CONAN THE BARBARIAN #25 / Script by JIM ZUB / Art by ALEX HORLEY / Letters by RICHARD STARKINGS & COMICRAFT’S TYLER SMITH / Published by TITAN COMICS

Since Titan Comics took over the Conan license, Jim Zub has written many original tales of Conan the Barbarian. He has also adapted several of the classic Robert E. Howard stories into comics and crossed-over Conan with other Howard creations. Yet in all that time, he has never written a tale set during Conan’s later life as King of Aquilonia… until now.

“The Nomad” would be notable for that reason alone. Yet it is also an anniversary issue of sorts, celebrating all that Titan Comics has done thus far with Conan the Barbarian. The tale in an Arthurian affair, with a stranger asking to guest with Conan. He agrees to act as host, despite the guest’s sinister visage and manner making his wife and followers uncomfortable. However, the guest soon challenges Conan with fell sorcery that causes him to relive the days of his youth and battles long won as a living nightmare!

This setup is just an excuse to give legendary fantasy artist Alex Horley a chance to draw the best of Conan’s adventures. Flimsy as it may be, it is welcome. Horley is recognized as one of the best in the business for a reason and seeing him depict such scenes as Conan’s battles with Thak the man-ape or the frost giants would be well worth the price of admission by itself.

However, there is much more than fine art. And Zub’s story has a twist that further expands upon the original lore of Howard’s Conan in a way that will be familiar to regular readers of his work and this series. As for newcomers, this is a wonderful introduction to Conan as a character, the deeper themes of civilization versus barbarism that Howard loved to explore, and a rousing adventure comic to boot. Not bad for the price. Not bad at all, by Crom!

Conan the Barbarian #25 arrives in comic shops on October 8, 2025.