Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #3 arrived in comic shops. What did critics think of our penultimate chapter?

• 9 Panel Grid: “I’m really enjoying Gil’s approach on the artwork here – We get different flavors of artistic choices between Conan, Savage Sword of Conan, and this event, but each one continues to be a feast for the eyes.”

• Brother Lore: “This entire venture into Conan has been my favorite thing written by Jim Zub…A very pleasing read especially for me, an old English literature major.”

• Comic Culture: “Even for somebody like me, a bit of a novice with Conan at this point, I’m having such a great time with this book…If you see anything Conan that’s come out in the last couple of years – Scourge of the Serpent, Conan proper, Savage Sword – it doesn’t matter what it is, pick it up. You’re going to love it.”

• Comical Opinions: “The writing keeps character motivations clean and easy to follow, which matters when reincarnation charts and serpent cult lore start stacking up. The art backs that up with strong visual storytelling”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “Jim Zub continues to prove why his storytelling is unmatched…Ivan Gil’s artwork and Jao Canola’s coloring elevate everything even further, creating an enthralling and atmospheric experience from start to finish.”

• Cupcake Comic Reviews: “The artwork is amazing with Ivan Gil on the art and Jim Zub writing, so you can never go wrong. This feels like an event book in the Conan universe.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “One of the best books on the shelves every single month and it just keeps going…The art is fantastic and storyline is cool as hell. I’m loving the action across three timelines.”

• Gaming Trend: “Scourge of the Serpent #3 is exactly what I’d hoped the previous issue would be. It pushes the plot forward both for the individual storylines and the overarching threat without leaving any character’s plotline feeling like an afterthought.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 8/10 “The interweaving of these stories is fantastic. I wasn’t sure for a minute where it was going but it all connects right toward the end.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “I’m anxious to see how Jim Zub’s going to wrap up this story arc. So far, so good…If you are a Robert E. Howard fan, I would strongly recommend this.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “Jim Zub working on Conan is a revelation. It’s so good, so amazing and I think that this is the best Conan’s been since the 80s. I really do.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Ivan Gil delivers exceptional work in Conan Scourge of the Serpent #3, some of the best Conan art under Titan Comics…It’s sharp, respectful storytelling that hints at bigger things to come.”

• Thinking Critical: “I think Jim Zub continues to knock it out of the park this arc with Conan…It’s a unique story and unique style of event storytelling and I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “Just a great homage to all of Howard’s genius and characters. I’m loving it…A great book with great art on it that continues to be the best comic on the market.”

• 9 Panel Grid: “Conan continues to be spectacular. This issue is really setting up something that I’m really excited for because I want to see King Conan’s ascent.”

• Brother Lore: “I read through it so quickly because the pacing is so great, the writing is so engaging and there is the perfect balance between narration, exposition and action that it really doesn’t let you breathe for one minute.”

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “The art is fantastic, very brutal, very gory…it looks so nice and I absolutely love reading this book. It’s always so detailed and Jim Zub does a wonderful job at describing the story. That’s what makes this such a solid read.”

• Comic Book University: “The art in here is beautiful, fantastic…Great book. I’d highly recommend it.”

• Comic Culture: “Another amazing issue of Conan the Barbarian. If you need more reason to get this book, this is it right here…There’s layers and layers of drama, plotting, scheming and infiltrating. It’s all really compelling and very interesting.”

• Comical Opinions: 8.5/10 “The comic’s greatest strengths lie in its measured pacing, dialogue that immediately immerses, and art that makes every battle and brooding council scene visually memorable…a sword-slash of value for the discerning reader, balancing chaos, cunning, and a glimmer of wit in a battered bronze world.”

• Comic Patrol: “Another fantastic issue. Gorgeous art, colors, story. Everything is top notch…Just perfectly Conan in all the right ways. I just love this book.”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “At a time when many long-running series start to wane, Conan the Barbarian just keeps getting better. If you’re not reading this run, you’re missing one of the greatest modern interpretations of the Hyborian Age.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Zub has managed to cram a lot of plot into a mere 22 pages…The battle scenes in particular are well done, and Dagnino demonstrates how creatively he can use panels to support and strengthen the impact of his art. This comic book remains a visual treat for adult readers.”

