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Zub at Worldcon 2025!

Posted by Jim Zub on August 11, 2025 No comments

Stacy and I are heading to Seattle for Worldcon 82, the longest-running sci-fi and fantasy convention that is hosted in a different city each year and is home to the Hugo Awards. It’s our first time attending Worldcon and we’re eager to see how it compares to comic and tabletop gaming conventions we go to.

We won’t have a homebase at the show, so the best way to find us will be at social events and panels. If you’ll be at Worldcon, feel free to reach out and, if you see us wandering the exhibits or showfloor, say “Hi”.

Thursday, August 14
3:00-4:00pm – A Welcome Reprieve – Room 433-434
In challenging times, fantasy stories offer solace. Join our panelists in a discussion on the qualities of escapism and how fantasy stories can comfort, support, and inspire their audiences. Moderator Casey Blair with speakers Caitlin Rozakis, D. Wes Rist, and Jim Zub.

Friday, August 15
9:00-10:00am – The Indie Comics Panel: The Big 25% – Room 431-432
The “Big Two” comic book publishers control 75% of the market and get plenty of attention. If you’re curious about who makes up the independent comics market and where you fit in as a fan, this might be the panel for you! Panelists Howard Tayler, Kel McDonald, Neil Ottenstein, Rob McMonigal and Jim Zub.

Saturday, August 16
1:30-2:30pm – Writing Comics and Graphic Novels – Room 343-344
Comics are bigger than ever and the publishing industry is wild for graphic novels and manga, but writing a comic story is its own skill – different from prose and different from writing a screenplay. Gain valuable insight about the comics medium – pitching, script formatting, collaborating with artists, and common pitfalls many new comic writers make as they get their start. Moderator Moriko Handford, with speakers G. Willow Wilson, Jim Zub, Kel McDonald, and Ryan North.

3:00-4:00pm – Table Talks – Room 430
Have an intimate discussion (up to six participants) with your favorite creators. Advance sign-up is required. Ray Nayler, Jim Zub, Meghan Lancaster, Moriko Handford, Jason Sanford, Terilee Edwards-Hewitt.

Zubby Newsletter #122: A Real Sell Out

Posted by Jim Zub on August 6, 2025 No comments

Gen Con 2025 happened, of that I am certain, but the speed with which it shot past us was awe-inspiring. After getting home from San Diego, I had one day to reorganize and repack before we were on the road, driving to Indianapolis. Stacy and I did the trek to Indy over two days, stopping midway and heading to a screening of Fantastic Four: First Steps (which was wonderful – brimming with retro-future fare, big ideas, and even bigger hearts) before the “Best Four Days in Gaming” kicked off with aplomb.

The show was completely sold out and the crowd was hungry for new games and stories. I thought we had enough Conan the Barbarian books for the entire weekend, but by first thing Saturday morning we’d blown through every Conan trade and variant our booth had in stock. We could have gone double or triple in terms of inventory, which is a bit head-spinning.

Other highlights included:

• Big social energy at the Diana Jones Party, which acts as the unofficial Welcome Party for Gen Con.
• Attending the memorial panel for my friend Howard Andrew Jones and telling the crowd there about our time together at Robert E. Howard Days in 2024.
• Hanging out with the D&D in a Castle crew at their posh Airbnb, chatting about business, storytelling, and future plans.
• An amazing dinner with Kandrix, Lindsey, and Andrea at Commission Row.
• Old school webcomic nostalgia with Jerry Holkins of Penny Arcade.
• Attending the Chaosium 50th Anniversary party to celebrate Call of Cthulhu, Runequest, and more.
• Dinner with the Ten Speed-Random House team at the Rathskeller pub, including the spiciest mustard I have ever tasted.
• Playing the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing with the Glass Cannon Network crew in their Marvel Multverse RPG live game, injecting as many old school comic-isms into my dialogue as possible and saving H.E.R.B.I.E. from disaster.
• Having a mutual fan moment with Kevin Siembieda, creator of Palladium Books and a slew of games I grew up on, including TMNT, Robotech, Beyond the Supernatural, and Rifts.
• Building more memories with Howard, Sandra, Darrin, and the rest of our Gen Con booth family.

