CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1, from Titan Comics on 8/2/23, begins a tale undreamed of when Conan the Cimmerian’s respite is interrupted by an army of cursed Picts.
The Details
- Written by: Jim Zub
- Art by: Robert De La Torre
- Colors by: José Villarrubia
- Letters by: Richard Starkings
- Cover art by: Dan Panosian (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: August 2, 2023
Is It Good?
When Marvel lost the license to publish Conan-titled comics, there was quite a stir among Robert E. Howard fans regarding who would pick it up. When Titan announced they had acquired the license over obvious contenders such as Dynamite, reactions were hopeful. But above all else, Conan fans communicated one prevalent sentiment to Titan and writer Jim Zub – Don’t @#$% it up!
Therefore, we’re pleased to report, CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 is an absolute winner.
Jim Zub’s script takes Conan back to his early days of privateering and adventure when he encounters a cursed army of the undead from a lost Pict tribe. With the help and warning from a Pict scout, Brissa, Conan must find a way to survive the onslaught and stop the curse at its source.
It’s too soon to tell where the story will go after only a single issue, but all the hallmarks Conan fans will look for are her in Zub’s script. Conan is a brooding indomitable force. The action is violent and bloody. You get every barbarian trope, from boobs to beheadings. And the supernatural threat is exactly the insurmountable challenge worthy of Conan’s reputation.
Is there a downside to the story? Nope. Any criticisms fall under the smallest of nitpicks.
How’s the art? Perfect. Robert De La Torre nails the grim, dramatic atmosphere emblematic of the Conan Magazines made famous by the likes of Kubert and Buscema. De La Torre is rough and nasty in all the right ways for a memorable Conan experience.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with Conan the Cimmerian using his fists to resign from his band of mercenaries, The Bleeders, after their leader’s cowardice allows two of their own to die. Conan takes his severance and considers his next move when a commotion is reported outside the tavern.
The midday sky has changed to black, and a general unease settles over the land. Suddenly, a Pict woman rides to the tavern shouting evacuation orders. The rider, Brissa, explains that a lost tribe of Picts was cursed into an undead army. When the first waves of the cursed break through the forest, Conan, Brisa, and the rest must defend themselves.
We conclude the issue with a hopeless fight and troubles at home.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 marks the first and latest iteration of the character in his new home with Titan. Thankfully, Conan’s move appears to be for the better as Jim Zub delivers a sword-slashing, brooding, action-packed debut worthy of Robert E. Howard fans, and Robert De La Torre’s art is a perfect homage to classic Conan comics.
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