Author Archives: Jim Zub

Conan the Barbarian #21 Reviews

Posted by Jim Zub on June 16, 2025 No comments

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #21, the start of our Nest of Serpents story arc, arrived in comic shops at last. What did critics think of our new story and new art team?

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “My gosh, this book is so well told! This is the way you have to write comics. I really love this one. It’s a top pick, A+ for me, and what happens at the end, you’ll have to read it for yourself!”

• Comic Crusader: “It’s clear from the first page that this issue is a powerful return to form for the series…I am a genuinely impressed with what Fernando Dagnino brings to the table…Highest of recommendations.”

• Comic Culture: “We’re being introduced to a lot of cool characters very quickly and they’re putting Conan in an unfamiliar position here which is with his back against the wall, no weapons, no resources…I’m really excited to have Conan back in my life right now and this was a great issue to jump back into.”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “Jim Zub continues to crank out banger after banger, with each issue outdoing the last. Fernando Dagnino’s artwork is phenomenal, bringing every moment to life with gritty intensity…This issue is a must-read!”

• Eternal Crusader: “This plot feels like a classic Conan adventure in Roy Thomas’s best style…This yarn offers readers a mysterious oasis city, sprawling tavern feasts, a nocturnal reconnaissance mission, a gruesome secret, action galore, a new villainess, and our hero at one of his lowest points at the story’s climax.”

• Evan the Architect: “Fernando Dagnino does a fantastic job…A really exciting start to a new storyline. I love this title.”

• Gary B the Casual Comic Guy: “This artist, who is new with this issue, just did a spectacular job! The backgrounds are great, the art is fantastic, the expressions are great, it’s ominous, moody, and threatening. It puts you in the tale with Conan…This is an A+ read all around.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “Really clicked with the art on this one from Dagnino. The writing was superb as always, and the story had all the trappings of a great Conan classic…I think my sword and sorcery fever is growing and the only prescription is more Conan!”

• Kabooooom!: 10/10“Fernando Dagnino has begun to establish himself as one of the great Conan artists of the modern era. His figures are detailed without being cluttered and his character designs memorable and unique…If you’ve not read any of the current wave of Conan the Barbarian, this is a fine place to start.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “This Titan run has easily been in my top 5 comics since it’s come out. They truly got the sword and sorcery vibe down to a tee. I strongly recommend people on the fence to dive in on this run with this being a great starting point!”

• Nerd Intitiative: 10/10 “One of the best comics coming out every month when it drops…I can’t recommend it enough.”

• 9 Panel Grid: “Fernando as the artist here really Wowed me. I was so pleasantly surprised by seeing a new artist on this book…This is about to jumpstart into something awesome.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “The art is absolutely amazing. it’s got me plugged right back into the world of Conan the Barbarian…This totally sets up what’s to come and me personally, I’m rather excited.”

• Professor Frenzy: “I am absolutely loving this Conan title, in particular Jim Zub is killing it…I can’t wait to see where this one goes.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Ferocious Fernando Dagnino’s Conan is forged from the same mighty thews and sinew that defined Buscema and De La Torre’s take on the character, yet it is Dagnino’s own Cimmerian…This fresh chapter is the ideal place for new readers to jump on board and those that might have stepped away from the series in recent months will definitely want to pick this one up.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: 9.5/10 “This is a great issue. I loved it! I thought the art was phenomenal, the storytelling was great.”

• Thinking Critical: “I really feel like they’re on a big upswing now with this new artist, Fernando Dagnino…it really gives me the good artistic vibes I want out of a Conan book and this is a fun read. Once again, a strong recommend.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “You look at Conan and how much the seeds of this arc have been planted in previous issues and all the building they’re doing, it just shows how much getting the right creatives on a book really works. It’s enthralling, really interesting writing, there’s great themes, and great characterization. I cannot recommend this one highly enough.”

Zubby Newsletter #116: Slay Those Snakes

Posted by Jim Zub on June 10, 2025 1 comment

Another burst of writing work and errands getting done before I fly to Las Vegas on Thursday for the Glass Cannon celebration, where I’ll be running sessions of Conan: The Hyborian Age, Mothership, and Shadowdark alongside an all-star crew of glorious gamers. It’s go time in the summertime!

