full fantasy quest in a single issue without feeling rushed or unsatisfying”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “The colors by Rodriguez in this one are off the charts beautiful. He makes things glow that should glow and allows others to simmer in darkness when appropriate…This book was perfect for me and I’ll remember it for quite a while.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “Jim Zub’s standalone story was a welcome treat, I enjoyed it. And Doug Braithwaite’s art was top-notch. He’s doing very well with the artwork…Not one thing wrong with this issue.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “A really great, solid story. I feel like Jim Zub has settled into the perfect Robert E. Howard groove to continue the story of Conan the Barbarian and Doug Braithwaite’s artwork is magnificent!”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.7/10 “This issue works beautifully as both a continuation of last month’s story and a launching point for the next chapter in Conan’s journey. The reward Conan receives at the end of the book is left deliberately ambiguous, creating an intriguing hook that leaves readers eager to see where his adventures take him next.”

• Stygian Dogs: “A satisfying one-and-done adventure. It’s succinct, pulpy, and packed with bone-splintering action wonderfully depicted by Doug Braithwaite…It’s a nice break from the longer arcs and the Black Stone journey.”

• Thinking Critical: “It’s a strong recommend for Conan the Barbarian for me. It continues to be one of the best in in the industry…Jim Zub, has nailed down this character.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “You could pick up an issue like this and it just blew me away – The completeness of the story and the brevity of it in one comic and how rich it was. It was so beautifully crafted…The artwork is just breathtaking.”

• Unc Blerd: “When I read Conan books I seldomly get emotionally attached to the characters, but this was so well written that you really felt empathy for this mysterious woman by the end of it”

This week sees the release of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #31, the climax to our 3-parter all about a new villain called the Son of the Tooth, a supernaturally-charged assassin set on the trail of our Cimmerian. This issue is a 22-page knockdown, dragout fight. Let’s see what reviewers thought of it-

• 9 Panel Grid: “Everything was rendered beautifully and brutally and it was just the perfect end cap for this part of the arc. I love what they’re doing in Conan. It keeps building. It keeps also bouncing around too, but not in a way that’s jarring. Not every book can do that. Not every writer and artist can do that, but the creative team on Conan absolutely brings it every single issue.”

• Comic Book Clique: 9/10 “Jim Zub has established himself as one of the strongest voices since Robert E. Howard himself, and this issue is another example of why…An issue like this lives or dies on its staging and choreography, and thankfully [Doug Braithwaite] is exemplary. You can feel the brutality of each stab, strike, and kill.”

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “This was an all-out brawl between Conan and the Son of the Tooth and the action in this issue was so good…I love when Conan uses all his resources and wits to try to win.”

• Comic Buzz: 9/10 “This issue does not disappoint; it jumps straight into the action and does not stop until the last page. My hats off between the writer and the artist, as it takes skill to keep the story as fast-paced as the action scenes that transpire in every panel.”

• Comic Culture: “Non-stop action. It’s over the top. It’s violent. It’s gory. There’s lots of drama behind it…If you haven’t jumped into this series yet, I highly recommend doing so.”

• Cool Thunder: 9/10 “This is exactly what you want from a great sword-and-sorcery comic…Doug Braithwaite and Diego Rodriguez once again bring the Hyborian Age to life with art and color that practically leap off the page. Enough cannot be said about how strong this creative team has been on the title.”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: “Again, great artwork and one of the best Conan stories ever…Over 30 issues and never missed a beat. That’s how good this is.”

• Eternal Crusader: “A brutal, dirty, and grim fight, mostly grounded in reality, and I was pleasantly surprised that the story still left some room for quieter character interactions and moments to breathe…Doug Braithwaite is one of England’s finest comic artists, and his work on Conan already feels like a well deserved career highlight. “

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “One of, if not the best books on the shelf every single month. Nothing is worth your money more at the comic shop than Conan. Incredible art by Doug Braithwaite. The action is in your face, jumping off the page. It just kicks your ass…Jim Zub is doing the best work of his career on these books and it is incredible stuff.”

• Gaming Trend: 8.5/10 “Adding to the brutality displayed across issue 31’s pages is the artwork by Doug Braithwaite. The detail his illustrations provide allows us to feel every bit of the fight, from the physical exertion of both combatants, to Conan’s growing desperation and the assassin’s fervent determination and ruthlessness.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “The battle in this chapter is everything that makes the action side of Conan enjoyable, and Jim Zub has a deep understanding of how to make it compelling and exciting…This book was perfect for me and I’ll remember it for quite a while. “

• Old Man Hyborian: “A lot of violence, a lot of twists and turns, great fight scenes, and Doug Braithwaite did an excellent job. I really liked his art for this one.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “What a freaking great book right here. Amazing artwork from Doug Braithwaite and a really solid concluding chapter to this story by Jim Zub. He has taken Conan and elevated it for old school fans and new school fans into one of the best books on shelves today.”

