Zub at Gary Con 2025!

Posted by Jim Zub on March 17, 2025 No comments

This week I’ll be in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for Gary Con XVII, a tabletop RPG convention that celebrates the roots of the hobby where it all started and brings together some of the best and brightest in the industry. I’m running several play sessions of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and the new Conan: The Hyborian Age TTRPG, but those games are already booked up and wait listed, so below I’ve linked to the discussion panels and signing you can still join in on.

If you’re headed to Gary Con and want to take advantage of the Writer’s Track Programming, you can check out all the writing-related panels by heading HERE.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20
2:00 PM-2:50 PM – Writer’s Track: Writing in Others’ IPs – GWC-271 in Galewood C
Learn from some of the industry’s household names and independent successes as they wade through the complex waters of writing in worlds owned by other creators.

4:00 PM-4:50 PM – Autograph Session: Jim Zub – Autograph Table Booth 110 in Forum
Bring something written by Jim to have it signed. His books and projects are listed HERE.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22
9:00 AM-9:50 AM – Writer’s Track: Worldbuilding for Games & Novels – Evole Room
Explore the intersection of game and book worldbuilding with bestselling novelists and game writers. What goes into each; how are they alike, and how do they differ?

10:00 AM-10:50 AM – Adapting RPG Stories—Games to Other Mediums – Swinghurst Room
Jim Zub (writer of the D&D comic series, Stranger Things and D&D, and Rick and Morty VS D&D), Erik Mona (publisher at Paizo and former editor of Dragon Magazine), and Matt Forbeck (designer of the Marvel Multiverse RPG, Deadlands, Lord of the Rings RPG, and many more) discuss adapting games to other mediums. How do you turn the spontaneous narrative of the table into a story anyone can enjoy?

SUNDAY, MARCH 23
9:00 AM-10:20 AM – Writer’s Track: Ask Me Anything Writers’ Hour – Grand Suite
A gathering of great novelists, game writers, and creatives take your questions on…anything you may want to ask! Get answers to the burning questions!

Zubby Newsletter #105: Thumb’s Up, Seattle!

Posted by Jim Zub on March 12, 2025 No comments

Last week I mentioned that I hoped Emerald City Comic Con would lift my spirits and, thankfully, it did that and a whole lot more!

The convention was hopping, with a ton of readers and retailers stopping by to chat about superheroes or sword & sorcery and the social scene was as strong as ever, with both small and focused chatter and big party blowouts. The world can feel divisive and cruel right now, but there’s also a lot of kindness if you seek it out and share it with others.

There was a nice balance of quick signatures and hearty handshakes alongside more in-depth conversations. After MegaCon, some of my industry friends joked that I’ve become “Everyone’s Dad’s favorite new comic writer” thanks to Conan the Barbarian and if that’s true it’s a badge I’ll wear with pride. Hearing so many heartfelt stories from collectors who are back in comic shops after 20+ years thanks to the series feels incredible.

I was also able to do some sketches for fans, which can throw some people off if they only know me from my writing work. Over the years I’ve done a few variant covers on series (notably Samurai Jack, Rick and Morty) and it’s something I’d like to do more of as time permits, but for now these quick ones at least make sure rust doesn’t build up on my drawing basics.

The March sprint continues with plenty of events and deadlines, and Seattle proved to be just the boost I was looking for. Thank you to all the friends and fans who stopped by.

This weekend is Toronto Comicon and I’ll be there on Friday and Sunday. My grandmother is turning 95 and there’s a big family get together on Saturday for her, so I won’t be at the convention that day.

The new SKULLKICKERS Collection campaign on Zoop has crossed the funding line and we still have 2 weeks left, so it’s definitely happening and you can join in!

Get this new printing of my first sword and sorcery story at a great price or get the books and other spiffy extras like signatures, sketches, original art, and other add-ons – It’s also a perfect gift for the sword & sorcery fan or TTRPGer in your life, so please check it out and share the link far and wide!

Talking Skullkickers All Over The Place

Plenty of Skullkickers-related interviews popping up in and around the Zoop campaign:

• I spoke to the Comic Book Yeti about my career in comics and there’s a big piece in there about balancing work and personal stuff, including my teaching career alongside freelance writing.

