Conan the Barbarian #30 Reviews

Posted by on March 30, 2026 No comments

The second part of our Ghosts & Echoes story arc arrived in stores as the Son of the Tooth hunts Conan in the city of Khoraja. What did critics think of it?

• 9 Panel Grid: “Doug Braithwaite’s artwork is fantastic as always here. I love the way he renders not only Conan, but the world itself, particularly the more gruesome aspects of it all. A really great, really grounded issue.”

• Comic Book Clique: 9/10 “Another titanic tale from Zub and Braithwaite that would be right at home amongst the original Robert E. Howard stories…Month in and month out, this title is a highlight of my reading pile, and as long as Zub and company remain at the helm, I don’t see that changing anytime soon.”

• Comic Book University: “The art in this book is absolutely amazing…You could reread this comic without looking at a single one of the words and realize you understand what’s happening in this book even if there were no words at all.”

• Comic Crusaders: 9/10 “The creative team delivers a brutal, atmospheric chapter that keeps Conan in top form while setting up one hell of a collision still to come…This isn’t just another solid issue in the run. This is the kind of chapter that reminds you why Conan remains one of the most untouchable icons in sword-and-sorcery history.”

• Comic Culture: “What they’re doing right in the story is they’re introducing this new character with a lot of gravity, a lot of weight, and a lot of respect…Great story so far. Can’t wait for more.”

• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “The core narrative of a predator meeting his match is executed with professional grace. This comic earns a place on any curated pull list because it respects the reader’s time and the character’s legacy without falling for the usual hype-driven gimmicks.”

• Cupcakes Comic Reviews: ” If you’re a Conan fan then this is a must buy for you. I can’t praise this series enough. It’s probably the best Conan book done in generations.”

• Fanlight Zone: 10/10 “This book is f**king awesome and it has been for 30 issues…It is one of the best books every single month.”

• Kabooooom: 10/10 “Another example of why Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures have been nailing it every month since taking over the Conan license. This is a true tale of high adventure!”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Outstanding adventure writing and once again, Braithwaite knocks it out of the park. The way he brings Hyboria to life is phenomenal. May he never stray too far from this contract because dang, he’s absolutely fantastic.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “The pace of this arc has been fantastic and the artwork by Doug Braithwaite is truly breathtaking…Another fantastic issue.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Jim Zub again shifts perspective with confidence, using a slow, deliberate build to raise tension and anticipation. Doug Braithwaite’s art matches that tone, nailing a sense of curiosity and looming violence…If the arc pays off as promised, this creative team is on the verge of something truly unforgettable.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “Jim Zub is just rolling on this book. It just gets better and better. If you love comic books, I don’t know why you’re not reading this. It’s fantastic…All the stuff we talk about modern comics doing wrong, this comic does the opposite. It does everything right and earns its readership every month.”

Zubby Newsletter #150: Mega-March

Posted by on March 24, 2026 No comments

Lots to cover here in issue #150, so let’s go!

All set up for Megacon, and a Rocketeer sketch cover.

Megacon Orlando was a hoppin’ show, a steady thrum of excitement (plus warm weather, which made for a nice respite from the ‘False Spring’ in Toronto where it’s nice for a day or two before we get blasted with snow flurries or cold rain).

I flew in Thursday a couple hours before the show started and left Sunday mid-afternoon, which made for a breakneck pace but also kept me from losing Monday to travel.

I had lots of memorable conversations (including one I had to immortalize below) both at the show and after hours. When creators get together like this we chat about the good and bad of the industry, creativity, and state of the world in general. It’s nice to celebrate and commiserate with peers as we ride out each rise and fall.

Being introduced as “The Conan Guy” has taken some getting used to, but it’s also a badge of honor thanks to the character’s deep cultural cache and excitement for the work our team is doing. As you might expect, tons of people asked me about new Conan movie possibilities, but I don’t have details I can share at this stage. Fingers crossed and all that. Whatever happens, we’ll have more great stories for people to discover and enjoy.