*A sample of interior art from CONAN THE BARBARIAN #21.*

This week, CONAN THE BARBARIAN #21 finally arrives in stores, kicking off a new story arc that will take our hero to the heart of Stygia and set him against the forces of the Great Serpent!

Fernando Dagnino and Diego Rodriguez deliver stellar artwork, the action is intense, and the world’s biggest and best sword & sorcery hero is ready to slay some snakes!

I was thrilled to hear that sales on issues #21 are up from previous issues, defying the typical sales attrition most series have. We’re picking up new monthly readers 20+ issues deep into the run while changing distributors, which is a testament to good word of mouth and retailer support!

Here’s the new Skullkickers cover art by Edwin Huang!

SKULLKICKERS Returns As “Compact Attack Editions” at Oni Press!

After the Zoop campaign wrapped up I mentioned we’d have more exciting Skullkickers announcements coming, and here we are – The new Skullkickers compact editions will be available everywhere in Spring 2026 thanks to Oni Press!

Here’s the press release:

The Harvey Award-Nominated Sword-and-Sorcery Sensation Arrives in Digest Form in Spring 2026!

Oni Press is proud to invite you back into the world of SKULLKICKERS in all-new, compact digest format recollecting the entirety of Jim Zub (Dungeons & Dragons, Conan the Barbarian) and Edwin Huang’s (Street Fighter) beloved, Harvey Award-nominated fantasy-action sensation! Presenting the entirety of the series’ acclaimed 34-issue run across three, 5.5 x 8.5 digest volumes arriving in stores in spring 2026, the all-new SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITIONS from Oni Press are the perfect bingeable format for the busy paladin on the go – or new readers who want to discover the landmark, RPG-inspired series that Publishers’ Weekly calls “bombastic chaos…[like] a sword and sorcery buddy movie”!

If you love swords, sassery, and a touch of black-hearted violence, then SKULLKICKERS is the book for you! A trio of hard-headed mercenaries kill monsters and cause havoc in their endless search for money, fame, and adventure from the lauded and ludicrous team of Jim Zub and Edwin Huang—now in a book-friendly perfect format!

“When Skullkickers was originally published in 2010, fantasy comics and D&D culture were a glimmer compared to the glittering pop culture explosion we’ve seen since then and we were 6 years from Deadpool’s fourth wall-breaking antics on the big screen,” said Zub. “Skullkickers was ‘Deadpool by way of D&D’ before that was even a thing. Skullkickers knew that sword & sorcery storytelling was amazing and ridiculous, because it’s always been amazing and ridiculous.”

“Without Skullkickers, I wouldn’t have worked on Pathfinder, Samurai Jack, Dungeons & Dragons, Conan the Barbarian, and a dozen other titles,” continued Zub. “It’s the mischievous magic spell that changed my life, and I’m so proud of what the book was and is. Now, partnering with Oni and their killer new compact publishing line, we can grab a whole new generation of comic collectors, sword and sorcery stalwarts, RPG advocates, and manga maniacs. LET’S KICK SKULLS!”

“With all of its trademark style, swagger, and humor, SKULLKICKERS was one of the upstart series that redefined the metrics of how independent comics looked, sounded, and felt in the 2010s – throwing forward a ton of energy and momentum that still resounds with readers today,” said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. “It’s an immense honor to bring Jim and Edwin’s much beloved and wildly acclaimed series to Oni Press in an all-new format for a brand-new generation of readers. For anyone who loves comics, fantasy, or role-playing games, this is one of the definitive series of the past decade that needs to be on your shelf.”

SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITION – VOLUME 1
Collects issues #1–11
On sale February 18th, 2026

SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITION – VOLUME 2
Collects issues #12–23
On sale March 18th, 2028

SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITION – VOLUME 3
Collects issues #24-34
On sale April 22nd, 2026

An Icon In Unexpected Places

Colorist Jão Canola (who colored Conan: Battle of the Black Stone and is currently working on Scourge of the Serpent) sent our creative team an anecdote this week and it was so great I asked him if it was okay to share it here in my newsletter. Enjoy!

I needed to make some changes to my office and called an electrician. I was coloring Conan pages while he was working, and I noticed he was curious as he asked me “What are you doing?”

I explained that I work on comic books, that I’m a colorist, and I explained the process of creating a comic.

