Zubby Newsletter #179: Cursed Shores Climax

Posted by Jim Zub on October 27, 2026 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

*Amazing Conan the Barbarian #36 art by Fernando Dagnino and colorist Diego Rodriguez.*

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #36 arrives in stores tomorrow, bringing our Cursed Shores Beyond story arc to a climactic conclusion. I wanted this storyline to channel classic Robert E. Howard pirate-swashbuckling with a supernatural twist, while also tying into the larger metaplot that’s been building since the start of the series. If we do our jobs right, each arc up until this point can stand on its own as a worthy adventure but also keeps building on the whole, rewarding readers who have stuck with us throughout.

Keeping that momentum going, Graphic Policy just posted covers and preview pages for CONAN THE BARBARIAN #37, kicking of our next arc called Pacts & Prophecies. A younger and more brash Conan, fresh from his caper in the Tower of the Elephant, tries to navigate newfound infamy in a city where everyone works an angle. Ivan Gil, our stellar artist from last year’s Scourge of the Serpent mini-series, is on board delivering stunning locales and big action.

In terms of story planning, all of 2027 is outlined and ready to roll, including epic story arcs and plot revelations we’ve been building toward for four years. The big thing that’s changing with the series is that once issue #41 hits we’ll be referencing a lot of my past stories, bringing together story threads from almost every arc and event up until that point, so now is a really good time to get caught up with trades or back issues so you’re ready for every explosive moment we have coming up.

Old Enough to Drive

Stacy and I celebrated 16 years married last Friday. It was a nice little night out – dinner and a couple drinks at spots we like with a quiet walk home, chatting about where we’re at and what’s coming up in the year ahead. We both love Autumn weather in the city, cool enough that you need a couple layers but still nice enough to wander without feeling too hot or too cold.

I’ve mentioned it several times, but I never thought I was the “marrying type”. When I was younger, I couldn’t foresee myself even settled in a long-term relationship, so having Stacy in my life is one of the most wonderful and rewarding aspects of getting older.

Compounding Interests

The Call of Cthulhu Live game I played in Madison, Wisconsin with the Glass Cannon Network a couple weeks ago premiered on YouTube last night. It was a blast being on stage alongside Jared Logan, Skid Maher, Erik Mona, Joe O’Brien, and Keeper Troy Lavallee. I played Father Giuseppe Carbone, a Catholic Priest from the rough side of Brooklyn. Check it out!

Following directions from the mysterious Quiet Horizons organization, five investigators enter a Manhattan bank intending to open a safety deposit box, take its contents, and leave. What could go wrong?

Shadowport Adventure

Also from Madison, a streamed game of Star Wars: Edge of the Empire that I played with Jim “Hawkimir1”, Josh Simons, Fen “Fenacinni”, and Game Master Jay/Neofett3. In this one, I’m playing a human Bounty Hunter named Gav Typhon.