Conan the Barbarian #29 Review: Woeful Eye’s Dark Legacy Unfolds

Conan the Barbarian #29 (Titan Comics, 2/25/26): Writer Jim Zub and artist Doug Braithwaite deconstruct the Son of the Tooth’s origin via nightmarish visions and familial slaughter on Hyrkanian steppes. Kinetic horror execution builds dread masterfully. Verdict: A must-read for fans.

• Writer: Jim Zub
• Artist: Doug Braithwaite
• Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
• Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
• Cover Artist: Robert De La Torre (cover A)
• Publisher: Titan Comics
• Release Date: February 25, 2026
• Comic Rating: Mature
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Conan the Barbarian #29:

First Impressions:

This issue slices into the psyche like a whetstone on steel, gripping you with raw horror amid Conan’s savage world. Braithwaite’s gritty lines and Rodriguez’s moody tones amplify the creeping dread from the first nightmare panel.​

The backstory hooks deep, transforming a frail boy into a monster with visceral punch. Excitement surges for Conan’s clash with this Woeful Eye assassin.

Recap:

Conan the Barbarian #28 saw Conan and Prospero amid Aquilonian rebellion against mad King Numedides clutching the Woeful Eye. Conan rejected barons’ deals, flanked loyalists in rain-soaked battles, stormed the palace, and bested the eye-empowered king in superhuman strife, crowning a new ruler.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

A frail boy born on Hyrkanian steppes screams weakly into life, deemed unlikely to survive by villagers. Nightmares plague him with a watchful presence from stars, his voice raw in terror. Siblings mock his weakness during bow training, treating him as a pet while he hones knives in isolation.​

Visions guide murders; he claims a brother’s eyetooth after explosive violence, hides bodies via supernatural aid. Sisters and siblings vanish yearly, whispers of hexes rising as he grows strong. Villagers stay silent out of deference to his father amid mounting tragedies.​

At sixteen, the Hyborian Blooming Hunt with father turns confessional; the boy admits killings, father reveals poisoning with snakeroot. They clash under moon and stars, absorbing souls in agony-fueled transfusion. Village burns upon return; cultists of Woeful Eye welcome their Son of the Tooth.​

A decade later in Red Wastes east of Shem, he invokes ancients in cult tongue, teeth aching with visions. Plans in Shadizar crumble without Thulsa Doom; he slew Chonzhe but targets Conan next, the northern savage who thwarted them. Ghosts Echoes Part I ends on this ominous hunt.

How is the story in Conan the Barbarian #29?

Zub paces the origin like a dirge building to frenzy, each murder escalating tension without rush. Dialogue snaps authentic in tribal scorn and paternal fury, raw phrases like “Go get the arrow, sick boy” cutting deep. Structure layers prophecy, killings, and cult reveal seamlessly, thematic depth in corruption’s inheritance shining through.​

Horror roots in familial betrayal, visions propelling descent organically. Pacing peaks in poison duel, dialogue terse yet loaded with dread.

How is the art in Conan the Barbarian #29?

Braithwaite’s layouts flow relentlessly from whetstone calm to blood-soaked chaos, panels stacking like mounting bodies. Character acting nails frailty-to-ferocity shift via haunted eyes and trembling hands, expressions conveying inner abyss.​

Rodriguez’s tonality bathes steppes in earthy desaturation, crimson bursts punctuating violence for visceral mood. Composition funnels to starry voids and teeth motifs, clarity unmarred despite low-res compression. Synergy heightens prophetic horror.

Characters

Son of the Tooth evolves from scorned weakling to cult blade, motivated by stellar visions and survival rage consistently. Father’s denial-to-despair arc mirrors tragic enablement. Relatability emerges in his isolation, primal fears universal amid monstrosity.

Originality & Concept Execution

Villain origin via incremental (spiritual) cannibalism refreshes Conan’s rogues gallery, delivering Woeful Eye cult promise with unflinching pulp horror. Premise of star-haunted ascension executes freshly, tying to prior eye lore potently.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Kinetic panel flow escalates nightmare tension brilliantly.
• Authentic tribal dialogue drives emotional stakes higher.
• Crimson color pops amplify slaughter’s visceral impact.

Room for Improvement

• Fine line details are occasionally muddled.
• Abrupt cult jump lacks transitional dread buildup.
• Starry visions rely on caption dumps over visuals.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

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

Final Thoughts:

(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)

Conan the Barbarian #29 forges a nightmare antagonist with teeth-grinding precision, priming epic clashes via blood-drenched origins. Does it earn a place amid ongoing sagas? Unequivocally yes for horror-savvy fans craving deeper Hyborian shadows.

---

---

---

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.