I Reads You: Jim Zub

Showing posts with label Jim Zub. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #11 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Alex Horley

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Richard Pace; Sean Galloway; Alex Horley

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part III: “Call From the Depths”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932). In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings and Comicraft. Entitled “The Age Unconquered,” this arc finds Conan's body and/or soul transported 80,000 years into the past

Conan the Barbarian #11 (“Call From the Depths”) opens in the dreams and reveries of Conan, where he converses with Yag-kosha. The wise alien, worshiped by some as a god, has a lot to say about Conan's fate. It is a fate that has found Conan tens of thousands of years in the past – back to the time of Kull of Atlantis (also known as “Kull the Conqueror”) and Brule the Spear-slayer, a time know as the “Thurian Age.”

Now, Conan finds himself swept up in Kull's journey to find the source of the darkness that threatens his kingdom. Kull believes the source of the darkness is in Atlantis, the land of his birth, but upon arrival, Conan and Kull found an abyss into which they now travel. Unexpected terrors await, including one of Kull's most infamous adversaries.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #11 is one of them.

I am so far behind in my reviews of Titan and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian comic book series that some of you, dear readers, already know what fate awaits Conan, Kull, and Brule. However, I am enjoying my slow roll through the narrative wonders of writer Jim Zub. The confab he fashions between Conan and Yag-kosha is one of the best sequences in a Conan comic book that I have read in years. Patience and conversation can be a good thing even in a violent fight comic book such as Conan the Barbarian.

Artist Roberto de la Torre, with his haunted illustrations, makes this series hum with his storytelling that recalls the vintage wonders of weird fiction. Mixing the aesthetic elements and graphical styles of Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and John Buscema, de la Torre has made “The Age Unconquered” seem as if it is a story arc that has really been called from the depths of time. Diego Rodriguez's colors enhance the Stygian and infernal wonders of this third chapter of the arc, and I love that Richard Starking's stark lettering completes the classic comic book vibe.

“The Age Unconquered” may end up conquering us, dear readers, as it carries us to a new direction for Conan the Barbarian. I believe that I should be begging you, dear readers, to read this series.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books absolutely must read Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “The Real Thulsa Doom: Skull-Faced Sorcerer of the Thurian Age” the eleventh installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks. The second text piece is “Know, O... Er... Oh Prince...” by Shanks.]

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

This story arc is collected in the trade paperback, CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE AGE UNCONQUERED VOL. 3, which you can obtain at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://x.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Thursday, December 18, 2025

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #10

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #10 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Tyler of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Alan Quah

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: E.M. Gist; Roberto de la Torre; David Aja; Alan Quah

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part II: “Far Shores & Fearless Men”

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Dean White and Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings and Comicraft. Entitled “The Age Unconquered,” this arc finds Conan's body and/or soul transported 80,000 years into the past

Conan the Barbarian #10 (“Far Shores & Fearless Men”) opens in the dreams of Kull of Atlantis (also known as “Kull the Conqueror”). Once awakened, Kull must confront the blind rage and mania that caused him to turn on his his loyal Pict fighter, Brule the Spear-slayer, and also caused him to engage Conan in fierce battle.

Conan! Kull! Brule the Spear-slayer! How can this be when tens of thousands of years separate the time of Conan from the time of Kull and Brule? Well, the result of Conan's encounter with a shard of the “Black Stone” has thrown him thousands of years into the past and has him currently located in Kull's capital, Valusia, “the City of Wonders.”

Now, Conan finds himself swept up in Kull's journey to find the source of the darkness that threatens his kingdom. Kull believes the source of the darkness is in Atlantis, the land of his birth. It will be a hard journey, however, and Conan, Kull, and Brule may find death before they reach their destination.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #10 is one of them.

Writer Jim Zub has moved the Conan the Barbarian comic book series in a new direction. Zub has transported Conan out of “the Hyborean Age,” the age in which Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard, set his adventures. Zub has moved Conan into the past to “the Thurian Age,” the time in which Howard sets the adventures of Conan's precursor, Kull of Atlantis, another of his creations.

It is a big change, but it allows Zub to make Conan a stranger in a strange land, and that itself presents new opportunities for conflict and tension. This tenth issue quickly resolves the conflicts of issue #9 and Zub begins to hypnotize his readers with an alluring journey into darkness. Great action, great mystery, and great darkness and sorcery: Zub makes it hard to stop reading.

I must admit that artist Roberto de la Torre, with his haunted storytelling, is the big star on this creative team. Mixing elements and graphical styles of Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and John Buscema, de la Torre guides this second chapter from the mists of lost time and gleam of shining cities into darkness, death, and sorcery. It is nice to see de la Torre recall the Conan comic books of yesteryear in telling this fantastic story, and it is nice that Diego Rodriguez's colors enrich the shadows and gloom. Richard Starking's stark lettering is the pounding audio track to this fine opening chapter.

