The second part of our Nest of Serpents story arc arrived in comic shops – What did the critics think?

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “The artwork is so gorgeous. It’s gory and action-packed…This book is one of those next level books, guys. So freaking good. A+ Top pick. Probably my favorite read of the week.”

• Comic Book University: “This is some of the best in comics you’re gonna get…I’m so thankful I get to live in this time where I get to experience some of the best Conan comics I’ve ever read.”

• Comic Crusader: “Undisputed pick of the week…If you’re looking for a comic that delivers on all fronts – action, art, and character depth, you absolutely have to pick this one up.”

• Comic Patrol: “It’s gorgeous, glorious, retro and modern at the same time. It’s just so exciting with great storytelling…It does not get better than this.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “Fernando Dagnino’s art, coupled with Rodriguez’s colors, is a visceral gut punch of Bronze Age style and pulpy power. The action sequences in the arena are dynamic and impactful, conveying every bone-jarring blow and desperate struggle…If you’re looking for a comic that embodies raw power and compelling storytelling, look no further. This issue is a beast, and you’ll love every savage panel.”

• Crushing Krisis: “You can make any tropey already done story interesting if you attack it this hard and Jim Zub attacks everything this hard. He was born to write this comic book. It is the best Conan I think has ever been since the Barry Windsor-Smith era at the beginning of the 1970s.”

• Dragon’s Cache: 9.6/10 “When the beautiful enchantress of Kheshatta makes Conan her champion, the Cimmerian helps her rise among the social elite. But while the crowd greets him each day with howls of lust and fury, Conan cannot protect his friends.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Dagnino truly pulls out all the stops here, providing a fitting visual frame for this bloody arena spectacle with his flashy and visceral artwork. His larger-than-life drawings are reminiscent of Buscema and Chan on steroids, mixed with a good dose of Alan Davis’ style, and all without ever feeling outdated. The vibrant yet earthy colors by Diego Rodriguez complement the artwork perfectly.”

• Eternal Crusader: “Dagnino truly pulls out all the stops here, providing a fitting visual frame for this bloody arena spectacle with his flashy and visceral artwork. His larger-than-life drawings are reminiscent of Buscema and Chan on steroids, mixed with a good dose of Alan Davis’ style, and all without ever feeling outdated. The vibrant yet earthy colors by Diego Rodriguez complement the artwork perfectly.”

• Evan the Architect: “Another fantastic issue. Conan is one of the books I look forward to most each month…Fernando Dagnino is doing a killer job.”

• Frank Zanca: “Top Pick of the Week…The artwork’s amazing and I can’t wait for this to keep going. This series hasn’t let me down yet.”

• Gaming Trend: 9/10 “There are no moments of dead space or filler meant only to drag out a story that could be told in a single issue over multiple just for the sake of sales. As a result, when it reaches its cliffhanger ending it feels earned…The story is exciting, the artwork is superb, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.”

• Geeky Ol Hog: “22 issues and there’s not a bad issue yet.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “High adventure and political machinations pour forth in droves onto each and every beautifully illustrated page…This entire Titan run has clicked so well from day one that it’s almost like the planets themselves have aligned”

• Hyborian Book Review: “This kind of story is much in the style of the good ol’ classic Thomas stuff, just with modern art and storytelling…If you’ve been craving classic Hyborian Sword & Sorcery with a modern touch, then this will not disappoint!”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Best issue of the whole series so far. Perfect pace and story from the writing. It feels like old-school Conan. The art flows so well with the writing too, especially the panels of battles in the arena.”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “A thoroughly absorbing read, with plenty to say and drawn beautifully. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where this one goes next.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “This is what it’s all about for me. You know, some action, adventure, some crazy good carnage…I’m just having a blast with this and that’s why I read comics is to have a good time. So I’m never smiling more than when I’m reading a new issue of Conan.”

• Nerd Initiative: 10/10 “What more needs to be said about this book? It is one of the best books on the shelf every month!…Awesome story, awesome characters.”

• 9 Panel Grid: “Dagnino’s artwork here is absolutely awesome. He has cemented himself as my second favorite modern-day Conan artist within two issues. I feel like what he’s bringing to the page is really kinetic and action-packed in a way that is both reminiscent of classic Conan artists, but also true to something that is more modern and all to itself.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “This is so freaking good…Conan the Barbarian is one of the greatest comics out there today.”

