Zubby Newsletter #156: Free For All

Posted by Jim Zub on May 4, 2026 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

Free Comic Book Day at Gotham Central was really busy.
How busy?

This was the line when Chip and I arrived-

There was no way I could get the whole line in one photo. I don’t think four photos would have worked. It stretched down the block and, at its peak, excited comic fans waited an hour and a half in chilly winds to snag free comics, get signatures, and take advantage of deep sale discounts at the shop.

We signed hundreds of comics and extended the signing from 3 hours to 4½ to meet as many people as possible. Chip was a rockstar and it was a lot of fun. Big thanks to everyone who came out for it and braved the cold to see us there. Before we left we signed giant stacks of extra books, so hopefully even if you didn’t make it there during the signing you were able to grab an autographed copy.

I’ve been keeping some parts of Conan: Tides of the Tyrant-King close to my chest so readers wouldn’t be spoiled ahead of time and it’s been fun seeing fans surprised when they crack it open and start to see the scope of what we’re building, and which classic Robert E. Howard story is at the heart of this new event mini-series.

A bunch of people have asked if I have extra copies of this Tides Prelude to sell. I only have a couple here at home, but am hoping to get more. Beyond that, Titan will make the digital version freely available online in a week or so, and of course I’ll link that far and wide once it’s available.

In the meantime, you can grab the FREE digital version of our previous FCBD issues here: 2023, 2024, 2025.

May the 4th

May the 4th Be With Y’all.

I have two Star Wars credits so far in my career, one as a Colorist and the second as a Writer.

2004: STAR WARS TALES #19, published by Dark Horse Comics. I colored “The Rebel Club”, a parody of The Breakfast Club, written and drawn by Scott Kurtz, lettered by Robert Kirkman.

2020: EMPIRE STRIKES BACK FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW, published by Del Rey. I wrote the “The First Lesson” short story, showing Yoda’s POV on Luke’s arrival to Dagobah and his thoughts around training the young Jedi.

I’ve pitched a couple other possible projects over the years, but so far that’s my little contribution to a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Fingers crossed for the future.

Trying Not To Kill Time

Actually, I am trying to kill Time (Chronos, God of Time, that is), but also don’t have time to kill (deadlines aplenty).

Hades II arrived on Playstation at last and, after getting back from Calgary, I indulged in booting up this god-like rogue-like and it is so, so good. Supergiant Games have done a stellar job at keeping the core gameplay of the original while iterating on it in ways that enhance the experience and propel the narrative forward in incredible ways.

Sequels can easily fall into a ‘just more of the same’ mindset and when it comes to video games it can be tough to balance familiar gameplay and something new and unexpected. The highest compliment I can give Hades II is that I have to use it as a reward at the end of a productive day of writing, otherwise I know I’ll slip into playing it way too damn much. An absolute banger.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Mad About DC – released Apr 1.
Skullkickers: Compact Attack Edition Vol. 3 – released Apr 21.
Conan: Tides of the Tyrant-King Prelude – released May 2.
Manga Classics: Journey to the West Prelude – released May 2.
Savage Sword of Conan #14 – releases May 6.
Conan: Scourge of the Serpent TPB – releases May 6.
Conan the Barbarian Vol. 7: The Conquering Crown TPB – releases May 20.
Conan the Barbarian #31 – releases May 27.
Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 4 TPB – releases May 27.
Conan the Barbarian #32 – releases June 17.

Upcoming Appearances

Jun 12-13, 2026	Robert E. Howard Days	Cross Plains, TX, USA
Jul 23-26, 2026	San Diego Comic Con	San Diego, CA, USA
Jul 30-Aug 2, 2026	Gen Con	Indianapolis, IN, USA
Aug 15, 2026	Comics Assemble	Gloucester, England, UK
Oct 15-18, 2026	Gamehole	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 12-15, 2026	D&D Weekend	Lake Sinclair, GA, USA
Jan 14-16, 2027	Philadelphia Area Gaming Expo	Philadelphia, PA, USA