Jim Zub's Blog, page 2
July 28, 2025
Jim Zub at Gen Con 2025!
On July 31st to August 3rd, it’s time for North America’s largest tabletop RPG, card, and board game show, GEN CON in Indianapolis, Indiana!
Howard Tayler (Shlock Mercenary, Writing Excuses), Sandra Tayler (Hold On To Your Horses),
Stacy King (D&D Young Adventurer’s Guides) and I will be set-up together at BOOTH 1349 in the main exhibit hall, ready to sign for readers.
If you’re headed to Gen Con, it would be great to see you there! It’s one of my favorite shows each year. Getting the chance to promote my work and dig into the latest and greatest the gaming industry has to offer is a wonderful opportunity.
In addition to our booth in the main exhibit hall, I’ll also be in a live play game on Saturday. Details below:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2nd4:00-5:30pm – Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game Live! – Westin : Grand Ballroom V
It’s clobberin’ time at Gen Con as the goofballs from the Glass Cannon Network team up with Marvel for a fantastic, amazing, spectacular, friendly neighborhood-ing good time! Nobody does the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game like the Glass Cannon, so break out your best spandex and prepare for an afternoon of classic heroes alongside new recruits tangling with the worst villains the Marvel Multiverse has to offer.
Here’s where you can find our booth in the exhibit hall:
July 22, 2025
Zubby Newsletter #120: Eye of the Storm
The San Diego Convention CenterHere I am again, luggage packed before I fly to San Diego for Comic Con and then immediately head to Gen Con in Indianapolis – a five day show and then a four day show – the infamous Nerd Prom Twin Terror
©. As ridiculous as that will be, I’m also pretty damn excited. After being home for the past four and a half weeks busting away on writing deadlines I’m looking forward to seeing industry friends and celebrating another year making comics. Even after all these years, it’s hard to believe this is my job.
I had an industry pro reach out to me this morning to let me know that this would be their first SDCC and ask for advice. At first I wasn’t sure what to suggest, and then next thing I knew I’d sent them a list of industry parties, meet-up spots, food recommendations, great vendors, and places to escape the hustle-bustle. I don’t know exactly when I became a veteran of these Comic-Con-flicts, but it’s happened and so I’m heading into SDCC 2025 with a sense of zen about it all – The show will be a whilrwind and I will try to be the calm eye of the storm.
Obviously the consistency of Conan helps bolster my confidence. Keeping this Hyborian adventure going and commemorating another year on the series with our team is going to be wonderful.
Zub at SDCC 2025
When I’m not doing panels, signings or meetings, I’ll be at Artist Alley Table GG-07 with the Comic Sketch Art team.
In a separate post on my website there is an extensive rundown – panel details, show-exclusive variant covers, giveaways and more. I’ll be sure to keep that post up to date in case anything changes.
The Big 25 Arrives in October
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #25, arriving in October, is going to be extra-special – a 48-page issue fully painted by Alex Horley! Solicits and preview pages are making the rounds and it’s so nice to be able to show people some of the jaw-dropping work I’ve been staring in awe at since Alex and I started working on this epic back in September of last year.
This issue is my first King Conan story, it’s a self-contained adventure, and it’s a fist-pumping sword-swinging celebration of our series – past, present, and future. Make sure you pre-order, if you haven’t already!
And just as a reminder – Conan the Barbarian will keep going after issue #25! I know a lot of current comic series seem to be getting cut short or cancelled, but we are going strong and our latest issues have defied typical attrition patterns and are going up in sales. There are many more adventures to come as long as readers and retailers keep supporting the series the way they have so far.
Pre-SDCC Stream With Near MintI was a guest on the Near Mint Condition livestream, and chatted with Omar all about how Conan the Barbarian is going, San Diego Comic Con memories, answering online questions, screen sharing old photos and artwork, and a whole lot more. It was a ton of fun, so please check it out!
Writing and Role-Play
I spoke to Anton Kromoff at Comicon.com all about the writing process for Conan the Barbarian – research, collaboration, role-play and more. It covers quite a bit, so check it out!