• Professor Frenzy: “This is the Conan I remember from the 70s and 80s and I just love it.”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.5/10 “Fernando Dagnino and Diego Rodriguez bring some brilliant art to this book. The fight sequences in the gladiatorial arena are nothing short of spectacular, with dynamic action and brutal intensity.”

• Stygian Dogs: “With Zub’s razor-sharp writing, striking art by Fernando Dagnino, and moody, evocative colors from Diego Rodriguez, this mid-arc chapter delivers grit, grandeur, and the promise of vengeance to come.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: 10/10 “A phenomenal book. This is probably the best book that Jim Zub and everyone at Titan has done in a while…It may be the best issue of the whole run so far.”

• Thinking Critical: “Pick of the Week…This was fun, action-packed, sexy, bloody. The new artist, Fernando, he’s doing a fantastic job.”

• Two Guys and Stack of Comics: “This was a fantastic issue from Jim Zub and Dagnino on art…Perfect score…From an art standpoint, from a storytelling standpoint, from a character standpoint, these are the best comic books you will read.”

• Void City Reviews: “This writing is phenomenal. It’s probably up there with the opening arc which I rave about and art is gorgeous. I want to see how this arc ends…Great issue.”

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?

• Amazon: 10/10 “It’s rare these days when a publisher keeps a writer with a series for this long, and it’s giving Zub room to run…This is the best the Cimmerian has looked since Howard was putting pen to paper.”

• Brother Lore: “It absolutely has the vibes and atmosphere of stories written by Robert E. Howard and at the same time there were literary techniques that I appreciate as an Old English Literature major.”

• 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.”

• Comic Patrol: “An incredibly beautiful book but not only that, it’s incredibly well written…This book is a piece of literature. Robert E. Howard would be so proud. This has got to be my favorite issue yet.”

• 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!”

• Crushing Krisis: “I can’t wait to see where this goes and this artist, I mean, we’ve had a bounty of amazing artists on this book but Fernando Dagnino, wow, wow, wow, WOW! Somebody who can really maintain the classic look and feel of Conan from the 70s and 80s while not making it feel dated. I’m totally blown away by his art.”

• Dragon’s Cache: 9.6/10 “Diego Rodriguez plays with light, contrasting nights around a glowing orange campfire with fights amid green and blue. Conan and the Bamulas rescue Livia beneath the full moon in a blue sky. The sun’s yellow rays burst behind Conan in the orange and blue morning sky.”

• 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!”

• Grimdark Magazine: “Masterfully handled, Zub!…Dagnino’s depiction most reminds me of Ernie Chan’s. He captures the brawn and ferocity of Chan’s classic representation while avoiding slavish imitation. His costume work in this issue is also worthy of note; newly introduced Stygian sorceress character Athyr-Bast is particularly impressively outfitted.”

• 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!”

• Lord Samper: “I might have found a new favourite Conan artist with Dagnino really capturing the essence of Conan as a lone wolf prowling the edges of civilization, especially as he moves through the village under cover of darkness.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “I’m really excited. This was a real fun issue. The artwork was fantastic. The writing was good…I’ve been sitting on issue 22 waiting to read it because I had to read 21 first and it did not disappoint.”

• 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.”

• Script Heroes: “This is a gorgeous book. Fernando, holy ****, it’s exactly the kind of what I’m picturing when I think of Conan art…I really enjoyed this issue. I thought this was really entertaining.”

• 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.”

• We Have Issues: “I thought this was a good issue and it’s definitely leading to something very interesting.”

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.”

Conan the Barbarian #20 is the final part of arc 5, Twisting Loyalties, filled to the brim with action and intrigue. What did critics think of it?

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: Grade A “This book is really good…I love the action, I love the fighting, and I love how it’s just barbaric!”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “Jim Zub’s voice for Conan and reverence for Robert E. Howard style are in top form and Doug Braithwaite’s art is fantastic and maybe even better than we’ve seen before.”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “Jim Zub continues to prove he was born to write Conan. His work here stands among the best the franchise has ever seen—layered, character-driven, and true to the spirit of the Hyborian Age. Paired with Doug Braithwaite’s stunning artwork, which is nothing short of breathtaking, this issue is nearly impossible to put down. Every panel feels alive with grit, motion, and emotion.”