*A wonderful chat with Kevin Siembieda.*

It came up over and over again in conversation – When I was a kid I heard about Gen Con by seeing ads for it in Dragon Magazine or reading articles about book launches and game demos. Getting to attend the show once would have been a dream back then. Having a booth year after year and being part of the tabletop gaming industry is such a surreal and amazing thing. Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

A Book of Many Patterns

Speaking of Gen Con, over the weekend Ten Speed Press revealed the cover and details for Stacy’s latest book which arrives March next year – It’s called Dungeons & Dragons Crochet: A Book of Many Patterns!

Nerdist had the exclusive reveal and the article exploded on social media, with gamers and yarn weavers alike getting really excited about the variety and quality of the designs being shown so far. I had no idea that so many tabletop gamers crochet while they play, and this is really hitting the spot for them. Stacy wrote all the descriptve and fiction sections and wove in tons of deep cut references from old and new D&D lore. I can’t wait for people to see how well put together all of it is.

The D&D Crochet book is a lot of fun and going to make a wonderful gift, so make sure you pre-order now!

Local Comic Shop Day Special

*Kull and Brule are transformed into Serpent Men!*

Saturday, September 27 2025 is Local Comic Shop Day and, to help encourage readers to head to their favorite local comic shop, Titan is putting out a special front-and-back variant cover for CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT #1, with stunning linework by Rob De La Torre.

Make sure you let your favorite comic store know before August 18th if you want one so they can put in the order and put your copy aside! I suspect this will be the rarest cover for the event.

SDCC Interview Marathon

On Friday during San Diego Comic Con, editor Chris Butera and I ran a Gauntlet with a series of back-to-back interviews talking about Conan the Barbarian. Given that these were recorded in the same 2 hour block of time, it’s interesting to see how our attitude and responses change depending on the interviewer and questions they ask. Check ’em out:

With Fanboy Planet we cover event-planning, the works of Robert E. Howard, obscure characters, timelines and more!

With The Mary Sue, I’m more punchy, joking about conventions, long term storytelling, and how fantasy reflects the times we live in.

With Pop Culture Cult we talk about why Conan is an icon, why sword & sorcery is exciting, the original Conan movie versus the character’s literary source material, why we don’t put sound effects in most Conan comics, and more.

And then Comic Crusaders came in with a chest-thumping intro that changes the vibe again as we talk about the Scourge event, writing technique, collaboration, Conan’s American identity, surviving in the Hyborian Age, and more.

Seeing some of this marathon is a glimpse at the promotional work we do at a big show like San Diego. It’s a ton of fun, but you also need to be quick on your feet and roll with each interviewer’s approach to make an impact.

Horley Talks To FP about His Painted Epic

Onward to even more interviews – Painter Alex Horley has an extensive interview with Forbidden Planet all about working on the fully painted Conan the Barbarian #25 arriving in October. He talks about his influences, scheduling, inspiration, and teases small story bits from our aniversary issue.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan the Barbarian #22 – released July 9th.

Conan the Barbarian #23 – releases August 13th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 5: Twisting Loyalties – releases August 20th.

Swords & Larceny – releases September 2nd.

Savage Sword of Conan #10 – releases September 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian vol.1-3 Slipcase Set – releases September 10th.

Predator: Black, White & Blood #3 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian #24 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 1: Bound in Black Stone Deluxe HC – releases September 16th.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1 – releases September 24th.

Conan the Barbarian #25 – releases October 8th.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #2 – releases October 29th.

Upcoming Appearances

Aug 13-17, 2025	World Con	Seattle, WA, USA
Aug 21-24, 2025	Fan Expo Canada	Toronto, ON, CANADA
Aug 28-Sep 1, 2025	Dragon Con	Atlanta, GA, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Newcastle, UK
Nov 15-16, 2025	Thought Bubble	Harrogate, UK

Zubby Newsletter #121: Con and On

Posted by Jim Zub on July 28, 2025 No comments

*The Conan SDCC Panel Crew: Andrew Sumner, Jim Zub, Chris Butera, Dan Panosian, Shawn Curley.*

I flew home from San Diego on Sunday afternoon, opting for missing the last day of the show and taking a daytime flight over a red eye overnight flight right before I smash headlong into Gen Con Indy.