“The Age Unconquered” may end up conquering us, dear readers, as it carries us to a new direction for Conan the Barbarian.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Kull of Atlantis: Barbarian King of an Antediluvian Empire” the tenth installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks. It also includes a Q&A with Roberto de la Torre.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

This issue is collected in the "Conan" trade paperback, "CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE AGE UNCONQUERED VOL. 3, which is available at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #9

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #9 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Dean White

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Mike Deodato with Jão Canola

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: E.M. Gist; Mike Deodato; Ickpot, Roberto de la Torre; Chris Moreno; Francesca Baerald

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part I: “Suffer Not the King of Wonders”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932). In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Dean White; and lettered by Richard Starkings. Entitled “The Age Unconquered,” this arc finds Conan's body and/or soul transported 80,000 years into the past

Conan the Barbarian #9 (“Suffer Not the King of Wonders”) opens in the wake of the incidents related to Conan's involvement in the theft of the artifact known as “Tarim's Touch.” Conan recognized the artifact as a shard of the cursed “Black Stone,” which he'd once broken with the help of a Pict blade. The theft led to the death of Conan's cohorts, the “Gloryhounds”...

… and left Conan apparently transported eighty thousand years into the past, to the time of Kull of Atlantis, also known as “Kull the Conqueror.” Conan also meets the legendary figure, Brule the Spear-slayer, a Pict. After proving his mettle, Conan is allowed to travel with Brule and his men to Valusia, “the City of Wonders.” There, Conan will meet King Kull, but it will be like nothing he expects.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #9 is one of them.

Writer Jim Zub has moved the Conan the Barbarian comic book series in a new direction. Conan has been transported from “the Hyborean Age,” the age in which Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard, set his adventures, to “the Thurian Age,” the time in which Howard sets the adventures of Conan's precursor, Kull of Atlantis.

It is a big change, but it allows Zub to make Conan a stranger in a strange land, and that itself presents new opportunities for conflict and tension. This ninth issue delivers on that potential with a showdown between Conan and Kull.

What really makes this story work is Roberto de la Torre's haunted storytelling. Mixing elements and graphical styles of Frank Frazetta, Al Williamson, and John Buscema, de la Torre guides this first chapter from the mists of lost time to the brutal death match between the two beasts of Howard's oeuvre. It is nice to see de la Torre recall the Conan comic books of yesteryear in telling this fantastic story, and it is nice that Dean White's colors amplify the mystery rather than brighten it. Richard Starking's stark lettering is the pounding audio track to this fine opening chapter.

“The Age Unconquered” may end up conquering us, dear readers, as it carries us to a new direction for Conan the Barbarian.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Shining Cities and Stone Age Kingdoms: Robert E. Howard's Thurian Age” the ninth installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE AGE UNCONQUERED VOL. 3 trade paperback is available at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #8

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #8 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Doug Braithwaite

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Chris Butera

COVER: Ashleigh Izienicki

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Patch Zircher; Greg Broadmore

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“Thrice Marked for Death!” Part IV: “Sacrifice”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932). In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Doug Braithwaite; colored by Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings. Entitled “Thrice Marked for Death!,” the arc finds Conan taking up with a thieves guild known as “The Gloryhounds,” and the target of their latest act of larceny is a fine-cut, dark stone that only Conan realizes is dangerous.

Conan the Barbarian #8 (“Sacrifice”) opens with Conan alone, wandering the streets, and possessed. Only recently, he ran with the thieves guild known as the “Gloryhounds.” They wanted to steal an artifact known as “Tarim's Touch,” but only Conan recognized it as a shard of the cursed “Black Stone,” which he'd once broken with a Pict Blade. Now, all the Gloryhounds are dead, their violent deaths caused by the spirits within Tarim's Touch.

Now, it's Conan's turn. All the spirits of the shard are inside him, and they want him to find the blade he once used against the stone. Because he'd sold it, Conan must now go on a rampage through darkened Shadizar in order to find it. When he finds it, will that bring him peace and freedom or more trouble and damnation?

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #8 is one of them.

Writer Jim Zub spends the narrative of his script for issue #8 working himself and the story into a corner. “Thrice Marked for Death!” must come to an end, but it doesn't seem that Zub will come up with an end that makes sense in the context of the situations in which he has placed Conan. But, of course, Zub does it. He saves the day and sends Conan on a new adventure, with the kind of tremendous surprise I would never expect.

Artist Doug Braithwaite continues to summon the ghosts of Conan's greatest comic book artist, John Buscema, with strong storytelling. Issue #8 is a sound and fury signifying a storm of trouble for Conan, with powerful, brutal and violent action that boggles the mind even of a longtime Conan reader like myself. The art shines brilliantly under Diego Rodriguez's remarkable colors. All the while, Richard Starking's lettering maintains a soundtrack of doom.

People looking for good comic books should be reading Titan Comics' Conan the Barbarian. This is the real Conan deal, and dear readers, I think you will enjoy this as much as I keep enjoying it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of,” by Jeffrey Shanks. Although labeled as “Part Six,” it is also the eighth installment.]

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THRICE MARKED FOR DEATH! trade paperback is available at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Thursday, April 3, 2025

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Doug Braithwaite

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Matt Murray

COVER: Mike Deodato

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Patch Zircher; Dan Panosian; Joey Spiiotto

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“Thrice Marked for Death!” Part II: “The Cursed”

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Doug Braithwaite; colored by Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings. Entitled “Thrice Marked for Death!,” the arc finds Conan taking up with a thieves guild known as “The Gloryhounds,” and the target of their latest act of larceny is a fine-cut, dark stone that only Conan realizes is dangerous.