• I spoke to Geek Vibes Nation all about Skullkickers and the potential found in the digest format for bringing in new readers.

• I spoke to True North Country Comics all about Comps Con, convention season, Skullkickers, Conan the Barbarian, Savage Sword of Conan, tabletop gaming, and more.

• I spoke to The Comic Source all about the history of Skullkickers, growing up playing Dungeons & Dragons, how making comics are like a time capsule and more!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 TPB – released January 14th.

Conan the Barbarian Vol. 4: Frozen Faith TPB – released February 19th.

Conan the Barbarian #18 – released February 19th.

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – released March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – releases March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – releases April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – releases April 1st.

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 2 TPB – releases April 8th.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – releases April 16th.

Upcoming Appearances

Just announced – I’m going to INDIA for MUMBAI COMIC CON on April 12-13!
Rob Den Bleyker (Cyanide & Happiness) and I are International Guests at the show and it’s going to be an incredible adventure.

Mar 14+16, 2025	Toronto Comicon	Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Mar 20-23, 2025	Gary Con XVII	Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA
Apr 12-13, 2025	Mumbai Comic Con	Mumbai, INDIA
Apr 24-27, 2025	Calgary Expo	Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zub at Toronto Comicon 2025

Posted by Jim Zub on March 12, 2025 No comments

I’m a Featured Guest at this year’s Toronto Comicon on Friday and Sunday (unfortunately, I am unable to attend on Saturday). I’ll be set up with the Comic Sketch Art team at-

Professional Table P-133

In addition to signing at my table, on Friday I also have a panel:

FRIDAY, MARCH 14
4:00 PM-5:00 PM – Comic Writers Unite! – Theatre 2
Comic writers Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian), Fred Kennedy (Dead Romans), Michael Schwartz (Armored), and Cecil Castellucci (Batgirl) talk about their craft and answer questions.

Zubby Newsletter #104: Looking For Some Lift

Posted by Jim Zub on March 4, 2025 No comments

As I type this, the new SKULLKICKERS Collection campaign on Zoop has popped over the funding line and we still have 3 weeks left, so it’s definitely happening and you can join in!

*A little slice of sunset serenity in Alberta.*

I’ve been staying just outside Calgary, visiting friends and recharging before Emerald City Comicon in Seattle and it’s been a nice change of pace, but I miss Stacy a lot. On our shared calendar the schedule looked relatively organized, but I always forget the ‘mental mileage’ of being on the road compared to being at home with her.

March is extremely busy with conventions on 3 out of 4 weekends along with deadlines aplenty and, with the tumultuous state of politics and economics, it’s also incredibly hard to concentrate on creative projects even when I love what I’m doing and am working with such incredible people. That said, a big reason why I keep going back to Emerald City Comicon is because the social component is so strong and it reminds me why I do what I do. Here’s hoping this year’s show casts a similar spell because I think everyone there could really use a burst of uplifting energy.

Talking to the Comics Beat

I spoke to Diego Higuera at The Comics Beat all about SKULLKICKERS – the original series, our new printing, the manga-sized format, and more! Make sure you check this one out because we cover a lot of great material.

Three REH Award Nominations!

The REH Foundation has posted the nomination list for the 2025 Robert E. Howard Awards!

There are 9 nominees for the coveted Rankin Award and I’m thrilled to have 3 of those nominations alongside our killer creative teams. Congrats to all the nominees, especially Howard scholar Jeff Shanks, whose essays in Battle of the Black Stone also earned him a nomination! Seeing so many friends, collaborators, and prominent members of the fandom represented in those nominations is wonderful.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 TPB – released January 14th.

Conan the Barbarian Vol. 4: Frozen Faith TPB – released February 19th.

Conan the Barbarian #18 – released February 19th.

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – releases March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – releases March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – releases April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – releases April 1st.

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 2 TPB – releases April 8th.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – releases April 16th.

Upcoming Appearances

Mar 6-9, 2025	Emerald City Comic Con	Seattle, Washington, USA
Mar 14-16, 2025	Toronto Comicon	Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Mar 20-23, 2025	Gary Con XVII	Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA
Apr 24-27, 2025	Calgary Expo	Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zub at Emerald City Comic Con 2025!