The Ultimate Compliment

Conan the Barbarian #0 line art by Rob De La Torre, colors by José Villarrubia.

Speaking of great stories – At Megacon on Friday afternoon, an older gentleman was browsing the Conan comics at my table and I told him-
“I’m the writer.”
“No you’re not. These books are from the 1970’s.”
“We’re deeply influenced by the classic comics, but I assure you, it’s brand new stories and art.”

*painful pause*

“Liar.”
And he walked away. 😃

I consider it the ultimate compliment and that we’re hitting the mark with old school fans.

Check This D’Orc Out

Brett is not prepared for the Megacon to come, and D’Orc cosplay rules.

My friend Brett Bean is having a moment and I couldn’t be happier for him. Brett just launched his new creator-owned comic series D’ORC at Image last month and it has absolutely rocketed to awareness and sales in a way no one could have anticipated: Customers snapping up multiple printings, readers loving the fun cartoon-fantasy vibe, and collectors speculating on how much hotter it can get.

If Brett thought February was intense, Megacon March took it to a whole new level. When the show opened on Thursday for VIP badge holders, Brett instantly had a huge signing line and it did not let up for the entire weekend! Seriously – Whenever he was at his table there was a steady stream of people getting books signed. Yes, there were retailers and collectors aplenty in those lines, but also lots of kids and families. If this keeps up, D’Orc could very well be a Scott Pilgrim/Saga/Invincible-sized hit. Seeing a kind and hardworking person like Brett have explosive success on a personal project after years of busting away on his craft is genuinely exciting and inspiring.

Brett and I grabbed dinner last year during Fan Expo Canada and chatted about new stories we wanted to put out into the world. These are the kind of passion projects you just hope can sustain themselves because wishing for more than that seems cocky in such a shaky publishing market. Now, just six months later, Brett is making big waves and, with a bit of luck, I should have a new creator-owned book to announce later this year. I don’t expect to have the same kind of success, but even just knowing it’s possible is encouraging.

Free Comic Book Day at Gotham Central


In late January I mentioned I have TWO FREE COMIC BOOK DAY releases this year, and I’m happy to announce that I’ll be close to home for the big day.

GOTHAM CENTRAL comic shop in Mississauga is pulling out all the stops on Saturday May 2nd and I’ll be there from 11am to 2pm, signing copies of CONAN: TIDES OF THE TYRANT-KING #0 and UDON’s JOURNEY TO THE WEST Manga Classics Sampler, as well as any other Zub-able Comics people buy at the store or bring to the event.

In past years, Conan the Barbarian collectors have special ordered signed copies of the FCBD issues, and Carlos from Gotham Central assures me you’ll be able to do that here as well. Contact him through email at gothamcentralcc@gmail.com and he’ll take care of you, by Crom!

Dungeon Dudes in the Hyborian Age

In early February I teased a TTRPG liveplay I filmed with The Dungeon Dudes here in Toronto and now it can finally be revealed – I ran a CONAN: THE HYBORIAN AGE adventure for Monty, Kelly, Joe, and TroySteel!

The first episode, with character introductions and a surge of barbaric action, is now up on the Dungeon Dudes YouTube channel and future installments will arrive as exclusive content on their Patreon. If you enjoy the session, please comment on the YouTube video and let them know. It would be a blast to run other adventures or kick the tires on other game systems with the Dudes.

Sam Kieth Broke the Mold


Two days ago, news broke that Sam Kieth passed away on March 15th at age 63. I wish all of his family and friends strength and solace.

Sam’s work on The Maxx, arguably the purest expression of his creativity, was an explosion of warped weirdness that felt both kinetic and calm, cartoony-ridiculous but also fragile and human. He wrote flawed characters and thrust them into dream-shattered locations while revealing their innermost fears and fantasies. Even when the series refused to follow conventional storytelling models or give readers definitive answers, it engaged and entertained because you could feel Sam’s passion for the work come through on every page, and when it didn’t any more he wasn’t afraid to jettison all of it and move on to new things. I think that’s the mark of a true artist, and I wish he knew how many people admired him.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Upcoming Appearances

Apr 23-26, 2026 Calgary Expo Calgary, AB, CANADA
May 2, 2026 FCBD – Gotham Central Mississauga, ON, CANADA
Aug 15, 2026 Comics Assemble Gloucester, England, UK

This installment ran long, so I’ll include ‘Other Links’ next time.