Conan the Barbarian #6 (“The Cursed”) opens with what happens when Conan is ignored. One of the Gloryhounds has touched their quarry, the dark stone known as “Tarim's Touch,” which only Conan realizes is a shard of the dreaded “Black Stone.” Now, malevolent specters have emerged from the stone, and they are ready to possess some unwary human flesh. The thieves will have to use all their skills to escape these dark spirits, but only Conan's savage swordsmanship can save them from the guards of the Temple of Bel.

Also, Conan ruminates on the loss of Belit, captain of the Trigress and Queen of the Black Coast. Haunted by memories of his greatest love, Conan may not realize that the heist of Tarim's Touch may have caused him to plunge ever deeper into chaos.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #6 is a recent arrival.

Halfway through this new Conan the Barbarian story arc and writer Jim Zub is still throwing down like he's been throwing down. His first Conan the Barbarian story arc was a brawny jewel true to the tradition of the weird fiction that spawned Conan over nine decades ago. This second arc, “Thrice Marked for Death!,” is downright murderous and is unremittingly dark. And I like it. I like that Conan is also vulnerable and lost in a kind of grief that is as unrelenting aggressive as he is.

Doug Braithwaite, the artist for this story arc, recalls all the shadowy textures and muscular storytelling that the late great artist, John Buscema, brought to all his Conan comic books. Braithwaite made the first chapter of this arc, “The Heist,” dark, creepy, dirty, and nasty. For “The Cursed,” Braithwaite goes full action movie with daring escapes and a kinetic sense that thrums between the panels. Diego Rodriguez's colors make the action pop all the more.

Once again, Richard Starking's letters give this Conan the Barbarian comic book an audio track so that the reader might imagine to hear the clash of swords. So, dear readers, you must give this comic book a try. Every page is a pure Conan joy to read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of” Part Six, by Jeffrey Shanks.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The trade paperback that collects this issue, CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THRICE MARKED FOR DEATH VOL. 2, is available at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Thursday, February 6, 2025

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #5

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #5 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Doug Braithwaite

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Matt Murray

COVER: Mike Deodato

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Patch Zircher; Rebecca Puebla; Roberto de la Torre; Liam Sharp; Mike Deodato

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2023)

Suggested for mature readers

“Thrice Marked for Death!” Part I: “The Heist”

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023. The current story arc is entitled “Thrice Marked for Death!.” It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Doug Braithwaite; colored by Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings.

Conan the Barbarian #5 (“The Heist”) opens in Shadizar where Conan drowns his sorrows in his drink. This is some time after his high seas adventures with the female pirate, Bêlit, the Queen of the Black Coast, which ended tragically. [This tale was told in the 1934 story, “Queen of the Black Coast,” written by Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard.]

Conan has taken up with a thieves guild known as “The Gloryhounds.” Conan is mainly the muscle for the Gloryhounds apparent leader, a female thief named Chaundra, also known as “The Chat.” Now, a mysterious religious figure, Yakur the Found, has come offering gold for a “retrieval.” He wants them to recover a fine-cut dark stone he calls, “Tarim's Touch,” that was stolen.

It is located deep inside the Temple of Bel, with Bel being the god of thieves and trickery. Conan and the skilled thieves of the Gloryhounds can certainly penetrate the temple. However, none of them know just how dangerous their quarry is – none except Conan.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #5 is a recent arrival.

I was happy to see that Titan's new Conan the Barbarian series ended its first story arc after only four issues. If I had my way, other comic book publishers would do this more often. I am even happier that a new story line begins because that means writer Jim Zub is going to keep throwing down like he's been throwing down. His first Conan the Barbarian story arc was a brawny jewel true to the tradition of the weird fiction that spawned Conan over nine decades ago. Here, Zub gets right to it with creepy-ass cults, thievery, and some flesh-rendering that damn well looks like Conan is trying to make hamburger meat out of human flesh.

Artist Doug Braithwaite joins Zub for the new story arc, and he recalls all the shadowy textures and muscular storytelling that the late great artist, John Buscema, brought to all his Conan comic books. Braithwaite makes this first chapter, “The Heist,” dark, creepy, dirty, and nasty. Here, the shiny kingdoms like blue mantles beneath the stars get the chamber pot treatment. With his colors, Diego Rodriguez captures all that is odd and befouled in this opening chapter, as well as making the story pop with dark energy.

Once again, Richard Starking's letters give this Conan the Barbarian comic book an audio track and also a soundtrack of darkness. So, dear readers, you must give this comic book a try. Every page is a pure Conan joy to read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of” Part Five, by Jeffrey Shanks.]

★★★★ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Wednesday, December 18, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #4

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #4 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Dean White

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Matt Murray

COVER: Roberto de la Torre

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Giada Marchisio; Nick Percival; Cary Nord; Roberto de la Torre

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2023)

Suggested for mature readers

“Bound in Black Stone” Part IV: “Vengeance of the Lost”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932). In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they start with a new Conan the Barbarian series. It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Dean White and José Villarrubia; and lettered by Richard Starkings. The new series finds Conan returned to his homeland of Cimmeria just when it faces a terrible new threat.

Conan the Barbarian #4 (“Vengeance of the Lost”) opens inside the Citadel of Black Stone. There, Conan sinks into the depths of the abyss beneath the black altar. Now, Conan will learn the secrets of the band of undead Picts known as the “Tribe of the Lost.” In order to find victory, Conan must hear the words of Brule, Chieftain of the Borni Tribes. Is this legendary figure a wraith or salvation? And can he point Conan towards victory?

