Conan the Barbarian #22 artwork by Fernando Dagnino and Diego Rodriguez.
It’s nice to be home and enjoy some summertime weather here in Toronto, even if the humidity can be intense at times.
In my studio I’ve been knocking down writing deadlines, working to deliver all my July and August deliverables this month so I won’t have to write much on the road when I start sprinting through five events in six weeks from late July through to the end of August.
Next week sees the release of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #22, the second part of our Nest of Serpents story arc that ties into the Scourge of the Serpent event happening this Fall. With each issue I think Fernando Dagnino‘s already amazing artwork improves, which is really something to see, especially when it’s enhanced by Diego Rodriguez‘s top-notch coloring.
A Boxing Story This September
Here’s a sneak peek from the SAILOR STEVE COSTIGAN story coming in Savage Sword of Conan #10 (in stores in September, so pre-order now).
Rob De La Torre‘s black & white art is a dream and I’m having the best time channeling Robert E. Howard‘s punchy pulpy narrative style.
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.
Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia has been added to my list to cap off the summer convention season and there are a couple more event announcements in the coming weeks.
Adulthood is getting excited about grocery store deals. This boneless pork loin was $2 per pound ($4.41 per kg)! Here’s some Chez Zub’s food and freezer prep-
In my early 20’s, I worked as a butcher’s assistant for a summer, so I already knew how to break down sections of meat, but there are lots of videos online showing how easy it is and the savings can be substantial.
I broke the loin down into:
• dinner cuts for the grill
• thicker cuts for tonkatsu
• cubed meat trimmings for stir fry
• extra fat trimmings I’ll render down to use for cooking
Stacy and I will probably get eight meals out of that $13 worth of meat, and the whole prep process took about 15 minutes.
Ready for marinating or the freezer.
Other Links
• My friend Jesse Scoble has a crowdfunding campaign underway for Dead Money, a Western-Horror mini-series with an eclectic cast and some great artwork. I read an advance of the first issue and quite enjoyed it, so check it out.
My luggage is packed and I’m finally ready to fly home after 10 days and 3 events that took me from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio, and back to Vegas again. It’s been a ridiculous and amazing time, but I’ve gotta get back to Toronto and slow this merry-go-round for a bit before the next crash of conventions hits in late July.
With Erik and Josh in Vegas at the Glass Cannon 10 Year Celebration
The Glass Cannon 10 year celebration in Vegas was an absolute blast. Around 100 fans stayed at the Linq Hotel and gamed up a storm with members of the Glass Cannon Network and cast members from various liveplays they’ve done over the past decade. I game mastered three sessions on the schedule and added a last minute pick up game when there was a ton of interest in the Mothership RPG.
In between those sessions and a killer blast of karaoke, I hung out a lot with Erik Mona and Josh Dinges, doing our best to avoid the absolute scorching heat that hit the Vegas strip that weekend.
Unexpectedly with Zack and Miyuki in Vegas
On the Monday after that wrapped up, I had a day and a half of downtime where I did a bit of work and then wandered Vegas, people watching and rolling story ideas around in my head. I thought I was going to have a quiet night, but discovered that Zack Davisson (who newsletter readers will probably know from the cultural essays in Wayward or his current work on Ultimate X-Men) and his wife Miyuki were also in Vegas at the same time, celebrating their wedding anniversary. Ten minutes after I saw his “Wait, you’re in Vegas?!” message, we met up and had a great little visit that capped off Vegas Part 1 quite well.
With Jim Demonakos at Origins 2025.
From there I flew to Columbus for the Origins Game Fair, one of the biggest and longest running tabletop game conventions in North America (50 years and still going strong). Jim Demonakos (founder of Emerald City Comic Con and the Lightbox Expo) and I had business stuff there but managed to work in some gaming and social time as well, which was great.
When I went back to check my photos I was shocked to realize it had been literally 20 years since I’d last attended Origins. The show had been formative to me near the start of my comic + gaming career, solidifying my spot at the UDON studio when I met a bunch of art directors and editors and brought in a slew of extra TTRPG work for the UDON artists. Dizzying to think how quickly that time has gone by.
