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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #29 introduces a new villain to the Hyborian Age. What did readers think of this kick-off to our eighth story arc?

• 9 Panel Grid: “It’s a pretty brave move to have a Conan book missing the namesake character for almost the entire issue, but it speaks to the strength and trust of the Conan team to deliver an incredible story about influence, corruption and brutality…Braithwaite on artwork killed it. The visuals were stunning.”

• American Texan Reads: “If you have never read Conan, issue 29 is a great place to jump on…I think this is great.”

• Comic Book Clique: 9/10 ” The additions to canon, such as the Son of the Tooth, fit well and do not stand out as out of place at all. Zub’s narration drives the story but never so much that it detracts from the artwork”

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “Even though Conan was not in this, it was still entertaining.”

• Comic Book University: “This was a fantastic book. A really bold choice and really good stuff. I highly recommend it. I don’t want to give away anything from because you’re going to love this story and it’s going to fill you with anticipation for what comes next.”

• Comic Culture: “I love the interior artwork. It is so good. Braithwaite has the best interior artwork for a Conan title I can imagine…I thought it was a spectacular issue. I cannot wait for more. Like I say, over and over again, everything Conan the Barbarian right now is a must read, from Barbarian to Savage Sword.”

• Comical Opinions: 9/10 “-a nightmare antagonist with teeth-grinding precision, priming epic clashes via blood-drenched origins. Does it earn a place amid ongoing sagas? Unequivocally yes.”

• Cool Thunder: 9/10 “It is hard to put the book down, and when it is over you are left salivating for more epic sword and sorcery. Doug Braithwaite on art and Diego Rodriguez on colors continue to pull you deep into the Hyborian Age with stunning and immersive visuals.”

• Cupcakes Comics Reviews: “Every issue is a banger, every issue you’ll have fun because it’s so good and so well written…The art is Doug Braithwaite and he’s been killing it, slaying it, in fact.”

• Eternal Crusader: “One major strength of the current series from Titan Comics is that it doesn’t adhere to a rigid, pre-established plot formula. Instead, it tightens the narrative where necessary and allows it to unfold more expansively where the story demands it.”

• Fanlight Zone: “I could go on about how much I love Jim Zub’s work on this and I want him to keep writing it until the heat death of the universe, and how awesome the art is on every issue with Doug Braithwaite hitting it out of the goddamn park. I could go on and on, but all I’ve got to say is that it’s 10/10 every month.”

• First Comic News: “The tension is handled well, positioning this cold and calculating killer as a genuine threat…Next issue promises the inevitable clash between these two barbarians—a savage confrontation that feels destined to end in blood and certain death.”

• Gaming Trend: “If this issue is a preview of what we can expect from this new story arc, then we’re in for an exciting ride. It does a fantastic job of building this new antagonist up as someone who can truly challenge Conan”

• Gary B The Casual Comic Guy: A+ “At Titan Comics, Conan has felt fresh and new with the stories they’ve been telling and I’ve really enjoyed them…Just a brilliant job by the entire team and a solid issue, especially for those of you who love a good villain’s tale.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Incredible storytelling! Zub and Braithwaite are a power house team in the world of fantasy comics…This whole issue is about establishing a new villain and it’s masterfully told.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “Jim Zub’s writing has just been on fire. I’m loving this so much…I’m excited to see where this goes and what it’s building towards.”

• Old Nerd Reviews WY: “You do not see Conan until the last page but you don’t care because the character development and writing is that intriguing.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “I love that Jim took the time to build up this character in one go, one issue. So now when things explode in future issues, I’ve got everything I need to know…I love this book. It’s stellar.”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.8/10 “As has become the norm with this title, the artwork throughout the issue is nothing short of stunning…This is a solid opening chapter to what already feels like another epic story in the making.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Zub is afforded the space to fully forge an antagonist of unspeakable malice, one whose corruption is rendered all the more harrowing through Braithwaite’s depiction of the boy’s descent into violence…It’s a darkly compelling, confident, and well executed entry.”

• Superhero Speak: 8/10 “It does a great job of character development and gets us excited for what’s going to happen in the future. The art is great, very detailed and does a great job of conveying the dark, grim and gritty tone we expect.”

• Thinking Critical: “It’s incredibly difficult to write an interesting and compelling story without your titular character…You need a strong motivation to understand where this villain is coming from so you can really root for our hero to take them down. I love it and the art is solid as well.”

Conan of Cimmeria and his forces fight a desperate battle against the oppressive Mad King Numedides of Aquilonia and only one will survive their final confrontation! What did reviewers think of the climax of our story arc?

• 9 Panel Grid: “Top Comic of the Week…The way everything has been laid out shows that the team on this book and everyone involved at Titan Comics with Jim Zub, the art team, everyone – they’re arguably just as strategic as Conan himself is on the battlefield.”

• American Texan Reads: “I love the way Jim writes these prose blocks here. It’s not overly done. It’s
beautifully descriptive. The art brings out the narration…Just beautiful art, beautiful storytelling. Absolutely loved this.”

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “Top Indie Pick of the Week…it was great and the artwork is phenomenal. I love the narration in this book. Just another top notch independent and a phenomenal read.”

• Comic Culture: “Aesthetically, the book is phenomenal. The character designs, the environments, the dungeons, and everything else. The action, coloring and everything is absolutely perfect for a Conan book.”

• Comic Patrol: “Book of the week…This book is beautiful, month after month – writing, art, colors, letters – Everything about this book is constantly as good as comics get. Old fashioned without being ‘old fashioned’, modern without being ‘modern’ – It’s timeless!”

• Comical Opinions: 9/10 “You should absolutely make room in your monthly budget for this series because it represents the gold standard of modern adventure comics.”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “The art by Fernando Dagnino consistently delivers a sense of grand, glorious epic with every issue he pencils, and the color work by Diego Rodriguez brings each and every panel vividly to life. This issue is chock-full of action, massive battle scenes, and emotion on every page.”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: “It’s amazing and has got great art…Whenever it’s collected it’s going to be an amazing read. Even now in single issues I’m enjoying each and every one.”

• Eternal Crusader: “This is arguably Dagnino’s most epic issue to date and once again demonstrates how outstanding his panel composition and page layouts are…This run is something we will be talking about for a long time to come.”

• Fanlight Zone: “Fantastic art, kinetic energy just jumping off the page and Jim Zub murdering it on this book for 3 years now…This needs to be the best selling comic forever!”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “The narration is spot on and carries with it the voice of those days of 30s and 40s adventure writing. Political intrigue, a rising and unstoppable hero, and an epic showdown that leaves the reader feeling very satisfied are all present and accounted for, by Crom.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “The artwork by Dagnino is frickin’ fire in this book. Classic comic book awesomeness and the story gives us the same…Jim Zub is creating an entire new generation of Conan fans with his incredible work.”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.7/10 “Fernando Dagnino and Diego Rodriguez deliver some excellent work on this book…A satisfying end to what has been one of the most epic Conan stories in this series to date.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Readers of Heroic Signatures’ Conan the Barbarian are treated to yet another glimpse of the epic cosmic narrative Zub has been building and foreshadowing since issue #1. I remain eager to see it reach its climax.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “This was one of the best issues of the series so far. I thought it was suitably dramatic and did a great job with so many things.”

• Thinking Critical: “This is easily my Pick of the Week…Definitely starting out 2026 on fire once again to be in competition for the best comic book of the year.”

• Void City Reviews: “I enjoyed the hell out of it. It’s well written, well drawn, and very well executed and could have possibly been Pick of the Week.”