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #4 is a recent arrival.

I am happy to see that Titan's new Conan the Barbarian series ends its first story arc after only four issues. If I had my way, other comic book publishers would do this more often.

As I said in my review of the earlier three issues of this series, Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' revival of the Conan the Barbarian comic book series is definitely edgier than Marvel Comics' 2019 revival. Writer Jim Zub has recalled the ass-thumpin, p***y-pounding, blood-splattering pulp storytelling of Roy Thomas. Zub's ending to this first story arc is his own dark and mysterious concoction that offers escape more than total victory for Conan.

Artist Roberto de la Torre has brought Zub's script for this final chapter to comic book life in a veil of magic, smoke, and mysticism, whereas the earlier issues were all fire, blood-and-guts, and mountain-leveling thunder. Dean White brings the magical mists of confusion to de la Torre's art, while Richard Starkings' lettering gives it the ominous soundtrack that it needs.

Seriously, dear readers, if you love Conan comic books, you will hate yourself for denying yourself this new Conan the Barbarian.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of” Part Four, by Jeffrey Shanks.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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Friday, September 27, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #3

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #3 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Dean White

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Matt Murray

COVER: Doug Braithwaite

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Patrick Zircher; Max Von Fafner; Roberto de la Torre; Doug Braithwaite

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Suggested for mature readers

“Bound in Black Stone” Part III: “The Fortress”

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they start with a new Conan the Barbarian series. It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by José Villarrubia; and lettered by Richard Starkings. The new series finds Conan returned to his homeland of Cimmeria just when it faces a terrible new threat.

Conan the Barbarian #3 (“The Fortress”) opens as Conan and Brissa of the Pictish Gurian Tribe enter the citadel of black stone that has risen from the frosty ground of Cimmeria. They are following figures swathed in hooded robes that are seemingly the escorts of the band of undead Picts known as “Tribe of the Lost.”

Along the way, Conan and Brissa discover a band of Cimmerians imprisoned in a rock-hewn cell. Now, joined by a trio of Cimmerian warriors: Hydallan, Mago, and Tormey, Conan makes his move on a skull-clad priest and the source of the undead plague.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #3 is the latest.

As I said in my review of the first two issues of this series, Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' revival of the Conan the Barbarian comic book series is definitely edgier than Marvel Comics' 2019 revival. Writer Jim Zub has recalled the ass-thumpin, p***y-pounding, blood-splattering pulp storytelling that recalls Roy Thomas. The spirit of Conan's eccentric (perhaps, mad) creator, Robert E. Howard in every word of Zub's scripts.

I'm trying to find the words to describe the storytelling of artist Roberto de la Torre. He brings Zub's script to comic book life with fire, black magic, and mountain-leveling thunder. De la Torre's art feels like a true inheritor to the comic book master of Conan, the late John Buscema (1927-2002). Dean White brings out the magic in de la Torre art, while Richard Starkings' lettering gives it the thunderous soundtrack that doesn't quit.

Whew! Time for a cigarette. Seriously, dear readers, if you love Conan comic books, you will hate yourself for denying yourself this new Conan the Barbarian.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of” Part Three, by Jeffrey Shanks.]

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

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Tuesday, May 28, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #2

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #2 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: Dean White

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Matt Murray

COVER: Alan Quah

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Roberto de la Torre; Gerardo Zaffino; E.M. Gist, Dan Parent

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2023)

Suggested for mature readers

“Bound in Black Stone” Part II: “Homeland!”

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they start with a new Conan the Barbarian series. It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by José Villarrubia; and lettered by Richard Starkings. The new series finds Conan returned to his homeland of Cimmeria just when it faces a terrible new threat.

As Conan the Barbarian #2 (“Homeland!”) opens, Conan and Brissa of the Pictish Gurian Tribe watch from the shadows as what is left of “Hauler's Roam,” an outpost in Northern Aquilonia, is destroyed by the “Army of the Lost.” Also known as the “Tribe of the Lost,” this band of undead Picts has unleashed other-worldly carnage … and Conan's homeland, Cimmeria, is next.

It may be too late to save Cimmeria, but Conan will try, and what he cannot save, he will brutally avenge. However, Conan and Brissa may not be prepared to face the true darkness behind the Army of the Lost when it finally begins to reveal itself.

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Conan the Barbarian #2 is the latest.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' revival of the Conan the Barbarian comic book series is definitely edgier than Marvel Comics' 2019 revival. I did not find the latter worth the cover price, although the stories were mildly amusing. On the other hand, Titan and Heroic's revival leaves me stunned. In Conan the Barbarian #2, writer Jim Zub has composed the best-written Conan comic book that I have read in probably a decade. This Conan has ripped my bodice in a way not done since Tim Truman, Tómas Giorello, José Villarrubia, and Richard Starkings were putting it down hard on their comic book adaptation of Robert E. Howard's sole Conan novel, Hour of the Dragon, a decade ago.

Zub's script reads like a Conan novel, full of intimate details and pulpy, two-fisted action-adventure. Boots are knocked, and heads are lopped off; still, the story has depth beyond the obvious thrills.

