Conan: Battle of the Black Stone is Available Now!

Posted by Jim Zub on April 1, 2025 No comments

CONAN: BATTLE OF THE BLACK STONE is now available in trade paperback wherever fine books are sold! This volume includes the complete 4-issue mini-series and our special prelude issue, along with essays about pulp storytelling and the works of Robert E. Howard.

Conan of Cimmeria is haunted by shadows, living nightmares connected to a mysterious eye symbol etched in black stone.

An unspeakable evil looms over the Hyborian Age and every age connected to it… and it will take more than a lone barbarian to stop its relentless march upon time, space, and sanity.

Battle of the Black Stone is an epic new Conan event published by Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics, from Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Dungeons & Dragons) and artist Jonas Scharf (Dark X-Men, Basilisk).

• 9 Panel Grid: “I had a lot of fun with this series. This was really quick, really exciting, really action-packed, and I think the star of this has been Jonas Scharf and the colorist…It kicked the doors wide open for Conan to explore the cosmic horror side of his universe.”

• Comic Book Dispatch: 9.8/10 “Jão Canola’s otherworldly fire burns yellow and green, threatening to consume John Kirowan, Soloman Kane, and Brissa like Human torches. The fire tinges the forest orange and fills the background with darkness…When the Black Stone’s power proves too powerful for stalwart warriors to combat, a scholar’s thirst for knowledge and a writer’s imagination prove pivotal in defeating a mind-consuming power.”

• Comic Culture: “I loved it. It was handled so well…So many characters in the group had their moments, which I thought was really good…Well worth it if you’re not already checking it out.”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “It’s one thing to start a mini-series on a decent note and finish strong, but it’s another to start strong and end on a phenomenal note….Jim Zub imagines a battle for the ages that requires our heroes to fight, sacrifice, and die to save the world, and Jonas Scharf’s artwork is pulp magnificence.”

• Cool Thunder: 9.8/10 “The conclusion to the Battle of Black Stone is nothing short of spectacular, delivering a thrilling, action-packed narrative that seamlessly weaves together the interconnected stories of its characters.”

• DC Patrol: “This is amazing – they nailed it! Four issues and look at the story that’s told…I adored every moment of it.”

• Gaming Trend: 9.2/10 “It’s a perfect combination of fantasy action and mystery that I found almost impossible to put down. From intense fight scenes with an eldritch foe the likes of which none of our heroes have faced, to surprisingly tender moments between Conan and a long-lost ally, to shocking twists that genuinely caught me by surprise, this story has everything. “

• Good Reads: 5/5 “There is nothing but pure payoff here from page one. If you find yourself disappointed by other series having poor or unsatisfying conclusions, look no further than Conan mainline or Black Stone.”

• IPauleyxx: “…a love letter to fans of the Barbarian, offering something for newcomers and seasoned readers alike. Its perfect blend of legacy, innovation, and thrilling surprises makes it a must-read for anyone who relishes high-adventure comics.”

• League of the Comic Geeks: “Howard’s heroes bounce off of eachother surprisingly well and Scharf gives the book some incredible action.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “I had such a blast with this book. It was so cool. I have throughly enjoyed this series and I hope that we see the further adventures of all the characters in these books…This kicked as, all four of them together were wonderful and this was a great finale.”

• Quest Wise: “It is brilliantly told. It is wonderfully written. I truly believe that if Robert Howard were alive today, he would be proud of Battle of the Black Stone…The writing in this is amazing. The artwork is beautiful. It just flows very well. There are ups and downs and ‘Oh My God’ moments, all in four issues.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Fantastic stuff!…The awesome action and cosmic horror aside, the success of Jim Zub and Jonas Scharf’s event series has been the creative integration of Howard’s pantheon of characters into an exciting experiment of enrichment.”

• Super Hero Hype: “The Battle of the Black Stone comic was an event undreamed of…However, the comic still managed one last surprise for readers in the final chapter with the reveal of the series’ ultimate villain.”

• Thinking Critical: “This was a lot of fun. Action-packed, character building…If you’re not reading Conan and everything from Titan Comics, hop on the train, you will not be disappointed. These are truly great legacy characters.”