• DC Patrol: “Well written, beautifully executed. I love every page of this…I’m gushing.”

• Dragon’s Cache: 9.4/10 “Doug Braithwaite packs Conan The Barbarian #20 with furious action. Like fast cuts in a movie, the panels lead the eye from one camera view to another…Diego Rodriguez wields a series of limited color palettes in fight sequences.”

• Eternal Crusader: “I consider Doug Braithwaite’s work on this issue his strongest so far. He started at a very high level, but he has since refined his craft further. I was pleased to see him incorporate more shadows into his panels, adding depth and making the characters appear more three-dimensional. The issue is packed with intricate details, lavish panels, and dynamic action sequences.”

• Evan the Architect: “Another fantastic issue on this title…Jim Zub has made me a die hard fan of Conan and his world.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “Stellar and impactful art from Braithwaite, always captures the fury of battle and calm dramatic moments…It’s endearing, and in good hands.”

• Grimdark Magazine: “Artist Doug Braithwaite continues to shine…these two issues benefit from having the right artist paired with the right material to showcase his strengths. A fun story well told.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “This issue is a masterclass in sword-and-sorcery storytelling. If you’re not reading Conan the Barbarian right now, you’re missing one of the genre’s finest modern runs.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “So much in this book was entertaining and made me happy…I had a good time reading this and look forward to the next issue, which can’t come soon enough.”

• Nerd Initiative: 10/10 “The best compliment I can give it is that it feels exactly like old school Conan comics you were buying off the spinner rack…Fantastic art, cool story, get it!”

• Professor Frenzy: “This has been an awesome book, an awesome run and, as long as it keeps doing this, I am absolutely in.”

• Sci-Fi Pulse: 9.7/10 “Jim Zub continues to captivate me with his stories of Conan the Barbarian and his many adventures. The comic stays true to the novels I remember reading in the 1980s”

• Stygian Dogs: “Conan the Barbarian #20 is a thunderous, sword-swinging spectacle with deep time-spanning lore that will be appreciated by fans of Robert E. Howard’s characters in comic book form.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “Doug Braithwaite did a good job with the artwork here, Rodriguez’s colors were pretty stunning this time, and I enjoyed the story a lot. I thought the twist with the Zula character were pretty nice, I enjoyed the exorcism aspect, I enjoyed the fact that they battled the spirit and I like where the story is going.”

• Thinking Critical: “Pick of the Week…I love it, it’s absolutely gorgeous and well told, and this is probably the best illustrated issue of Conan by Doug Braithwaite. He’s already a great artist, but I think his art in Conan is getting stronger.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “No matter what’s happening there’s such good action, such great art on each page from Doug Braithwaite in this comic book and it fully embraces who Conan is.”

After our first skip month since the new series launch, we’re back with Conan the Barbarian #18!
What did the critics think of the second half of our ‘Fangs and Foolish Thieves’ 2-part story?

• 9 Panel Grid: “This issue was awesome…It still delivers on the classic Conan tales and the feel you want for this book.”

• Amazon: 10/10 “The characters, dialogue, narration are all exactly as they should be, and I still find myself pleasantly surprised every time that it feels right. I should have learned by now.”

• Comical Opinions: 7.8/10 “…brings the two-parter to a close with bloody fights, magic, monsters, and more. Jim Zub nails the chemistry between Conan and Bêlit, demonstrating exactly why she is Conan’s greatest love”

• Cool Thunder: 8.5/10 “Conan and Bêlit’s adventures continues to be a fun and engaging ride, capturing the essence of their fiery romance and relentless battles.”

• Crushing Krisis: “I think Jim Zub is writing Conan for the ages…The captions and the prose is so strong.”

• Cupcake Comic Reviews: “If there’s a book that can make me buy it for issue 18 or issue 20, that means it’s really good…Conan is what Conan does and that is brutal savagery.”

• DC Patrol: “I urge you to go out and read Conan the Barbarian by Jim Zub and company because these are always entertaining, always fun. You get your money’s worth and that’s important, especially these days.”

