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.”

• 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.”

• 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.”

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1, our new sword & sorcery event mini-series, kicked off last week. What did critics think of this opening issue? Read on and find out-

• 9 Panel Grid: “I think this was a really good introductory issue for the event. I’m really curious to see how they’re going to build on it and I think this has the hallmarks to be even better than the Black Stone event.”

• Brother Lore: “…very well written, the pacing is just perfect, and the narrative and action are very nicely balanced…Just go and get it. It’s 100% worth it. You don’t even have to know anything about the characters. You don’t even have to have read the previous issues.”

• Comic Book University: “This blows my mind…This is some of the best writing, art, you name it. Color choices, everything. This is some of the best I’ve ever read and I’ve read a lot.”

• Comic Culture: “The interiors are just brilliant inside the book. The scenery, the character design, the outfits, the action alone. It definitely sucks you right in…I think they’re just tackling this perfectly on all fronts.”

• Comic Watch: 9.3/10 “Artist Ivan Gil knocks it out of the park with his work…a great start to this mini-series, and a great primer for those unfamiliar with Robert E. Howard’s creations. Whether you’re new to Conan or an old hand, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “This issue grabs the reader by the throat and never loosens its grip…The absolute standout is the comic’s ability to juggle three timelines without a stumble, making the complex seem effortless. The pacing snaps and crackles, rendering each era distinct yet part of a devastating whole.”

• Cool Thunder: 8.5/10 “With Jim Zub’s commanding script, Ivan Gil’s dynamic art, and Jao Canola’s rich colors, this debut issue delivers both striking visuals and compelling momentum.”

• Doc Lail Talks Comics: A+ “This book absolutely knocks it out of the park, artwork-wise, story-wise, everything is just extremely strong…Three different eras and they all intersect beautifully. It’s majestic.”

• Evan the Architect: “This is setting up to be another fun epic mini-series. Fantastic art by Ivan Gil. I highly recommend checking it out.”

• Gaming Trend: 9/10 “The story is compelling, with equal parts action, mystery, and supernatural to entice readers new and old…this is a solid first issue in what I believe will be an exciting new chapter for Robert E. Howard’s timeless characters.”

• Gary B the Casual Comic Guy: “A really great setup, a cool cliffhanger…I think Jim Zub really knocked it out of the park in this first issue. Ivan Gil and the whole team just did a fantastic job.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “This is good; nay, it’s great!…The hits keep coming, and I will keep feasting. Serving up ancient magic, adventure and danger on a silver platter brings me back to my youngest years”

• League of Comic Geeks: “A beautiful book…It’s been a wonderful journey so far and one of the highlights of my year.”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “Zub handles both sets of narrative strands with his usual aplomb and Gil’s artwork complements the plot perfectly.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “Zub’s got such a great voice for this universe. Fantastic art, wonderful pacing, good
story…This was a fantastic issue. I had a blast with it.”

• Nerd Initiative: “Top tier, god-tier stuff for writing, with an incredible series of artists and Ivan Gil jumps right in with mind-blowing art on this book. This was fantastic and I cannot wait to see where it ends up…And no need to worry if you’ve read two years of Conan books to catch up. You can jump right in.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “Zub expertly weaves Howard’s characters together and the art by Ivan Gil is very well done. An excellent issue for introducing Robert E. Howard’s characters to the masses.”

• Old Nerd Reviews NY: “The art is brilliant, the writing is intriguing, and it is a good size book so you’re getting your money’s worth.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “The artwork is amazing. Super solid, stellar work from all parties involved…Conan the Barbarian has cemented itself as one of the best, if not the best, fantasy comics on shelves today and Scourge of the Serpent just shows us why.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Jim Zub, while successfully wielding his own creative sorcery, harnesses Howard’s original prose in what feels like an ambitious love letter to the author’s legacy, and it’s a visually stunning one. Ivan Gil’s pages are densely detailed.”

• Superhero Hype: 9/10 “-a showcase of everything that made Howard’s writing stand the test of time. The action sequences are undeniably intense and well-illustrated by Gil. This series should unquestionably be read by every fan of weird horror, sword-and-sorcery, and quality comics.”

• Thinking Critical: “It’s a fun set-up, meeting these different characters and I want to see how they’re going to be brought together and what will happen when they are. Beautiful art as well…Really damn good.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “There’s a lot of intrigue, a lot of action, and I think overall this entire plot that’s been put together over the last six months is the best Conan has ever been in terms of plot…I think this event will absolutely deliver.”