Thank you for reading! I’m a bit mind-boggled that I’ve put out 150 of these newsletter posts and people are following along, commenting, and sharing. Your support means a lot.
Jim

Zubby Newsletter #149: Big Collections

Posted by on March 17, 2026 No comments

I’ve been keeping this one secret for quite some time, but am happy to have it finally show up in advance book catalogues – WAYWARD is being collected in a beautiful one volume Compendium edition this September!

The Wayward Compendium arrives in September with
new cover artwork by Steven Cummings and Tamra Bonvillain!

WAYWARD is a creator-owned comic series I co-created with the amazing artist Steven Cummings that ran for 30 issues from 2014 to 2018. It’s a bit like ‘Buffy in Japan’, with teenagers fighting against Japanese mythological monsters on the streets of modern Tokyo while struggling with their personal drama and newfound supernatural powers.

These characters are near and dear to my heart and the series launched at a time when Image Comics was going through a renaissance with new titles that grabbed attention and made waves. I’ve always been proud of what Steven, Tamra, Zack, Marshall and I were able to accomplish, showcasing real Japanese places and historical myths without leaning too hard on manga tropes or pacing.

Some of the original trade paperbacks and deluxe hardcovers have fallen out of print so it’ll be nice to have it available for readers to enjoy and share in one complete volume. Make sure you pre-order and tell your friends!

Earth’s Mightiest Collection

The Avengers: No Surrender/No Road Home Omnibus

Speaking of great looking collections, the AVENGERS: NO SURRENDER/NO ROAD HOME Omnibus is now in stores, collecting the weekly epic events I co-wrote with Mark Waid and Al Ewing, with artwork by the incomparable Pepe Larraz, Kim Jacinto, Paco Medina, and Sean Izaakse.

I received my contributor copy in the mail late last week and, the minute I cracked it open, a flood of wonderful memories came back, a special milestone in my creative career. When we were plugging away on these stories it really felt like we were the Avengers, banding together to tackle a massive story and wild deadlines we never could have overcome as individuals.

I learned so much working on these events and hearing from readers that it’s considered a ‘modern classic’ means a lot. I’d love to write more of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes at some point down the road but, whatever happens, this collection is great to have available.

Robert E. Howard Award Nominations


The Robert E. Howard Foundation has posted their ballot for the 2026 REH awards and books I worked on snagged 3 nominations:
• The Hyrkanian—Outstanding Achievement, Essay
– “Shadows of the Serpent: Howard, Kull and the Birth of Sword and Sorcery”, Jeff Shanks in Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1-4
• The Rankin—Artistic Achievement
– Jim Zub, Ivan Gil, João Canola, Tyler Smith, and Richard Starkings, for Conan: Scourge of the Serpent
– Jim Zub, Alex Horley, Tyler Smith, and Richard Starkings for Conan the Barbarian #25, “The Nomad”

The competition is really tight this year, but that just means we’re enjoying a surge of Howard-related works so I couldn’t be happier. Best of luck to all the nominees!

High Points at Fantastic Comic Fan

I spoke to Ray MacKay (a young comic creator getting his start) at The Fantastic Comic Fan podcast about my comic career– How I got my start, the influence of tabletop RPGs, developing my creator-owned books, working on Conan the Barbarian, and a whole lot more. Check it out!