• Read More Comics: “Titan’s been swinging for the fences on Conan and I’ll be honest, it’s been worth it. They have been doing justice to Conan in a way that I don’t think even original Marvel did…Highly recommended.”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.7/10 “Doug Braithwaite continues to flex his artistic muscles here…Packed with great artwork, brutal action, and a few intriguing story beats, it’s another strong entry in Titan’s Conan run.”

• Stygian Dogs: “The issue is indeed a 22-page fight scene, and it’s awesome…This was a thoroughly satisfying issue.”

• Thinking Critical: “It is an action-packed, bloody thrill ride from beginning to end, well illustrated by Doug Braithwaite…Conan continues to be one of the two or three best comic book series in the entire industry.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “This issue is a perfect example of why Conan is, in our opinion on this channel, the best comic that comes out on a monthly basis and has been the best comic for the last couple of years…This is an incredible issue I think everybody should check out.”

I wrote the feature story in the latest issue of Savage Sword of Conan, teaming up with artist Ivan Gil for a tale that takes place right after A Witch Shall Be Born. What did reviewers think of it? Read on and find out-

• Comic Buzz: 9/10 “Action-packed story that ramps up and has consistent pacing. Jim Zub delivers engaging prose for this story.”

• Eternal Crusader: “An immensely entertaining adventure from beginning to end. Ivan Gil’s spectacular artwork is far more than just the icing on the cake. It elevates the entire issue and makes this one of the most visually impressive installments of Savage Sword of Conan so far.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “Titan and Heroic have been absolutely killing it on this property since they brought it out and Jim Zub is doing some of the best work of his entire career. This main story has absolutely breathtaking art by Ivan Gil. Action and intrigue jumping off the page and hitting you right in the face. This is awesome, awesome stuff.”

• Gaming Trend: “Its longer narrative provides room for Zub to build slowly towards the climax so it feels earned rather than handed to us…a fantastic issue that I had a ton of fun reading.”

• Gary B The Casual Comic Guy: “The art in this is great by Ivan Gil…This was just incredible. I am definitely up for more one-shot Jim Zub tales because was his best Conan story yet. It was amazing.”

• Goodreads: 8/10 “Zub just gets Conan…Gil’s art is what stays with you. It has that classic Savage Sword feel without just being a nostalgic copy, there’s real weight to the figures, real darkness in the shadows, and the matte stock makes all of it pop in a way glossy paper never could.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “This is a book of pure skill. Only two people at the top of their craft could take something so simple and make it edge of your seat mysterious and exciting. The writing continues to be epic as f**k! I mean, it’s modern day literary pulp with some of the best line work! These guys must have sold their souls, right?!”

• Mighty Thorngren: “This issue has a lot of action, which I always enjoy and the story is just fun. All the characters are enjoyable. Of course, you’ve got your one smarmy fella, but he gets it in the end. I like the bad guys, the monsters looked real cool, and it had good pacing. So this story was aces if you ask me.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “Overall, I found this a real good solid issue…The main story was so well done that it made this issue probably one of my favorites because it really did feel like an old school Savage Sword of Conan story.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “The art in this book is frickin’ great. A good, solid, mature readers Conan comic. The kind of Conan story I used to grow up reading…beautifully rendered artwork and a really solid story. Jim Zub is cooking in Cimmera.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Jim Zub and Ivan Gil deliver a classic feeling desert mystery packed with eerie atmosphere and action. Gil’s richly detailed art wonderfully captures the haunting beauty and lurking horror in Zub’s story. It’s familiar yet fresh, the kind of story that feels intuitively at home in this magazine. I’d go so far to say that it’s definitely among my favorite Conan features from the past 14 issues.”

Our Conan: Tides of the Tyrant-King prelude issue arrived in stores on Free Comic Book Day! What did reviewers think of this promo story? Read on and find out-

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “A short comic book, but my trust is in Jim Zub. He does a phenomenal job with the Conan title.”

• Comic Book University: “Fantastic and amazing story, and this is just a prelude. If you didn’t grab this on Free Comic Book Day, beg, borrow, or steal. You’re going to want this one. It is literally an ideal Conan story.”

• Fanlight Zone: “This is stuff that, decades from now, people will be holding up there with the esteemed Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith and other incredible runs with this character. This is god-tier work and the art is breathtaking!…I can’t recommend it enough.”