With Nareesa and Zeshan at Origins 2025.
Also at Origins this year were Nareesa and Zeshan, two of my players from D&D in a Castle back in November! It was heartwarming seeing them again and waxing nostalgic about our time at the castle. They were instrumental in me quickly getting the lay of the land at Origins this year and their enthusiasm was infectious.
With Kandrix and Lindsay back in Vegas, wrapping it all up.
Finally, I ricocheted back to Vegas to check in at MagicCon, a huge Magic the Gathering event, and spend time with my dear friends Kandrix and Lindsay. They’re foodies and basketball fans, so we hit up quite a few of their favorite restaurants and took in a WNBA game before finally getting to NOW.
*whew*
These friendships, personal or professional, are at the heart of all these amazing experiences and opportunities, and I cannot believe how many there have been so far in 2025, only halfway through the year.
Good fun and great food, but I’m extra-ready to return to Toronto, hug Stacy tight, and hunker down at home for the next month.
The Scourge Begins in September!
Cimmerian September brings the busiest Conan month since we relaunched the series at Titan almost two years ago!
It’s a big bold release month jam-packed with the best action and adventure in the business and I hope you’re following along.
Talking at Titan HQ
Speaking of the Cimmerian, when I was at the Titan Books office last month, Chief Stride and I recorded a quick interview discussing the amazing Conan stuff coming up. Give it a watch for some more details on Scourge of the Serpent and our special 25th issue of Conan the Barbarian.
In Depth With NRI
I was a guest on the NRI Podcast, chatting at length about my career, writing comics, working on iconic characters, conventions and a whole lot more.
A few eagle-eyed readers caught my name on the Worldcon panelist list. It’s true – Stacy and I are heading to Seattle in August for World Con, our first time attending one of the longest running science fiction and fantasy conventions! More details as we get closer to the dates.
While I was bouncing between events, Robert E. Howard Days happened in Cross Plains, Texas. I wasn’t able to make it to the event this year, but it was heartwarming to see and hear how well it all went:
• Scholar Jeff Shanks did a tight 3-part series showing Howard Days highlights – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
Next year is the 40th anniversary of Howard Days, so I expect it’ll be the biggest one yet. Pencil it on your calendar and I hope to see you there! Jim
CONAN THE BARBARIAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT #1 (OF 4)
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Ivan Gil
FC, 32pp, $4.99
On Sale September 24, 2025
Spinning out of the pages of the Free Comic Book Day Special, the new Conan epic starts here!
CONAN OF CIMMERIA has encountered Stygian sorcery and snake-sent 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?
COVER A: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
COVER B:JOHN MCCREA
COVER C: GEOF ISHERWOOD
COVER D: MATÍAS BERGARA
COVER E: CHRIS STEVENS
COVER F: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE FOIL TRADE ($14.99)
COVER G: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE ‘GLOW-IN-THE-DARK’ ($14.99)
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #24
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Fernando Dagnino
Publisher: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics
FC, 32pp, $3.99, On Sale September 10, 2025
FINAL PART OF THE EPIC STORY THAT TIES INTO SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT!
The Great Serpent’s influence twists and turns, pulling Conan into their deadly coils as the Cimmerian and his allies are lured into Stygia…
What they find on this journey will make their blood run cold and set the stage for a conflict beyond their wildest imagination!
COVER A: DAN PANOSIAN
COVER B: LUKE EIDENSCHINK (BLACK & WHITE “BLOOD SPLATTER” COVER)
COVER C: KAREN HALLION
COVER D: DAN PANOSIAN FOIL VIRGIN ($13.99)
THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #10
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Roberto de la Torre, Doug Braithwaite, Mike Rooth
Publisher: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics
B&W, 64pp, $6.99
On Sale September 3, 2025
A SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT TIE-IN!
Prepare for the launch of the new Conan mini-series, SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT, with this special issue boasting three thrilling tales from legendary writer Jim Zub. Including a clash between Conan and dark cultists with artist Doug Braithwaite, a bruising SAILOR STEVE COSTIGAN bout with Roberto de la Torre, and a journey into prehistory with characters from Robert E. Howard’s SPEAR AND FANG with artist Mike Rooth.
