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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Review: ROCKETEER Adventures #4

ROCKETEER ADVENTURES No. 4
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Dave Gibbons; Joe Pruett; John Arcudi
ARTISTS: Scott Hampton; Tony Harris; Brendan McCarthy
COLORS: Scott Hampton; JD Mettler; Jamie Grant
LETTERS: Shawn Lee
PIN-UPS: Ashley Wood
COVER: Alex Ross
ALTERNATE COVERS:  Dave Stevens (Cover B), Alex Ross (Cover RI – sketch); and Dave Stevens (B/W Incentive Edition)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2011)

Rocketeer created by Dave Stevens

Long live The Rocketeer!

Born in 1955, Dave Stevens was an illustrator, artist, and storyteller who worked on newspaper comic strips and as a storyboard artist on both live-action and animated films and also for television.  Many, like me, know Stevens for his comic book work.  While there was not much of it, what Stevens did produce was spectacular and beautiful.

His most famous comic book creation is The Rocketeer, a superhero Stevens first introduced in 1982.  The Rocketeer’s style and the mode of his adventures recall the Saturday matinee heroes of the 1930s and 1940s.  The Rocketeer’s exploits are mainly set in and around Los Angeles, beginning in 1938 and into the 1940s.  The Rocketeer even made it onto the big screen in a 1991 film from Walt Disney Pictures.

The Rocketeer is Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers an experimental jet pack (or rocket pack).  When he straps it on, Cliff can fly and becomes The Rocketeer.  Cliff’s friend, Peevy, an airplane mechanic, helps him maintain and modify the rocket pack.  Cliff’s girlfriend is the actress, Bettie, whom Stevens based on real life, 1950s pin-up and fetish model, Bettie Page.

Debuting in 2011, Rocketeer Adventures was an anthology series from IDW Publishing.  Edited by Scott Dunbier, Rocketeer Adventures featured Rocketeer short stories (about 7 to 8 pages in length) produced by some of the most popular, imaginative, and unique creators in comic books.  The series, which had a sequel, basically paid respect to Stevens (who died in 2008) and his most beloved creation.

Rocketeer Adventures #4 features three stories.  The first is “A Day at the Beach,” written by Dave Gibbons and drawn by Scott Hampton, which finds the Rocketeer taking on surfboard thieves.  In “Waterlogged,” written by Joe Pruett and drawn by Tony Harris, the Rocketeer battles a Japanese submarine.  “The Flight of the Aeronaut,” written by John Arcudi with art by Brendan McCarthy and Jamie Grant, finds Cliff battling Nazis who want Peevy’s plans to improve the Rocketeer’s rocket pack.

“A Day at the Beach” shows off Scott Hampton’s technique in illustrated narrative, which I still find eye-catching decades after I first saw his work.  The delicate watercolors (or watercolor-like colors) perfectly convey a sunny day at the beach.  “The Flight of the Aeronaut” is scary, and I wish it were longer.

In fact, since Rocketeer Adventures was first published, IDW Publishing has published three original miniseries starring the Rocketeer (one of them featuring Will Eisner’s The Spirit).  So here’s an idea for another miniseries, Mr. Dunbier, editor of all things Rocketeer, a follow-up to “The Flight of the Aeronaut.”

As a bonus, Rocketeer Adventures #4 features two pin-ups by artist Ashley Wood.  The second of the two, entitled “Heaven Bound,” captures the sense of wonder and hope that the Rocketeer embodies.  Long live the Rocketeer.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #2

SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #2 (of 2)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

CREATOR: Mike Mignola
STORY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART: Jason Latour
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
EDITOR: Scott Allie
COVER: Mike Mignola with Dave Stewart
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (April 2013)

Part 2 of 2

Mike Mignola and John Arcudi’s two-issue micro-series, Sledgehammer 44, comes to an end.

Sledgehammer is a superhero character created by Mike Mignola, sort of his spin on Iron Man. The character appears in the two-issue Sledgehammer 44, written by Mignola and John Arcudi, drawn by Jason Latour, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clem Robins, with covers by Mignola.

Sledgehammer 44 opens in August 1944 in D’ebene Chiot, France, as an American military patrol attempts to destroy a German armory there. The Americans, however, are really just support troops, as the military launches “Project Epimetheus,” also known as Sledgehammer, the man in a suit of iron armor.

Sledgehammer 44 #2 opens with four Americans taking on small German advance patrol. The prize for the victorious side is Sledgehammer. Americans Dale Glesham and Patrick Redding lead the charge for the American side, with their American comrades, Bunkers and Muralla dragged along.

One of the American’s is grievously wounded, and Glesham has to make a decision about a possible last stand. Meanwhile, another American faces his fate after he is confronted by the truth about Sledgehammer.

Call it the Hellboy-verse or the Mignola-verse, but by any name, Dark Horse Comics’ line of Mike Mignola-produced comic books is simply wonderful. Sledgehammer 44 is a fine slice of that universe of most-excellent dark fantasy and monster comics.

The first issue of Sledgehammer 44 was basically Mignola and Arcudi’s entry into the genre of war comics, but with a sci-fi twist and some high-action. Sledgehammer 44 #2 is also in the venerable tradition of war comic books, but with something extra. Even with the fantastic elements, this comic book manages to be surprisingly human. If Mignola and Arcudi can write more stories like this, hopefully, they will give us more Sledgehammer.

What if Jason Latour cannot draw more Sledgehammer? Perhaps, Mignola and Dark Horse Comics can also find another artist whose composition and graphics can convey both the natural and the supernatural in war comics.

