CONAN THE BARBARIAN #26 – New Comic Review

Conan the Barbarian #26, by Titan Comics on 11/12/25, steps onto the blood-soaked battlefield when Conan is hired to fight for a kingdom under siege, but darker forces are at work.

Credits:

• Writer: Jim Zub
• Artist: Fernando Dagnino
• Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
• Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
• Cover Artist: Gerardo Zaffino (cover A)
• Publisher: Titan Comics
• Release Date: November 12, 2025
• Comic Rating: Mature (gore, nudity)
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 36
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #26:

First Impressions:

Within the opening pages, the mood is tense and sharp, echoing Conan’s sullen-eyed disdain for edicts and the weary bravado of mercenary life. The promise of looming conflict and uneasy alliances cuts through any pretense, instantly grabbing the reader’s instinct for survival and glory. Right from the jump, there’s no doubt this comic wants you fully invested in its war-torn stakes.

Recap:

Conan the Barbarian #25 thrust King Conan from the comfort of his throne into a supernatural gauntlet orchestrated by a cosmic stranger—forces both spectral and grim clawed at Conan’s past, forcing him to battle regret and memory. Ultimately, Conan endured every trial, roaring back to the waking world more battered and legendary than ever, while the court feigned calm and the legend grew darker in the telling.

Plot Analysis:

The issue kicks off with a simmering war council in Zingara’s capital, where King Ferdrugo’s lust for conquest and Aquilonia’s chaos spur nobles toward preemptive aggression against Poitain. In Poitain, Count Trocero and his battered entourage limp home, barely surviving a vicious ambush by Zingaran archers. Fires set by invaders paint the capital with dread, pushing the province to the brink of collapse.​

Conan, now among mercenaries called the Westermarck Wolves, is quickly embroiled in the desperate defense of Poitain. The city is cut off from reinforcements and supplies, leaving its leaders to gamble on savvy battlefield maneuvers and alliances. Blood runs freely as skirmishes break out, with Conan’s crew sustaining heavy losses and shifting command under his brutal, unorthodox leadership.​

With Aquilonia unwilling to send real aid, Conan persuades Count Trocero to attempt stealthy, chaotic tactics. A daring nighttime raid turns the tide. Conan frees a captive, clashes with Zingaran soldiers, and sets the enemy camp ablaze, all while exacting vengeful justice on those exploiting the turmoil. The battle’s brutal climax arrives as Conan, battered and bloodied, helps break the blockade, allowing Poitain’s militia and battered forces to storm back into the fray.​

The aftermath is anything but a clear victory. Bodies pile high in Poitain, loyalty is sworn to the Golden Leopard, and the Westermarck Wolves mourn their dead with grim ceremony. Word of Conan’s deeds reaches Aquilonia’s king, and the legend of the uncouth barbarian-hero is cemented, though the cost lingers over every sword’s salute and bowed head.

Story

The pacing darts between intrigue-laden council meetings and blood-soaked combat, maintaining momentum without sacrificing clarity. Dialogue is concise and punchy, each exchange steeped in the world’s lived-in grit and the characters’ skepticism. The narrative maintains tight transitions, moving from political plotting to gritty battlefield decision-making with impressive structure and coherence.

Art

Fernando Dagnino’s art delivers clarity and kinetic composition, even as splashes of red and ash dominate the color palette. Character movement and facial expressions pop, aiding readability through chaotic scenes. The mood is somber without being muddy, thanks to Diego Rodriguez’s careful color choices, which amplify tension and make each panel fiercely distinct.

Characters

Conan’s motivation revolves around survival, duty, and his own fiery brand of honor, pushing him to accept leadership amid death and desperation. Count Trocero and supporting characters act with a consistency rooted in fear, pride, and the grim realities of war. Relatability is solid, as every decision, whether risky or cowardly, traces back to core character beliefs and the need to endure.

Originality & Concept Execution

While the story draws heavily from classic sword-and-sorcery tropes, it freshens the formula by thrusting Conan into the role of reluctant leader amidst miserable odds, avoiding cliché heroics for a more cutthroat, opportunistic approach. The premise, though familiar, is delivered with enough tactical cunning and grounded brutality to elevate the execution above simple genre repetition.

Positives

The comic’s greatest strengths lie in its measured pacing, dialogue that immediately immerses, and art that makes every battle and brooding council scene visually memorable. Conan’s rise as a military leader is both believable and entertaining, lending the comic a sense of growing stakes and earned legacy. The synergy between script and visuals maximizes every moment of tension and payoff.

Negatives

Some moments barely avoid muddiness, especially when switching between political intrigue and chaotic fight scenes, so the transition could use a finer edge. Side characters occasionally blend together, losing individuality amid the messy chaos of war. The story clings to familiar tropes, and while executed well, it never truly pushes the boundaries of the Hyborian sandbox.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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CONAN THE BARBARIAN #26 delivers a sword-slash of value for the discerning reader, balancing chaos, cunning, and a glimmer of wit in a battered bronze world. It earns a strong spot in your collection, but don’t expect revelations or radical innovation. When the dust settles, this comic stands as a reliable war story that respects your time, if not your hopes for something spectacularly new.

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