• Gaming Trend: “This issue does a fantastic job setting up its premise. It gives away little, with only a sinister snippet of the looming threat on the final pages to tease what is to come.”

• Gary B the Casual Comic Guy: “Fantastic…Another great Free Comic Book Day book and one you should have in your collection.”

• Infinity Flux Comics: “This is really cool and it makes me want to read the upcoming story…I definitely recommend.”

• Kabooooom: 10/10 “Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures have yet to hit a wrong note in their management of the franchise and Robert E. Howard’s legacy. If you’ve not given the new Conan the Barbarian a chance, now’s the time to see what you’ve been missing!”

• League of Comic Geeks: 9/10 “I think this is the best FCBD book I got today. One continuous story, good pacing and balance of action vs dialogue. Excellent induction for new readers and old readers alike. I really enjoyed the juxtaposition they were writing with the two characters.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “Really, really cool. I like it a lot. Conan fans are eating good right now when it comes to story and art. I had a lot of fun with this one.”

• Stygian Dogs: “For the fourth year in a row we get a free issue with that superior page quality we’ve become accustomed to in the monthly book and it felt thicker than most of the other free issues that I grabbed, definitely superior quality.”

The second part of our Ghosts & Echoes story arc arrived in stores as the Son of the Tooth hunts Conan in the city of Khoraja. What did critics think of it?

• 9 Panel Grid: “Doug Braithwaite’s artwork is fantastic as always here. I love the way he renders not only Conan, but the world itself, particularly the more gruesome aspects of it all. A really great, really grounded issue.”

• Comic Book Clique: 9/10 “Another titanic tale from Zub and Braithwaite that would be right at home amongst the original Robert E. Howard stories…Month in and month out, this title is a highlight of my reading pile, and as long as Zub and company remain at the helm, I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

• Comic Book University: “The art in this book is absolutely amazing…You could reread this comic without looking at a single one of the words and realize you understand what’s happening in this book even if there were no words at all.”

• Comic Crusaders: 9/10 “The creative team delivers a brutal, atmospheric chapter that keeps Conan in top form while setting up one hell of a collision still to come…This isn’t just another solid issue in the run. This is the kind of chapter that reminds you why Conan remains one of the most untouchable icons in sword-and-sorcery history.”

• Comic Culture: “What they’re doing right in the story is they’re introducing this new character with a lot of gravity, a lot of weight, and a lot of respect…Great story so far. Can’t wait for more.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “The core narrative of a predator meeting his match is executed with professional grace. This comic earns a place on any curated pull list because it respects the reader’s time and the character’s legacy without falling for the usual hype-driven gimmicks.”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: ” If you’re a Conan fan then this is a must buy for you. I can’t praise this series enough. It’s probably the best Conan book done in generations.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Returning to the art duties is veteran Doug Braithwaite, whose richly detailed panels are a highlight every time. His work pairs beautifully with the warm, nuanced coloring of Diego Rodriguez, which gives the comic an earthy, atmospheric tone.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “This book is f**king awesome and it has been for 30 issues…It is one of the best books every single month.”

• Kabooooom: 10/10 “Another example of why Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures have been nailing it every month since taking over the Conan license. This is a true tale of high adventure!”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Outstanding adventure writing and once again, Braithwaite knocks it out of the park. The way he brings Hyboria to life is phenomenal. May he never stray too far from this contract because dang, he’s absolutely fantastic.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “I’ve been loving Zub’s run on this. It’s been very consistent. Super solid and fun. I’m having a great time with it and a killer set of artists throughout this entire series.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “I really like the art, I thought there was a good flow to it, the coloring was exceptional and I like this new villain…Another excellent issue.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “The pace of this arc has been fantastic and the artwork by Doug Braithwaite is truly breathtaking…Another fantastic issue.”

• Sci Fi Pulse: 9.6/10 “Doug Braithwaite draws up a storm on this book and delivers some brilliant panel work as we see the Son of the Tooth stalking Conan from rooftops, alleyways, and crowded marketplaces. There’s a real sense of tension throughout these sequences.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Jim Zub again shifts perspective with confidence, using a slow, deliberate build to raise tension and anticipation. Doug Braithwaite’s art matches that tone, nailing a sense of curiosity and looming violence…If the arc pays off as promised, this creative team is on the verge of something truly unforgettable.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “Jim Zub is just rolling on this book. It just gets better and better. If you love comic books, I don’t know why you’re not reading this. It’s fantastic…All the stuff we talk about modern comics doing wrong, this comic does the opposite. It does everything right and earns its readership every month.”