Zubby Newsletter #107: Make It Happen

Posted by Jim Zub on March 31, 2025 No comments

Luc Forsyth‘s video titled “If You’re Creative But Lazy, Please Watch This” is BANG-ON.

‘Action Over Everything Else’ is a critical attitude to have. Watch and learn-

This. This. This.

My creative career leapt forward as soon as I started doing instead of stockpiling plans and looking for the ‘right’ moment to start. There is no inevitable success, but improvement and personal satisfaction comes from consistently doing and building good creative habits.

I’ve known way too many people who paralyse themselves with learning about learning or planning the plan and never finish anything, because they’re afraid of being judged on the result and coming up short. It’s a self defeating cycle because actual improvement only happens with experience and if you don’t do the actual thing, over and over, you are not building that experience.

Luc covers some absolutely crucial ways of looking at a creative skillset – finding time, setting realistic goals, building momentum and incremental improvement that leads to actual growth.

A lot of people seem to understand the importance of practice and habit when it comes to physical pursuits, being an athelete or dancer, but they have a blind spot around the same mentality for other creative pursuits – art, writing, music, acting, photography, filmmaking. It is the same. The sooner you get into the habit of creating on a regular basis, the sooner you will be able to see progress, no matter where that path may lead.

Deep Archives

*Excerpt from Conan the Barbarian #7 (2024) – Line art by Doug Braithwaite, colors by Diego Rodruiguez, lettering by Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith.*

Speaking of seeing progress, over on my Patreon there are now over 320 scripts in the archive, work from almost every major comic publisher in North America that you can check out and compare my script to the published version to better understand how comics are created, step by step. All those scripts, plus Q+A’s and other resources all available for the price of a fancy coffee. Check it out!

Upcoming Hyborian Adventures

*Conan the Barbarian #21 (2025) artwork by Fernando Dagnino, colors by Diego Rodriguez.*

Eagle-eyed Conan fans noticed that a few unlettered preview pages of Fernando Dagnino artwork were incuded with the pre-order listing for Conan the Barbarian Vol. 6: A Nest of Serpents and they’ve been excitedly posting them up on Conan fan groups, so I thought I’d put a link to those here so readers can see how wonderful the story arc coming in a few months is going to look.

Fernando is a massive Conan fan, he’s bringing his absolute best to the series, and I can’t wait for you to see how this story kicks off! Just this morning he sent over character designs for an upcoming issue and they are stellar. I feel so fortunate that I get to work with so many phenomenal artists and that they’re just as passionate about these stories as I am.

Talking to Black Gate

I spoke to Ismail Soldan at Black Gate: Adventures In Fantasy Literature all about working on Conan the Barbarian and the importance of the character’s legacy in prose and comics.

Current + Upcoming Releases

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 – released March 19th.

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

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

Conan the Barbarian #20 – releases April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – releases May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases May 14th.

Upcoming Appearances

Apr 12-13, 2025	Mumbai Comic Con	Mumbai, INDIA
Apr 24-27, 2025	Calgary Expo	Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
May 3, 2025	Third Eye Comics – FCBD Signing	Annapolis, MD, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zubby Newsletter #106: Treasured Times

Posted by Jim Zub on March 24, 2025 No comments

Sprinting from event to event in March and it’s been exhausting and yet also energizing at the same time. Seeing so many friends, meeting so many readers, reminding myself how important human contact is to what I do and what I enjoy.

Last year I thought I would attend Gary Con one time only, just a chance to celebrate 50 years of D&D and then I’d go back to my regular comic convention show schedule but Gary Con, Gamehole, and D&D in a Castle really sunk their hooks into me in ways I didn’t expect. Without trying to sound too dramatic – running games for friends and strangers, having that immediate feedback loop of entertainment at the gaming table, and making spontaneous memories and stories is absolutely core to me as a creative person and when I get too busy to engage that side of my life I am less inspired and less happy. So, yeah, adding tabletop gaming shows to my travel schedule makes things more hectic, but the benefit is worth more than the mileage for me right now.

In other words, Gary Con 2025 went really well.

*Zub and Erik Mona after a successful Gary Con.*

Like last year’s whirlwind, I don’t have space to recount it all here, but some high points include:

• Wonderful conversations with friends, just unabashedly telling people how awesome they are or how inspiring they’ve been to me and seeing them light up.

