King Conan: Wolves Beyond The Border
Created by Robert E. Howard
Written by Timothy Truman
Art by Tomas Giorello
Colors by Jose Villarrubia
Letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
Cover by Tomas Giorello
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 27, 2016
Cover Price: $17.99

It used to be that every time I saw there was a new Conan release, I would hang my head and sigh deeply before laying my money down on the counter. It was a crapshoot, to say the least. But in the past few years in general, and this month in particular, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. This trade paperback, King Conan: Wolves Beyond The Border, is a prime example of masterful storytelling and sequential art working in perfect harmony.

Read on for more information as to why I loved it so much!

Conan The Slayer #1
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Sergio Davila
Colors by Michael Atiyeh
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Covers by Lee Bermejo, Mark Schultz with Dave Stewart (30th Anniversary Variant)
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: July 13, 2016
Cover Price: $3.99

Cullen Bunn is writing Conan! Okay, now that I got that out of the way, allow me to introduce you to Conan The Slayer #1. Being a life-long fan of everyone’s favorite Cimmerian, I always try to keep my eyes open for anything Conan. To be fair, I’ll read anything involving this character. But when it reads and feels just like something Robert E. Howard himself would have appreciated, then it’s really time to celebrate!

Keep on reading for more fanboy gushing and witty remarks!

Below you’ll find the solicitations information and cover artwork for all of Titan Comics comic book titles that were released on April 6, 2016. This list includes a couple of Doctor Who comics and my pick of the week from Titan: Heroes: Godsend #2! So dig in and see if you find a little something for yourself.

Welcome, readers! Here you’ll find this week’s releases from Titan Comics! I’m still a huge fan of Heroes, so this week makes me extremely happy. Add in some Doctor Who and it’s a done deal! Check all the new titles out here below!

Conan/Red Sonja #4
Written by Gail Simone & Jim Zub
Pencils by Randy Green
Inks by Rick Ketcham
Colors by Dave Stewart
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover art by Dan Panosian
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: April 29, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

Conan/Red Sonja #4 is the perfect ending to what, in my opinion, was the perfect example of a inter-company crossover. For the past three issues, two of fantasy’s most popular characters have fought, loved, and been comrades in arms. Now, with the fate of the entire universe at stake, can even they protect it?

Writers Gail Simone and Jim Zub continue their excellent tale of Conan and Red Sonja. What I’ve loved most about this series, and this issue in particular, is that it was more of a team-up than a crossover, and that both characters get equal billing and “page-time.” Each has their share of story to carry and each has their own weight to pull when it comes to the overall adventure. This issue is a fitting end to the series. I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s perfect.

Conan Red/Sonja #3
Written by Gail Simone & Jim Zub
Pencils by Randy Green
Inks by Rick Ketcham
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colors by Dave Stewart
Cover art by Dan Panosian
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: March 25, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99

Conan/Red Sonja #3 takes a big swerve from the first two issues of this series, and it’s a total surprise for the reader. We’re used to the past two issues that skipped around during different times of the lives of Conan and Red Sonja, and it was great and fun, but now that the narrative has changed, is it still good? Let me tell you what I think…

Conan/Red Sonja #2
Written by Gail Simone & Jim Zub
Art by Dan Panosian
Colors by Dave Stewart
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover art by Dan Panosian
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: February 11, 2015
Cover Price: $3.99
Kindle Edition: $3.19

Conan/Red Sonja #2 is the second installment in this way too long in the making crossover. We get a follow-up on the first issue’s first meeting between the two most recognizable characters in the fantasy comics genre, but in many ways, it’s also a first issue. Confused? Let me straighten things out for you.

Conan The Avenger #8
Written by Fred Van Lente
Art by Brian Ching
Colors by Michael Atiyeh
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover art by John Picacio
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: November 26, 2014
Cover Price: $3.50

Conan The Avenger #8 is the second part in “The Damned Horde” storyline that was started last issue. Conan and a VERY mixed up army set out to rescue the sister of one of their own, who’s being held prisoner by a weirdly SOUTHERN villain. I wasn’t aware that Cimmeria had a Mason-Dixon line.

Writer Fred Van Lente delivers another solid issue of Conan. There’s a lot going on this issue, and if you haven’t read part one of this story, I suggest you do so before picking up this issue. First, because it’s awesome; and second, just so you’re up to speed on Conan and his mission, allies, enemies, and victims. This… is the fun part of the story. Where all the action is, where the plan is set into motion. Also, we get to find out a little bit more about the “bad guy” behind all this, as well as the “damsel in distress” that was introduced last issue. There’s some great classic Conan characterization in this issue. Van Lente proves that Conan is many things besides a barbarian. In fact, he’s a LOT more: strategist, leader, motivator, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Conan the Avenger #2
Written by Fred Van Lente
Art by Brian Ching
Colors by Michael Atiyeh
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover art by Killian Plunkett
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: May 28, 2014
Cover Price: $3.50

WOW!!!! Comics don’t get much better than Conan the Avenger #2!!! It’s got EVERYTHING you could want or hope for in a Conan comic book.

I’ve enjoyed Fred Van Lente’s books in the past a great deal, but I had no idea he had such great ideas and stories for Conan in him. This is a Conan that we don’t get to see that often. Usually he’s fighting off other barbarians, pirates, or monsters, but here we get to see him tackle the spirit world. How can he kill something that’s all ready dead? The answer will surprise you! Beyond all this awesomeness, there’s a really great story, with just enough hopelessness for the character the reader believes that this might be the adventure he doesn’t walk away from, even though we know better. The villains are believable, and that’s what made me actually get nervous for Conan a couple of times. And, Van Lente throws in some pretty great “classic Conan” moments.

Conan The Avenger #1
Based on the work of Robert E. Howard
Script by Fred Van Lente
Art by Brian Ching
Colors by Michael Atiyeh
Letters by Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover by Iain McCaig
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: April 23, 2014
Cover Price: $3.50

By Crom! Now this is how a Conan story should read! Conan The Avenger #1 has everything you would expect from Robert E. Howard himself. Now granted, it is based upon a synopsis Howard wrote but never completed, but the vast majority of this is original…and awesome! It isn’t just that the writing seems appropriate, it’s that it’s paired perfectly with art that reminds me of the Conan comics from decades ago. Read on my friends for more information.