Conan the Barbarian #15
Written by Brian Wood
Pencils by Andrea Mutti
Inks by Pierluigi Bladassini
Colors by Dave Stewart
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover by Massimo Carnevale
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: April 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

Conan the Barbarian #15 is, unfortunately, the first issue in quite some time that I haven’t enjoyed more than the previous installment. I wish I could explain why, but I really can’t.

Brian Wood does a fantastic job, as usual, writing this issue, but there’s just something lacking from previous issues. I think it’s just the rare issue wherein it’s a pretty boring chapter of a good story. And when the rest of the story has been so good and exciting, this slow act, really grinds to a halt. It’s Belit’s origin story, which again, should be really good, but it’s not. Don’t get me wrong, this issue isn’t awful, it’s just not aweSOME. I’m sure Wood will be back on track with the next issue.

Artist Andrea Mutti certainly doesn’t help matters at all. And again, it’s not his fault. This is basically the “talking heads” issue of Conan. He does good with what he’s given, but boy, he’s not really given that much exciting stuff to draw. It’s pretty much all desert scenery with little to no action. I’d really like to see him draw some heavy action scenes. He does an excellent job with the heavy emotion that’s in this issue, though.

As you can tell, this wasn’t my favorite issue of Conan the Barbarian. When every issue has been great, it’s hard to except one that’s just “good.” I have a feeling that this issue will read great in trade, and that I won’t even remember not liking it when I do. But, for now, I have to be honest and say wait for the collection on this one.