• Gaming Trend: 8/10 ” Filled with subtle-yet-powerful worldbuilding and more than enough action to please long-time Conan fans, this issue offers us a hearty taste of what is to come over the course of this arc that will lead to him becoming king of Aquilonia.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “Zub’s tale in this issue easily echoes modern attitudes by those who have nested into their pampered positions of power…Good art from Fernando Dagnino to partner Zub’s eloquence.”

• Kabooooom!: 10/10 “It is rare that a comic so steeped in lore can prove to satisfy established fans yet be accessible to new readers as well. Conan The Barbarian #26 is such a rare treat. Violent and visceral, this is a perfect introduction to the world of one of most famous heroes of fantasy.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Probably my favorite art of the whole series so far and the writing was peak, per usual. I don’t know how Zub does it book after book.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “Overall, I really enjoyed this Zub story leading up to when Conan becomes king. This is actually one of my favorite stories so far…Overall, an excellent issue.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “Jim Zub has been writing the hell out of Conan. Whether it’s Conan the Barbarian or spearheading Savage Sword of Conan, these are some of the best comics out there of the modern era. I would encourage you to check them out.”

• Sci Fi Pulse: 9.6/10 “a brilliant job of setting up the new story arc. The looming war between the two kings is established cleanly, giving the conflict real weight right from the start. Conan’s rise into a position of leadership within the Westermarck Wolves is also handled really well — it feels organic, earned, and completely in character.”

• Stygian Dogs: “a strong cinematic start to this new saga. It’s a thoroughly satisfying read and an ideal jumping on point for new readers and it comes with my highest recommendation.”

• Thinking Critical: “Pick of the week and it’s starting to feel like Conan might be the front runner for best comic book series of 2025.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “I think Fernando Dagnino’s art here is fantastic…Conan continues to be the best book on the market.”

• Void City Reviews: “Everything about it is awesome. The politics, the action, the art, even the lettering. I enjoyed all of it.”

The second part of Scourge of the Serpent, our snake-sent epic mini-series, arrived in stores last week. What did critics think of it? Let’s find out…

• 9 Panel Grid: “Gil is kind of like the next in line for the great Conan artists. I’ve been pleasantly surprised and arguably absolutely shocked at how consistent Conan has been, getting these really cool artists to take over the book, one after another…a really fun issue here. Definitely make sure you’re checking this out.”

• Amazon: 10/10 “A perfect fusion of Robert E. Howard themes, characters, eras and actual stories…in this issue in particular we have Ivan Gil demolishing my expectations by giving some of the coolest bloody action, unique angles and character poses suiting the danger of the situation.”

• Brother Lore: “It’s one of the best you can get today in the graphic novel or comic book medium…You don’t even have to be a Conan the Barbarian fan or fantasy fan. It’s just a very good action-packed read.”

• Comic Culture: “Gil’s artwork in here is extraordinary. We’ve got epic battle scenes, more modern looks and creepy crawly dungeons happening here too…Jim Zub is doing an incredible job curating the entire line at this point. I’m loving this book.”

• Comic Patrol: “It reads really well and it’s a lot of fun…It’s a really entertaining read.”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “Razor-sharp dialogue, sprawling action, serpentine twists, art that brawls right off the page, and a clever structure that never drops a thread. If every sword-and-sorcery comic swung with this much confidence, the genre would be king of comics.”

• Cool Thunder: 9.5/10 “Jim Zub continues to craft a phenomenal tale with endless imagination, while Ivan Gil’s art and Jao Canola’s colors make every panel burst with life.”

• Dennis Turner: “If you’re a Conan fan I really think this is going to be a must…Get it on your pull list.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Gil’s art speaks for itself. The impressive splash page of the ancient battle between Serpent Men and humankind alone justifies his place in Titan Comics’ already remarkable roster of talented artists.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “It isn’t just a simple retelling of Howard’s events…The three chosen tales make for a good intermingling adventure as they all lean into a pulpy detective’s tale, all with dark and menacing reveals.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 8/10 “Outstanding blend of three stories across time to create a mystery worth reading…I enjoyed it quite a bit.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “Fantastic artwork in this issue with wonderful action and the writing is always good…I’m really excited for the next one and it just can’t come soon enough.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “I’m enjoying this mini-series by Jim Zub and liking how he’s weaving all the characters together through a common theme. Interested to see where Zub takes it and how he wraps up the story.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “Jim Zub is able to take what we expect and want from a Conan book and give us exactly that, but also make it fresh and exciting…It works so well and the art is great.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Ivan Gil continues to shine. It’s as if he’s reaching directly into my imagination, plucking imagery at will, then manifesting and augmenting it for the larger audience. It’s just great, and Jao Canola’s colors nail the nuance of setting and mood. Jim Zub’s measured yet faithful approach to Robert E. Howard’s original works build towards a crescendo, hinting that issue three will finally pull back the mask to reveal his full creative vision for this event series. And personally, I can’t wait.”