SDCC was a great time. This is my third year celebrating the ongoing Conan the Barbarian series with Heroic Signatures and Titan, so there was a familiar rhythm to the schedule – where I had to be and what needed to get done, but even that consistency carried lots of excitement because long runs like this are so few and far between in comics nowadays. The readership came out in force and we were ecstatic to see them. The Conan panel was on Thursday this year, which worked really well – We were all well rested, energized, with our voices intact and able to kick off the first full day of the convention by announcing all kinds of projects, showing off artwork, and giving the crowd a bunch of free swag.

*Artwork from **Conan: Scourge of the Serpent** by Ivan Gil and João Canola.*

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent, our Fall event mini-series, is getting finished up now so we had a slew of pages to show off from our dream team – line artist Ivan Gil and colorist João Canola. I spoke at length about how challenging and satisfying it has been weaving together three different plotlines and time periods into one symbolic narrative full of surprises, especially when Ivan and João elevate every single scene.

*Artwork from **Conan the Barbarian arc 7** by Rob De La Torre and Fernando Dagnino.*

After our fully painted 25th issue spectacular, we have a 3-part story coming called The Conquering Crown, showing how Conan of Cimmeria finally becomes King of Aquilonia. It’s a brutal adventure filled to the brim with political machinations, courtly intrigue, and some of the biggest, bloodiest battles ever shown on the comic page. Artist Fernando Dagnino is back for this arc and the work he’s been producing is absolutely breathtaking.

Beyond that, we chatted about the new Conan action figure, Savage Sword of Conan magazine, the return of Kull the Conqueror, and a whole lot more. You can watch the panel discussion in its entirety on the official Conan YouTube channel, just make sure you have headphones on as the audio gets murky in a few spots.

Outside of all things Cimmerian, the camaraderie with old friends and new was really nice. Lots of great meet-ups and conversations on the showfloor and after hours. There was some talk about future projects, but also a lot of reminiscing about years past and being thankful for where things are currently at despite all the challenges. May these adventures never cease.

Gen Con This Week!

Two of the biggest conventions in North America are back-to-back, so I’m repacking my bags and heading out the door tomorrow on my way to Indianapolis for Gen Con LVIII!

After missing last year’s show, I am incredibly excited to see gaming friends and fans at Gen Con. Darrin has been working his butt off to make the Tayler Corp. booth (#1349) the perfect signing and sketching spot, and I will be there most of the time during exhibit hall hours.

On Saturday afternoon, I’ll be part of the Glass Cannon Network’s official Marvel Multiverse TTRPG liveplay game. Which member of the Fantastic Four will I be playing? Make sure you show up and you’ll see!

*Come see me play the Marvel Multiverse TTRPG on Saturday at Gen Con!*

Stranger Things-D&D Scrapbook in November

*Tales From the Table arrives this November.*

The pre-order page for the Stranger Things-Dungeons & Dragons: Tales from the Table book that Stacy and I worked on together is finally up so we can show off the cover and start talking about this really unique project that will arrive in Target stores in early November. It’s an in-world item – Mike, Will, and Eddie’s Dungeons & Dragons campaign notes, characters, artwork, magic items and more throughout four seasons of the TV show. Putting the text together and art directing the drawings, maps, and other esoteric bits from 1980’s D&D was an absolute nostalgia bomb of the same era when I started playing.

“Stranger Things-Dungeons & Dragons-Tales from the Table follows the kids’ experience throughout Stranger Things by collecting fragments of their shared Dungeons & Dragons game. It interweaves real D&D maps and assets from the 80s, with the Dungeon Master notes of Mike, Will, and Eddie Munson, the player notes of the rest of the crew, and the various notes and scraps the kids leave behind as they deal with their ongoing adventures in Hawkins and beyond.”

Still a Few Seats Left!

I’m Dungeon Mastering a double dose of D&D in a Castle this Fall. My November 3-7 table is SOLD OUT, but there are a couple seats left for the November 10-14 campaign, so snap those up if you want a memorable tabletop adventure in a lavish setting, packed with fun and friendship.

After DMing at the castle for my first time last year, I wrote an extensive newsletter all about it you can read up on right HERE.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan the Barbarian #21 – released June 11th.

Savage Sword of Conan vol. 2 – released June 17th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – released July 9th.

Conan the Barbarian #23 – releases August 13th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 5: Twisting Loyalties – releases August 20th.

Swords & Larceny – releases September 2nd.

Savage Sword of Conan #10 – releases September 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian vol.1-3 Slipcase Set – releases September 10th.