His eyes lit up! He couldn’t believe someone from Jaú (where I live) works on Conan, and he told me his story with the character. He is currently 61 years old. He discovered Conan in the 80s, and at the time he and a friend would take turns buying the magazine: one month he would buy it, the next month his friend would buy it. The magazines would stay at his friend’s house because his father wouldn’t let him have comics at home.

So, I gave him the collection with all four issues of Conan: Battle of the Black Stone as a gift, and he went home very happy.

A few weeks later, he came back to finish the job. I asked if he liked the magazine, and at that very moment, I remembered it was in English. I’d completely forgotten about that when I gave him the gift. But that’s where the coolest part of the story comes in. 🙂

“I loved it! I had a lot of fun. On Sunday, I woke up very early, turned on the radio with the music really low, opened a Coke and read the magazine.”

“Do you read English?” I asked.

“No, but I understood everything perfectly from the pictures. The artist is very good! I was able to understand.”

Then, he told me his version of the story. Obviously, it wasn’t exactly the story we made — he imagined several different things. But, Jim, I’m sorry – his version was so cool to him that I just agreed…I didn’t have the courage to correct him!

And that’s it. Conan is an icon. A 61-year-old man remembered his adolescence and, even without knowing English, really enjoyed our work. He thought it was incredible that someone from his own city works on this. That’s what comic books are all about, right? I’m so grateful to work in comics with such cool people like all of you.

Pop Culture Philosophers Talks Conan 1982

Last night, I was on the Pop Culture Philosopher’s livestream movie review of CONAN THE BARBARIAN from 1982 and we dove into all kinds of aspects of the film and had lots of laughs.

Thanks to Rockin’ Robbie Billz for bringing me on board!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – released April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – released April 1st.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – released April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – released May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases June 11th.

Savage Sword of Conan vol. 2 – releases June 17th.

Street Fighter Masters: Elena one-shot – releases June 25th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – releases July 9th.

Conan the Barbarian #23 – releases August 13th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 5: Twisting Loyalties – releases August 20th.

Upcoming Appearances

A last minute opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary of the Origins Game Fair in Columbus came my way, so I’ll be attending the GAMA Trade Day on Wednesday and then wandering Origins and taking meetings on Thursday and Friday! If you’re headed to Origins, feel free to reach out as I haven’t been to the show in twenty years, and I’m eager to see people there and also see what’s changed over the years.

Other events added to my schedule: Signing at Gotham Central Comics in Mississauga on June 28th and confirmation that I will be back at San Diego Comic Con in late July!

Jun 12-15, 2025	Glass Cannon Retreat	Las Vegas, NV, USA
Jun 18-20, 2025	Origins Game Fair	Columbus, OH, USA
Jun 28, 2025	Gotham Central – Signing Noon-2pm	Toronto, ON, CANADA
Jul 23-Jul 27, 2025	San Diego Comic Con	San Diego, CA, USA
Jul 31-Aug 3, 2025	Gen Con Indy – Booth 1349	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zubby Newsletter #115: Sprinting Through Spain

Posted by Jim Zub on June 2, 2025 No comments

*After our signing at Arte 9 in Madrid. From left: Alberto Alburquerque, me, Fernando Dagnino, Ivan Gil.*

Stacy and I are at our hotel in Madrid, easing our way through the morning as we finish packing our luggage and then head to the airport. I wanted to send out a newsletter four days ago after we finished the London leg of it all, but it’s been too busy for me to carve out the time to get it done until now.

Man oh man, what a trip. MCM London Comic Con was bustling, the store signings I’ve done have been hopping, and there’s been a steady drumbeat of go-go-go punctuating almost every day. Even our ‘break’ days have been intense as we packed in visits with old friends and a couple business meetings as well. It wasn’t until yesterday, when we took a day trip to Segovia with Ivan Gil and his wife Luda, that things seemed to slow down enough to realize how quick it’s all been going.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s been really fun. Among the many highlights:

• Being set up at the convention between Mark Brooks and Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau, watching both of them absolutely crush it in terms of sketches for fans.

• Dinner with Sean Gordon Murphy and his crew, talking about broader industry trends and weathering the storm of publishing highs and lows.

• Catching up with Alex Trowers, Leanne and their amazing kids after the show wrapped up on Sunday.