• Dragon’s Cache: 9.8/10 “If the life of a thief precludes loyalty, the antique business proves equally devoid of morality. When Conan and Bêlit embark on a mission without knowing their accomplice, they get more than they bargained for”

• Eternal Crusader: “…whether it’s the vibrant bazaars of Kyros, nocturnal estates, secret libraries, or bustling harbor facilities, Brine fills each panel with an abundance of detail, exoticism, and ornamental elements that bring the setting vividly to life for readers.”

• Evan the Architect: “Another solid issue…Conan’s a great book and I recommend everybody check it out.”

• GrimDark Magazine: “Conan the Barbarian #18 caps off a whirlwind caper. The shorter storyline and fresh artwork show that Jim Zub is still willing to experiment with the Titan Comics series, even as the title sprints towards its second anniversary.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 8/10 “A great story of treachery, double-crossing, and a harrowing escape. Whenever the Cult of Set is involved, you know Conan is going to see some action this did not fail to deliver.”

• Lord Samper: “This issue does exactly what it’s meant to, and does it well…All in all, a very entertaining read”

• Mark On Comics: “Jim Zub has just been killing it the entire series. We’re a year and a half in and everything is just going great!”

• Mighty Thorngren: “Plnety of action in this issue that made me happy and I had fun reading it. This is a fun story and I like how it ended too.”

• Nerd Initiative: 9/10 “Amazing stuff!…It feels exactly like the Conan books I was buying off the spinner rack as a young kid. What more needs to be said!”

• Old Nerd Reviews WY: “A really good issue with lots of action…Ever since Titan has gotten the Conan property it has been non-stop banger after banger.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “I loved it. It’s another solid issue of a side story that’s setting up stuff for the future of this run.”

• Sci-Fi Pulse: 9.6/10 “It’s great to finally learn more about Bêlit and her relationship with Conan…This issue, and to some extent the one before it, gives us a better understanding of why Conan would be drawn to her. Bêlit is every bit as cunning and dangerous as he is, and she wastes no time settling her scores.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Brine’s detailed backgrounds once again stand out and I found her character work more cohesive this time…Jim Zub bookends his Issue #18 with something pretty exciting, transforming what might be a pretty straight-forward ‘heist gone wrong story’ into the raison d’etre for the two-issue arc.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “Overall, this issue was great. I really had a lot of fun with it. I enjoyed the action-packed storytelling. I like the artwork and I like the coloring.”

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone concludes with intense combat, unexpected turns, and a killer final page reveal! What did critics think of our big finish? Let’s find out (but watch out for SPOILERS if you haven’t read the issue yet) –

• 9 Panel Grid: “I had a lot of fun with this series. This was really quick, really exciting, really action-packed, and I think the star of this has been Jonas Scharf and the colorist…It kicked the doors wide open for Conan to explore the cosmic horror side of his universe.”

• Comic Book Dispatch: 9.8/10 “Jão Canola’s otherworldly fire burns yellow and green, threatening to consume John Kirowan, Soloman Kane, and Brissa like Human torches. The fire tinges the forest orange and fills the background with darkness…When the Black Stone’s power proves too powerful for stalwart warriors to combat, a scholar’s thirst for knowledge and a writer’s imagination prove pivotal in defeating a mind-consuming power.”

• Comic Culture: “I loved it. It was handled so well…So many characters in the group had their moments, which I thought was really good…Well worth it if you’re not already checking it out.”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “It’s one thing to start a mini-series on a decent note and finish strong, but it’s another to start strong and end on a phenomenal note….Jim Zub imagines a battle for the ages that requires our heroes to fight, sacrifice, and die to save the world, and Jonas Scharf’s artwork is pulp magnificence.”

• Cool Thunder: 9.8/10 “The conclusion to the Battle of Black Stone is nothing short of spectacular, delivering a thrilling, action-packed narrative that seamlessly weaves together the interconnected stories of its characters.”

• DC Patrol: “This is amazing – they nailed it! Four issues and look at the story that’s told…I adored every moment of it.”

• Doc Lail Talks Comics: “If you’ve liked Jim Zub’s run on the main Conan title you’re going to love this four issue mini-series. It’s going to scratch all of the itch for all the different characters in The Howardverse.”