Popverse is Chasing the Vibes


Popverse asked a bunch of comic creators, including me, questions about our careers and excitement being at Emerald City Comic Con:
• Do you remember the first time a comic made you feel seen?
• What was your first “I can’t believe this is my job” moment?
• What is your favorite sound effect you’ve written?
• Which of your characters feels most like family to you now?
• If a character you worked on could walk through Artist Alley at ECCC, what would they say?
• What is the weirdest or most wonderful thing that you’ve ever signed?
• What can comics do that no other artform can?
• Which character you’ve worked on would bomb a panel Q&A?
• What is your go-to snack when deadlines are closing in?
• When you think of ECCC, what feeling comes to mind?
• What does it mean to see fans still showing up for comics after all these years?
• What is one thing you hope fans take away from ECCC this year?
• Finish this sentence, “Comics will always matter because-“

Current + Upcoming Releases

Upcoming Appearances

This week I’m at Megacon Orlando, so if you’ll be at the show, please stop by to see me!

Mar 19-22, 2026 Megacon Orlando Orlando, FL, USA
Apr 23-26, 2026 Calgary Expo Calgary, AB, CANADA
Aug 15, 2026 Comics Assemble Gloucester, England, UK

Other Links

• The Robert E. Howard Foundation posted an update video on how fundraising is going for repairs on the Howard house and what their next steps are to restore and preserve the property. You can donate any amount here and help the cause.

• Edariad has a great video rundown of why Matt Mercer is such a sharp Dungeon Master. Matt balances system rules with improvisation really well, and his ability to create new meaning in older scenes when given new context by player actions reminds me a lot of bringing new ideas to old superhero stories in continuity.

• The Wall Street Journal has a fun video talking to staff at Aardman Animation, the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and other animated classics, about how they almost ran out of the favorite clay they use for doing all their stop-motion animation. The human touch in their work is one of the many reasons it’s so special.

Jim

Zub at Megacon Orlando 2026

Posted by on March 14, 2026 No comments

This week is Florida’s massive pop culture convention, Megacon Orlando, March 19-22, 2026. I’m a special guest and will be set up in the Comic Sketch Art section at

ARTIST ALLEY TABLE P74

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2025
2:15pm-3:00pm — BEYOND THE CAPE – CRIME, SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY AND HORROR COMICS – ROOM W308C STAGE
It’s your chance to learn about the ins and outs of writing comic books from creators currently writing for Marvel Comics and other publishers. Jackson Lanzing, Jim Zub, Ed Brisson, and David Pepose

Zubby Newsletter #148: Emerald Energy

Posted by on March 10, 2026 No comments
Signing at the Random House booth.

Emerald City Comic Con signaled that convention season has started once again and, as always, Seattle was very good to me. Long time fans stopped by, new readers met me for the first time, and time with industry pals reminded me why I love these events.

Obviously, Conan the Barbarian was central to every signing, but Skullkickers, Wayward, Dungeons & Dragons and my superhero stories were a steady source of discussion and excitement as well, which was really nice.

On Thursday I was part of the LitRPG OMG panel alongside Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl) and Tao Wong (A Thousand Li), and it was an absolute blast. I went into the panel with some trepedation because, although I write TTRPG stories and game material, it’s not exactly LitRPG and that I’d be out of sync with the room. On top of that, Matt’s Dungeon Crawler Carl series has become such a phenomenon that I imagined a scenario where every time he wasn’t talking the audience (jam-packed with his fans) would be annoyed. Thankfully, my fears were quickly put to rest. Even though I met Matt and Tao for the first time 30 seconds before the panel began, we instantly gelled and it felt like hanging out with old friends, playfully riffing with eachother and the standing room-only crowd. The energy in the room was joyous and we all left feeling like a million bucks.

Best of all, the panel had the effect you always hope for (but rarely get) where a substantial number of people were introduced to me there and then went out of their way to track me down at the show and pick up a book.

With Matt Dinniman, Tao Wong, and our moderator at the LitRPG panel.

Katie Cook wasn’t able to make it to ECCC this year, so I held down the fort on the 14th annual Convention Horror Stories panel by myself, filling 60 minutes with anecdotes about embarassing situations that have popped up in the more than 200 conventions I’ve been to around the world. In open mic or stand-up comedy situations, people talk about having a “tight 10” (10 minutes worth of well-tested material) or a “tight 20”, but at this point I have enough ridiculous stories to fill a half dozen HBO specials, which is amazing and bewildering at the same time.