• Talking with one of the head people at Titmouse animation about our shared excitement for Conan the Barbarian, though his fandom has gone to a level I won’t be able to match – one of his children is actually named “Conan!”

• Hilarious tales of gaming and comic conventions before the arrival of smartphones and social media, with everyone involved quite thankful we couldn’t be instantly recorded and posted online back then.

• Meeting a couple gamers who have already signed up for my D&D in a Castle sessions happening in November. They’re excited and now I’m even more excited.

• Singing Mr. Brightside at the Chaosium 50th anniversary party while the whole room sang/screamed along.

• Running the new Conan: The Hyborian Age TTRPG for fans of the comics, and bringing that same lyrical pulp sensibility to my descriptions of the environments, characters, and action scenes.

• Running a frenetic and hilarious 9-player (!) pick-up game of the Mothership RPG for The Dungeon Dudes and a bunch of my other friends with B. Dave Walters stopping by to play a tragic and nihilistic NPC until he was brutally snuffed out.

• Contributing to the Gary Con charity art jampiece-

*The Gary Con 2025 Charity Artist Jampiece.*

Young Zub: Some day you’ll get to sketch a piece beside the legendary Larry Elmore, Jeff Easely, Erol Otus, and more to raise money for charity because you’ll be part of the tabletop role-playing game industry! Pinch yourself, kid. The future is gonna be surreal.

The new SKULLKICKERS Collection campaign on Zoop has crossed the funding line and there are ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT, so contribute while you still can!

Current + Upcoming Releases

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 – released March 19th.

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

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

Conan the Barbarian #20 – releases April 16th.

FCBD Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Prelude – releases May 3rd.

Conan the Barbarian #21 – releases May 14th.

Upcoming Appearances

Just announced – My good friend Ray Fawkes and I will be signing at THIRD EYE COMICS in Annapolis, Maryland for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY on MAY 3rd, 2025 from 9am-Noon! It’s a short drive from Baltimore or Washington DC.

We’re signing FCBD CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT Prelude and THE PHANTOM #0 issues, along with any other Zub/Fawkes comics you bring to the event or buy at the shop!

For Conan fans unable to attend – When CONAN THE BARBARIAN #0 came out, Third Eye had extra stock signed for mail order, and that will likely be the case here as well, so reach out to them directly to secure a signed copy.

Apr 12-13, 2025	Mumbai Comic Con	Mumbai, INDIA
Apr 24-27, 2025	Calgary Expo	Calgary, Alberta, CANADA
May 3, 2025	Third Eye Comics – FCBD Signing	Annapolis, MD, USA
Nov 3-14, 2025	D&D in a Castle	Castle Lumley, Newcastle, UK

Zub Comics Arriving in June 2025!

Posted by Jim Zub on March 24, 2025 No comments

CONAN BARBARIAN #22
Story – JIM ZUB
Artist – FERNANDO DAGNINO
Cover A – DAN PANOSIAN
Cover B – RICCARDO FEDERICI
Cover C – VALERIO GIANGIORDANO
Cover D – JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER

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 Shops: Jun 11, 2025

STREET FIGHTER MASTERS ELENA #1
Story – JIM ZUB
Artist – GENZOMAN
Cover A – GENZOMAN
Cover B – JEFF ‘CHAMBA’ CRUZ
Cover C – KEENBISCUIT

Elena, the Capoeira kick-fighter, stars in her very own one-shot- just in time for her upcoming appearance in Street Fighter 6! Elena heads back to her home village in Kenya, with her fellow martial artists Ibuki and Makoto in tow! Are these three BFF fighters enough to put a damper on Vortex’s latest scheme…? YOU BET!

In Shops: Jun 25, 2025

Conan the Barbarian #19 Reviews

Posted by Jim Zub on March 24, 2025 No comments

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “Holy ****, this was such a great book, the art was great, and I definitely recommend it. This one got an A+! It’s a top pick from me.”

