That’s a full-size Atlantean Sword sent to me by Heroic Signatures, the rights holders of Conan the Barbarian…It was in my new contract. 😉

When we started negotiating for my long term writing deal on Conan, we bounced terms back and forth – how much work, schedule, pay rate, and all the other mission critical business stuff you’d expect – And, as we were getting close to the finish line, there was a catch-all “Anything else?” and I brought up a joke from last year when I said if things went really well I should get a sword.

The response back was an amused “Are you serious?”

And I realized, oddly, that I was.

Sure, I could just buy a licensed movie replica and be done with it, a gift to myself, but it wouldn’t have the same meaning as the Conan crew sending me one as a “signing bonus” – Bequeathing a blade to me for a job well done.

Many fans assume that since I write lots of sword & sorcery I must have a bunch of swords because it’s something that usually comes along with being a bone deep fan of the genre, but I actually don’t. I have a lot of books and original art in my personal collection, but not many statues or toys, and I don’t have any weapons…well, until now.

This one’s special. A kind gesture by my creative partners and a milestone on a wonderful journey.

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Speaking of journeys, I had a great time at Fan Expo Chicago over the weekend. The show had a solid comic crowd at its core, with a lot more comic retailers and readers on site than many of the other pop culture shows I’m at. Hearing that Conan is doing so well and that it’s top of the pile for so many readers is humbling.

A few shop owners let me know that Hyborian excitement has extended to back issue bins as well, with old school fans snapping up old Conan the Barbarian and Savage Sword of Conan issues to get more material to tide them over between our new releases.

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Interviews Aplenty

Speaking of our favorite Cimmerian, the official Conan the Barbarian site interviewed me about the upcoming BATTLE OF THE BLACK STONE event mini-series that kicks off on September 4th! Check this one out for back story on developing the narrative and an exclusive sneak peek at page art by Jonas Scharf and Jão Canola.

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I spoke to Derek McCaw at Fanboy Planet all about working on an iconic character like Conan, second chances, long term plans, and a lot more. I think we cover some really good ground here, so check it out!

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At San Diego Comic-Con I spoke to Jessica Wolff at The Geekiary all about Conan the Barbarian – our fourth story arc, the sword & sorcery genre, and crossing over Conan with other characters.

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I chatted with David Dunham at The Dragon’s Cache and he’s broken up the interview into 3 parts:
Writing Prose in the Savage Sword of Conan
Other Savage Sword Writing
Conan the Barbarian’s Fourth Story Arc

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A Secret Code!

I mentioned in my previous newsletter that I’ll be Dungeon Mastering a wild adventure on November 4th-8th in northern England as part of D&D In a Castle and seats are extremely limited.

Normally only D&D In a Castle members get first crack at tickets with a special registration password, but the Castle crew has kindly allowed me to extend that same password to my newsletter here, so if you’re looking for a special gaming experience on D&D’s 50th anniversary year, click on through HERE to the registration page and use the Secret Password:

2024-H4^E-Exclusive

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Current + Upcoming Releases

Conan the Barbarian #13 – released July 24th.

Conan the Barbarian #14 – releases August 21st.

Savage Sword of Conan #4 – releases August 28th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1 (of 4) – releases September 4th.

D&D Young Adventurer’s Collection Box Set 2 – releases September 24th.

Conan the Barbarian #15 – releases September 25th.

Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #2 (of 4) – releases October 2nd.

Conan the Barbarian #16 – releases October 30th.

Savage Sword of Conan #5 – releases October 30th.

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Upcoming Appearances

Fan Expo Canada, the country’s biggest pop culture convention, is just a few days away. I’m a feature guest at the show this year and will be set up with the Comic Sketch Art crew in Artist Alley in the South Hall. More details on my website once the location and panel schedule is finalized.

Aug 22-25, 2024	Fan Expo Canada	Toronto, ONT, CANADA
Oct 17-20, 2024	Gamehole Con	Madison, WI, USA
Nov 4-8, 2024	D&D In a Castle	Newcastle, UK

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Links and Other Things

• My friend Andrew Wheeler has his Negasonic Teenage Warhead digital comic story coming to print in November. Also, his Puncheons & Flagons D&D cocktail book arrives in bookstores at the end of this month, so don’t miss that either.

• Deborah Ann Woll explaining Dungeons & Dragons to Jon Bernthal is wonderful and wholesome. She is an amazing ambassador for the hobby (and I’ve gamed with her and she was a delight on and off stage):

• Troy Lavallee and Sydney Amanuel from the Glass Cannon Network go over how to play the Marvel Multiverse TTRPG on the official Marvel YouTube channel.

• Cory Doctorow covers a critical legal change that happened in the 1980’s and the cascading effect it had on businesses in the U.S., big and small.

Jim