Conan The Barbarian #33 Review – Adventure On The High Seas

Conan The Barbarian #33 (Titan Comics, 7/29/26): Writer Jim Zub and Artist Fernando Dagnino set Conan on the High Seas with the Red Brotherhood when a vicious storm reveals a deadly foe and a mysterious island. The start of a new arc from Conan’s seafaring days is a perfect treat for the Summer heat. Verdict: A top-notch start for a new arc.

• Writer: Jim Zub
• Artist: Fernando Dagnino
• Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
• Letterer: Richard Starkings, Tyler Smith
• Cover Artist: Roberto De La Torre (cover A)
• Publisher: Titan Comics
• Release Date: July 29, 2026
• Comic Rating: Mature
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Conan The Barbarian #33:

First Impressions:

When someone tells me a new Conan arc is about to begin, that’s an instant signal to get ready for one of the best ongoing comic series around (the Eisner committee is full of soup) to turn the page on a highly anticipated new chapter. Like clockwork, Jim Zub and the team do not disappoint.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

We zero in on Conan’s ocean-going adventures when he was a member of the marauders known as the Red Brotherhood. By his side are the usual cast of charming scoundrels, including Captain Quinn, the lovely-yet-deadly Valeria, and the rascally rapscallion, Morley. They spend their days raiding Zinagaran ships and enjoying the freedom of the open seas.

One evening, after a successful raid, their ship is beset by a vicious storm. Captain Quinn makes the usual preparations, but Conan’s Cimmerian blood senses something is amiss. His instincts prove correct when the height of the storm reveals an invisible foe who comes aboard the ship and begins killing the crew. Conan fights the foe but loses and is knocked unconscious.

Valeria comes above deck and saves Conan from getting washed overboard. She, Captain Quinn, and Conan tied themselves to the main mast as they entered the worst of the storm. When the storm subsides and dawn arrives, the battered ship makes landfall on a mysterious island with a grotesque obelisk waiting to greet them.

How is the story in Conan The Barbarian #33?

Excellent. Perfect. Robert E. Howard-worthy. After a while, you start running out of adjectives to describe Jim Zub’s love for Howard’s creation and how much reverence for the source material he infuses into every page. The spirit of High Adventure practically oozes from every panel. The wild and free spirit of Conan is undeniable, and the dialogue resonates as a pitch-perfect extension of Howard’s original works. Better yet, the mystery grabs you with well-paced efficiency. It’s all here.

How is the art in Conan The Barbarian #33?

We’ve watched Fernando Dagnino for a while for a good reason. Dagnino’s style is an outstanding mix of Bronze Age form, a moody noir aesthetic, and kinetic action. Titan continues to impress by selecting artists whose styles complement the Conan brand of storytelling, and that care shows.

Plus, Diego Rodriguez’s coloring is doubly impressive for bringing the scenes to life in both darkened, chaotic storms at sea and sun-soaked islands of mystery at dawn. If coloring is the “soundtrack” of comics, Rodriguez plays a symphony here.

Characters

Despite the larger-than-usual cast of characters, Conan is still the main voice and the focal point for the adventure. In short order, you see Conan win handily during the Zingaran raid (slightly miffed that it was over too soon) and lose badly when faced with a supernatural attacker. In both scenarios, Zub informs the reader about the nature of Conan’s personality and character with simple gestures and a stoic demeanor.

Originality & Concept Execution

Some of the previous arcs in the series have been modern adaptations of Howard’s Conan stories, but “Curse Shores Beyond” is an original tale set within a particular period of Conan’s mythology. The characters and setting are familiar, as you would expect, but the plot is brand new. Still, the comic looks and feels like a classic story, so the originality of the plot and the execution are exceptional.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Fantastic art
• A rip-roaring start to a new arc
• The first appearance in this run of longtime favorite Valeria

Room for Improvement

• During the dialog scenes, Conan fades to the back
• The extent of the attackers death toll is unclear

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

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

Final Thoughts:

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Conan The Barbarian #33 sets sail when Conan and the Red Brotherhood are shipwrecked on a mysterious island after encountering a massive storm and a supernatural attacker. Jim Zub’s start to the latest arc is as strong as ever, and Fernando Dagnino’s artwork is a perfect fit. 10 out of 10. No notes.

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