Thursday was extremely busy, on Friday and Saturday the crowds came in waves, and Sunday was a relaxed wrap-up, with longer discussions and bleary-eyed good-byes (especially after the Spring forward time change stole an hour from our souls). The show was great, people were excited, and I am exhausted in a satisfying way.

Some of my sketches from the weekend.

Now I’m catching up on work emails and trying to nail down convention/travel plans for the rest of the year. Looking at the calendar, it’s going to be busy but not quite as crazy as 2025 was, which is a very good thing.


Popverse‘s Grant DeArmitt covered some highlights from the LitRPG panel, which you can check out over on their site.

Code-X Interview

Dan over at The Code-X Station interviewed me about my comic career – How I started as a comic reader, kicking off my creative career, launching Skullkickers at Image, breaking in with other publishers, Marvel projects, the strange dynamics of a creative career, relaunching titles, writing Conan the Barbarian, and more!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Upcoming Appearances

Mar 19-22, 2026 Megacon Orlando Orlando, FL, USA
Apr 23-26, 2026 Calgary Expo Calgary, AB, CANADA
Aug 15, 2026 Comics Assemble Gloucester, England, UK

Other Links


• Iron Circus has a new fantasy TTRPG-centric comic called Sleeping Wizards they’re currently crowdfunding over on Kickstarter. They sent me samples of the story and it’s looking quite sharp, plus there are bundles of other ICC books available if you support at a higher tier so I highly recommend checking it out!

• Also looking sharp is the vampire comic Shards of Reflection by my friend Kel McDonald. I chatted with her about it when I was at ECCC and it’s looking great. So many creators come and go in indie comics, but Kel just keeps plugging away, project after project, and I’m always glad when she has something new underway.

• Zdarsky filmed a promo for Mad About DC, the new Mad Magazine superhero parody I’m part of, and hints that there’s more to come on April 1st…I am not prepared.

Jim

Zub at Emerald City Comic Con 2026!

Posted by on March 2, 2026 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-23

In addition to signing at my table during the show, I also have a couple panels and signings:

THURSDAY, MARCH 5
5:15 PM-6:15 PM – LitRPG OMG – Room 343-344 • Level 3
Lit RPG has exploded in the last few years. Join these acclaimed fantasy and Lit RPG authors as they discuss the genre, its rise in popularity, and how authors are taking their readers on unforgettable campaigns. Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian), Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl), Tao Wong (A Thousand Li)

6:30 PM-7:00 PM – Post-Panel Signing – Third Place Books Booth #20627
Jim Zub and Tao Wong from the Lit RPG OMG panel will be on hand to meet fans and sign books. (Matt Dinniman‘s signings are scheduled separately.) Books will be available for purchase at the signing from ECCC’s official show bookseller, Third Place Books.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6
12:30 PM-1:30 PM – Convention Horror Stories, An ECCC Tradition – Room 345 • Level 3
Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Rick and Morty VS Dungeons & Dragons) is back with the 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.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7
5:00 PM-5:45PM – 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 Dungeons & Tombs while supplies last!

Conan the Barbarian #29 Reviews

Posted by on March 2, 2026 No comments

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #29 introduces a new villain to the Hyborian Age. What did readers think of this kick-off to our eighth story arc?

• 9 Panel Grid: “It’s a pretty brave move to have a Conan book missing the namesake character for almost the entire issue, but it speaks to the strength and trust of the Conan team to deliver an incredible story about influence, corruption and brutality…Braithwaite on artwork killed it. The visuals were stunning.”

• American Texan Reads: “If you have never read Conan, issue 29 is a great place to jump on…I think this is great.”

• Comic Book Clique: 9/10 ” The additions to canon, such as the Son of the Tooth, fit well and do not stand out as out of place at all. Zub’s narration drives the story but never so much that it detracts from the artwork”

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: “Even though Conan was not in this, it was still entertaining.”