• Evan the Architect: “This was awesome. I really enjoyed this whole mini-series, so I highly recommend it…The way this ends is kind of perfect in tying up this story but also launching into something that’s even more dangerous and more scary for the future.”

• Good Reads: 5/5 “There is nothing but pure payoff here from page one. If you find yourself disappointed by other series having poor or unsatisfying conclusions, look no further than Conan mainline or Black Stone.”

• IPauleyxx: “…a love letter to fans of the Barbarian, offering something for newcomers and seasoned readers alike. Its perfect blend of legacy, innovation, and thrilling surprises makes it a must-read for anyone who relishes high-adventure comics.”

• League of the Comic Geeks: “Howard’s heroes bounce off of eachother surprisingly well and Scharf gives the book some incredible action.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “I had such a blast with this book. It was so cool. I have throughly enjoyed this series and I hope that we see the further adventures of all the characters in these books…This kicked as, all four of them together were wonderful and this was a great finale.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “This book sets up another big Howard verse thing to come and I am all here for it. I think Jim Zub’s been doing a fantastic job with Conan books.”

• Quest Wise: “It is brilliantly told. It is wonderfully written. I truly believe that if Robert Howard were alive today, he would be proud of Battle of the Black Stone…The writing in this is amazing. The artwork is beautiful. It just flows very well. There are ups and downs and ‘Oh My God’ moments, all in four issues.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Fantastic stuff!…The awesome action and cosmic horror aside, the success of Jim Zub and Jonas Scharf’s event series has been the creative integration of Howard’s pantheon of characters into an exciting experiment of enrichment.”

• Super Hero Hype: “The Battle of the Black Stone comic was an event undreamed of…However, the comic still managed one last surprise for readers in the final chapter with the reveal of the series’ ultimate villain.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “This is a great issue. I really, really enjoyed it…I think that the series was very good and definitely better than the last time Jim did a Howard-verse crossover.”

• Thinking Critical: “This was a lot of fun. Action-packed, character building…If you’re not reading Conan and everything from Titan Comics, hop on the train, you will not be disappointed. These are truly great legacy characters.”

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3 arrived in stores this week. What did critics think of our penultimate issue? Let’s find out-

• 9 Panel Grid: “It’s really cool. I really like what Jim Zub is doing here…It’s a worthwhile trip to be taking and a really fun book.”

• Big Comic Page: “Somehow managing to make all of Robert E. Howard’s creations sound spookily convincing, as if their dialogue was actually penned by the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre himself.”

• Comic Culture: “I love the pacing in this series. We have a lot of characters, we have very high stakes, and things just keep getting more stressful because the ranks get smaller and smaller…It’s everything you can want and more!”

• Comical Opinions: 8.8/10 “A super solid issue that starts at a leisurely pace, but picks up steam for a hammer-blow of an ending…Jonas Scharf brings the heat in an issue filled with lush jungle landscapes, striking figure work, fantastic use of dramatic shadows to present an air of dread in broad daylight, and gritty action.”

• Cool Thunder: 9.4/10 “The art by Jonas Scharf is nothing short of mesmerizing. Scharf’s detailed, atmospheric visuals perfectly capture the dark, tense atmosphere of the story, with each panel drawing you deeper into the narrative. His depiction of the black stone beast, lurking in the shadows and picking off Conan’s companions, is particularly haunting, making the stakes feel more visceral.”

• DC Patrol: “This comic is phenomenal. I really love the colors and the art style…This is is probably the best one yet.”

• Good Reads: 5/5 “Epic, jam-packed with action and swirling with weird mystery…Battle of the Black Stone is really building up steam. The fire is stoked and ready to burst in a fireball of kaleidoscopic miasma.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “This is such a good story – well written, beautifully illustrated, tons of action but still giving us moments of character build up and emotional drama and pathos. It’s wonderful!”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “I was really surprised at how quick everything was moving in issue two and even more surprised how quick everything is moving in issue three! I’m just going to tell you this – ‘No One Is Safe’…Really cool stuff.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Jim Zub, Jonas Scharf, and Jao Canola continue to reward readers with something distinct from the monthly series, marked by its own unique style and panel flow. It’s not a Conan comic, it’s a Howard comic and that’s a great thing for fans and the author’s legacy.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “This issue is great…I think the writing is great, and Jonas Scharf’s artwork is awesome and Jao Canola does a really great job here.”