Bolstered with an array of pin-ups and incredible covers from Mike Mignola and Alex Horley, THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN Issue #10 is not one to be missed!
COVER A: MIKE MIGNOLA
COVER B: ALEX HORLEY
COVER C: MIKE MIGNOLA FOIL TRADE ($16.99)
CONAN THE BARBARIAN: BOUND IN BLACK STONE DELUXE EDITION
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Roberto de la Torre
HC, 144pp, $29.99
On Sale September 17, 2025
AN EPIC OVERSIZED HARDCOVER COLLECTION FEATURING FOIL COVERS, INTERVIEWS, BEHIND THE SCENES SCRIPT-TO-ART AND MORE!
On the eve of his first major battle, young Conan of Cimmeria pictures a life beyond the borders of his homeland and yearns for a life of adventure undreamt of in his small village. Visions of future allies and unspeakable evils he will eventually encounter throughout his fabled career fill his mind, as he makes the choice to take his first fateful step into the Hyborian Age.
Collects: Conan the Barbarian #1-4 (2023), plus material from the FCBD 2023 special edition.
Includes BONUS MATERIAL and foreword by ROY THOMAS!
REGULAR: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
DIRECT MARKET: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
CONAN THE BARBARIAN: VOL. 1-3 SLIPCASE SET
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Roberto de la Torre and Doug Braithwaite
BX, SC, 352pp, $49.99
On Sale September 10, 2025
THE FIRST THREE ACTION-PACKED VOLUMES OF CONAN THE BARBARIAN’S NEW ERA OF COMICS COLLECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Armed with just his wits and his sword, Conan sets out for the first time from his beloved Cimmeria and after adventures on the high seas, he returns to shore to find himself haunted by his memories of Bêlit, captain of the Tigress and Queen of the Black Coast. Then, sent back in time to the Thurian Age, Conan battles terrifying creatures and meets Kull the Conqueror, a barbarian-king as strong as himself!
Collecting: Conan the Barbarian Vol. 1-3, plus 3 Exclusive Art Cards!
REGULAR: MIKE DEODATO
DIRECT MARKET: JAE LEE
PREDATOR: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #3
(W) Steve Foxe, Joe Kelly, Jim Zub
(A) Alvaro Lopez and Various
On Sale September 10, 2025
THE BRUTAL, ALL-NEW ANTHOLOGY SERIES CONTINUES!
A trio of new tales spotlight the Predators’ savagery across all of time and space! First up, Joe Kelly and Álvaro López’s brutal tale of a Predator facing off against a group of miners in the Australian outback continues! Then Steve Foxe presents a tale set on the slopes of Mt. Everest, with a monstrous creature stalking a crew of mountaineers. All this plus a startling story by Jim Zub!
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.”
Another burst of writing work and errands getting done before I fly to Las Vegas on Thursday for the Glass Cannon celebration, where I’ll be running sessions of Conan: The Hyborian Age, Mothership, and Shadowdark alongside an all-star crew of glorious gamers. It’s go time in the summertime!
A sample of interior art from CONAN THE BARBARIAN #21.
This week, CONAN THE BARBARIAN #21 finally arrives in stores, kicking off a new story arc that will take our hero to the heart of Stygia and set him against the forces of the Great Serpent!
Fernando Dagnino and Diego Rodriguez deliver stellar artwork, the action is intense, and the world’s biggest and best sword & sorcery hero is ready to slay some snakes!
I was thrilled to hear that sales on issues #21 are up from previous issues, defying the typical sales attrition most series have. We’re picking up new monthly readers 20+ issues deep into the run while changing distributors, which is a testament to good word of mouth and retailer support!
Here’s the new Skullkickers cover art by Edwin Huang!
SKULLKICKERS Returns As “Compact Attack Editions” at Oni Press!
The Harvey Award-Nominated Sword-and-Sorcery Sensation Arrives in Digest Form in Spring 2026!