Predator: Black, White & Blood #3 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian #24 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 1: Bound in Black Stone Deluxe HC – releases September 16th.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1 – releases September 24th.

Upcoming Appearances

Jul 31-Aug 3, 2025	Gen Con Indy – Booth 1349	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Aug 13-17, 2025	World Con	Seattle, WA, USA
Aug 21-24, 2025	Fan Expo Canada	Toronto, ON, CANADA
Aug 28-Sep 1, 2025	Dragon Con	Atlanta, GA, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Newcastle, UK
Nov 15-16, 2025	Thought Bubble	Harrogate, UK

Jim Zub at Gen Con 2025!

Posted by Jim Zub on July 28, 2025 No comments

On July 31st to August 3rd, it’s time for North America’s largest tabletop RPG, card, and board game show, GEN CON in Indianapolis, Indiana!

Howard Tayler (Shlock Mercenary, Writing Excuses), Sandra Tayler (Hold On To Your Horses),
Stacy King (D&D Young Adventurer’s Guides) and I will be set-up together at BOOTH 1349 in the main exhibit hall, ready to sign for readers.

BOOTH 1349

If you’re headed to Gen Con, it would be great to see you there! It’s one of my favorite shows each year. Getting the chance to promote my work and dig into the latest and greatest the gaming industry has to offer is a wonderful opportunity.

In addition to our booth in the main exhibit hall, I’ll also be in a live play game on Saturday. Details below:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2nd
4:00-5:30pm – Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game Live! – Westin : Grand Ballroom V
It’s clobberin’ time at Gen Con as the goofballs from the Glass Cannon Network team up with Marvel for a fantastic, amazing, spectacular, friendly neighborhood-ing good time! Nobody does the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game like the Glass Cannon, so break out your best spandex and prepare for an afternoon of classic heroes alongside new recruits tangling with the worst villains the Marvel Multiverse has to offer.

Here’s where you can find our booth in the exhibit hall:

Zubby Newsletter #120: Eye of the Storm

Posted by Jim Zub on July 22, 2025 No comments

Here I am again, luggage packed before I fly to San Diego for Comic Con and then immediately head to Gen Con in Indianapolis – a five day show and then a four day show – the infamous Nerd Prom Twin Terror™©. As ridiculous as that will be, I’m also pretty damn excited. After being home for the past four and a half weeks busting away on writing deadlines I’m looking forward to seeing industry friends and celebrating another year making comics. Even after all these years, it’s hard to believe this is my job.

I had an industry pro reach out this morning to let me know that this would be their first SDCC and ask for advice. At first I wasn’t sure what to suggest, and then next thing I knew I’d sent them a list of industry parties, meet-up spots, food recommendations, great vendors, and places to escape the hustle-bustle. I don’t know exactly when I became a veteran of these Comic-Con-flicts, but it’s happened, so I’m heading into SDCC 2025 with a sense of zen about it all – The show will be a whirlwind and I’ll try to be the calm eye of the storm.

Obviously the consistency of Conan helps bolster my confidence. Keeping this Hyborian adventure going and commemorating another year on the series with our team is going to be wonderful.

Zub at SDCC 2025

When I’m not doing panels, signings or meetings, I’ll be at Artist Alley Table GG-07 with the Comic Sketch Art team.

In a separate post on my website there is an extensive rundown – panel details, show-exclusive variant covers, giveaways and more. I’ll be sure to keep that post up to date in case anything changes.

The Big 25 Arrives in October

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #25, arriving in October, is going to be extra-special – a 48-page issue fully painted by Alex Horley! Solicits and preview pages are making the rounds and it’s so nice to be able to show people some of the jaw-dropping work I’ve been staring in awe at since Alex and I started working on this epic back in September of last year.

This issue is my first King Conan story, it’s a self-contained adventure, and it’s a fist-pumping sword-swinging celebration of our series – past, present, and future. Make sure you pre-order, if you haven’t already!

And just as a reminder – Conan the Barbarian will keep going after issue #25! I know a lot of current comic series seem to be getting cancelled or constantly relaunched, but we are going strong and our latest issues have defied typical attrition patterns and are going up in sales. There are many more adventures to come as long as readers and retailers keep supporting the series the way they have so far.

