Conan the Barbarian (2023) Issues 1-4

It’s been almost two years since I started down my path of exploring the world of Conan the Barbarian. It all began with reading The Tower of the Elephant after taking a suggestion from reddit and my ability to find a free copy online. I read the story in one sitting and once I was done, I wasn’t quite sure the world of sword and sorcery was for me, but I was happy I’d tried something new.

A few months later, I kept hearing about the greatness of the new Conan the Barbarian comic from Titan Comics, so I decided to check it out. I was blown away. The writing was tight, the artwork was modern, yet old school, and I just couldn’t get enough. I started down this Conan the Barbarian comic rabbit hole that saw me begin collecting floppies for the first time in a couple of decades. Once I read all that Titan had released, I started reading old Dark Horse comics and Marvel, and then I began reading the original stories.

Now, I have just two of the original stories left to read, the novel length The Hour of the Dragon and A Witch Shall Be Born. I’ve decided to take a break from reading the original works and now that I’ve begun filling the gaps of my Titan comic release, I figured it was time to start reading from the beginning armed with a better understanding of the character, it’s history, and previous works. I offer some short thoughts with little to no spoilers below.

Conan the Barbarian #1

Author: Jim Zub
Artist: Rob De La Torre

Having originally approached this story with very little Conan knowledge, I appreciated how it wasn’t an origin story, but also didn’t flood the reader with complicated names and places. It’s a simple story that starts off by establishing Conan as a tremendous warrior who while incredibly violent but also lives by his own code.

The artwork is stunning and upon glancing at Rob De La Torre’s work once more, it really checks the boxes for me. One of the things I love about comics is sometimes you just connect with an artist or a writer, and it’s almost as if they get inside your head and give your brain exactly what you want. This is the way I feel about Rob De La Torre’s art. It’s everything I could ask for, and it brings the story and Conan to life for me.

I think my favorite line of the story is when Conan talks about traveling the world and how no matter where he goes he encounters:

I hear ya Conan, I hear ya.

The story begins with Conan drinking in a bar and having a dispute with the leader of the mercenary outfit he’s been working with. After a brawl, someone comes up declaring the night sky has turned dark and something evil is upon them. As the bar patrons step outside, a young woman on horseback urges the patrons to run for the lives, as an army of dead Picts are coming this way. Of course, the people stop to argue the warning, and before you know it, undead, poessessed Picts are everywhere.

Conan the Barbarian #2

Author: Jim Zub
Artist: Rob De La Torre

The second issue picks up as our hero Conan and his new companion Brissa are following one of the possessed raiding parties on their way to Cimmeria, where Conan hopes to recruit his countrymen in a fight against the unnatural enemy.

We learn that Conan is in possession of an ancient Pict sword and this upsets Brissa. Thankfully, they are able to put their differences aside so they can continue their tracking of the hoard.

The artwork, colors, and writing area all top-notch as it’s easy to get wrapped up in this storyline where no one is quite sure what is going on. We know Conan is strong, and we know Brissa can handle herself, but this army is just too much for two people to take on.

Thankfully, in typical Conan fashion, he manages to find himself with the pretty girl who goes from wanting to fight him to love him in just a matter of hours.

What really stands out in this issue is the world building. This dark, unsettled atmosphere feels dangerous, and unpredictable. I’m a big fan of horror stories and the best horror story fails if the mood is not right, and this issue of Conan nails the mood.

Having read some original stories this time around, it’s easy to see the influences of Howard’s work on Jim Zub’s writing, and it makes for a wonderful setup to see where this story will go next.

Conan the Barbarian # 3

Author: Jim Zub
Artist: Rob De La Torre

Issue three picks up as Conan and Brissa head into a giant spire that has erupted from the ground in search of answers. Their stealth approach pays off, as they discover a cell of captured Cimmerians, some of which are in fighting shape. As Brissa leads the weaker prisoners out of the spire, Conan and the rest journey on, in search of retribution for their fallen village.

Fights break out, blood is spilt, and the story ends as Conan finds himself in a mysterious pool of liquid, where he experiences only what can be described as an otherworldly experience. Where the last issue was mostly an issue following this hoard, we now find out our first real information about what these creatures are and what they are about. It plays out heroically and leaves you wanting so much more.

Conan the Barbarian # 4

Author: Jim Zub
Artist: Rob De La Torre

Picking up directly where we left out, Conan has fallen into this dark pool of water and wakes up on another plane of existence. It seems the man who one owned the Pict sword Conan is in possession of died fighting these exact creatures, and he provides Conan with some advice that helps guide Conan to safety.

In an excellent use of pacing, this issue took the threads we were gently grasping and upped the ante big time. Of course, we all know our hero will survive to fight another day, but not everyone will survive this battle and blood is shed.

This ends the first arc, and it was a wonderful story. We were introduced to this wandering horde of possessed Picts that are somehow linked by this mysterious stone, and it left me craving to figure out what happens next.