• Wandering London with them, Gabrielle Kent, Satish and their little one, including a foray into the British Museum.

• A big pizza dinner with so many of our England friends, including the wonderful Rhianna Pratchett, to cap off our time in London.

• Stopping by the Titan Books office to discuss future Conan the Barbarian plans.

• Stacy and I gallery and museum’ed it up in both cities, with visits to the British National Gallery, the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. So much art, an overflowing blast of inspiration.

• Both signings in Madrid were amazing! So many Spanish readers came out and quite a few of them brought stacks of my books to sign. The staff at Arte 9 and Omega Center were so incredibly welcoming and stocked deep on titles as well.

• A bunch of Spanish comic creators came out for dinner after the Omega Center signing on Saturday, including my friend Pepe Larraz, who is the current artist of Amazing Spider-Man.

*Deep stock of Spanish language Zub comics at Omega Center.*

Getting face time with Spanish creators, especially the wonderful artists I’m currently working with, was incredibly special. As much as we all try to stay in touch, via email or Zoom, nothing can replace that in-person experience. We really are a creative team, and the stronger that bond can be, the better. I want my collaborators to know how much I value their efforts, month after month.

As tired as I feel sprinting through the past nine days, my mind is sparking with electricity because of the great interactions I’ve had with everyone here overseas. In a year already packed with amazing experiences, this trip has been an unexpected high point…

(…and we’ll be back in the UK again in November for a double dose of D&D in a Castle!)

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – released April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – released April 1st.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – released April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – released May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases June 11th.

Street Fighter Masters: Elena one-shot – releases June 25th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – releases July 9th.

Upcoming Appearances

I’m a surprise guest at the Glass Cannon Retreat happening in Las Vegas in a couple weeks! I’ll be running TTRPG sessions and playing a few NPCs during the festivities and it’s going to be awesome.

June 12-15, 2025	Glass Cannon Retreat	Las Vegas, NV, USA
Jul 31-Aug 3, 2025	Gen Con Indy – Booth 1349	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zub at MCM Comic Con London

Posted by Jim Zub on May 23, 2025 No comments

This week is England’s big pop culture convention, MCM Comic Con London, May 23-25, 2025.
I’m a featured guest and will be set up in the Comic Sketch Art section at

ARTIST ALLEY TABLE A-09

In addition to signing times at my table, I’m also on a spotlight panel Saturday afternoon:

SATURDAY MAY 24, 2025
4:00pm-4:45pm — Titan Presents: Conan the Barbarian’s Jim Zub Live – Artist Alley Stage
The barbarian’s bard is here to answer your questions! Sit down with Jim Zub (Dungeons & Dragons, Avengers) the writer of Titan’s bestselling Conan the Barbarian comic series to learn more about this triumphant new era of the greatest warrior of all time. This panel will directly be followed by a signing at Forbidden Planet, Booth S2230!

Zubby Newsletter #114: Forty Nine

Posted by Jim Zub on May 19, 2025 No comments

Yesterday was my birthday. 49.

A year ago, Stacy and I were in Japan. Two years ago, we were in England. Despite the excitement of being on the road for my birthday, it was nice to be home instead this time, even though we are sprinting to get ready for almost two weeks of travel starting in a couple days – off to England again and then Spain for the first time.

For this birthday we had a lazy Sunday with an ‘open house’ format. Friends stopped by to say “Hi”, we played some video games and board games, and then ordered in pizza for dinner. Nice and simple. A lot of people were away for the long weekend, but everyone who made it out brought a lot of good cheer.

There was some chatter about next year – what we might do for the big 5-0. Hard to say right now, but we certainly have more flexibility if we want to make a trip out of it.

It’s been a transformative year and shows no signs of slowing down. I am so incredibly thankful for family, friends, and even strangers reading here who care enough to stay on top of what I’m doing and offer kind words and support. Thank you!

Casual Conversation, Big Information

I was a guest on Gary B, the Casual Comic Guy’s livestream on Saturday, and it ended up being a surprisingly in-depth talk about my work on Conan the Barbarian loaded with info and anecdotes – What it’s like writing the character, working with so many amazing artists, trying to honor what’s come before while also building new things, and much more.