The art and storytelling by artist Roberto de la Torre brings Zub's script to comic book life with fire and black magic. De la Torre's art here resembles of mix of the late John Buscema's Conan the Barbarian comic books and the late Joe Kubert's Tor comics. At this rate, de la Torre will soon be in the pantheon of great Conan comic book artists and storytellers right next to Buscema, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Tómas Giorello, to name a few. With the lovely colors of Dean White and the hoary lettering of Richard Starkings, this new Conan is visually and graphically savage.

I like Conan enough to have watched three Conan films: Conan the Barbarian (1982), Conan the Destroyer (1984), and Conan the Barbarian (2011), many times. So I won't lose interest in this new Conan the Barbarian comic book, and I will keep singing its praises.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of,” by Jeffrey Shanks.]

A+

10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

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Saturday, May 25, 2024

Titan Comics Announces "Conan" Comics Solicitations for August 2024

HEROIC SIGNATURES & TITAN COMICS AUGUST 2024 SOLICITS (JUNE 2024 PREVIEWS)

COMICS

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #14 (ONGOING)

Writer: Jim Zub

Artist: Doug Braithwaite

Publishers: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics

FC, 32pp, $3.99, On Sale: August 21, 2024

AFTER LEAVING CIMMERIA FILLED WITH WANDERLUST, A YOUNG CONAN HEADS NORTH IN SEARCH OF GLORY.

What he finds in that cold climate will change his outlook forever, setting him on the path that will make him a legend.

The triumphant new era of Conan continues in this tale of brutal heroic adventure from acclaimed creators Jim Zub (Avengers, Dungeons & Dragons) and Doug Braithwaite (Punisher, Justice)!

COVER A: JAE LEE (JUN240409)

COVER B: REBECA PUEBLA (JUN240410)

COVER C: DOUG BRAITHWAITE (JUN240411)

COVER D: STUART SAYGER (JUN240412)

COVER E: JAMES HARREN (JUN240413)

THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #4 (ONGOING)

Writers: Jim Zub, Patch Zircher, Fred Kennedy, Jeff Shanks, Ron Marz

Artists: Patch Zircher, Fernando Dagnino, Andy Belanger, Eryk Donovan, Mike Perkins, Dean Kotz

Publishers: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics

B&W, 80pp, $6.99, On Sale: August 28, 2024

CONAN THE BARBARIAN AND SAVAGE SWORD COLLIDE WITH AN EPIC, OVERSIZED CROSSOVER ISSUE!

Prepare for the imminent launch of the Conan mini-series: BATTLE OF THE BLACK STONE with this special issue! Explore captivating stories that set the stage for the mini-series, featuring CONAN (Zub/Dagnino), BRISSA (Zub/ Kotz), SOLOMON KANE (Zircher), DARK AGNES (Kennedy/Belanger), CONRAD & KIROWAN (Shanks/Donovan), and EL BORAK (Marz/Perkins).

COVER A: DAVID PALUMBO (JUN240406)

COVER B: MARIA LOPEZ (JUN240407)

COVER C: BEN CALDWELL WRAPAROUND (JUN240408)

GRAPHIC NOVELS / OMNIBUS

CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE ORIGINAL COMICS OMNIBUS VOL.4

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Publishers: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics

824pp, FC, HC, $125.00, On sale: October 16, 2024

The fourth volume in the classic Conan omnibus collection!

In this action-packed omnibus, Roy Thomas and artistic collaborator John Buscema bring the saga of Bêlit and her quest for the crown of Asgulunto to a conclusion.

It's a tale that will forever change Conan's life-and the adventures that follow feature a more savage Conan, fiercer than ever and truly unbound! Plus: a massive trove of original art,essays,and behind-the-scenes material! COLLECTING What If(1977) #13 Annual(1973) #4-5, the continuation of Hour of the Dragon

COVER: REGULAR: JOHN BUSCEMA (JUN240414)

COVER: DIRECT MARKET: JOHN BUSCEMA (JUN240415)

SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN: THE ORIGINAL COMICS OMNIBUS VOL.4

Writer: Roy Thomas

Artist: John Buscema

Publishers: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics

976pp, B&W, HC, $150.00, On sale: November 20, 2024

THE GREATEST HERO IN SWORD-AND-SORCERY HISTORY. THIS IS THE LEGEND OF CONAN!

THE BARBARIAN wields his savage sword against a massive winged monster that guards a tower holding a weather-controlling gem- then finds himself surrounded by an army of Picts with their own witch-doctor protector!

In THE TREASURE OF TRANICOS, Conan matches wits with a band of pirates who'd rather kill each other than share any of the loot-all while the wicked Thoth-Amon stalks them from the shadows.

The four-part epic CONAN THE LIBERATOR sees Conan realize his destiny as he raises an army to overthrow the mad king Numedides!

COLLECTING THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN (1974) #45-60

COVER: REGULAR: EARL NOREM (JUN240416)

COVER: DIRECT MARKET: EARL NOREM (JUN240417)

THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN VOL.1

Writers: John Arcudi, Jim Zub, Patch Zircher, John C Hocking, Frank Tieri

Artists: Max Von Fafner, Patch Zircher, Richard Pace, Alan Quah, Cary Nord

Publishers: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics

208pp, B&W & FC, SC, $19.99, On sale: October 23, 2024

THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED RETURN OF THE CLASSIC SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN MAGAZINE!