Posted by Jim Zub on March 3, 2025 No comments

It’s wonderful to be back at Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, Washington, one of my favorite conventions each year. I’ll be set up with the Comic Sketch Art team at-

ARTIST ALLEY TABLE A-27

In addition to signing at my table during the show, on Friday I have two panels and a book giveaway:

FRIDAY, MARCH 7
2:00 PM-2:45 PM – Dungeons and Dragons and Comics, Oh My! – Room 345 • Level 3
Swords are cool! And comics with swords are even cooler. Join Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Dungeons & Dragons), G. Willow Wilson (The Hunger and the Dusk), Zack Davisson (Record of Lodoss War), and others to talk about sexy orks, bladed weapons, fantastical beasts, and what makes comics a perfect medium for telling fantasy stories.

3:15 PM-4:00 PM – Convention Horror Stories, An ECCC Tradition – Room 320 • Level 3
Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Rick and Morty VS Dungeons & Dragons) and Katie Cook (My Little Pony, Nothing Special) are back with their fan-favorite con horror stories panel! What’s it like working as a pro in the business on the convention ‘circuit’? Ridiculous, embarrassing, and always entertaining! Some of these stories will make you laugh out loud, others will make you cringe! This panel is recommended for those 16+ due to coarse language.

4:15 PM-4:45PM – D&D Young Adventurer’s Signing and Giveaway – Booth #20515
At the Penguin-Random House booth, author Jim Zub will be signing FREE copies of Artificers & Alchemy, the newest Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurer’s Guide, while supplies last!

Conan the Barbarian #18 Reviews

Posted by Jim Zub on February 26, 2025 No comments

After our first skip month since the new series launch, we’re back with Conan the Barbarian #18!
What did the critics think of the second half of our ‘Fangs and Foolish Thieves’ 2-part story?

• 9 Panel Grid: “This issue was awesome…It still delivers on the classic Conan tales and the feel you want for this book.”

• Amazon: 10/10 “The characters, dialogue, narration are all exactly as they should be, and I still find myself pleasantly surprised every time that it feels right. I should have learned by now.”

• Comical Opinions: 7.8/10 “…brings the two-parter to a close with bloody fights, magic, monsters, and more. Jim Zub nails the chemistry between Conan and Bêlit, demonstrating exactly why she is Conan’s greatest love”

• Cool Thunder: 8.5/10 “Conan and Bêlit’s adventures continues to be a fun and engaging ride, capturing the essence of their fiery romance and relentless battles.”

• Crushing Krisis: “I think Jim Zub is writing Conan for the ages…The captions and the prose is so strong.”

• Cupcake Comic Reviews: “If there’s a book that can make me buy it for issue 18 or issue 20, that means it’s really good…Conan is what Conan does and that is brutal savagery.”

• DC Patrol: “I urge you to go out and read Conan the Barbarian by Jim Zub and company because these are always entertaining, always fun. You get your money’s worth and that’s important, especially these days.”

• Dragon’s Cache: 9.8/10 “If the life of a thief precludes loyalty, the antique business proves equally devoid of morality. When Conan and Bêlit embark on a mission without knowing their accomplice, they get more than they bargained for”

• Eternal Crusader: “…whether it’s the vibrant bazaars of Kyros, nocturnal estates, secret libraries, or bustling harbor facilities, Brine fills each panel with an abundance of detail, exoticism, and ornamental elements that bring the setting vividly to life for readers.”

• Evan the Architect: “Another solid issue…Conan’s a great book and I recommend everybody check it out.”

• GrimDark Magazine: “Conan the Barbarian #18 caps off a whirlwind caper. The shorter storyline and fresh artwork show that Jim Zub is still willing to experiment with the Titan Comics series, even as the title sprints towards its second anniversary.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 8/10 “A great story of treachery, double-crossing, and a harrowing escape. Whenever the Cult of Set is involved, you know Conan is going to see some action this did not fail to deliver.”

• Mark On Comics: “Jim Zub has just been killing it the entire series. We’re a year and a half in and everything is just going great!”