• Void City Reviews: “This isn’t wholly on its own, but I think it can be read that way it’s just you’ll get more out of it if you have read the rest of the Conan series…It works really well and it’s gorgeous to look at.”

Conan the Barbarian #24, the intense snake-sent climax to our Nest of Serpents arc, arrived in stores this week. What did critics think of it? Let’s see-

• 9 Panel Grid: “Top Comic of the Week…Dagnino does an absolutely stunning job. Each scene is just staged perfectly. This is a big action-packed storyline and it just delivers every single time. There are jump scares, there’s moments of brutality, there’s moments of kineticism and action, and he gets to deliver on all of them.”

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “This book just does not disappoint, right?…Top pick for me, A+. Conan is an awesome, awesome comic book.”

• Comic Book University: “Consistently excellent…This is a story arc you’re not going to want to miss. This is a finale you’re not going to want to skip.”

• Comic Culture: “It’s a really compelling story overall and I love how it’s branching over to Savage Sword as well. There’s just a great vibe with the story in general…I’m really interested to see where this whole Serpent arc is going.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “This issue proves that even after all these years, Conan’s ‘gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth’ are just what sword-and-sorcery fans deserve. Next time someone asks for epic fantasy, hand them this comic.”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “The combination of storytelling, artwork, lettering, and overall production makes this series shine like one of the gleaming cities of the Hyborian Age. This issue proves once again that Conan the Barbarian is modern sword and sorcery at its finest.”

• Eternal Crusader: “I was pleasantly surprised by Zub cleaning up some loose plot threads that made me question the narrative’s coherence in my last review. But the revelations presented here do make sense, hark back to #20, and bring new tensions into Zula’s and Conan’s already tense comradeship.”

• Evan the Architect: “I can’t wait to see where Jim Zub takes all this because I’m really enjoying it. Of course, fantastic artwork by Dagnino…I come on here every month and I can’t recommend this book enough.”

• Gaming Trend: 9/10 “With plenty of action and no shortage of high stakes, Conan the Barbarian #24 is a fun rollercoaster ride carrying us at a breakneck pace towards a heavy conclusion that carries a promise of something more ahead.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “The art speaks for itself, but between that and the writing, the Hyborian Age is brought fully to life as always, and the last page in this episode has left me more excited than I thought I was capable of.”

• Grimdark Magazine: “Jim Zub has managed to pack quite a bit of story into a single issue, and his narration work is appropriately breathless…a strong conclusion to one of the best storylines in Titan Comics’ two-year run.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Man, just banger after banger with this book!…The story had an incredibly heartbreaking moment that I didn’t see coming. The art continues to excel in action and drama. Must read!”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “This story has it all and signs off in style with man-serpents, a burning city and promises of revenge all round…Conan The Barbarian continues to go from strength to strength, long may it continue.”

• Major Spoilers: 9/10 “I love that Jim Zub is able to craft a story you can step into and understand right away what’s going on and I think Fernando might be my one of my new favorite artists…If you are even slightly interested in Conan, what Titan Comics is doing with the series is really cool.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “This issue is just a pleasure to look at. Really cool creatures. Great fights and the pacing is wonderful.”

• Nerd Initiative: 10/10 “For two years now, 24 issues, this series can stand alongside classic Conan stories. Jim Zub is knocking it out of the park on this book. It is great stuff, and the art from Fernando Dagnino is amazing.”

• Old Man Hyborian: “Overall, issue 24 was well done…Zub’s still cranking out good stories and the artwork is really solid.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “It’s old school mixed with new school and it works so well. This is the best modern Conan book I’ve ever read…This is the s**t and if you’re not reading Conan the Barbarian, you’re not reading one of the best comics on shelves every single month!”

• Stygian Dogs: “From the eerie subterranean nest to Conan’s harrowing loss. Man, I just love this arc. It was great…Issue number 24 delivers a rousing finale, both the peak of the series’ second year and a fitting sword and sorcery capstone to two stellar years of Conan comics.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “We’re back at the best position that Jim usually has. He has a great artist with him to support his endeavors and ready to jump into the Scourge of the Serpent…Very, very good stuff. I can’t wait to read more.”

• Thinking Critical: “Pick of the Week…The final battle in this issue – the setup, holy crap, it is creepy. It is so well illustrated. And the ending to this issue, it is straight up heartbreaking. I completely loved it.”

• Two Guys and A Stack of Comics: “This is a classic in the making and people are going to love it. If you love comic books, this is one to pick up. I thought this was the best issue of the series so far.”

• Void City Reviews: “The art’s incredible. The writing is phenomenal. I loved every second of this…This is what I want from Conan on a month in, month out basis.”