• Comical Opinions: 8.3/10 “…a taut, grim exercise in survival when Conan ventures into the jungles of the Black Kingdoms, leading to the introduction of a longtime Conan ally. Jim Zub’s tale of woe gives readers a lesson on why Conan is the toughest barbarian around, and Doug Braithwaite’s art is glorious.”

• Cool Thunder: 9.8/10 “Doug Braithwaite’s artwork is nothing short of breathtaking…This issue is a must-read, delivering top-tier storytelling and stunning visuals. We give it our highest recommendation.”

• Crushing Krisis: “Truly, truly gorgeous art from Doug Braithwaite with colors by Diego Rodriguez. It made me gasp on every page. It’s a really beautiful story.”

• DC Patrol: “This book continues to be a fantastic enjoyable read with great art and great storytelling…It’s constantly a joy and pleasure. I highly recommend the series.”

• Deceptisean77: “This is a great, exciting, action-packed comic…It’s all about the fan love for Conan and trying to mimic that sword & sorcery gritty action from the old comics and old stories.”

• The Dragon’s Cache: 9.4/10 “Diego Rodriguez lavishes a loaded palette on Doug Braithwaite’s moody and atmospheric art. Yellow eyes watch as Conan tumbles into the murky swamp. Scarlet fills the air when danger threatens. Blue smudges and streaks fill the background when the wind tosses Conan’s dark mane. Amid the verdant greenery, Conan knees to study marks in the brown sand.”

• Eternal Crusader: 9/10 “Braithwaite’s panels are exquisite miniatures that do not skimp on elaborately detailed backgrounds. There is an evident passion in every panel, inviting readers to explore and immerse themselves in the setting. When Braithwaite is not filling pages with dynamic and brutal fight scenes, one can almost smell the putrid mire and damp underbrush of the thick forest…I would place it within my top five issues so far.”

• Evan the Architect: “Doug Braithwaite’s artwork is always breathtaking. He does a great job with the action…I can’t wait to see what comes next.”

• GoodReads: 8/10 “excellent art from Doug Braithwaite and pulse-pounding action and suspense…I’m thrilled to be on this ride and to see where else these stories can take us.”

• Kabooooom!: 5/5 “Conan the Barbarian #19 is a rare thing indeed…This is a great book and a worthy continuation of the Conan legacy.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “The art is jaw dropping! Seriously, I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book with better art. Braithwaithe’s pencils and layouts combined with Rodriguez’s colors have been great on this book, but this particular issue seems to be built to showcase it.”

• Nerd Initiative: 9/10 “This run of Conan has been absolutely fantastic. I have not been disappointed in a single issue since its come out and this just keeps that train a-rollin’…Fantastic art, really cool story.”

• Old Nerd Reviews WY: “The words themselves are beautiful. It reads like poetry and it moves a lot of story…I would definitely say #19 is a great place to start if you haven’t been reading Conan and want a good place to jump on without being lost.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “This book is anchored in the history of Conan while doing something that feels fresh and new with the character, yet at the same time classic and legacy driven. It feels classic and refined, yet modern and fresh. It’s so awesome.”

• Professor Frenzy: “I really like the traditional Conan vibe of this book…Thoroughly enjoying the series and love where it’s going.”

• SciFi Pulse: 9.6/10 “The artwork is fantastic, with both the artist and colorist fully immersing you in the jungle, making it feel like a character in its own right. Overall, it’s a strong start, with a fantastic final page that sets the stage for what’s to come”

• Stygian Dogs: “Jim Zub’s engrossing tale of survival in the days after the Queen of the Black Coast’s death pits man against nature…Doug Braithwaite is afforded generous room for his extraordinary visual storytelling. Rich in detail and vividly colored by Diego Rodriguez, the issue is an immersive experience that is not to be missed.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “Overall, this was a great issue. I had a great time with it. I love the work that’s being put in. I really appreciate Jim’s narration he put into this one.”

• Thinking Critical: “A very intense, very physical issue of a comic…This has been one of the best series of the past two years now.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “Book of the Week!…A really simplistic plot, but it had more action and depth to it than the build up of most events in the Big Two…This team is just firing on all cylinders!”

• We Have Issues: “I’m really curious where this arc is going to go because there’s a really cool teaser at the end. Great stuff! Nothing but love for this book.”

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!