Thrilled to announce that I’m a special guest at this year’s Thought Bubble Comic Festival in Harrogate, happening right after my stint at D&D in a Castle.
• Tom Cardy‘s music cracks me up quite a bit and his latest, Love Letter to a Dungeon Master, is one of those things that won’t make any sense unless you play TTRPGs but, if you do, it strikes gold.
• The official Conan the Barbarian website has a great article about Conan toys by Matt John, including a look at the upcoming Conan action figure based on my Battle of the Black Stone story.
• My friend Jason Bulmahn has a crowdfunding campaign going for Hellfinder, a horror alteration of the popular Pathfinder TTRPG.
• The Robert E. Howard Foundation now has their own YouTube channel and one of their first videos is a rundown of the foundation’s purpose, as told by noted Howard scholars and Foundation Directors Rusty Burke and Paul Herman.
• Sean Jordan has a crowdfunding campaign going for Wordburglar Rhymes With Comics, a music and comics collaboration with lots of my industry friends contributing artwork.
Jim
July 17, 2025
Zub Comics Arriving in October 2025
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #25
STORY: JIM ZUB
ART: ALEX HORLEY
COVER A: ALEX HORLEY WRAPAROUND
COVER B: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
COVER C: DOUG BRAITHWAITE
COVER D: JONAS SCHARF
COVER E: DANICA BRINE
COVER F: ALEX HORLEY WRAPAROUND CARDSTOCK
COVER G: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE FOIL TRADE
COVER H: COLOR BLANK SKETCH
FC, 48pp, $5.99 – On Sale October 8, 2025
Milestone 25th issue featuring an epic stand alone story! The perfect jumping on point for new fans! Written by fan-favorite writer, Jim Zub!
THE NOMAD: Conan the King welcomes a strange visitor with an even stranger mission. Can the Ruler of Aquilonia prove his mettle or will the mysterious wanderer’s incredible power change the course of history?
This special issue #25 is a must-have for Conan fans!
CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT #2 (OF 4)
STORY: JIM ZUB
LINE ART: IVAN GIL
COLORS JOAO CANOLA
COVER A: E.M. GIST
COVER B: ALAN QUAH
COVER C: MARIA WOLF
COVER D: IAN CHURCHILL
FC, 32pp, $4.99, On Sale October 29, 2025
CONAN OF CIMMERIA has encountered Stygian sorcery and snakesent creatures many times in his grand adventures, but he has never faced the true unspeakable power of SET… until NOW. The serpent god’s influence coils around the Hyborian Age and every other age linked to it.
Three stunning supernatural stories will weave together to answer a chilling question of past and present – What is Set’s grand plan for humanity and, now that it’s begun, can it be stopped?
THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL. 3
STORY: Roy Thomas, Patrick Zircher, Dennis Culver, Liam Sharp, Fabien Nicieza, Jim Zub and more
ART: Roberto de la Torre, Juan Alberto Hernández, Chris Burnham, Max von Fafner, Sean Chen and more
REGULAR COVER: NEAL ADAMS
DM EDITION: JOE JUSKO
SC, B&W, 192pp, $24.99, On Sale October 8, 2025
Comprising the very best comic industry talent, including legend Roy Thomas and fan favorite Roberto de la Torre, a myriad of writers and artists create a spectacular array of beautifully illustrated black and white comic strips and pin-ups, as well as poems, short stories and essays.
Collects issues #7-9 of the stunning new Savage Sword of Conan magazine.
July 16, 2025
Gamehole 2025 Events
This October, Stacy and I are going to be at GAMEHOLE XVII in Madison, Wisconsin, gaming up a storm, and while we’re there we’ll be running some sessions open to attendees so I wanted to make sure the event links were easy to find so people can Wishlist/Sign Up for them!