Oni Press is proud to invite you back into the world of SKULLKICKERS in all-new, compact digest format recollecting the entirety of Jim Zub(Dungeons & Dragons, Conan the Barbarian) and Edwin Huang’s (Street Fighter) beloved, Harvey Award-nominated fantasy-action sensation! Presenting the entirety of the series’ acclaimed 34-issue run across three, 5.5 x 8.5 digest volumes arriving in stores in spring 2026, the all-new SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITIONS from Oni Press are the perfect bingeable format for the busy paladin on the go – or new readers who want to discover the landmark, RPG-inspired series that Publishers’ Weekly calls “bombastic chaos…[like] a sword and sorcery buddy movie”!
If you love swords, sassery, and a touch of black-hearted violence, then SKULLKICKERS is the book for you! A trio of hard-headed mercenaries kill monsters and cause havoc in their endless search for money, fame, and adventure from the lauded and ludicrous team of Jim Zub and Edwin Huang—now in a book-friendly perfect format!
“When Skullkickers was originally published in 2010, fantasy comics and D&D culture were a glimmer compared to the glittering pop culture explosion we’ve seen since then and we were 6 years from Deadpool’s fourth wall-breaking antics on the big screen,” said Zub. “Skullkickers was ‘Deadpool by way of D&D’ before that was even a thing. Skullkickers knew that sword & sorcery storytelling was amazing and ridiculous, because it’s always been amazing and ridiculous.”
“Without Skullkickers, I wouldn’t have worked on Pathfinder, Samurai Jack, Dungeons & Dragons, Conan the Barbarian, and a dozen other titles,” continued Zub. “It’s the mischievous magic spell that changed my life, and I’m so proud of what the book was and is. Now, partnering with Oni and their killer new compact publishing line, we can grab a whole new generation of comic collectors, sword and sorcery stalwarts, RPG advocates, and manga maniacs. LET’S KICK SKULLS!”
“With all of its trademark style, swagger, and humor, SKULLKICKERS was one of the upstart series that redefined the metrics of how independent comics looked, sounded, and felt in the 2010s – throwing forward a ton of energy and momentum that still resounds with readers today,” said Oni Press President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. “It’s an immense honor to bring Jim and Edwin’s much beloved and wildly acclaimed series to Oni Press in an all-new format for a brand-new generation of readers. For anyone who loves comics, fantasy, or role-playing games, this is one of the definitive series of the past decade that needs to be on your shelf.”
SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITION – VOLUME 1
Collects issues #1–11
On sale February 18th, 2026
SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITION – VOLUME 2
Collects issues #12–23
On sale March 18th, 2028
SKULLKICKERS: COMPACT ATTACK EDITION – VOLUME 3
Collects issues #24-34
On sale April 22nd, 2026
An Icon In Unexpected Places
An old school Conan fan and Jão.
Colorist Jão Canola (who colored Conan: Battle of the Black Stone and is currently working on Scourge of the Serpent) sent our creative team an anecdote this week and it was so great I asked him if it was okay to share it here in my newsletter. Enjoy!
I needed to make some changes to my office and called an electrician. I was coloring Conan pages while he was working, and I noticed he was curious as he asked me “What are you doing?”
I explained that I work on comic books, that I’m a colorist, and I explained the process of creating a comic.
His eyes lit up! He couldn’t believe someone from Jaú (where I live) works on Conan, and he told me his story with the character. He is currently 61 years old. He discovered Conan in the 80s, and at the time he and a friend would take turns buying the magazine: one month he would buy it, the next month his friend would buy it. The magazines would stay at his friend’s house because his father wouldn’t let him have comics at home.
So, I gave him the collection with all four issues of Conan: Battle of the Black Stone as a gift, and he went home very happy.
A few weeks later, he came back to finish the job. I asked if he liked the magazine, and at that very moment, I remembered it was in English. I’d completely forgotten about that when I gave him the gift. But that’s where the coolest part of the story comes in. 🙂
“I loved it! I had a lot of fun. On Sunday, I woke up very early, turned on the radio with the music really low, opened a Coke and read the magazine.”
“Do you read English?” I asked.
“No, but I understood everything perfectly from the pictures. The artist is very good! I was able to understand.”