• Sword and Sorcery Book Club: “Ivan Gil’s artwork shines and it’s really phenomenal. I really like how he represents all these stories that are so classic.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “What I’m really impressed with Zub is how he’s putting these timelines together seamlessly throughout the story…There’s some really good action and art in this as well.”

Our extra-special 25th issue, a stand-alone King Conan story called “The Nomad” painted by Alex Horley, has finally been released. Let’s see what reviewers thought of this milestone:

• 9 Panel Grid: “What makes this issue really stand out in a big way is the painted artwork by Alex Horley. It is absolutely fantastic. Arguably the best artwork you’re going to see in any comic that you get from this week’s stack…Check out this issue. It was stunning.”

• Amazon: 10/10 “Alex Horley knocked it clean out of the park, and for the first time I believe the art outshined the great writing, and that’s saying something! The history, setting and characters are all on point, the kingdom of Aquilonia is displayed in the most beautiful and intriguing display I’ve ever seen.”

• Bizarre Brain Comics: “Very nicely done with some wonderful, wonderful artwork…They did a magnificent job.”

• Brother Lore: “If there is a single issue that deserves a deluxe edition being published in an oversized hard cover, it is this one…You have to buy this comic book for yourselves. You will 100% enjoy it. Whether you are a Conan the Barbarian fan or just a comic book fan, a fantasy fan, a sword and sorcery fan, just go get it!”

• Casually Comics: “This is very much a labor of love and it shows – The art is absolutely gorgeous. The kind that warrants just taking a moment. It’s the kind of thing you want to sit with…It’s a good issue for those who have been reading the run or one that people could jump into.”

• Comic Book Club: “It’s just a great milestone comic to jump into even if you haven’t been reading the comic before because this does stand alone…The art is really spectacular.”

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “This book is just a visual masterpiece, absolutely beautiful. It is gorgeous in every stretch of the imagination.”

• Comic Book Resources: “a tremendously entertaining visual treat…this comic is a real gift for any comic book fan.”

• Comic Book University: “I’m loving what I’m reading in here…I think it’s a fantastic thing that we get to have comics like this coming out on a very consistent basis.”

• Comic Culture: “This was absolutely incredible…an interesting, action-packed story but also from a visual point of view. So many great things happening inside here. Just knocking it out of the park yet again.”

• Comic Patrol: “It’s just phenomenal!…What a blooming treat. I can’t get over how great this book is.”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “Alex Horley’s fully painted interiors are the star attraction. Total sensory overload in the best possible way. Every page bursts with color and energy, flipping between misty memory and present-day menace.”

• Conan Chronology: “a celebration of what keeps bringing us back to this Depression-era barbarian for a hundred years, and even of storytelling itself…If this were the last Conan issue from Jim Zub and Titan, it would be a fitting way to go out. But I’m so glad it’s not. Pick it up now!”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “an absolute masterclass in visual storytelling. Jim Zub delivers a phenomenal self-contained King Conan tale and it’s a total knockout! Every panel, oil-painted by Alex Horley, transforms the page into a living, breathing epic.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Each panel, every page is a unique love letter to Robert E. Howard, Conan, and the Hyborian Age…a triumphant comic book and a must-have for all Conan and comic-book fans.”

• Father and Son Comics: “It is absolutely gorgeous…I thought it was a really great twist and an iconic ending to the story.”

• Gaming Trend: 9.5/10 “this is a beautiful tribute to such a storied character. It feels as if Zub and Horley really put their all into this massive issue, and the result is nothing short of a testament worthy of Robert E. Howard’s legendary Barbarian.”