• Nerd Initiative: 9/10 “Amazing stuff!…It feels exactly like the Conan books I was buying off the spinner rack as a young kid. What more needs to be said!”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “I loved it. It’s another solid issue of a side story that’s setting up stuff for the future of this run.”

• Sci-Fi Pulse: 9.6/10 “It’s great to finally learn more about Bêlit and her relationship with Conan…This issue, and to some extent the one before it, gives us a better understanding of why Conan would be drawn to her. Bêlit is every bit as cunning and dangerous as he is, and she wastes no time settling her scores.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Brine’s detailed backgrounds once again stand out and I found her character work more cohesive this time…Jim Zub bookends his Issue #18 with something pretty exciting, transforming what might be a pretty straight-forward ‘heist gone wrong story’ into the raison d’etre for the two-issue arc.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “Overall, this issue was great. I really had a lot of fun with it. I enjoyed the action-packed storytelling. I like the artwork and I like the coloring.”

Zubby Newsletter #103: Easily Digestable

Posted by Jim Zub on February 25, 2025 No comments

Vancouver Fan Expo was a lot of fun and, as I type this, I’m just outside Calgary staying with friends and getting some writing work done before I ricochet back to the west coast for Emerald City Comicon in Seattle next week. On to more important news-

SKULLKICKERS: The Digest Edition campaign is now LIVE!

The sword & sorcery action-comedy series that kicked off my writing career is back in a wonderful new compact-manga-sized format, perfect for reading, sharing, or giving as a gift to the fantasy fan in your life.

This campaign gets you the complete series and we have lots of wonderful extras like signatures, sketches, original art, game books and other add-ons – Please check it out and share the link far and wide!

As some of the middle volumes of the original trade paperbacks went out of print at Image, the numbers didn’t quite make sense to reprint them on their own, but that also meant retailers and readers couldn’t easily get the whole series. We talked about possibly doing an all-in-one omnibus but the reality is that although those big tomes look awesome on a bookshelf, they’re a pain to actually hold and read. I wanted to make sure new readers could easily discover the series and longtime fans could snag a copy for themselves in a format and price point that would work for everyone.

This 3-volume complete edition is perfect for retail and ideal for readers, with eye-catching new cover artwork by Edwin Huang and Misty Coats.

Go get ’em!

Speaking of our campaign, I spoke to World At War Comics all about Skullkickers and Conan the Barbarian in a new interview you can watch right here:

Talking to the Sword & Sorcery Book Club

Lion at the Sword & Sorcery Book Club has been a steady supporter of my work in the Hyborian Age. We met in person last year at Robert E. Howard Days in Texas and since then we’ve been talking about getting together for an interview. Finally, almost 8 months later, we made it happen and it was a really nice chat:

Current + Upcoming Releases

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 TPB – released January 14th.

Conan the Barbarian Vol. 4: Frozen Faith TPB – released February 19th.

Conan the Barbarian #18 – released February 19th.

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – releases March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – releases March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – releases April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – releases April 1st.

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 2 TPB – releases April 8th.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – releases April 16th.

Upcoming Appearances

I’m back at the Calgary Expo, and more show announcements are coming soon!

Mar 6-9, 2025	Emerald City Comic Con	Seattle, Washington, USA
Mar 14-16, 2025	Toronto Comicon	Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Mar 20-23, 2025	Gary Con XVII	Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA
Apr 24-27, 2025	Calgary Expo	Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zub Comics Arriving in May 2025!

Posted by Jim Zub on February 21, 2025 No comments

CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT – FREE COMIC BOOK DAY PRELUDE
Story – Jim Zub
Artist – Ivan Gil
Cover – Roberto De La Torre

SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT, the newest epic CONAN event, begins HERE, from fan favorite writer Jim Zub (Avengers, Dungeons & Dragons) and Ivan Gil, with a cover by superstar artist Roberto de la Torre (Conan the Barbarian)!

The serpent god’s influence tightens its coils around the Hyborian Age and every other age linked to it. Three stunning supernatural stories will spiral together to answer a chilling question framed in past and present-What is Set’s grand plan for humanity and, now that it has begun, can it be stopped?