• Thinking Critical: “I highly recommend this one. It’s a fun read.”

• 9 Panel Grid: “Overall this was a completely masterful issue, I loved seeing something familiar from Conan, albeit something completely new because of what Jim Zub and Doug Braithwaite are doing.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “Conan the Barbarian #15 presents mature, spiritual concepts wrapped in a ferocious Conan tale. Jim Zub is digging deep to dispel Conan’s reputation as a sword-slashing meathead by sending him on a personal journey that reflects struggles everyone can relate to.”

• DC Patrol: “This book is just perfection…just a beautiful book. I don’t even think you need to like Conan to enjoy this.”

• Doc Lail Talks Comics: “If you have not been reading this book, find it. I don’t care if you read it digitally, I don’t care if you pick it up in person. Conan is on a path of fire with Jim Zub that he has not been on since the 70’s or possibly the early 80’s…This is one of the best books on the shelves right now.”

• GoodReads: 10/10 “The art and writing have captured the mystical, salacious and errant spirit of the original works, while driving the fervor, fury and passion to its heights. Just as Howard would have done himself, if he were in the comic medium.”

• Grammaticus Books: “[Zub] adds something to it without taking anything away from the original Robert E. Howard story…Great artwork by Doug Braithwaite combined with great coloring by Diego Rodriguez that makes for some excellent pages.”

• Grimdark Magazine: “Bolstered by the strong foundation of ‘The Frost-Giant’s Daughter,’ Conan the Barbarian #15 is the strongest issue in the Frozen Faith arc thus far.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 5/5 “I never thought I would be reading a poetic version of Conan the Barbarian. Yet here I am and there’s a very good chance that this will be one of the best books I read all week, maybe month, possibly all year.”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “Now I love Howard’s opening, for ‘The Frost Giant’s Daughter’, but I’ve also got a lot of time for the way that Zub wraps a little background around this. I like background, especially when it’s done as well as this.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “When I want a comic book, I want to be thoroughly pleased with the amount of action and story, and these Conan comic books deliver that like nothing else. Page after page of cool looking stuff. Doug Braithwaite has just beautiful artwork.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “This book is awesome…The Conan books, this is the best they’ve been since back in the 70’s and 80’s, in my opinion. This is some really great stuff!”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.7/10 “Overall, another fantastic issue with a great mix of strong artwork and fantastic dialogue.”

• Sleepy Reader: “Jim Zub just knocks it out of the park. All the stuff he’s been setting up from the point of view from the goddess now really pays off…and I have grown very affectionate for Doug Braithwaite’s very brutal art style.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Zub has seamlessly woven these layers of his grander story into this adaptation, the end result of his twist convincing readers that an exploration of these themes was always articulated in Howard’s original material. It’s a remarkable achievement and Doug Braithwaite’s work is exceptional…I can’t recommend this issue enough.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “I think that this is quite a phenomenal adaptation of the Frost-Giant’s Daughter…and I like the expansion that was done to turn this into an arc and connect the Battle of Venarium and leaving Cimmeria to this story.”

• Thinking Critical: “It’s still absolutely awesome…This continues to be the series of the year.”

• Wakizashi’s Teahouse: “It’s glorious! The art is great by Braithwaite. An exciting tale. Really good writing by Jim Zub, quite poetic at times. Big recommend.”

The newest issue of Savage Sword of Conan kicks off our Battle of the Black Stone storyline with six short prelude stories. Let’s see what critics thought of it…

• Comic Culture: “We have that classic black & white magazine-sized action. It’s gruesome, it’s gory, it’s absolutely beautiful and it definitely keeps your attention…Savage Sword of Conan continues to be one of my favorite books out each month.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.8/10 “Why can’t every anthology be this good?…It’s a pulp adventure-lover’s dream!”

• DC Patrol: “A whole bunch of stories, wonderful characters. It’s inventive and fun…This book has everything.”

• Decptisean: “This issue is chockablock with Robert E. Howard goodness. I recommend this…It has different art styles, but still very good.”