Fans of Mike Mignola will want to try Sledgehammer 44.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review: SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1

SLEDGEHAMMER 44 #1 (of 2)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

CREATOR: Mike Mignola
STORY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART: Jason Latour
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Mike Mignola with Dave Stewart
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2013)

Part 1 of 2

Mike Mignola adds to the vast world of Hellboy with Sledgehammer, a new superhero character he created. Think of Sledgehammer as Mignola’s version, spin, or take on Iron Man. Now, the character appears in a new two-issue, comic book micro-series, entitled Sledgehammer 44. The series is written by Mignola and John Arcudi, drawn by Jason Latour, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Clem Robins, with covers by Mignola.

Sledgehammer 44 #1 opens in August 1944 in D’ebene Chiot, France. An American military patrol prepares to take a German armory there, but the Americans are really just support troops. The military is about to launch “Project Epimetheus.” This is Sledgehammer, a man in a suit of iron armor, and he’s ready to fight his way through an army of Nazis and take on their massive war machine.

Call it the Hellboy-verse or the Mignola-verse, but by any name, Dark Horse Comics’ line of Mike Mignola-produced comic books is simply wonderful. In the first issue of Sledgehammer 44, Mignola and Arcudi have produced a cleanly written, straightforward story. Its mix of World War II combat, science fiction, fantastic armor, and menacing robots seems natural. Having supernatural machines battle it out in a French village in 1944 does not seem odd, as if that makes sense in the context of a real world WWII.

The stars of Sledgehammer 44’s creative team are artist Jason Latour and colorist Dave Stewart. Latour produces page after page of eye-poppy graphics, and compositionally, Latour opens up the story in big panels that capture the massiveness and power of Sledgehammer in battle. Stewart, whom I consider to be on the shortlist of truly great modern comic book colorists, makes the art crackle with energy and surge with an electric charge.

Honestly, at just two-issues in length, Sledgehammer 44 should be a one-shot instead of two issues. Latour and Stewart’s art is so robust, however, that the ending of the first issue is a break your eyes and mind will need.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 24 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR110064 BLACKJACKED & PISTOL WHIPPED CRIME DOES NOT PAY PRIMER $19.99

MAY110034 BPRD PLAGUE OF FROGS HC VOL 02 $34.99

JUN110035 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #3 DAVE GIBBONS CVR $7.99

JUN110036 DARK HORSE PRESENTS #3 PAUL CHADWICK CVR $7.99

NOV100055 LAST KISS COFFEE MUG $12.99

JUN110028 RAGE #3 (OF 3) $3.50

MAY110013 SERENITY HC VOL 02 BETTER DAYS & OTHER STORIES $19.99

APR118179 SERENITY HC VOL 02 BETTER DAYS & OTHER STORIES (O/A) $19.99

JUN110024 STAR WARS JEDI DARK SIDE #4 $2.99

Leroy Douresseaux on B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH: Monsters #2

B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH: MONSTERS #2 OF 2 (Series #81)
DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART: Tyler Crook
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Ryan Sook with Dave Stewart
32pp, Color, $3.50

B.P.R.D. is a long-running comic book series starring the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (the B.P.R.D. or BPRD). This is the organization that fights the occult, paranormal, and supernatural in the world of Hellboy, the long-running comic book series and related books created by Mike Mignola. Each story arc is presented as a miniseries, with the latest being B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth, a two-issue storyline.

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Monsters #2 finds Liz Sherman (Hellboy’s #1 female) ensconced in a weird trailer park full of hillbilly cult fanatics. Dumb as they are, the denizens of the trailer park have managed to make escape difficult for Liz. However, she has only two of the rednecks who aren’t cultists to help her.

My first reading experiences with a B.P.R.D. comic book turned out to be good ones. A trailer park full of black magic cultists is such a good idea, it’s a wonder it hasn’t appeared in film. Hell on Earth: Monsters offers art by promising newcomer Tyler Crook, an added bonus to the weirdness writers Mike Mignola and John Arcudi weave. Crook turns out to be just right for this story. I have to say it: Hell on Earth: Monsters is a hella good read.

A-

Leroy Douresseaux on B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH: MONSTERS #1

B.P.R.D. HELL ON EARTH: MONSTERS #1 OF 2 (Series #80)
DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
ART: Tyler Crook
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Ryan Sook with Dave Stewart (Variant cover by Francesco Francavilla)
32pp, Color, $3.50

Welcome, Tyler Crook!

Crook is the artist on B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Monsters, a new two-issue B.P.R.D. miniseries. The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense is the organization charged with protecting America and the rest of the world from the occult, paranormal and supernatural in the world of Hellboy, the long-running comic book universe created by Mike Mignola.

B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Monsters #1 finds Liz Sherman (Hellboy’s #1 female) ensconced in a trailer park and living in a trailer with Jeb and Todd (apparently while the Bureau’s off fighting giant bat-eared beasts in Texas). Liz is kicking hillbilly ass in that trailer park, but the darkness from which she’s trying to hide has also taking a liking to the white trash life.

I have never read a B.P.R.D. comic book, not a single one, although I’ve been putting off doing so for years. I started off with a good one in Hell on Earth: Monsters, although it didn’t start off that way. After the first few pages, I was bored and thinking, “This is not real B.P.R.D. or Hellboy.”

The art by newcomer Tyler Crook captures the sense of impending boom and doom weaved by writers Mike Mignola and John Arcudi. Crook’s drawing style, which has similarities to the styles of Kevin Huizenga and David Mazzuchelli, establishes Hell on Earth: Monsters as a story that takes place in a world like our own – earthy and even down and dirty, in which the supernatural is invading. I like the fact that this seems more like Hellblazer dark fantasy than there’s-magic-around-every-corner fantasy. This first issue also has a killer last act.

A-