Edith Finch

Thanks to the power of Steam sales, I’ve been digging into a variety of older video games at bargain prices. Amongst several I recently picked up and enjoyed is What Remains of Edith Finch. Unlike many other titles I gravite towards, this one is not an action or strategy game at all, it’s an atmospheric first-person narrative with environments you explore packed with melancholy ambience as strange and somber stories of an odd family unfold before you.

Edith Finch can be ‘completed’ in less than three hours, but the way it’s told and the questions it raises stick around long after that play time is complete. It caught me at just the right time – I was in a contemplative mood in the lead up to my birthday and was thoroughly impressed with how polished and engaing this was. If you want a very different kind of gaming experience, a slow and deliberate journey that’s reflective and charming, I recommend adding it to your Wish List.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – released April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – released April 1st.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – released April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – released May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases June 11th.

Street Fighter Masters: Elena one-shot – releases June 25th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – releases July 9th.

Upcoming Appearances

Another signing has been added to our Spain trip so if you live near Madrid, or know any comic fans who do, please let them know. Gen Con Indianapolis is also now officially on the schedule for August.

Incredibly, a few more shows are getting finalized, so expect more appearance announcements coming up!

May 23-25, 2025	London MCM Comic Con	London, UK
May 26, 2025	Forbidden Planet – Signing 2-3pm	London, UK
May 30, 2025	Arte 9 – Signing 6:30-8pm	Madrid, SPAIN
May 31, 2025	Omega Center – Signing 7-8pm	Madrid, SPAIN
Jul 31-Aug 3, 2025	Gen Con Indy – Booth 1349	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zubby Newsletter #113: Free For Thee

Posted by Jim Zub on May 14, 2025 No comments

Last weekend, our neighborhood hosted a ‘Flee or Free’ event in one of the local parks, a chance to giveaway or sell stuff to the community. Stacy and I used it as motivation to clear out old and rarely used kitchen gadgets and cutlery, including some pots and plates I’d been carting around since college. Some of the stuff we gave away and that’s okay – better to have things being used by strangers over just taking up shelf or drawer space gathering dust. Getting to know people who live nearby and petting some happy dogs in the park was worth more than the few bucks we might have haggled for.

That concept of “Spring cleaning” is on my mind a lot lately, trying to clear out tired objects and unwanted thoughts kept well past their due date along with other old baggage and bad habits. I know how intense things will get as convention season really kicks into gear, so a bit of tidying up and reorganizing is good to keep in mind, inside and out.

Speaking of fine freebies, the 2025 CONAN THE BARBARIAN Free Comic Book Day issue is now FREE everywhere!

Grab the digital release on the Titan website and Kindle right HERE, so please share that link far and wide!

Poetry Reading

Savage Sword of Conan #8 arrived in stores two weeks ago and inside that issue I have a new poem, inspired by the Cimmerian and his brothers-in-arms. Like I did with the poem in issue #3, I did a short reading you can check out on my YouTube channel.

The Warriors & Wizards Compendium Arrives in November!

A new hardcover collection for the D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide series arrives in November-
The Warriors & Wizards Compendium!

Collecting and updating material from our character-centric volumes, it’s the perfect way to introduce new people to character creation and worlds of adventure!

Splash Pages

I was a guest on Splash Pages alongside four bombastic hosts, and we chatted all about sword & sorcery, gaming, and comics, including some deep cuts to projects I’ve almost never talked about before.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan the Barbarian #19 – released March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – released April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – released April 1st.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – released April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – released May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases June 11th.

Street Fighter Masters: Elena one-shot – releases June 25th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – releases July 9th.

Upcoming Appearances

I received news that my first table at D&D In a Castle in November is now SOLD OUT, but there are still a few seats available for group 2, happening from November 10-14. Find out more about what I’m planning for the game by watching this stream interview.

Despite my original plan to stay home through most of June, I’m talking about a couple exciting event possibilities – more details may be coming soon…

May 23-25, 2025	London MCM Comic Con	London, UK
May 26, 2025	Forbidden Planet – Signing 2-3pm	London, UK
May 31, 2025	Omega Center – Signing 7-8pm	Madrid, SPAIN
Jul 31-Aug 3, 2025	Gen Con Indy	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent Prelude Reviews

Posted by Jim Zub on May 10, 2025 1 comment

A week ago, our latest CONAN THE BARBARIAN Free Comic Book Day issue arrived in stores, a prelude to epic adventures coming later this year. Want to read it? The story is available as a free download at the Titan Comics website.