• Comic Book University: “This was a fantastic book. A really bold choice and really good stuff. I highly recommend it. I don’t want to give away anything from because you’re going to love this story and it’s going to fill you with anticipation for what comes next.”

• Comic Culture: “I love the interior artwork. It is so good. Braithwaite has the best interior artwork for a Conan title I can imagine…I thought it was a spectacular issue. I cannot wait for more. Like I say, over and over again, everything Conan the Barbarian right now is a must read, from Barbarian to Savage Sword.”

• Comical Opinions: 9/10 “-a nightmare antagonist with teeth-grinding precision, priming epic clashes via blood-drenched origins. Does it earn a place amid ongoing sagas? Unequivocally yes.”

• Cool Thunder: 9/10 “It is hard to put the book down, and when it is over you are left salivating for more epic sword and sorcery. Doug Braithwaite on art and Diego Rodriguez on colors continue to pull you deep into the Hyborian Age with stunning and immersive visuals.”

• Cupcakes Comics Reviews: “Every issue is a banger, every issue you’ll have fun because it’s so good and so well written…The art is Doug Braithwaite and he’s been killing it, slaying it, in fact.”

• Eternal Crusader: “One major strength of the current series from Titan Comics is that it doesn’t adhere to a rigid, pre-established plot formula. Instead, it tightens the narrative where necessary and allows it to unfold more expansively where the story demands it.”

• Fanlight Zone: “I could go on about how much I love Jim Zub’s work on this and I want him to keep writing it until the heat death of the universe, and how awesome the art is on every issue with Doug Braithwaite hitting it out of the goddamn park. I could go on and on, but all I’ve got to say is that it’s 10/10 every month.”

• First Comic News: “The tension is handled well, positioning this cold and calculating killer as a genuine threat…Next issue promises the inevitable clash between these two barbarians—a savage confrontation that feels destined to end in blood and certain death.”

• Gaming Trend: “If this issue is a preview of what we can expect from this new story arc, then we’re in for an exciting ride. It does a fantastic job of building this new antagonist up as someone who can truly challenge Conan”

• Gary B The Casual Comic Guy: A+ “At Titan Comics, Conan has felt fresh and new with the stories they’ve been telling and I’ve really enjoyed them…Just a brilliant job by the entire team and a solid issue, especially for those of you who love a good villain’s tale.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Incredible storytelling! Zub and Braithwaite are a power house team in the world of fantasy comics…This whole issue is about establishing a new villain and it’s masterfully told.”

• Old Nerd Reviews WY: “You do not see Conan until the last page but you don’t care because the character development and writing is that intriguing.”

• Pop Culture Philosophers: “I love that Jim took the time to build up this character in one go, one issue. So now when things explode in future issues, I’ve got everything I need to know…I love this book. It’s stellar.”

• Scifi Pulse: 9.8/10 “As has become the norm with this title, the artwork throughout the issue is nothing short of stunning…This is a solid opening chapter to what already feels like another epic story in the making.”

• Stygian Dogs: “Zub is afforded the space to fully forge an antagonist of unspeakable malice, one whose corruption is rendered all the more harrowing through Braithwaite’s depiction of the boy’s descent into violence…It’s a darkly compelling, confident, and well executed entry.”

• Superhero Speak: 8/10 “It does a great job of character development and gets us excited for what’s going to happen in the future. The art is great, very detailed and does a great job of conveying the dark, grim and gritty tone we expect.”

• Thinking Critical: “It’s incredibly difficult to write an interesting and compelling story without your titular character…You need a strong motivation to understand where this villain is coming from so you can really root for our hero to take them down. I love it and the art is solid as well.”

Zubby Newsletter #147: Asleep, But Always Watching

Posted by on February 24, 2026 No comments
Conan the Barbarian #29 art by Doug Braithwaite and Diego Rodriguez.