THURSDAY, October 16th, 202511:00am – Into the Crucible: A Deadly Tournament Adventure with Jim Zub – 3 hours
2:00pm – Escape From the Immutable Order with Stacy King – 3 hours
3:00pm – Conan: The Hyborian Age RPG with Conan Writer Jim Zub – 3 hours
4:00pm – Panel: The Book-Game Feedback Loop – 1 hour
SATURDAY, October 18th, 202510:00am – Into the Crucible: A Deadly Tournament Adventure with Jim Zub – 3 hours
2:00pm – Conan: The Hyborian Age RPG with Conan Writer Jim Zub – 3 hours
5:00pm – Escape From the Immutable Order with Stacy King – 3 hours
July 15, 2025
Zub at San Diego Comic Con 2025!
It’s time again for the biggest pop culture event of the summer, San Diego Comic-Con, or should we say COMIC-CROM! This year I’m once again promoting the ongoing adventures of CONAN THE BARBARIAN with Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics.
Comic Sketch Art will be manning my spot at-
They will have a special convention variant for CONAN THE BARBARIAN #22 illustrated by Enid Balam:
Titan Comics has three different Conan foil cover variants at the show illustrated by Dan Panosian, Jason Shawn Alexander, and Joe Jusko for sale at BOOTH #5537:
Here’s where I’ll be at the show when I’m not grabbing a meal, at meetings, or doing press:
WEDNESDAY, July 23, 2025 – Preview Night
THURSDAY, July 24, 2025
10:00am-11:00am — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-0711:30am-12:30pm — Signing at Titan Books – BOOTH 553701:00pm-02:00pm — Conan the Barbarian panel – ROOM 5ABThis year’s official Conan the Barbarian panel will be exploring Scourge of the Serpent, the launch of the colorful new Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged, and much more. Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures welcome writer Jim Zub, editor Chris Butera, and letterer Richard Starkings as they join Conan historian Jeff Shanks and moderator Andrew Sumner for a packed Conan discussion, exclusive reveals, special announcements, and giveaways.03:00pm-03:45pm — Signing at Random House – BOOTH 1514/1515
And get a FREE D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide book at this show floor signing, while supplies last.04:00pm-05:00pm — Comics Plus Tabletop Games panel – ROOM 29AB
Jim Zub (Conan, D&D Young Adventurer’s Guide), Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT, BRZRKR), C. J. Cervantes (producer and project lead, Marvel Multiverse RPG), Daryl Andrews (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns—The Game, TMNT: Showdown), and Jon Barry (Studio Far Horizons/Mad Caves: The Last Wardens RPG) have designed some of the most successful board games and role-playing games with comic IP themes. Moderator Alexa Cappiello (Disfigura, Legend of the White Dragon) will get them to share stories about designing games that are thematically accurate but create new ways to experience our favorite comics. Get a sneak peek and learn about some upcoming comic-theme tabletop games releasing later this year.05:15pm-07:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07
FRIDAY, July 25, 2025
09:30am-10:30am — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-0702:30pm-03:30pm — Signing at Titan Books – BOOTH 553704:00pm-07:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07SATURDAY, July 26, 2025
11:00am-02:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-0702:30pm-03:30pm — Celebrating Dungeons & Dragons panel – ROOM 24ABCDungeons & Dragons continues its monumental rise in pop culture after 50 years! With more people rolling dice and telling stories every day, come hear from expert Dungeon Masters and Storytellers who share how Dungeons & Dragons has secured its place in society and the tabletop. Anjali Bhimani (Actor, DesiQuest, Critical Role, Dimension 20), Elisa Teague (Game Designer & Writer) Teagan Morrison (Co-Founder, Hero Forge), Jim Zub (Writer, Dungeons & Dragons) and Moderator Ross Thompson.04:00pm-05:00pm — Signing at Titan Books – BOOTH 553705:30pm-07:00pm — Signing at Artist Alley TABLE GG-07
SUNDAY, July 27, 2025
I’m flying out early Sunday, so I will not be at the show on the final day! Make sure you swing by before then to get books signed!
July 14, 2025
Zubby Newsletter #119: Super Saturday
The theater didn’t have a Superman set-up in the lobby, so we just snapped a quick photo outside.Saw SUPERMAN on Saturday with Stacy and my Father-in-law.