Exclusive Original Material
In stores May 3, 2025

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #21
Story – Jim Zub
Artist – Fernando Dagnino
Cover A – Dan Panosian
Cover B – Maria Wolf
Cover C – Brandon Kenny
Cover D – Mindy Lee
Cover E – Gonzo
Cover F – Dan Panosian (Foil Variant)

NEW STORY ARC STARTS HERE! WINNER OF ‘BEST NEW COMIC SERIES’ – TRIPWIRE 2024 AWARDS!

The Great Serpent’s influence twists and turns, pulling Conan into their deadly coils as the Cimmerian and his allies are lured into Stygia…What they find on this journey will make their blood run cold and set the stage for a conflict beyond their wildest imagination!

In stores May 14, 2025

Zubby Newsletter #102: The Fangs of February

Posted by Jim Zub on February 18, 2025 No comments

Toronto got walloped with multiple days of intense snowfall and the roads are treacherous, so Stacy and I have been bundled up here getting writing done and trying not to venture outside unless absolutely necessary – February definitely has its fangs sunk in deep!

*Conan the Barbarian #18 cover artwork by Rob De La Torre.*

January was the first skip month we’ve had since the new Conan series launched mid-2023 but now, finally, CONAN THE BARBARIAN #18 arrives in comic shops this week! It’s the second half of “Fangs and Foolish Thieves”, a Conan and Bêlit caper that will cast unexpected ripples out toward later stories I have planned, including SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT.

I’m already working on scripts for issues #26-28 and promotional plans around our extra-special issue #25 that I can’t wait for you to see. The Age of High Adventure is going strong!

On Thursday I fly out to British Columbia for Vancouver Fan Expo, which I’ve never done before, and a couple weeks after that is Emerald City Comic Con, which has always been a great show for me. February and March is absolutely packed and I know it’s going to be exhausting, but also a lot of fun.

Conan Panel at MCM Expo London 2024

Andrew Sumner from Forbidden Planet and I had a wonderful chat back in November at MCM Expo London and the video from that panel is now up on the Forbidden Planet YouTube channel. We talk all about Conan the Barbarian – past, present, and future – Check it out!

Pathfinder Comic Bundle

If you enjoy Paizo’s excellent tabletop RPGs or just want more fantasy and sci-fi storytelling in your life, there’s a new Humble Bundle for Pathfinder and Starfinder digital comics and the three story arcs I wrote to launch Pathfinder back in 2012 are all in there for a ridiculously low price.

Skullkickers: The Digest Edition is Coming!

If you’ve enjoyed my work on CONAN THE BARBARIAN or DUNGEONS & DRAGONS or PATHFINDER but never read the original story that led to those projects, you’re about to get another chance to kick some skulls…thanks to ZOOP!

Compact/manga-sized volumes are all the rage right now with new readers and the animation-styled artwork of Skullkickers is perfectly suited to this form factor.

Sign up HERE to make sure you don’t miss it!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1 TPB – released January 14th.

Conan the Barbarian Vol. 4: Frozen Faith TPB – releases February 19th.

Conan the Barbarian #18 – releases February 19th.

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – releases March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – releases March 19th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone TPB – releases April 1st.

Rick and Morty VS Cthulhu – Deluxe Edition – releases April 1st.

Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 2 TPB – releases April 8th.

Conan the Barbarian #20 – releases April 16th.

Upcoming Appearances

More show announcements coming soon!

Feb 21-23, 2025	Fan Expo Vancouver	Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Mar 6-9, 2025	Emerald City Comic Con	Seattle, Washington, USA
Mar 14-16, 2025	Toronto Comicon	Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Mar 20-23, 2025	Gary Con XVII	Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zub at Vancouver Fan Expo 2025

Posted by Jim Zub on February 17, 2025 No comments

This week is British Columbia’s pop culture convention, Fan Expo Vancouver, February 21-23, 2025.
I’m a featured guest and will be set up in the Comic Sketch Art section at

ARTIST ALLEY TABLE 24

In addition to signing times at my table, I’m also on a panel Saturday afternoon:

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2025
5:00pm-6:00pm — SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY COMIC WRITERS – Theater 3
From the distant past with Conan the Barbarian to the MCU to the legends of a galaxy far, far, away authors Claudia Gray, Tim Sheridan and Jim Zub are exploring the worlds of some of our favourite fantasy and science fiction characters.