• Fanboy Planet: “despite the large cast, you don’t have to buy a plethora of titles. You can catch up on the first year arc, but it’s not really necessary. Zub remembers that every Conan comic is somebody’s first…It’s a small enough event to stay focused, but, in comics terms, earth-shattering enough to eagerly await what’s coming next.”

• Goodreads: 8/10 “Super excited for the ultimate meeting of all these outstanding Howard characters…Lots of great authors and artists here. Really love the El Borak and Solomon Kane stories.”

• Mandy’s a Geek: 10/10 “This comic, everybody should be buying. It’s the best value comic around. Each issue’s been fantastic…Just wonderful.”

• Mark on Comics: 5/5 “This is a great introduction to Battle of the Black Stone…I highly recommend it. If you’re a Conan fan, pick this book up!”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “I really like this book! I think Savage Sword is just brilliant, I love it….This is one of the best books on the shelf!”

• Scoop: “All of the stories are enticing, and the Marz-Perkins collaboration on El Borak is worth the price of admission by itself…If Battle Of The Black Stone lives up to this, it’ll be a great ride.”

• Stygian Dogs: “I think fans are going to be pleased and naysayers surprised. I was curious going into this. I was always going to check out the Black Stone event but this book defied my expectations. The trippy moments of the surreal, the evil of the stone permeating all pages and stories, it generates more questions and more mystery even as the plot details are elaborated upon.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “Overall, a great start to the Battle of the Black Stone event. I really, really liked it and thought it was great…This is nearly perfect in my opinion.”

• Thinking Critical: “Without a doubt, the best value in comics…I highly encourage everyone to check this one out. What Jim Zub is building here is going to be epic.”

• Todd Luck: “This is even more like a barbarian box of chocolates because you have six different stories by six different creative teams…an artistic showcase showing all these artists doing Robert E. Howard characters.”

Conan the Barbarian #14, part 2 of Frozen Faith, is now out. What did critics think of it? Let’s see…

• 9 Panel Grid: “I love how Conan keeps growing and developing into this fantastic comic book that I didn’t think I would still be along for the ride on after 14 issues.”

• Amazon.com: 5/5 “These stories are wonderful and the art is excellent. Titan comics hits homerun after homerun. True to the spirit Howard created.”

• Comic Book.com: 8/10 “It feels intense and gritty, like every fan of the character expects…this snowbound adventure is really hitting the mark.”

• Comic Culture: “Really, really strong issue. Love this one. One of my favorite Conan issues of this entire run right here.”

• Comical Opinions: 9/10 “Jim Zub gives readers a masterful object lesson in how to build a story that stretches over multiple issues without filling pages with decompressed fluff…plus Doug Braithwaite’s deceptively detailed art is outstanding.”

• DC Patrol: “Read this book. Highly recommend. One of my absolute favorites.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 “we get to see Howard’s world renewed and opened up, rather than retold and retread. [Zub] uses exactly the right elements from the source material and brings us through parts between the famous tales, seamlessly sewing new tales before or after the old ones as if Robert E. Howard had never left us”

• Grimdark Magazine: “Conan has won allies and embroiled himself in the conflict with the Vanir, and it seems like his beguiling watcher will reveal herself soon. I look forward to see how Zub weaves his story with the classic Howard tale that serves as its inspiration.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “It is genuinely insane how good this book is. This is one of the best issues of it yet…This is THE ongoing indie to be keeping up with.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “This artwork is just phenomenal. I love it so much…This continues to be my favorite comic every month it comes out and has been since the first Free Comic Book Day issue.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “For 14 issues, I’m still digging it…I’ve never been engaged with a Conan book for as long as I have here. Jim Zub and company are doing an absolutely fantastic job.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Diego Rodriguez has fun throughout, playing blues against red, bringing Doug Braithwaite’s blood-spackled battle-fueled fury to vivid life and in Braithwaite’s panels we get a solid six pages of brutal appendage-severing action in a row. It’s wild, it’s Conan.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “I thought that this was a great issue…It encompasses everything that Conan is in a way that is digestible, which is the mark of a good story.”

• Thinking Critical: “The very best comic book of the week, bar none…This is arguably the best illustrated issue that Doug Braithwaite has done so far. It is so immaculately beautiful and bloody well done.”