Featuring ALL-NEW Conan Comic strips from writers John Arcudi,Jim Zub, Frank Tieri, and artists Max Von Fafner, Richard Pace, Cary Nord.

Also featuring a brand-new Solomon Kane strip written and drawn by Patch Zircher.

COLLECTS THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #1-3

COVER: REGULAR: JOE JUSKO (JUN240404)

COVER: DIRECT MARKET: ALEX HORLEY (JUN240405)

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Tuesday, February 13, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Roberto de la Torre

COLORS: José Villarrubia

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Phoebe Hedges

COVER: Dan Panosian

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Roberto de la Torre; Artgerm; Patch Zircher; Mike Mignola; E.M. Gist, Dan Panosian; Jae Lee; Colleen Doran; Chris Jones; Dave Wilkins; Mark Schultz; Junggeon Yoon; Ian Nicholls; Eric Ray; Jay Anacleto; Chris Ehnot

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2023)

Suggested for mature readers

“Bound in Black Stone” Part I: “Scourge of the Dead”

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they start with a new Conan the Barbarian series. It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by José Villarrubia; and lettered by Richard Starkings. The new series finds Conan returned to his homeland of Cimmeria just when it faces a terrible new threat.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (“Scourge of the Dead”) opens in Northern Aquilonia, specifically at the outpost known as “Hauler's Roam.” Recently arrived, Conan the Cimmerian is the closest that he has been to his homeland of Cimmeria in eight years. But first, he must extricate himself from “the Bleeders,” the band of mercenaries of which he has been a part.

A weary Conan has returned to his homeland to seek rest and solitude, but a mysterious scout, Brissa, rides into Haurler's Roam” with a warning of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness. Will Conan and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders?

THE LOWDOWN: Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now. Their debut Conan title, Conan the Barbarian #1, is the latest.

When Marvel Comics resumed publishing Conan the Barbarian comic books in 2019 – for the first time since the late 1990s – I was somewhat exited. I read a few issue, and while they did recall some of the best of classic Marvel Conan for me, I saw no reason to keep reading past the first six months of the revival.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' debut Conan the Barbarian #1 seems a bit edgier than Marvel Comics' 2019 Conan the Barbarian... at least, in hindsight to me. Part of it may be that writer Jim Zub's introductory story fits itself in with some of the literary Conan chronologies. For instance, “Scourge of the Dead” references the “Sack of Venarium,” also known as the “Battle of Venarium,” which is depicted in the 2003 Conan novel, Conan of Venarium, written by Harry Turtledove.

Conan is apparently 14 or 15 at the time of the battle, but Zub may be setting his age at 16. Eight years later, this story, “Scourge of the Dead” begins, and Zub references Conan's “twenty-four summers.” In an interview, Zub said that this story takes place after the original Robert E. Howard Conan short story, “The Frost-Giant's Daughter.” In some Conan chronologies, Conan is almost 30 at this point.

That said, by firmly planting Conan in a literary tradition, Zub makes this story feel like something substantial in the catalog of Conan fiction and storytelling. This is something more than just another licensed comic book tie-in. Also, having Conan face a seemingly unstoppable horde of ravenous killers also gives the story a kick.

The art and storytelling by artist Roberto de la Torre is what really sells Zub's script. De la Torre's art here resembles of mix of the late John Buscema's Conan the Barbarian comic books and the late Joe Kubert's Tor comics. De la Torre makes me feel the blood, violence, and the heat of bone-breaking, and he creates a sense of foreboding and then, terror when the horde strikes.

The art looks even more gorgeous under the colors of José Villarubia, one of the best and most skilled comic book colorists working in American comic books over the last three decades. Richard Starkings' lettering is the cherry on top of this excellent graphics package.

Will I lose interest in this new series? There is a good chance that I will, eventually, but I may stick around for longer than I did with the Marvel relaunch. This new series is not standard Conan the Barbarian, and I like Conan enough to have watched three Conan films: Conan the Barbarian (1982), Conan the Destroyer (1984), and Conan the Barbarian (2011), many times.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of,” by Jeffrey Shanks.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

----------------------------

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Wednesday, September 13, 2023

#IReadsYou Review: UNBREAKABLE RED SONJA #1

UNBREAKABLE RED SONJA #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Jim Zub
ARTIST: Giovanni Valletta
COLORS: Francesco Segala with Agnese Pozza
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2022)

Rated Teen+

Red Sonja is female high fantasy and sword and sorcery hero. She first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith. Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Conan the Cimmerian's creator, Robert E. Howard.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character. The latest is Unbreakable Red Sonja. It is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Giovanni Valletta; colored by Francesco Segala; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.

Unbreakable Red Sonja #1 opens in a lost time and place and with an obsession. The story moves to the present, in the Hyrkanian town called “Thyner's Roost,” west of the Talakma Mountains. Here, Red Sonja is in a tavern – drunk and fighting would-be paramours. Here, Red Sonja's past and present will collide and come together for a journey into forbidden magic.

THE LOWDOWN: Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles. One of them is Unbreakable Red Sonja #1, which is one of many, many Dynamite Red Sonja comic books that I have read.

A decade ago, I was reading a lot of comic books written by Jim Zub, but I have not read any of his recent Marvel Comics work. Some of this work included a stint writing Conan the Barbarian comic books for Marvel, and Unbreakable Red Sonja #1 reminds me of old Marvel Conan comic books.