Pre-SDCC Stream With Near Mint

I was a guest on the Near Mint Condition livestream, and chatted with Omar all about how Conan the Barbarian is going, San Diego Comic Con memories, answering online questions, screen sharing old photos and artwork, and a whole lot more. It was a ton of fun, so please check it out!

Writing and Role-Play

I spoke to Anton Kromoff at Comicon.com all about the writing process for Conan the Barbarian – research, collaboration, role-play and more. It covers quite a bit, so check it out!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan the Barbarian #21 – released June 11th.

Savage Sword of Conan vol. 2 – released June 17th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – released July 9th.

Conan the Barbarian #23 – releases August 13th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 5: Twisting Loyalties – releases August 20th.

Swords & Larceny – releases September 2nd.

Savage Sword of Conan #10 – releases September 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian vol.1-3 Slipcase Set – releases September 10th.

Predator: Black, White & Blood #3 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian #24 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 1: Bound in Black Stone Deluxe HC – releases September 16th.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1 – releases September 24th.

Upcoming Appearances

Thrilled to announce that I’m a special guest at this year’s Thought Bubble Comic Festival in Harrogate, happening right after my stint at D&D in a Castle.

Jul 23-27, 2025	San Diego Comic Con – Table GG-07	San Diego, CA, USA
Jul 31-Aug 3, 2025	Gen Con Indy – Booth 1349	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Aug 13-17, 2025	World Con	Seattle, WA, USA
Aug 21-24, 2025	Fan Expo Canada	Toronto, ON, CANADA
Aug 28-Sep 1, 2025	Dragon Con	Atlanta, GA, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Newcastle, UK
Nov 15-16, 2025	Thought Bubble	Harrogate, UK

Zub Comics Arriving in October 2025

Posted by Jim Zub on July 17, 2025 No comments

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #25
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART: ALEX HORLEY
COVER A: ALEX HORLEY WRAPAROUND
COVER B: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
COVER C: DOUG BRAITHWAITE
COVER D: JONAS SCHARF
COVER E: DANICA BRINE
COVER F: ALEX HORLEY WRAPAROUND CARDSTOCK
COVER G: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE FOIL TRADE
COVER H: COLOR BLANK SKETCH

FC, 48pp, $5.99 – On Sale October 8, 2025

Milestone 25th issue featuring an epic stand alone story! The perfect jumping on point for new fans! Written by fan-favorite writer, Jim Zub!

THE NOMAD: Conan the King welcomes a strange visitor with an even stranger mission. Can the Ruler of Aquilonia prove his mettle or will the mysterious wanderer’s incredible power change the course of history?

This special issue #25 is a must-have for Conan fans!

CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT #2 (OF 4)
STORY: JIM ZUB
LINE ART: IVAN GIL
COLORS JOAO CANOLA
COVER A: E.M. GIST
COVER B: ALAN QUAH
COVER C: MARIA WOLF
COVER D: IAN CHURCHILL

FC, 32pp, $4.99, On Sale October 29, 2025

CONAN OF CIMMERIA has encountered Stygian sorcery and snakesent creatures many times in his grand adventures, but he has never faced the true unspeakable power of SET… until NOW. The serpent god’s influence coils around the Hyborian Age and every other age linked to it.

Three stunning supernatural stories will weave together to answer a chilling question of past and present – What is Set’s grand plan for humanity and, now that it’s begun, can it be stopped?

THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL. 3
STORY: Roy Thomas, Patrick Zircher, Dennis Culver, Liam Sharp, Fabien Nicieza, Jim Zub and more
ART: Roberto de la Torre, Juan Alberto Hernández, Chris Burnham, Max von Fafner, Sean Chen and more
REGULAR COVER: NEAL ADAMS
DM EDITION: JOE JUSKO

SC, B&W, 192pp, $24.99, On Sale October 8, 2025

Comprising the very best comic industry talent, including legend Roy Thomas and fan favorite Roberto de la Torre, a myriad of writers and artists create a spectacular array of beautifully illustrated black and white comic strips and pin-ups, as well as poems, short stories and essays.

Collects issues #7-9 of the stunning new Savage Sword of Conan magazine.

Gamehole 2025 Events

Posted by Jim Zub on July 16, 2025 No comments

This October, Stacy and I are going to be at GAMEHOLE XVII in Madison, Wisconsin, gaming up a storm, and while we’re there we’ll be running some sessions open to attendees so I wanted to make sure the event links were easy to find so people can Wishlist/Sign Up for them!