Tomorrow sees the arrival of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #29, which kicks off a brand new story arc and introduces a new villain to the Hyborian Age called The Son of the Tooth! When I first outlined this arc, I titled it “A Taste of Vengeance”, but as I wrapped up all the scripts for it I saw different elements had come to the forefront, so now Conan Arc 8 is called “Ghosts & Echoes.”

Conan the Barbarian #29 might also be unique amongst Conan comic stories in that (*minor spoilers ahead*) there’s basically no Conan in this issue. I wanted to build up a strong sense of ‘self’ for this new villain, showing both his motivation and capabilities in a Weird Tales-style origin story. Not having our title character show up for a month is a risk, but also the kind of creative swing that keeps things interesting and challenging for our team.

Surprising no one, Doug Braithwaite and Diego Rodriguez delivered phenomenally atmospheric pages, leveling up every part of the script I wrote. Working with such skilled collaborators is an absolute gift.

I really hope you check the issue out and let us know what you think!

Covers by Rob De La Torre, Doug Braithwaite, Martin Simmonds, and Jesus Marino.

A Pathfinder Omnibus


At the ComicsPRO event last week, Dynamite Comics announced that my PATHFINDER comic series is getting colected into an omnibus edition arriving late May.

Pathfinder, using characters and concepts from the best-selling TTRPG of the same name, was my first work-for-hire sword & sorcery series, building on the foundation I started with Skullkickers (which is also back in print in new Compact Attack Editions from Oni Press). It showed people I could write an ensemble of characters, deliver work on a monthly basis, and showcased my excitement for TTRPG worlds in comics. It also established personalities and backstories for several of the Pathfinder iconic characters, which have remained canon to this day.

Good Stuff, No Lie


Over the weekend, I finally finished Lies of P, a Soulslike video game that came out a few years ago. In one of my earliest newsletters, I talked about how much I enjoy the Souls series and this is right in that same sweet spot.

When I played the demo in mid-2023 I enjoyed aspects of it, but didn’t quite fall in. A recent play of the full game finally clicked and I really dug it. It’s right up there with Nioh 2 for me in terms of Soulslike games outside the FromSoft dynasty.

The kookiness of turning Pinocchio into a grim gothic-steampunk action RPG felt like a chore at first, but I was surprised how charming it became once I settled in.

The environments are interesting, the combat is tight, and it scratches that Souls itch surprisingly well. The slavish adherance to the Souls formula could easily have left it feeling painfully derivative, but smooth gameplay and some smart choices around character builds + side quests (how they’re given, how they’re tracked) give it just enough to stand out strongly on its own.

There are story beats and character turns that are bizarre-bordering-on-comedy, but if you can handle the plot development of most mainstream anime you won’t bat an eye at any of this. Everything in the game takes it seriously, so eventually you do as well.

Not sure when I’ll have a chance to play Overture (the DLC) with everything on my plate right now, but the base game was a fun ride.

Current + Upcoming Releases

Upcoming Appearances

Happy to announce that I’m back at Megacon Orlando next month. I had a wonderful time last year and am eager to see friends and fans in Florida.

Mar 5-8, 2026 Emerald City Comic Con Seattle, WA, USA
Mar 19-22, 2026 Megacon Orlando Orlando, FL, USA
Apr 23-26, 2026 Calgary Expo Calgary, AB, CANADA
Aug 15, 2026 Comics Assemble Gloucester, England, UK

Other Links

• Asian Boss has a great video talking all about the history of Japanese 7-11 stores, how the ‘konbini’ revolution changed retail in Japan, and how difficult it will be for 7-11 to reproduce that success in North America. If you’ve ever been to Japan you know how impressive these stores are for value and convenience and this insight into how they work is surprisingly compelling.

• Speaking of Japan, how much do you know about the country’s extensive drinking-work culture? Dogen breaks down how it all works in this video. I have experienced all this first hand and it’s both amazing and disconcerning when you don’t know what exactly is happening or why.

Jim

Zubby Newsletter #146: On the Compact Attack

Posted by on February 10, 2026 No comments
With spiffy new cover art by Edwin Huang.