No spoilers!
I thought it was an absolute blast and a much-needed shot in the arm to both the DC Universe and superhero films in general. There is a ton happening, but the plot and emotional throughline manages to hold it all together. Really impressive.
The movie leans into some Silver Age Superman comic trappings and gives you the feeling you’ve been dropped into the midst of a larger world and ongoing story, but not in a way I found confusing. If anything, it reminded me of being a kid and picking up a random issue of a superhero comic. I didn’t need to know every facet of every character’s back story to quickly understand their current motivations and get pulled into the unfolding drama and action happening on the page. With that in mind, the film wisely sprinted past retelling Superman’s origin story for the umpteenth time and instead dove into broader ideas around responsibility, heroism, and humanity. The heightened classic comic elements are unabashedly up there on the screen but the film still manages to ground them with just enough ‘now’ that it felt contemporary yet idealistic, hopeful but not naive. It’s one hell of a high wire act, narratively speaking.
Is it perfect? Of course not. With so much going on, some elements were glossed over that I would have preferred to see receive more focus and the final act leaves some questions that, if not answered in future films, could become jarring plot holes, but on the whole Superman delivered far beyond my expectations. Kudos to the movie team and congrats to so many of my friends doing wonderful work at DC right now. I really hope the movie’s success creates a powerful and much-deserved ripple effect on the publishing line.
A Quick Hunt in September
Cover art by Martin CoccoloThe solicit has dropped so now I can reveal I have a story in PREDATOR: BLACK, WHITE & BLOOD #3 arriving in September!
It’s my first time playing in the 20th Century Fox sandbox. A short story this time, but hopefully there will be more to come.
Having a BlastCONAN THE BARBARIAN #22 really hit the spot with our readers. We received a torrent of positive feedback and top notch reviews.
I know I sound like a broken record, but THANK YOU for the support, buying each issue and telling others that we earn that cover price each and every month.
I genuinely believe that CONAN THE BARBARIAN #23 (in stores August 13th) is Fernando’s best issue yet, with absolutely jaw-dropping visuals that are going to knock you OUT. I don’t want to spoil the action, so here’s a tiny teaser of our Cimmerian struggling against – well, that would be telling now wouldn’t it? 
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #23 art by Fernando Dagnino. Colors by Diego Rodriguez.The Final Diamond Previews
Speaking of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #23, the cover art for that issue by the always-amazing Dan Panosian graces the cover of what will apparently be the last issue of the Diamond Previews catalogue.
When Conan the Barbarian #1 was featured on the cover in April 2023, it meant we were a highly anticipated launch in a jam-packed catalogue. Two years later, it feels weird to be cover featured again as publishers flee and Diamond ignobly burns to the ground, damaging the industry it once dominated.
Publishers screwed over with millions of dollars of product being liquidated without their permission. Retailers left in the dark and scrambling to find new solutions to keep their shelves stocked. So many people thought that without Diamond there wouldn’t be a North American comic industry, but now it feels like dead weight that has to be cut loose to get somewhere/anywhere better.
Still a Few Seats Left!I’m Dungeon Mastering a double dose of D&D in a Castle this Fall. My November 3-7 table is SOLD OUT, but there are a few seats left for the November 10-14 campaign, so snap those up if you want a memorable tabletop adventure in a lavish setting, jam-packed with fun and camaraderie.
After DMing at the castle for my first time last year, I wrote an extensive newsletter all about it you can read up on right HERE.
Fan Expo Canada here in Toronto has finally been confirmed, which means late July through August is going to be a wild one for Zub events – 5 shows in 6 weeks.
• My friend Stjepan Šejić has a great interview with The Comics Journal all about his career – from learning art, to breaking into mainstream comics, and now stepping away to do his own mature creator-owned fetish-romance books.
• Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza chats with Andrew Sumner at Forbidden Planet all about Kull the Conqueror and sword & sorcery.
• Dan at the Conan Chronology website has a nice blogpost all about ‘What does Conan the Barbarian mean in 2025?’