What did critics think of it? Let’s find out-

• Amazon: 10/10 “Another masterpiece by Jim Zub, and new Conan artist Ivan Gill! It’s a rare thing when you can get great story and art in a comic these days, and with Conan, it’s always worth every penny, but this is free!! If you’re not reading Conan, this is a great jumping on point!”

• Comic Book Report: “The art in this book is, as always, fantastic for a Conan book. If you like the dark, action-heavy fantasy sword and sorcery genre there’s maybe no better example than Conan the Barbarian.”

• Comic Tropes: “You feel like you’re getting a full comic with this one. The art is great. The story and writing is really captivating.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Ivan Gil has managed to pack each panel with a wealth of details for the reader’s eye to explore…Jim Zub made sure that this Conan is noticeably more outspoken impulsive and impatient than the later mercenary leader or king who makes wise decisions and has more insight into people and their motivations, and yet Zub managed to weave Robert E. Howard’s views on barbarism and civilization skillfully into the story.”

• Gaming Trend: 9/10 “-an exciting setup for the next tale in the Barbarian’s legend. It’s a story that existing fans of Conan will be sure to enjoy, and is a perfect place for those who haven’t yet delved into the world to jump in.”

• Gary B The Casual Comic Guy: “I thought this was a great setup and really enjoyed it. The dialogue was great, the art really depicted the Hyborean Age well, and I just love his background work. This is a new artist to me and I thought, seeing the amount of detail that’s in the background especially, when paired with the coloring – it’s amazing. I give this teaser an A+!”

• Good Reads: 10/10 “Ivan Gil’s art is certainly partnering well with Zub’s writing, both giving us a story to engage in. Probably another hit single from Zub’s discography of Sword & Sorcery rock-n-roll.”

• Grimdark Magazine: “Artist Ivan Gil is a newcomer to Conan the Barbarian, but I look forward to seeing more Conan material by him. His character work in this issue is superb. His Conan is brawny, but he captures the panther-like agility that so many other artists regrettably deemphasize. “

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “This was incredible. This is a full issue of a great story and I can’t believe Titan is giving it away for free. Outstanding story involving the Cult of Set that does tie-in to the mainline series but reading that isn’t required at all. Highly recommend this as a jumping on book for the Conan curious.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “A lot of action, some really good humor and building up the story, and I was just really impressed with the artwork, especially the coloring. They compliment eachother so well.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Ivan Gil’s artwork here is just wonderful. I was blown away and it works so well with Joao Canola’s colors…I can’t believe we got all this for free!”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “I actually enjoyed myself a lot…There was something really amazing about the artwork here and Jao Canola’s coloring really elevated this a lot.”

• Taylor Talks Comics: “I love this artwork by Ivan Gil…and it sold me and I want to check out more.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “Third year in a row, they have knocked it out of the park on Free Comic Book Day…They treat it like a full issue, with extras in the back and previews. All kinds of great stuff in this fantastic story.”

Zubby Newsletter #112: Eyes Thrice Open

Posted by Jim Zub on May 5, 2025 No comments

*Free Comic Book Day 2025 at Third Eye.*

Two years ago, the new Conan the Barbarian series launched on Free Comic Book Day with our special promotional zero issue and I signed at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland. This past weekend, I was back there again with a new FCBD issue as we rocket toward the third year of the series. Longtime friend Ray Fawkes, comic newcomer Jason Shaw, and I had a 3-hour whirlwind signing at the flagship store and easily signed over 800 books apiece. It was exhausting and invigorating. What a rush.

*With writers **Ray Fawkes** (The Phantom) and **Jason Shaw** (Snow Monkey).*

This was my fifth signing at Third Eye (wait, maybe my sixth – Is it good that I’m not sure?) and, each and every time, I leave with a warm feeling that, no matter how tumultuous publishing comics can be, things are going to be okay.

I’ve told many comic professionals this, but it’s well worth repeating as loud and wide as possible – If there was a shop like Third Eye Comics in every state in the U.S., the North American comic book industry would be in a completely different place – a much better place.

