Advance Review: Conan the Barbarian #1

From a range of cross media icons, Conan is probably one of the biggest names, be it books, movies or comics. After spending time at Marvel, Dark Horse, visiting DC with Wonder Woman, Dynamite with Red Sonja and back to Marvel, Conan is now at Titan Comics. Seems that the wandering Cimmerian’s journeys are not just limited to travelling across the Hyborian Age!

Time has passed since the battle of Venarium; Conan is heading back to his homeland for some rest and recuperation, barbarian style. Of course, when it comes to Conan and a tavern you know all sorts of trouble is brewing. So when a mysterious scout details the oncoming doom from across the Pictish wilderness, Conan must put down his flagon of ale and pick up his sword once more.

Jim Zub is probably the most recognised writer to work on licensed characters, bar maybe Larry Hama on GI Joe. Zub takes a straight forward approach to this new run, delivering a story that could of come straight from the tomes of yesteryear. The story is quite simple, Conan gets into a quest, meets a new ally and sets up the next big quest. It should go as unsaid, but fans of the old school Conan should love this. Gone is the Marvel version, who was in the Avengers. In his place stands the hero that we all know and love, faithfully restored under Zub’s writing .

The old school motif is continued through the art, starting with the Romita JR. homage styled cover A from Dan Panosian, behind which lies the John Buscema inspired work from Roberto De La Torre, who clearly knows what he likes from a Conan book and delivers handsomely. Strong lines carry the panels in a similar vein to Al Williamson or Russ Manning on the old Star Wars comic strip. Regardless of the influences, De La Torre’s art is gorgeous, ably supported by the colors from José Villarrubia who give the Hyborian Age a dingy, lived in feel with a surprising level of depth. Richard Starkings letters also use a style which reminds me of old school Marvel, effectively bringing Conan back to his heyday!

For a character that has had a myriad of publishing companies, I wasn’t sure that there was still life in Conan. Taking the style of the book and the character back to his roots, sort of, does allow new readers to see him at his best rather than pigeon-holed into a larger comic book universe. The old school stylings of the work of Zub, De La Torre, Villarrubia and Starkings go to prove how fantastic the comics of the past could be, by CROM!

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; Jim Zub
Art by; Roberto De La Torre
Colors by; José Villarrubia
Letters by; Richard Starkings
Published by; Titan Comics

Conan the Barbarian #1 is due in shops on 26th July

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow

Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network