Artist Giovanni Valletta's illustrations here remind me of old Marvel Conan, as does Francesco Segala's atmospheric colors. Even letterer Carlos M. Mangual, who has done some Marvel work, gets in on the Marvel vintage Conan vibe. And that's a good thing. I like vintage Conan.

I'm intrigued by this first issue, intrigued because all the creative elements work. We'll see as far as the long term. I'll wait for the second issue before I drop a grade.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Red Sonja comic books must read Unbreakable Red Sonja.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Titan Comics Returns "CONAN THE BARBARIAN" to Comic Books Shops on August 2nd

"Conan the Barbarian #1 COVER D." "Retro Theme" variant cover art by Patch Zircher.

ROBERT E. HOWARD'S LEGENDARY CONAN IS BACK IN A NEW TALE OF BRAVERY AND HEROISM! CONAN THE BARBARIAN FCBD EDITION LEADS INTO THE DEBUT ISSUE

Years after the battle of Venarium, a weary CONAN returns to his homeland to seek rest and solitude. However, a mysterious scout rides in to warn the Cimmerians of an imminent threat on the march from the Pictish wilderness. Will CONAN and his new ally be able to hold off this new horde of invaders?

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 (ONGOING):

Writer: JIM ZUB

Artist: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE

Colorist: JOSÉ VILLARRUBIA

Letterer: RICHARD STARKINGS OF COMICRAFT

Publishers: HEROIC SIGNATURES & TITAN COMICS

FC, 32pp, $3.99, On sale: August 2, 2023

Issue #1 covers:

MAY231133 COVER A: DAN PANOSIAN

MAY231134 COVER B: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE

MAY231135 COVER C: ARTGERM

MAY231136 COVER D: PATCH ZIRCHER RETRO THEME

MAY231137 COVER E: MIKE MIGNOLA

MAY231138 COVER F: E.M. GIST

MAY231139 COVER G: WRAPAROUND HYBORIAN AGE MAP

MAY231140 COVER H: COLORED BLANK SKETCH

MAY231141 COVER I: FOIL CONAN MOVIE NOVEL REPLICA VIRGIN

MAY231142 COVER J: 1:10 INCENTIVE: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE VIRGIN B&W INKS

MAY231143 COVER K: 1:25 INCENTIVE: DAN PANOSIAN VIRGIN B&W INKS

MAY231144 COVER L: 1:50 INCENTIVE: MIKE MIGNOLA VIRGIN B&W INKS

MAY231145 COVER M: 1:100 INCENTIVE: ARTGERM VIRGIN B&W INKS

APR238820 FOC JAE LEE VIRGIN

APR238821 FOC MIKE MIGNOLA VIRGIN

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----------------------------------

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Monday, November 8, 2021

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 10, 2021

MARVEL COMICS

AUG211227 ALIEN #8 $3.99

AUG211229 ALIEN #8 SHAVRIN VAR $3.99

SEP210820 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #78 $3.99

SEP210821 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #78 LIEFELD DEADPOOL 30TH ANNIV VAR $3.99

SEP210822 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #78 SHALVEY MILES MORALES 10TH VAR $3.99

JUN210813 AMERICA CHAVEZ MADE IN USA TP $15.99

SEP211083 AVENGERS #50 POSTER $8.99

SEP210957 AVENGERS TECH-ON #4 (OF 6) $3.99

SEP210958 AVENGERS TECH-ON #4 (OF 6) MOMOKO VAR $3.99

SEP211084 CAPTAIN AMERICA IRON MAN #1 POSTER $8.99

JUN210784 CARNAGE BLACK WHITE BLOOD TREASURY EDITION TP $29.99

JUL210781 CONAN THE BARBARIAN BY JIM ZUB TP VOL 02 LAND OF LOTUS $19.99

SEP210913 DEADPOOL BLACK WHITE BLOOD #4 (OF 4) $4.99

SEP210914 DEADPOOL BLACK WHITE BLOOD #4 (OF 4) ALLRED VAR $4.99

MAR210684 DEATH CAPTAIN MARVEL GALLERY EDITION HC $44.99

SEP210906 ETERNALS #7 $3.99

SEP210907 ETERNALS #7 MOMOKO VAR $3.99

SEP210946 EXCALIBUR #25 $3.99

SEP210947 EXCALIBUR #25 MOMOKO VAR $3.99

SEP211085 GIANT-SIZE BLACK CAT INFINITY SCORE #1 POSTER $8.99

SEP210931 HELLIONS #17 $3.99

SEP210932 HELLIONS #17 JTC VAR $3.99

SEP211086 HULK #1 POSTER $8.99

MAR210676 KULL DESTROYER ORIG MARVEL YRS OMNIBUS HC SIQUEIRA CVR $125.00

JUL210806 MIGHTY MMW INCREDIBLE HULK GN TP VOL 01 GREEN GOLIATH CHO CV $15.99

JUL210807 MIGHTY MMW INCREDIBLE HULK GN TP VOL 01 GREEN GOLIATH DM VAR $15.99

SEP210991 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #32 $3.99

SEP210992 MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #32 ANKA VAR $3.99

JUL210789 REIGN OF X TP VOL 05 $17.99

SEP210993 SAVAGE AVENGERS #26 $3.99

SEP211003 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC #11 $3.99

SEP211004 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC #11 MOMOKO VAR $3.99

