CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11, by Titan Comics on 5/22/24, brings Conan, King Kull, and Brule to the end of their journey into the depths of Atlantis, only to find their troubles are just beginning.
Credits:
- Writer: Jim Zub
- Artist: Robert De La Torre
- Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
- Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
- Cover Artist: Alex Horley (cover A)
- Publisher: Titan Comics
- Release Date: May 22, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Page Count: 34
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11:
Plot Analysis:
Previously in issue #10, Conan followed King Kull to Atlantis to investigate the dark influence of Thulsa Doom and the power of the Black Stone on Kull’s home. After a harrowing journey, Conan and Kull arrived on Atlantis to find a gigantic crater in the middle of the capital city.
In Conan The Barbarian #11, Conan recalls a meaningful yet perplexing talk with the elephant-headed wise one, Yag-Kosha, who helps Conan see that he’s untethered from his time for a specific purpose. Conan is meant to aid King Kull in his quest, and the bridge that links Conan to the past is his romantic connection to Brissa, Brule’s ancestor.
King Kull leads the party into the depths of the crater where they find strange carvings, gigantic suits of armor, and a massive door that can only be opened with the herculean effort of many men.
With great effort, King Kull’s party wedges the door open to find a horde of sub-human men waiting to attack. The fight is fierce and exhausting, but King Kull’s forces win. However, the only men left alive are King Kull, Conan, Brule, and one of the Red Slayers.
The explorers press forward into massive underground caverns where lie the bones of more sub-human cannibals, raging waterfalls, and more strange carvings. Their travels end at the steps of an ancient stone coffin.
King Kull rushes to open the grave despite Brule’s pleas for caution. Inside, Kull finds an ancient mummy holding a familiar sword. When King Kull, in his mania, claims the sword for himself, the sword’s power is unleashed, resurrecting the ancient evil that held it for so many eons.
Character Development:
You’d think the resurrection of an ancient evil would be the most important wow moment, and it is pretty big, but the most surprising development is the previously unknown connection from the past to the present through Brule’s bloodline. That small reveal elevates Brissa’s importance by magnitudes and gives the story a grander feel in terms of scale and complexity.
Artwork and Presentation:
Robert De La Torre’s artwork is like cool water to a man wandering through a blazing hot desert. De La Torre presents strong, powerful-looking figures, dramatic use of shadows and lighting, grand, foreboding settings, and fearsome action. Visually, this issue has it all.
Art Samples:
Pacing and Structure:
Jim Zub’s tale sinks into the Earth’s bowels but maintains a steady, relentless pace that draws King Kull and his compatriots to their disastrous end. The issue blends thoughtful conversation that reveals much but balances the dialog with desperate battles that carry consequences for the fallen.
Regarding the structure, Zubs stacks revelations on top of surprises, followed by dire developments. There’s not an ounce of predictability to be found, and every twist or turn hits with meaningful force.
Thematic Exploration:
The overarching theme of Conan The Barbarian #11 is “discovery.” King Kull desperately tries to uncover what happened to Atlantis. Conan seeks to discover how and why he was sent back in time. Repeatedly, the protagonists seek answers to the darkness infringing on their lives, regardless of where the journey takes them.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Newer readers or readers who’ve paused on the series will be relived to know that this issue ties back to Conan’s adventure before he was sent back in time, bringing his adventure with King Kull and Brule full circle. If it wasn’t obvious by now, Thulsa Doom plays a major influence in what’s happening to Conan, possibly by turning Conan into an unwitting instrument in Thulsa Doom’s plans.
Final Thoughts:
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11 is a grim, gritty, epic entry in the series. Jim Zub packs in a plethora of twists and turns to tie the past and present together in a surprising way, and Robert De La Torre’s art is gorgeous.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.