On Friday, a package arrived with the first volume of the new SKULLKICKERS Compact Attack Edition being reprinted by Oni Press! Each compact-sized volume collects two of the previous Image Comics trade paperbacks at a value-packed price, introducing a whole new generation of readers to the swords & sassery story that kicked off my comic writing career.

Skullkickers Compact Attack vol 1 is in stores February 17th.
Skullkickers Compact Attack vol 2 arrives March 17th.
Skullkickers Compact Attack vol 3 concludes the trilogy on April 21st.

I sent all the signed and sketched items to Zoop, so the special crowdfounded editions should be shipping to backers soon as well. Deep thanks again to everyone who supported that campaign.

It’s wild to think how much changed for me 16 years ago. I distinctly remember the chaos of planning my wedding at the same time as preparing to launch this creator-owned comic, while also teaching and managing creative projects at the UDON studio. I genuinely have no idea how I had the energy to juggle all that, but obviously I’m glad I did.

Omar at Near Mint Condition has a rundown of how this first volume turned out and, as you can see, it’s a beauty:

(Omar also recently put together a review of Conan the Barbarian vol. 5 + 6, which was great to see.)

Zubdarsky Live!

Making it a Near Mint Condition hat trick here, Chip Zdarsky and I chatted up a storm with Omar, Melanie and livestream viewers who asked us questions:

Here are some timecode-linked highlights:
• Talk show anecdotes
• The community of comic creators in Toronto
• Writing iconic characters
• The Sex Criminals TV show
• E.C. Comics and MAD Magazine
• Publisher contracts: exclusivity or not
• Long term story building
• Writing Spider-Man
• Writing Deadpool
• John Hickman’s story skills
• Robert E. Howard’s shared universe of characters
• Teaching students the fundamentals of art + storytelling
• Other comics or books we’re enjoying right now
• Tabletop roleplaying games
• Chip has never played D&D
• Gaming at an all-star table with Deborah Ann Woll
• Vertigo comics and why they were so great
• Banned books/Censorship
• Chip’s favorite Wu-Tang track
• Writing Wolverine
• Page count and writing ahead
• Meeting fans at conventions
• The infamous Mexican Spider-Man comics
• What we’re working on right now
• Letterers are the unsung heroes of comics
• Chip fluffs the Marvel Universe

So, yeah – We covered a LOT. Make sure you check it out!

Current + Upcoming Releases

Upcoming Appearances

This weekend I’m on the west coast for Fan Expo Vancouver.

Feb 14-16, 2026 Fan Expo Vancouver Vancouver, BC, CANADA
Mar 5-8, 2026 Emerald City Comic Con Seattle, WA, USA
Apr 23-26, 2026 Calgary Expo Calgary, AB, CANADA
Aug 15, 2026 Comics Assemble Gloucester, England, UK

Other Links

• Reasons To Stay is a website designed to reach people at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers. Every letter is written by a real person and delivered at random to someone visiting the site. The intent is simple but profound: to remind people that they are not alone, even when it feels that way.

• Keith Lehtinen from We Have Issues talks all about Wayward vol. 1: String Theory and how much the series meant to him when it first came out.

• Dave Bell‘s latest article on The Howard-Verse is an exhaustive rundown of the current CONAN comics (and related titles) being published by Titan Comics. Beyond the praises he gives our creative teams, it’s a solid overview of what’s coming out and where to start reading.

Jim

Zub at Fan Expo Vancouver 2026

Posted by on February 9, 2026 No comments

This week is British Columbia’s pop culture convention, Fan Expo Vancouver, February 14-16, 2026.
I’m a featured guest and will be set up in the Comic Sketch Art section at

ARTIST ALLEY TABLE P28

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

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2026
1:45pm-2:30pm — COMIC WRITERS ASSEMBLE – Theater 3
Comic professionals explain their craft and working in the business, with Ryan North, Jim Zub, Erica Schultz, and Stephanie Gerk.