JUN210836 STAR WARS LEGENDS BOBA FETT TP BLOOD TIES $34.99

SEP210981 STRANGE ACADEMY #13 $3.99

SEP210982 STRANGE ACADEMY #13 ADAMS CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT VAR $3.99

SEP210983 STRANGE ACADEMY #13 UNLUCKY 13 VAR $3.99

SEP210811 THE THING #1 $4.99

SEP210812 THE THING #1 BERMEJO VAR $4.99

SEP210814 THE THING #1 NAUCK HEADSHOT VAR $4.99

AUG211017 VENOM #1 $5.99

AUG211024 VENOM #1 BACHALO VAR $5.99

AUG211027 VENOM #1 BLACK BLANK VAR $5.99

AUG211026 VENOM #1 DELLOTTO VAR $5.99

AUG211021 VENOM #1 INHYUK LEE VAR $5.99

AUG211018 VENOM #1 MOMOKO VAR $5.99

AUG211020 VENOM #1 NAUCK HEADSHOT VAR $5.99

AUG211023 VENOM #1 ROMITA JR VAR $5.99

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Wednesday, March 18, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: BLACK PANTHER and the Agents of Wakanda #1

BLACK PANTHER AND THE AGENTS OF WAKANDA No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jim Zub
ART: Lan Medina
COLORS: Marcio Menyz
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
MISC ART: Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho
COVER: Jorge Molina
EDITOR: Wil Moss
VARIANT COVERS: John Buscema with Dave McCaig; Inhyuk Lee; Leinil Francis Yu with Sunny Gho; Yoon Lee
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2019)

Rated “T”

Black Panther created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Eye of the Storm” Part 1 of 2

It makes sense that Marvel Comics would publish more than one Black Panther comic book series. After all, the 2018 Black Panther film was a worldwide box office smash and won three Academy Awards, as well as receiving a best picture Oscar nomination (the first film based on a comic book to do so). The release of that film spurred a reportedly big jump in sales of Black Panther comic books and trade paperback collections, to say nothing of the merchandise sales that left some retailers sold-out or short of supply.

The latest Black Panther ongoing comic book series is Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda. It is both a Black Panther title and an Avengers-related series, spinning off from Jason Aaron's run on Avengers. Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda is written by Jim Zub, drawn by Lan Medina; colored by Marcio Menyz, and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda #1 finds Janet Van Dyne/The Wasp and Colonel John Jameson III/The Man-Wolf in Miami fighting the “Scavengers.” This group of tech-thieves is in Miami to find a lost cache of experimental S.H.I.E.L.D. weaponry. Soon, however, Okoye, the tactical head of the “Dora Milaje” and director of “the Agents of Wakanda,” is leading her teammates to a meeting with their boss, Black Panther.

T'Challa, the current Chairman of the Avengers and the King of Wakanda, has located an example of the kind of situation for which the Agents of Wakanda was created – gathering intelligence and dealing with immediate hazards the Avengers cannot. Pawhuska, Oklahoma, U.S. is experiencing some kind of demon invasion. Can Black Panther, The Wasp, Okoye, and Fat Cobra (the immortal weapon and kung-fu champion) stop this invasion... or even discover the power behind it?

Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda writer, Jim Zub, described this comic book as “[Jack] Kirby-fueled Mission: Impossible in the Marvel Universe” to Marvel.com. He said the team is “a strike force of misfits and monsters tasked with defending humanity.” The Agents of Wakanda aren't the first superhero group to take on the “weirdness” in the “weird corners” of its comic book universe. There is also DC Comics The New Terrifics.

The Truth is that everything about a superhero comic book universe is weird, so comic book writers who claim that there is a particularly “weirder” segment ripe for storytelling better bring it. Jim Zub, a good comic book writer who has produced some comic books that I have enjoyed, does not bring it. In Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda #1 Zub's dialogue is bland, and he makes the characters, some of Marvel's best, seem somewhat run-of-the-mill.

Lan Medina's art is really good... in a few places, and is storytelling is... professional. Marcio Menyz's coloring is really good, and the color effects caught my attention. Joe Sabino's lettering is also professional and maybe... a bit perfunctory. But practically nothing in this first issue is exciting.

If Jim Zub can give Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda the spark he gave his former Image Comics series, Wayward, then, this could be an exceptional superhero comic book. Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda #1 doesn't seem like the introduction to something that will be exceptional.

5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, December 2, 2019

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 4, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

OCT190926    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #35 2099    $3.99
OCT190928    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #35 ART ADAMS 8 PART CONNECTING VAR 2099    $3.99
OCT190927    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #35 JOHNSON 2020 VAR 2099    $3.99
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I Reads You

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

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Thursday, December 18, 2025

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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

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Thursday, April 3, 2025

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Thursday, February 6, 2025

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #5

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #4

Friday, September 27, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #3

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #2

Saturday, May 25, 2024

Titan Comics Announces "Conan" Comics Solicitations for August 2024

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

#IReadsYou Review: UNBREAKABLE RED SONJA #1

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Titan Comics Returns "CONAN THE BARBARIAN" to Comic Books Shops on August 2nd

Monday, November 8, 2021

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 10, 2021

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

#IReadsYou Review: BLACK PANTHER and the Agents of Wakanda #1

Monday, December 2, 2019

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