Category Archives: Conan

Conan the Barbarian #20 Reviews

Posted by Jim Zub on April 21, 2025 No comments

Conan the Barbarian #20 is the final part of arc 5, Twisting Loyalties, filled to the brim with action and intrigue. What did critics think of it?

• Comic Book Corner 2.0: Grade A “This book is really good…I love the action, I love the fighting, and I love how it’s just barbaric!”

• Comical Opinions: 10/10 “Jim Zub’s voice for Conan and reverence for Robert E. Howard style are in top form and Doug Braithwaite’s art is fantastic and maybe even better than we’ve seen before.”

• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “Jim Zub continues to prove he was born to write Conan. His work here stands among the best the franchise has ever seen—layered, character-driven, and true to the spirit of the Hyborian Age. Paired with Doug Braithwaite’s stunning artwork, which is nothing short of breathtaking, this issue is nearly impossible to put down. Every panel feels alive with grit, motion, and emotion.”

• DC Patrol: “Well written, beautifully executed. I love every page of this…I’m gushing.”

• Dragon’s Cache: 9.4/10 “Doug Braithwaite packs Conan The Barbarian #20 with furious action. Like fast cuts in a movie, the panels lead the eye from one camera view to another…Diego Rodriguez wields a series of limited color palettes in fight sequences.”

• Eternal Crusader: “I consider Doug Braithwaite’s work on this issue his strongest so far. He started at a very high level, but he has since refined his craft further. I was pleased to see him incorporate more shadows into his panels, adding depth and making the characters appear more three-dimensional. The issue is packed with intricate details, lavish panels, and dynamic action sequences.”

• Evan the Architect: “Another fantastic issue on this title…Jim Zub has made me a die hard fan of Conan and his world.”

• Goodreads: 10/10 ” Stellar and impactful art from Braithwaite, always captures the fury of battle and calm dramatic moments…It’s endearing, and in good hands.”

• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “This issue is a masterclass in sword-and-sorcery storytelling. If you’re not reading Conan the Barbarian right now, you’re missing one of the genre’s finest modern runs.”

• Nerd Initiative: 10/10 “The best compliment I can give it is that it feels exactly like old school Conan comics you were buying off the spinner rack…Fantastic art, cool story, get it!”

• Professor Frenzy: “This has been an awesome book, an awesome run and, as long as it keeps doing this, I am absolutely in.”

• Sci-Fi Pulse: 9.7/10 “Jim Zub continues to captivate me with his stories of Conan the Barbarian and his many adventures. The comic stays true to the novels I remember reading in the 1980s”

• Stygian Dogs: “Conan the Barbarian #20 is a thunderous, sword-swinging spectacle with deep time-spanning lore that will be appreciated by fans of Robert E. Howard’s characters in comic book form.”

• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: “Doug Braithwaite did a good job with the artwork here, Rodriguez’s colors were pretty stunning this time, and I enjoyed the story a lot. I thought the twist with the Zula character were pretty nice, I enjoyed the exorcism aspect, I enjoyed the fact that they battled the spirit and I like where the story is going.”

• Thinking Critical: “Pick of the Week…I love it, it’s absolutely gorgeous and well told, and this is probably the best illustrated issue of Conan by Doug Braithwaite. He’s already a great artist, but I think his art in Conan is getting stronger.”

• Two Guys and a Stack of Comics: “No matter what’s happening there’s such good action, such great art on each page from Doug Braithwaite in this comic book and it fully embraces who Conan is.”

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.”

• Mr. Multiverse: “The comic has this epic feel to it, and it is a massive love letter to the Howardverse…This event was really cool.”

• 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 #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.”

• Lord Samper’s Library: “Zub and Braithwaite combine superbly to deliver this, we’re left in no doubt as to the enormity of what Conan faces, physically and mentally, and what it takes for him to win through.”

• Mighty Thorngren: “This delivered! Doug Braithwaite did an amazing job with this. It’s just gorgeous looking. It’s non-stop action!…This right here is why we’re reading comics.”

• 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.”

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.”

• Lord Samper: “This issue does exactly what it’s meant to, and does it well…All in all, a very entertaining read”

• 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!”

• Mighty Thorngren: “Plnety of action in this issue that made me happy and I had fun reading it. This is a fun story and I like how it ended too.”

• 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!”

• Old Nerd Reviews WY: “A really good issue with lots of action…Ever since Titan has gotten the Conan property it has been non-stop banger after banger.”

• 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 #101: On the Mega-Move

Posted by Jim Zub on February 11, 2025 No comments

Three days after getting back from my vacation, I was on a flight to Orlando for MegaCon. It’s rare that I do any conventions in February, let alone a four-day monster like this one, and it was intense! Tons of signed comics, great interactions with fans, and fun conversations with friends. Even with the Comic Sketch Art crew doing set up and tear down, I was exhausted by the end of the show.

Given the state of the world right now I wasn’t sure how the convention would feel, but it seems escapism is front and center on the minds of fandom, and I can’t blame anyone for that.

*Finally got the original Conan #1 for my collection.*

I don’t normally buy myself presents at conventions, especially on day one of a show, but I couldn’t pass up a stunning raw copy of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 from 1970. The retailer who had it gave me a really good price so, after all these years, I finally have one!

Fans at the show seemed really surprised to see me doing sketches, which makes sense since my writing career has been so prominent compared to my art and I don’t get the chance to draw as much as I used to. It was nice shaking off some of the rust and busting out a few new drawings.

This is my first show of the year and the next month is jam-packed with travel, but if MegaCon is a sign for my convention appearances in 2025, I am both excited and intimidated. Thank you to everyone who stopped by!

Conan Screening Intro

Four Color Fantasies comic shop and the Comic Book Couples Counseling Podcast organized a screening of the 1982 Conan the Barbarian movie at the Alamo Drafthouse in Virgina and asked if I could record a short intro to play before the film.

Here’s what I put together for them – Some info about the character’s legacy and my memories of the movie and its impact:

Skullkickers: The Digest Edition is Coming!

If you’ve enjoyed my work on CONAN THE BARBARIAN and DUNGEONS & DRAGONS 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

If you are a comic retailer or press outlet and want to get advance PDFs of my upcoming releases, please reach out with your contact information so I can add you to my retailer or press mailing lists which are seperate from this newsletter.

Conan the Barbarian #17 – released December 11th.

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

Conan the Barbarian Vol. 4: Frozen Faith TPB – releases February 18th.

Conan the Barbarian #18 – releases February 19th.

Thunderbolts: Winter Soldiers – releases March 4th.

Conan the Barbarian #19 – releases March 19th.

Upcoming Appearances

More shows getting added to the schedule – February and March are going to be busy!

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 Comics – April 2025

Posted by Jim Zub on January 23, 2025 No comments

CONAN BARBARIAN #20
Story- JIM ZUB
Line Art – DOUG BRAITHWAITE
Colors- DIEGO RODRIGUEZ
Letters- RICHARD STARKINGS and TYLER SMITH
Cover A- ROB DE LA TORRE
Cover B- MIKE ROOTH
Cover C- BEN TEMPLESMITH

The triumphant new era of Conan continues! From acclaimed creators Jim Zub (Avengers, Dungeons & Dragons) and Doug Braithwaite (Punisher, Justice)!

In the days following Bêlit’s tragic demise, Conan traveled through jungles of the southern kingdoms but there’s no time for grief – a deadly hunter stalks the Cimmerian, bent on bloody vengeance. Who is this strange foe and what do they know about the ancient power rising in Stygia?

In Shops: April 16, 2025