Then, he told me his version of the story. Obviously, it wasn’t exactly the story we made — he imagined several different things. But, Jim, I’m sorry – his version was so cool to him that I just agreed…I didn’t have the courage to correct him!
And that’s it. Conan is an icon. A 61-year-old man remembered his adolescence and, even without knowing English, really enjoyed our work. He thought it was incredible that someone from his own city works on this. That’s what comic books are all about, right? I’m so grateful to work in comics with such cool people like all of you.
A last minute opportunity to attend the 50th anniversary of the Origins Game Fair in Columbus came my way, so I’ll be attending the GAMA Trade Day on Wednesday and then wandering Origins and taking meetings on Thursday and Friday! If you’re headed to Origins, feel free to reach out as I haven’t been to the show in twenty years, and I’m eager to see people there and also see what’s changed over the years.
Other events added to my schedule: Signing at Gotham Central Comics in Mississauga on June 28th and confirmation that I will be back at San Diego Comic Con in late July!
After our signing at Arte 9 in Madrid. From left: Alberto Alburquerque, me, Fernando Dagnino, Ivan Gil.
Stacy and I are at our hotel in Madrid, easing our way through the morning as we finish packing our luggage and then head to the airport. I wanted to send out a newsletter four days ago after we finished the London leg of it all, but it’s been too busy for me to carve out the time to get it done until now.
Man oh man, what a trip. MCM London Comic Con was bustling, the store signings I’ve done have been hopping, and there’s been a steady drumbeat of go-go-go punctuating almost every day. Even our ‘break’ days have been intense as we packed in visits with old friends and a couple business meetings as well. It wasn’t until yesterday, when we took a day trip to Segovia with Ivan Gil and his wife Luda, that things seemed to slow down enough to realize how quick it’s all been going.
In Segovia at the famous aqueduct.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s been really fun. Among the many highlights:
• Being set up at the convention between Mark Brooks and Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau, watching both of them absolutely crush it in terms of sketches for fans.
• Dinner with Sean Gordon Murphy and his crew, talking about broader industry trends and weathering the storm of publishing highs and lows.
• Catching up with Alex Trowers, Leanne and their amazing kids after the show wrapped up on Sunday.
• Wandering London with them, Gabrielle Kent, Satish and their little one, including a foray into the British Museum.
• A big pizza dinner with so many of our England friends, including the wonderful Rhianna Pratchett, to cap off our time in London.
• Stopping by the Titan Books office to discuss future Conan the Barbarian plans.
• Stacy and I gallery and museum’ed it up in both cities, with visits to the British National Gallery, the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. So much art, an overflowing blast of inspiration.
• Both signings in Madrid were amazing! So many Spanish readers came out and quite a few of them brought stacks of my books to sign. The staff at Arte 9 and Omega Center were so incredibly welcoming and stocked deep on titles as well.
• A bunch of Spanish comic creators came out for dinner after the Omega Center signing on Saturday, including my friend Pepe Larraz, who is the current artist of Amazing Spider-Man.
Deep stock of Spanish language Zub comics at Omega Center.
Getting face time with Spanish creators, especially the wonderful artists I’m currently working with, was incredibly special. As much as we all try to stay in touch, via email or Zoom, nothing can replace that in-person experience. We really are a creative team, and the stronger that bond can be, the better. I want my collaborators to know how much I value their efforts, month after month.
As tired as I feel sprinting through the past nine days, my mind is sparking with electricity because of the great interactions I’ve had with everyone here overseas. In a year already packed with amazing experiences, this trip has been an unexpected high point…
(…and we’ll be back in the UK again in November for a double dose of D&D in a Castle!)
I’m a surprise guest at the Glass Cannon Retreat happening in Las Vegas in a couple weeks! I’ll be running TTRPG sessions and playing a few NPCs during the festivities and it’s going to be awesome.
In addition to signing times at my table, I’m also on a spotlight panel Saturday afternoon:
SATURDAY MAY 24, 2025 4:00pm-4:45pm — Titan Presents: Conan the Barbarian’s Jim Zub Live – Artist Alley Stage The barbarian’s bard is here to answer your questions! Sit down with Jim Zub (Dungeons & Dragons, Avengers) the writer of Titan’s bestselling Conan the Barbarian comic series to learn more about this triumphant new era of the greatest warrior of all time. This panel will directly be followed by a signing at Forbidden Planet, Booth S2230!
A year ago, Stacy and I were in Japan. Two years ago, we were in England. Despite the excitement of being on the road for my birthday, it was nice to be home instead this time, even though we are sprinting to get ready for almost two weeks of travel starting in a couple days – off to England again and then Spain for the first time.
For this birthday we had a lazy Sunday with an ‘open house’ format. Friends stopped by to say “Hi”, we played some video games and board games, and then ordered in pizza for dinner. Nice and simple. A lot of people were away for the long weekend, but everyone who made it out brought a lot of good cheer.
There was some chatter about next year – what we might do for the big 5-0. Hard to say right now, but we certainly have more flexibility if we want to make a trip out of it.
It’s been a transformative year and shows no signs of slowing down. I am so incredibly thankful for family, friends, and even strangers reading here who care enough to stay on top of what I’m doing and offer kind words and support. Thank you!
Casual Conversation, Big Information
I was a guest on Gary B, the Casual Comic Guy’s livestream on Saturday, and it ended up being a surprisingly in-depth talk about my work on Conan the Barbarian loaded with info and anecdotes – What it’s like writing the character, working with so many amazing artists, trying to honor what’s come before while also building new things, and much more.
Edith Finch
Thanks to the power of Steam sales, I’ve been digging into a variety of older video games at bargain prices. Amongst several I recently picked up and enjoyed is What Remains of Edith Finch. Unlike many other titles I gravite towards, this one is not an action or strategy game at all, it’s an atmospheric first-person narrative with environments you explore packed with melancholy ambience as strange and somber stories of an odd family unfold before you.
Edith Finch can be ‘completed’ in less than three hours, but the way it’s told and the questions it raises stick around long after that play time is complete. It caught me at just the right time – I was in a contemplative mood in the lead up to my birthday and was thoroughly impressed with how polished and engaing this was. If you want a very different kind of gaming experience, a slow and deliberate journey that’s reflective and charming, I recommend adding it to your Wish List.
Another signing has been added to our Spain trip so if you live near Madrid, or know any comic fans who do, please let them know. Gen Con Indianapolis is also now officially on the schedule for August.
Incredibly, a few more shows are getting finalized, so expect more appearance announcements coming up!
• The 2025 Eisner Award nominations are out. Great to see such a wide variety of titles represented across the industry. Also always a pleasure to see so many of my friends represented in the line up. Congrats to all the nominees!
Last weekend, our neighborhood hosted a ‘Flee or Free’ event in one of the local parks, a chance to giveaway or sell stuff to the community. Stacy and I used it as motivation to clear out old and rarely used kitchen gadgets and cutlery, including some pots and plates I’d been carting around since college. Some of the stuff we gave away and that’s okay – better to have things being used by strangers over just taking up shelf or drawer space gathering dust. Getting to know people who live nearby and petting some happy dogs in the park was worth more than the few bucks we might have haggled for.
That concept of “Spring cleaning” is on my mind a lot lately, trying to clear out tired objects and unwanted thoughts kept well past their due date along with other old baggage and bad habits. I know how intense things will get as convention season really kicks into gear, so a bit of tidying up and reorganizing is good to keep in mind, inside and out.
Speaking of fine freebies, the 2025 CONAN THE BARBARIAN Free Comic Book Day issue is now FREE everywhere!
Collecting and updating material from our character-centric volumes, it’s the perfect way to introduce new people to character creation and worlds of adventure!
Splash Pages
I was a guest on Splash Pages alongside four bombastic hosts, and we chatted all about sword & sorcery, gaming, and comics, including some deep cuts to projects I’ve almost never talked about before.
• My Conan the Barbarian editor Chris Butera has his first prose novel coming out in August and it’s called The Darkest Deep. He just sent me a digital advanced reader copy and I’m excited to check it out.
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.”
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