What Steve and Trish have managed to accomplish over the past 17 years is absolutely incredible. They have taken the buzz around pop culture – comics, superheroes, anime, manga, games, music, horror, sci-fi, alt culture – and built incredibly well curated stores that celebrate and sell on a scale I have rarely seen before. Most importantly, their staff are knowledgeable, friendly, exuberant, patient, motivated, and – wait for it – well taken care of (solid base pay, health insurance, retirement benefits) and in turn they deliver a customer experience that is top tier. That, in turn, has built a phenomenally loyal customer base that trusts their recommendations and comes out in droves for their events. It’s the kind of vibrant pop culture ecosystem that people in this business dream about, located a short drive from Baltimore and Washington DC.

Hardcore collectors, casual readers, and kids are all well served. Whatever you are into, Third Eye has it – stocked deep and sold with a sincere smile. Until you see it, it’s hard to describe.

Comic publishers, distributors, and other retailers could learn a hell of a lot from those people and their stores. I learn something new about this business every single time I visit, and you can bet I’ll be back whenever they want me there to promote my work.

Want a Signed Copy?

Speaking of well stocked, Third Eye has a limited number of extra signed copies of the CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT Prelude and PHANTOM #0 set aside for people who couldn’t make it to their shop, and they do mail order as well, so if you want a copy for your collection, don’t miss out.

The Serpent Revealed!

*Line art by Ivan Gil. Colors by João Canola.*

Now that the Scourge of the Serpent Prelude issue has been released (and don’t worry, the free digital version will be arriving online soon), it’s time to start revealing some of our secrets!

Over on the official Conan website I dug in deep with Lo Terry, talking at length about my grand plan for the story and how we’re weaving three different Robert E. Howard tales together into one swirling sword & sorcery tale.

It’s ambitious, audacious even, but man oh man, it’s also a lot of fun. Ivan and João are delivering glorious artwork, sweeping readers across time, space, and sanity. The twinkle in my eye for this story has become so much more thanks to our team and I’m incredibly grateful.

D&D in a Castle Deep Dive

Hopper the Devoted and I were on a livestream last week reminiscing about D&D in a Castle and chatting about what’s coming up in November for my players headed to Castle Lumley.

One of my two tables are already sold out, but there are still seats available for my November 10-14 adventure!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan the Barbarian #19 – released March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – released April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – released April 1st.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – released April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – released May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases June 11th.

Street Fighter Masters: Elena one-shot – releases June 25th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – releases July 9th.

Upcoming Appearances

Stacy and I are headed to England later this month for MCM Comic Con London, but the adventure doesn’t stop there – We’re hopping over to Spain for a few days so I can meet some of the amazing artists I’m working with and will be signing with Fernando Dagnino and Ivan Gil on May 31st at 7pm at the Omega Center comic shop in Madrid!

May 23-25, 2025	London MCM Comic Con	London, UK
May 26, 2025	Forbidden Planet – Signing 2-3pm	London, UK
May 31, 2025	Omega Center – Signing 7-8pm	Madrid, SPAIN
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zubby Newsletter #111: Annual Adventures

Posted by Jim Zub on April 29, 2025 No comments

*With the legendary Frank Miller at this year’s Calgary Expo.*

There have been 18 Calgary Comic Expos so far and I’ve been to 17 of them for good reason. Every year, it’s a fun celebration of pop culture and creators in a city that proves, time and time again, that they love comics and art…and getting to see old friends and former students is icing on top of a really wonderful cake.

This year’s show included a surreal surprise. On Friday night, our crew had dinner with Frank Miller and I ended up sitting next to the man himself. Over a couple hours we talked about all kinds of things, including Robert E. Howard, pulp stories, and legacy characters. We also talked about lyricism and poetry, and when I mentioned I’d written a poem in the new Savage Sword of Conan #3, Frank wanted to see it.

He carefully read it, line by line, and told me it “felt like Howard by way of Tennyson”, a massive compliment. I have a new poem arriving in Savage Sword of Conan #8, in stores this week, and he told me to send it to him once I got home.

The next morning, Frank came by to get a copy of the new Conan the Barbarian series and we chatted long enough that he was late for his first signing of the day. I know people were waiting, but it really did feel amazing to spend that extra time and go through parts of the book with him as he lavished praise on our team-

“When the story comes from somewhere real, you can feel it. I see the passion you guys are putting on the page. This looks great.”