Zub at San Diego Comic Con 2025!

Posted by Jim Zub on July 15, 2025 No comments

It’s time again for the biggest pop culture event of the summer, San Diego Comic-Con, or should we say COMIC-CROM! This year I’m once again promoting the ongoing adventures of CONAN THE BARBARIAN with Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics.

Comic Sketch Art will be manning my spot at-

Artist Alley Table GG-07

They will have a special convention variant for CONAN THE BARBARIAN #22 illustrated by Enid Balam:

Titan Comics has three different Conan foil cover variants at the show illustrated by Dan Panosian, Jason Shawn Alexander, and Joe Jusko for sale at BOOTH #5537:

Here’s where I’ll be at the show when I’m not grabbing a meal, at meetings, or doing press:

WEDNESDAY, July 23, 2025 – Preview Night

07:00pm-08:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07

THURSDAY, July 24, 2025

10:00am-11:00am — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07

11:30am-12:30pm — Signing at Titan Books – BOOTH 5537

01:00pm-02:00pm — Conan the Barbarian panel – ROOM 5AB
This year’s official Conan the Barbarian panel will be exploring Scourge of the Serpent, the launch of the colorful new Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged, and much more. Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures welcome writer Jim Zub, editor Chris Butera, and letterer Richard Starkings as they join Conan historian Jeff Shanks and moderator Andrew Sumner for a packed Conan discussion, exclusive reveals, special announcements, and giveaways.

03:00pm-03:45pm — Signing at Random House – BOOTH 1514/1515
And get a FREE D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide book at this show floor signing, while supplies last.

04:00pm-05:00pm — Comics Plus Tabletop Games panel – ROOM 29AB
Jim Zub (Conan, D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide), Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, BRZRKR), C. J. Cervantes (producer and project lead, Marvel Multiverse RPG), Daryl Andrews (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns—The Game, TMNT: Showdown), and Jon Barry (Studio Far Horizons/Mad Caves: The Last Wardens RPG) have designed some of the most successful board games and role-playing games with comic IP themes. Moderator Alexa Cappiello (Disfigura, Legend of the White Dragon) will get them to share stories about designing games that are thematically accurate but create new ways to experience our favorite comics. Get a sneak peek and learn about some upcoming comic-theme tabletop games releasing later this year.

05:15pm-07:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07

FRIDAY, July 25, 2025

09:30am-10:30am — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07

02:30pm-03:30pm — Signing at Titan Books – BOOTH 5537

04:00pm-07:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07

SATURDAY, July 26, 2025

11:00am-02:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07

02:30pm-03:30pm — Celebrating Dungeons & Dragons panel – ROOM 24ABC
Dungeons & Dragons continues its monumental rise in pop culture after 50 years! With more people rolling dice and telling stories every day, come hear from expert Dungeon Masters and Storytellers who share how Dungeons & Dragons has secured its place in society and the tabletop. Anjali Bhimani (Actor, DesiQuest, Critical Role, Dimension 20), Elisa Teague (Game Designer & Writer) Teagan Morrison (Co-Founder, Hero Forge), Jim Zub (Writer, Dungeons & Dragons) and Moderator Ross Thompson.

04:00pm-05:00pm — Signing at Titan Books – BOOTH 5537

05:30pm-07:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07

SUNDAY, July 27, 2025
I’m flying out early Sunday, so I will not be at the show on the final day! Make sure you swing by before then to get books signed!

Zubby Newsletter #119: Super Saturday

Posted by Jim Zub on July 14, 2025 1 comment

*The theater didn’t have a Superman set-up in the lobby, so we just snapped a quick photo outside.*

Saw SUPERMAN on Saturday with Stacy and my Father-in-law.

No spoilers!

I thought it was an absolute blast and a much-needed shot in the arm to both the DC Universe and superhero films in general. There is a ton happening, but the plot and emotional throughline manages to hold it all together. Really impressive.

