CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6, by Titan Comics on 12/20/23, sends Conan and the Gloryhounds on a desperate race to escape the specters unleashed by the Black Stone. But his troubles are only starting.
The Details
- Written by: Jim Zub
- Art by: Doug Braithwaite
- Colors by: Diego Rodriguez
- Letters by: Richard Starkings
- Cover art by: Jae Lee, June Chung (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: December 20, 2023
Is CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6 Good?
Jim Zub’s run on Conan the Barbarian keeps getting better and better. CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6 delivers sword-slashing action, supernatural specters, surprises, and more for a classic Conan experience.
When last we left Conan and the Gloryhounds, they infiltrated a temple to steal Tarim’s Touch on behalf of a wealthy benefactor. Conan realized too late that Tarim’s Touch is a chunk of the Black Stone that unleashed a dark plague on the land years ago. Now, Conan and his thieving compatriots must escape a group of ethereal specters intent on claiming the flesh of all but the unworthy. Can Conan and his allies escape the temple before it’s too late?
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6 differs in tone from issue #5 in that Conan is shaken out of his heartbroken malaise to kill and survive, so the comic has a more adventurous tone. Zub puts greater emphasis on action and intrigue for a more energetic reading experience.
What’s great about CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6? Zub figured out the secret sauce to making a classic Conan adventure come to life. Conan is the prototypical badass, and Zub wastes no opportunity to show you why when Conan fights men and monsters alike with gusto. Further, the dark presence unleashed by the Black Stone presents a formidable threat Conan can’t beat with sheer force, so the opportunity for dramatic tension is high.
What’s not so great about CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6? Nothing. If you like sword & sorcery comics, this is as good as it gets.
How’s the art? Fantastic. We haven’t had much exposure to Doug Braithwaite’s work, but the results of Braithwaite’s pencils/inks are impressive. Conan is an imposing figure on every page, either standing still or swinging a sword.
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What’s CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our CONAN THE BARBARIAN #5 review to find out how an older, wiser Conan got himself into this mess.
We begin with the cliffhanger from the last issue when Kamal’s contact with Tarim’s Touch unleashes the black evil inside, conjuring a trio of ethereal specters. Now, Conan and his allies race through the temple, evading the specters and cutting down guards as they search for a way out. The guards are easy, but the specters are undeterred until the spirits sense Conan encountered their master before and escaped unscathed. The specters suddenly disappear.
Later, the Gloryhounds collect their bounty from the Tarim priest, but the priest laments that the Black Stone is empty of power. Regardless, Conan takes his earnings and spends the night with whine, women, and songs. We conclude the issue with surprising attention, passion, and betrayal.
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Final Thoughts
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CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6 is a pitch-perfect example of a classic Conan adventure. Zub combines brutal action with supernatural evil for a rousing tale. Likewise, Braithwaite’s artistic style suits the Cimmerian and his exploits to a tee.
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