It’s the kind of interaction you always hope for when it comes to industry legends, but not something you can ever expect or plan for, and it certainly made my weekend extra special.

*A couple sketches from Calgary – Batman and Minsc + Boo.*

Outside of that, panels and hangout time with other pros at the show was a delight. I lived in Calgary over 20 years ago, and seeing how the city has grown while still being able to recommend some old spots and shops makes it feel like it wasn’t all that long ago.

I’m seeing friends for a couple extra days, and then touching base back home long enough to check mail and do laundry before I zip over to Maryland for a big Free Comic Book Day signing at Third Eye Comics alongside my friend Ray Fawkes. If you live in the Annapolis, Baltimore, or Washington DC area, make sure you come on out to Third Eye – it’s going to be awesome!

On The Homestretch

*With Chris dela Torre from CBC Radio’s Homestretch show.*

I was interviewed by CBC Radio’s Homestretch show at the 11 minute mark of this section of their Calgary Expo live broadcast. Give it a listen!

At the Corner of Story & Games

It’s always a blast talking with Gerald at The Corner of Story & Games. This time we cover writing craft, navigating creative industries, working with existing IPs, and things I wish I’d known when I was starting out. Check it out!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – released March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – released March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – released April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – released April 1st.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – released April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – releases May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases June 11th.

Street Fighter Masters: Elena one-shot – releases June 25th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – releases July 9th.

Upcoming Appearances

May 3, 2025	Third Eye Comics – Signing 9am-Noon	Annapolis, MD, USA
May 23-25, 2025	London MCM Comic Con	London, UK
May 26, 2025	Forbidden Planet – Signing 2-3pm	London, UK
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zubby Newsletter #110: Slow & Fast

Posted by Jim Zub on April 22, 2025 No comments

The past week has been simultaneously slow and fast – Slow to recover from jet lag and a head cold I picked up after traveling halfway around the world, and fast in terms of work still needing to get done, deadlines we had to meet before Stacy and I jump on a plane tomorrow to Calgary for the annual Comic & Entertainment Expo happening this weekend. Thankfully, those deadlines have been met and luggage is laid out behind me in a state of ‘mostly packed’ that will become ‘fully packed’ once the last load of laundry is done.

Even though my Seneca staff account shut down on Monday, quietly marking the end of an era, it certainly doesn’t feel like life has slowed in any way, shape, or form. If anything, things are busier than they have been in quite a while. Stacy has a couple new projects she’s excitedly diving into, which means both of us have been clickety-clacking away on keyboards here at home, touching base for morning tea, lunch, and dinner but otherwise focused on deadlines and deliverables.

I’d like to say that things will slow down in May but, when you scroll down to upcoming appearances you’ll see that isn’t true either…Right now, June looks reasonable, so we’ll go with that. 🙂

The Tale of Four: Zula in Conan the Barbarian

The official Conan the Barbarian website has a new article all about Zula’s return and how I’m weaving together multiple narrative sources to create a new version of a fan favorite character. Read on, adventurers, and make sure you snag issue #20, which came out last week!

Interviewed In India

While at Mumbai Comic Con, I spoke to PTI, India’s largest news agency. They used sound bites on TV and just posted the full interview on their YouTube channel. We talk about the entertainment industry, conventions, creating fictional characters, teaching, and AI.

I also spoke to Arindam at a YouTube channel called Indian Nerve and had a text interview all about the use of AI and creativity printed in India’s Economic Times.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – released March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – released March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – released April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – released April 1st.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – released April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – releases May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases June 11th.

Street Fighter Masters: Elena one-shot – releases June 25th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – releases July 9th.

Upcoming Appearances

Thrilled to announce that I’m back at MCM Comic Con London on May 23-25, 2025 – Bring your Conan the Barbarian and other Zub books to get ’em signed in jolly ol’ England!

Apr 24-27, 2025	Calgary Expo	Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
May 3, 2025	Third Eye Comics – Signing 9am-Noon	Annapolis, MD, USA
May 23-25, 2025	London MCM Comic Con	London, UK
May 26, 2025	Forbidden Planet – Signing 2-3pm	London, UK
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK