The second issue of the relaunched Conan the Barbarian comic series from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics arrived in comic shops last week. What did reviewers think of Bound In Black Stone Part 2? Read on and find out-

• Big Comic Page: “Smartly showing the titular character to be so much more than just a big man wielding a hefty sword”

• ComicBook.com: “Jim Zub, Roberto De La Torre, Dean White, and Richard Starkings have a vision for Titan’s Conan the Barbarian series, and as long as they’re enacting it, I’ll be reading. If you’re a sword and sorcery fan, grab the first two issues of Titan’s Conan the Barbarian and thank me later.”

• Comic Book Dispatch: 8.4/10 ” Conan’s mane, mien, and muscles convey a majesty that bespeaks his Marvel years. Brissa belongs at Conan’s side. The eyes of the undead glow, and their jaws drop open when they spot their quarry. Battles sing as steel sweeps through the air”

• Comic Book Philosophers: “I frickin’ love this book. I’m not typically a sword and sorcery or Conan fan but two issues in, I’m engaged, I’m enthralled. Jim Zub knows exactly what he’s doing with this character and this world.”

• Comic Book University: “This book is absurdly good…Great art, incredible story, fantastic plot, great character interactions, and a story that’s a page turner like a mo-fo.”

• Comic Crusaders: 10/10 “This is an absolute recommendation as Conan the Barbarian fully delivers for comic book fans!”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “Conan the Barbarian #2 delivers brooding, powerful drama, passion, and violence in equal measure to signal Conan’s return to form. The mystery surrounding the Lost Tribe continues to build intrigue, Conan’s character and the atmosphere surrounding him are spot-on, and the art is perfect.”

• Comicon.com: 10/10 “I thought it would be a cold day in the pits of the damned before I was delighted by Conan’s work more than the Dark Horse books delighted me, but this team is conjuring up some powerful visuals that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the fan favorites of yesteryear.”

• Cosmic Times: “I cannot say enough good things about the art and story in this new Conan comic!”

• Cuantica Grafica (Spanish): “De la Torre visually develops his barbarian, who comes to life on each page he creates, transmitting everything that the Cimmerian means and providing a resounding and colossal sense of graphic narrative in these precious pages.”

• European Lore: “I have enjoyed each and every single page of this comic book and the ending is exactly what we want from a Conan the Barbarian comic book…100% recommend!”

• Evil’s Comics: “I am loving this book – the way it’s written, the way it’s drawn, the lettering, the coloring.”

• Gary B the Casual Comic Guy: “This feels like the perfect mesh between Conan the Barbarian from the ’70’s and the Savage Sword of Conan…a perfect storm of a team on this book.”

• Grimdark Magazine: “This consistency with the classic artwork is appreciated. While the characters and fight scenes take center stage, De La Torre’s art also does a quietly effective job showcasing the rugged wilderness of Cimmeria.”

• Hither Came Conan: “The first one was great but this took it up to a new level. It just has me even more excited to see what happens next…This is everything that I’ve wanted in a Conan book.”

• Is This Just Fantasy?: “Another great issue! No complaints as far as the art is concerned. It’s as exciting as it’s ever been. Jim Zub keeps it interesting and I want to keep reading.”

• League of Comic Geeks: “it just feels so perfectly crafted on so many levels. All the elements work together beautifully to create the finished piece. Great pacing of the story, I didn’t feel bored for one minute, in spite of there being some potentially slow parts of the plot. “

• Major Spoilers: 9/10 “OMG. This art is fantastic…I loved this book! I thought it was a lot of fun and I thought the story was interesting. I’m glad Titan Comics isn’t holding back.”

• Negromancer: “Jim Zub has composed the best-written Conan comic book that I have read in probably a decade…At this rate, de la Torre will soon be in the pantheon of great Conan comic book artists and storytellers right next to Buscema, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Tómas Giorello, to name a few.”

• Pop Culture Maven: “The biggest win for this issue is that it really feels like Conan, and that’s the key.”

• Rich Review: 8/10 “Conan is one of the fiercest fighters you are ever likely to see.
This issue has it all – a warrior, a woman of beauty and skill, a threat that endangers anyone who comes near it.”

• Rough Edges: “Jim Zub’s script is very good, striking a perfect balance between dialogue and captions…Rob de la Torre’s art continues to be fantastic. His storytelling and attention to detail are excellent.”

• Scifi Pulse: “Roberto De la Torre continues to deliver stunning visuals for this second issue…A solid second issue that leaves you wanting more.”

• Scoop: “another sterling read, one that reminds of how great not only Conan comics, but comics in general can be. The storytelling is several notches (or perhaps light years) beyond many comics on the market today.”

• Set The Tape: 10/10 “issue #2 builds on and develops a very solid base into a comic that is a genuine page turner as you join our heroes trying to find out what’s happening now and what will happen next. As this series picks up speed, it really is almost thrilling waiting for the next instalment.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Its sensuality, the gore, the intense blast of the supernatural and the promise of future mystery, this story is wonderful and thoroughly satisfying…There is so much of quality in this book.”

• Superpowered Fancast: 9.4/10 “Zub crafts a brilliantly bloody and engaging adventure in this issue. The story is filled with suspense, thrills and world building that makes the plight of the characters more compelling. De La Torre offers some breathtaking and stunning art throughout the issue. The visuals are perfect for this character and deliver you into his world with style.”

• Tennessee Fats: “Art-wise, fantastic. Writing-wise, this one really showcases some of the strengths within the artist and in the writer as an individual carrying the story forward to you.”

• Thinking Critical: “If you love unfiltered Conan. If you love people fighting. If you love a human being at their bare essence…this issue packed one hell of a punch.”

• Todd Luck: “It just really hits you in the face that this is what Conan should look like, and it’s really fantastic.”

• Unscripted & Unchained: “From the storytelling, to the writing itself, the characterization of both Conan and Brissa, and the tone of it is very reminiscent of Savage Sword of Conan more so than the Conan comic series and it’s a real refreshing thing to see.”

• Wakazashi’s Teahouse: 8.5/10 “It’s storytelling with an edge, a kick, a bit of sensuality and sexuality as well as this intriguing mystery. That’s what I want. “

• We Have Issues: “I love this new creative direction…The art is perfectly suited for this kind of story.”

Just over a year ago we announced that Conan the Barbarian would be returning to comics through Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics. Now, at last, our first issues arrives. What do the critics think?

• AIPT: 8/10 “An all-star creative team and balls-to-the-wall execution make this take on Conan’s legend a winner. Longtime fans will be pleased with the start to this new era.”

• Brown Bag: “The adventure’s atmosphere brilliantly captures all the character, chaos, and sword-slashing carnage of the Cimmerian’s printed chronicles in ‘Weird Tales’.”

• ComicBook.com: “When it comes to invoking that nostalgia, Conan the Barbarian #1 overwhelmingly succeeds. The art is rough around the edges in a way that feels purposeful – an effort to achieve a throwback style.”

• Comic Book Dispatch: 9.5/10 “Like Roy Thomas, Grim Jim’s not afraid to thicken action with narrative or spice battles with dialogue. Anyone who suggests he hasn’t channeled the best traditions of Conan comics is a cowardly dog!”

• Comicon.com: 10/10 “The art is primal and energetic in a way that takes you along for the adventure. The story is brilliantly balanced between narration and dialog making it feel like the classic Conan stories I love.”

• Comic Crusaders: 10/10 “The old school stylings of the work of Zub, De La Torre, Villarrubia and Starkings go to prove how fantastic the comics of the past could be, by CROM!”

• Comic Lounge: “I just think it’s phenomenal. It really does feel like this could fit in so seamlessly with the original Conan run…I’m so excited for this book.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “Jim Zub delivers a sword-slashing, brooding, action-packed debut worthy of Robert E. Howard fans, and Robert De La Torre’s art is a perfect homage to classic Conan comics.”

• Comics Beat: “Enlisting Zub and de la Torre made sure the first issue kicked things off with a vision that nurtures the scale and epic proportions of Robert Howard’s unique style of worldbuilding. If each comic in the new series is as beautiful, raw, and exciting as this one, then readers are in for a read that might just earn its spot among the greats.”

• D-Rock Steady: “It has everything you want – barbarians, boobs, bloodshed, and battles. Fantastic stuff and great artwork.”

• Evil’s Comics: “This was a fantastic read. If you are any form of a Conan fan, I highly recommend this book.”

• Fanboy Planet: “The narrative allows for quieter moments for world-building, which allows De La Torre to show off his terrific storytelling skills.”

• Games, Comics and Crafts: “Definitely get this book. It feels like Conan, it reads like Conan, it’s well written, the artwork’s really nice and I’m definitely looking forward to reading more…Buy it! You will not regret it.”

• Gary B the Casual Comic Guy: “This book really feels like they took the time and effort to pay proper homage to what came before while also creating something that’s their own. They didn’t ignore the past of Conan, they embraced it, they honored it…I can’t give it enough accolades…I felt like I was reading the Conan comics of my youth.”

• Geek Culture: 10/10 “…the perfect start for Titan Comics, and the creative team. For Zub and co. the character is their bread and butter, and it’s great seeing them all come together to craft this wonderful opening in perfect synergy.”

• Get Your Comic On: 10/10 “Hard hitting, intense story that will have you gripped to each page. Brutal and dramatic artwork hits the mark, if this issue is anything to go by we are in for a treat for the rest of this series.”

• Graphic Policy: 8.9/10 “I had high expectations going into Conan the Barbarian #1. Somehow it met all of them and then some. This is a hell of a debut and new chapter for the classic character that will hopefully launch adventures of this quality for many years to come.”

• GrimDark Magazine: “Titan’s Conan the Barbarian #1 starts off with a bang, very clearly setting expectations for the series to come. We’re introduced to Conan, given a quick demonstration of the rough honor code this barbarian lives by, and then see him pitted against a rapidly escalating otherworldly menace.”

• Harbinger of D.O.O.M.: “From the first to last panel, it was an exhilarating experience to read this comic book. Robert E. Howard would be proud to know that the legacy of his beloved barbarian is in good hands.”

• Hero Press: 9.2/10 “…it more than delivers on the promise of the lauded Free Comic Book Day prequel….if this debut issue is a sign of things to come then it feels like we’ll be getting the ‘real deal’ from the Titan era.”

• Heroes For Sale: “They’ve embraced the history of Conan and the fandom of Conan, but done it in their own way…a fantastic job.”

• Hither Came Conan: “I could just stare at this art for hours and hours…I’m really happy with this first issue…It not only met my expectations, it leapt right over them.”

• Hobbies of a Man: “I love the artwork a lot, I enjoyed the story, it had really great pacing, and it was just enjoyable overall.”

• Horror Mike: “It is fantastic! What a great set-up. I am absolutely looking forward to the next three issues…Highly recommended…I think this series is going to be monumental.”

• Horror Tree: 10/10 “…the Conan I read about in this Titan Comics issue still holds appeal to me even as an adult. He’s a nonconformist, a loner, and an intentional outsider. Yes, a rogue, in a way. He’s a restless traveler in a culture that preferred staying in one place, according to a scene in the first few pages.”

• How To Love Comics: “…a visually impressive comic that looks great and has strong storytelling. Overall, Titan’s new era for Conan is off to an excellent start.”

• Hylandian: “The Iron Age is upon us and Conan is leading the charge!”

• Infinity Flux: “My favorite book of the week…I can’t recommend this one enough.”

• Is This Just Fantasy?: “All around I feel like this is a great start…I think Rob De La Torre is a new modern master when it comes to fantasy comics.”

• J-Man: 10/10 “Must own…I cannot wait to get the next one.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “BLOWN AWAY! Conan is back and in such an awesome way. This book is savage, bloody and sexy, the way a Conan story should be.”

• Multiversity: 8/10 “The new run on “Conan the Barbarian” is, without question, a love letter to the franchise. This is a creative team that clearly loves the character and the many adventures he’s been through, and are putting that passion to work in creating a comic that captures and pays tribute to the classic style in every detail, whether through narration and dialogue, art and color styles, or even Richard Starkings’ font designs for the lettering.”

• Negromancer: “De la Torre makes me feel the blood, violence, and the heat of bone-breaking, and he creates a sense of foreboding and then, terror when the horde strikes.”

• Next Issue Podcast: “I think Jim Zub is a really fun writer, especially when it comes to barbarian fantasy and I think the art team really nails the aesthetic that one expects from a Conan book.”

• Pfangirl: “De la Torre delivers page after page of big hits, and even bigger battles…”

• Planes, Trains and Comic Books: 10/10 “This comic was fantastic!…It feels very classic but, at the same time, new.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “They’re giving us a no hold’s barred classic old school Conan book. I thought it was really solid.”

• Pros and Cons: “The art is gorgeous…This is a really cool take on Conan…I highly recommend this.”

• Pullbox: 10/10 “I’m looking forward to seeing if these new stories can maintain the ferocity promised in this first issue”

• Rich Review: 8/10 “This is Conan as he was meant to be. Yes he is rough and tough, a barbarian to be sure yet he is a gentleman and has a big heart he helps others. Yet you will have no problem knowing this man is not to be trifled with.”

• Sci-Fi 4 Me: “…a steady paced story with a good mix of action sets and quieter character moments to give the action room to breathe. Overall, a great first entry into a new series, and I can definitely recommend you pick this one up.”

• Sci-Fi Jubilee: “Conan the Barbarian #1 has everything Conan fans could’ve hoped for and plenty for newcomers to enjoy as well. Jim Zub, Rob De La Torre, and José Villarrubia are an exceptional creative team and this new series is a fantastic sword and sorcery epic set in the classic Conan style of yesteryear.”

• Scifiward: “Conan the Barbarian #1 absolutely shines. Roberto De La Torre is a great artist and the action really comes alive.”

• Set The Tape: 8/10 “All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read, one that old fans will welcome whilst being accessible to anyone new to the character. If you’re in the mood for some old-fashioned, low fantasy swordplay be sure to grab this title.”

• Stars My Destination (Spanish): 8.5/10 “It’s a 22-page story with lots of of action that takes time to read and absorb, but the text never feels like it gets in the way of the artwork by De La Torre and Villarrubia. On top of that, the cliffhanger ending makes getting the second issue a must. You couldn’t ask for a better first issue.”

• Stygian Dogs: “It is gory, it’s fantastic…This is a dream team working on a dream project.”

• Super Hero Hype: 10/10 “Those who have never read a Conan comic could not ask for a better introduction to the first son of sword-and-sorcery than Conan the Barbarian #1, and those who are already fans of Conan will find this first chapter to be everything they could have hoped for.”

• Super Powered Fancast: 9/10 “…a fantastic return of the Cimmerian warrior. The story has a classic feel that immediately immerses you into the world of the character and there is a great sense of rising tension throughout the issue.”

• Tennessee Fats: “As a Conan-o-phile, I really enjoyed this…It held my attention all the way through because it was just like reading a Savage Sword of Conan story for the very first time.”

• Terrier Comics: “This looks like a Conan comic. This feels like a Conan comic…This is very much the way Conan should be. Channeling the spirit of Robert E. Howard. A fantastic first issue that makes you want to read more.”

• 32 Flavors Of Nickweiser: 8.2/10 “It’s a book that you need to go out and read. Definitely go check this out. Buy this book.”

• Thinking Critical: “I think it absolutely delivers in every way conceivable when it comes to this comic book. It feels like Conan. It feels like a barbarian comic with absolutely awesome fantasy action.”

• Todd Luck: “This really does feel like a premium comic that you’re paying regular price for…This is a good, worthy successor and a good jumping on point.”

• Void City Reviews: “This is fantastic!…It feels like a novel reading it, but the writing is there to enhance the art…It’s so well done and so well crafted.”

• Wakizashi’s Reviews: 8.5/10 “It reminded me of reading comics when I was younger, those moments when the outside world fades away and you are deep in the world of the story.”

• Weird Science Comics: 8.5/10 “This is for the Conan crowd through and through…It does a good job of getting things going…I had a smile on my face by the end with how classic it was.”