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!

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.