• Gary B the Casual Comic Guy: “Storytelling is an A++ and art A++. I am so thankful that this issue was not a letdown because I was looking forward to this for a while and it delivered. I thought it was absolutely one of the best issues in the series so far and I think it really adds quite a bit to the Conan lore.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “Zub is doing Howard absolute justice with his writing, giving us ‘countless moons in ages untold’. May Conan’s story never be forgotten.”

• Hyborian Reviews: “Zub’s writing is on a high level here, but the art is just a feast for the eyes!…Conan the Barbarian #25 really hit the right spots at the right time!”

• Kabooooom: 10/10 “Horley is recognized as one of the best in the business for a reason and seeing him depict such scenes as Conan’s battles with Thak the man-ape or the frost giants would be well worth the price of admission by itself.”

• Kara Dennison: “This story is a worthy anniversary installment, paying tribute to Conan’s history with every new panel. If you’re new to the saga, it’s an eye-popping way to start; if you’re a long-time fan, you’ll be delighted at just how deep the references go.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Actually speechless. I don’t know how they do it but this series just keeps getting better and better. The whole issue, all the way to every last detail, was perfect.”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “A fascinating tale about the nature of immortality, accompanied by some stunning artwork from Alex Horley, befitting a milestone issue.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “This is the most fun I’ve had in just ages. My face hurts from smiling so much. This book was everything I wanted it to be…I drank in every single page with the beautiful artwork, but the writing was phenomenal too.”

• Nerd Initiative: 10/10 “Amazing stuff! Titan and Heroic Signatures just absolutely slaying the best with this awesome book, one of the best books on the shelf every single goddamn month…The interior art in this is breathtaking.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “A good, clever story by Jim Zub and stellar art by Alex Horely. An excellent start for year three at Titan Comics. This will be one for the ages.”

• Old Nerd Reviews NY: “Zub does a great balancing act of building on the Robert E. Howard stories but making them relevant to today and presenting them in a fun way that we haven’t seen before.”

• Overstreet Access: “Titan can now stand aside Marvel and Dark Horse as publishers of sustained, solid runs on Robert E. Howard’s best-known creation…It’s particularly cool to see Horley doing interiors on a full comic issue, and he doesn’t disappoint on a single page.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “Alex Horley, who does this beautiful wraparound painted cover, does fully painted interiors on this book and it is absolutely freaking gorgeous…This was a great love letter to Conan and everything that came before Jim Zub took over this book and everything that may potentially happen after.”

• Sanctuary of Comics: “A celebration of strength, legacy, and artistry. A piece that proves the Hyborian Age lives on, not only in nostalgia, but in the passion of its new creators. Alex Horley delivers a monumental visual experience while Jim Zub writes with a palpable reverence for the Cimmerian spirit.”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.5/10 “The artwork in this issue is magnificent…Every page is a visual feast, full of detail, drama, and the grandeur that fans expect from Conan.”

• Stars My Destination (Spanish): 9/10 “A story that celebrates the character’s entire history and the mythic quality Conan holds for generations of readers…The quality is off the charts; it’s evident on every page of this historic comic.”

• Stygian Dogs: “A standalone King Conan epic that’s got everything from heart pounding action to deep introspection…Zub’s tale explores the essence of what forms Conan’s immortality through the gift of tale and legend. Alex Horley’s art is flat out incredible. Every page is oil on canvas excellence that bursts with texture and intensity that elevates the dreamlike quality of the story’s more ethereal moments.”

• Sword and Sorcery Book Club: “It’s freaking phenomenal. I love this…Jim and Alex Horley knocked it out of the park.”

• Thinking Critical: “I love this one, it was great and a very gorgeous comic…It was a really good read. If you love Conan the Barbarian, you are definitely going to love this comic.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “Without a doubt this took the cake for Best Comic of the Week, maybe a challenger for Best Single Issue of the Year…This is truly what an anniversary issue should be.”

• Void City Reviews: “I’m going to recommend this as a place to start if somehow you don’t start with issue one or the first trade…this is well done and I really enjoy King Conan.”

• Whole Lotta Comics: 9.9/10 “This book is absolutely insane. This book is beautiful…If you are a big Conan fan, you’ve read all the Robert E. Howard stuff, you read the Marvel comics, I can only imagine how much you love this book and love how it honored and paid respect to previous Conan stories.”