The movie leans into some Silver Age Superman comic trappings and gives you the feeling you’ve been dropped into the midst of a larger world and ongoing story, but not in a way I found confusing. If anything, it reminded me of being a kid and picking up a random issue of a superhero comic. I didn’t need to know every facet of every character’s back story to quickly understand their current motivations and get pulled into the unfolding drama and action happening on the page. With that in mind, the film wisely sprinted past retelling Superman’s origin story for the umpteenth time and instead dove into broader ideas around responsibility, heroism, and humanity. The heightened classic comic elements are unabashedly up there on the screen but the film still manages to ground them with just enough ‘now’ that it felt contemporary yet idealistic, hopeful but not naive. It’s one hell of a high wire act, narratively speaking.

Is it perfect? Of course not. With so much going on, some elements were glossed over that I would have preferred to see receive more focus and the final act leaves some questions that, if not answered in future films, could become jarring plot holes, but on the whole Superman delivered far beyond my expectations. Kudos to the movie team and congrats to so many of my friends doing wonderful work at DC right now. I really hope the movie’s success creates a powerful and much-deserved ripple effect on the publishing line.

A Quick Hunt in September

The solicit has dropped so now I can reveal I have a story in PREDATOR: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #3 arriving in September!

It’s my first time playing in the 20th Century Fox sandbox. A short story this time, but hopefully there will be more to come.

Having a Blast

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #22 really hit the spot with our readers. We received a torrent of positive feedback and top notch reviews.

I know I sound like a broken record, but THANK YOU for the support, buying each issue and telling others that we earn that cover price each and every month.

I genuinely believe that CONAN THE BARBARIAN #23 (in stores August 13th) is Fernando’s best issue yet, with absolutely jaw-dropping visuals that are going to knock you OUT. I don’t want to spoil the action, so here’s a tiny teaser of our Cimmerian struggling against – well, that would be telling now wouldn’t it? 😉

*CONAN THE BARBARIAN #23 art by Fernando Dagnino. Colors by Diego Rodriguez.*

The Final Diamond Previews

Speaking of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #23, the cover art for that issue by the always-amazing Dan Panosian graces the cover of what will apparently be the last issue of the Diamond Previews catalogue.

When Conan the Barbarian #1 was featured on the cover in April 2023, it meant we were a highly anticipated launch in a jam-packed catalogue. Two years later, it feels weird to be cover featured again as publishers flee and Diamond ignobly burns to the ground, damaging the industry it once dominated.

Publishers screwed over with millions of dollars of product being liquidated without their permission. Retailers left in the dark and scrambling to find new solutions to keep their shelves stocked. So many people thought that without Diamond there wouldn’t be a North American comic industry, but now it feels like dead weight that has to be cut loose to get somewhere/anywhere better.

Still a Few Seats Left!

I’m Dungeon Mastering a double dose of D&D in a Castle this Fall. My November 3-7 table is SOLD OUT, but there are a few seats left for the November 10-14 campaign, so snap those up if you want a memorable tabletop adventure in a lavish setting, jam-packed with fun and camaraderie.

After DMing at the castle for my first time last year, I wrote an extensive newsletter all about it you can read up on right HERE.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan the Barbarian #21 – released June 11th.

Savage Sword of Conan vol. 2 – released June 17th.

Conan the Barbarian #22 – released July 9th.

Conan the Barbarian #23 – releases August 13th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 5: Twisting Loyalties – releases August 20th.

Swords & Larceny – releases September 2nd.

Savage Sword of Conan #10 – releases September 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian vol.1-3 Slipcase Set – releases September 10th.

Predator: Black, White & Blood #3 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian #24 – releases September 10th.

Conan the Barbarian vol. 1: Bound in Black Stone Deluxe HC – releases September 16th.

Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1 – releases September 24th.

Upcoming Appearances

Fan Expo Canada here in Toronto has finally been confirmed, which means late July through August is going to be a wild one for Zub events – 5 shows in 6 weeks.

Jul 23-27, 2025	San Diego Comic Con	San Diego, CA, USA
Jul 31-Aug 3, 2025	Gen Con Indy – Booth 1349	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Aug 13-17, 2025	World Con	Seattle, WA, USA
Aug 21-24, 2025	Fan Expo Canada	Toronto, ON, CANADA
Aug 28-Sep 1, 2025	Dragon Con	Atlanta, GA, USA
Sep 27-28, 2025	Chattanooga Comic Con	Chattanooga, TN, USA
Oct 16-19, 2025	Gamehole Con XII	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Conan the Barbarian #22 Reviews

Posted by Jim Zub on July 13, 2025 No comments

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.”

• 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.”