Jim
July 13, 2025
Conan the Barbarian #22 Reviews
The second part of our Nest of Serpents story arc arrived in comic shops – What did the critics think?
• Comic Book University: “This is some of the best in comics you’re gonna get…I’m so thankful I get to live in this time where I get to experience some of the best Conan comics I’ve ever read.”
• Comic Crusader: “Undisputed pick of the week…If you’re looking for a comic that delivers on all fronts – action, art, and character depth, you absolutely have to pick this one up.”
• Comic Patrol: “It’s gorgeous, glorious, retro and modern at the same time. It’s just so exciting with great storytelling…It does not get better than this.”
• Comical Opinions: 9.5/10 “Fernando Dagnino’s art, coupled with Rodriguez’s colors, is a visceral gut punch of Bronze Age style and pulpy power. The action sequences in the arena are dynamic and impactful, conveying every bone-jarring blow and desperate struggle…If you’re looking for a comic that embodies raw power and compelling storytelling, look no further. This issue is a beast, and you’ll love every savage panel.”
• Cool Thunder: 10/10 “Another spectacular entry in what has become a truly legendary run. Jim Zub continues to prove he’s not just a worthy steward of the Cimmerian’s saga—he’s cementing his place as one of the greatest Conan writers of all time…This issue is the complete package—story, art, tone, and spirit.”
• Eternal Crusader: “Dagnino truly pulls out all the stops here, providing a fitting visual frame for this bloody arena spectacle with his flashy and visceral artwork. His larger-than-life drawings are reminiscent of Buscema and Chan on steroids, mixed with a good dose of Alan Davis’ style, and all without ever feeling outdated. The vibrant yet earthy colors by Diego Rodriguez complement the artwork perfectly.”
• Evan the Architect: “Another fantastic issue. Conan is one of the books I look forward to most each month…Fernando Dagnino is doing a killer job.”
• Gaming Trend: 9/10 “There are no moments of dead space or filler meant only to drag out a story that could be told in a single issue over multiple just for the sake of sales. As a result, when it reaches its cliffhanger ending it feels earned…The story is exciting, the artwork is superb, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.”
• Geeky Ol Hog: “22 issues and there’s not a bad issue yet.”
• Goodreads: 10/10 “High adventure and political machinations pour forth in droves onto each and every beautifully illustrated page…This entire Titan run has clicked so well from day one that it’s almost like the planets themselves have aligned”
• Hyborian Book Review: “This kind of story is much in the style of the good ol’ classic Thomas stuff, just with modern art and storytelling…If you’ve been craving classic Hyborian Sword & Sorcery with a modern touch, then this will not disappoint!”
• League of Comic Geeks: 10/10 “Best issue of the whole series so far. Perfect pace and story from the writing. It feels like old-school Conan. The art flows so well with the writing too, especially the panels of battles in the arena.”
• Nerd Initiative: 10/10 “What more needs to be said about this book? It is one of the best books on the shelf every month!…Awesome story, awesome characters.”
• 9 Panel Grid: “Dagnino’s artwork here is absolutely awesome. He has cemented himself as my second favorite modern-day Conan artist within two issues. I feel like what he’s bringing to the page is really kinetic and action-packed in a way that is both reminiscent of classic Conan artists, but also true to something that is more modern and all to itself.”
• Pop Culture Philosophers: “This is so freaking good…Conan the Barbarian is one of the greatest comics out there today.”
• Stygian Dogs: “With Zub’s razor-sharp writing, striking art by Fernando Dagnino, and moody, evocative colors from Diego Rodriguez, this mid-arc chapter delivers grit, grandeur, and the promise of vengeance to come.”
• Sword & Sorcery Book Club: 10/10 “A phenomenal book. This is probably the best book that Jim Zub and everyone at Titan has done in a while…It may be the best issue of the whole run so far.”
• Thinking Critical: “Pick of the Week…This was fun, action-packed, sexy, bloody. The new artist, Fernando, he’s doing a fantastic job.”
• Two Guys and Stack of Comics: “This was a fantastic issue from Jim Zub and Dagnino on art…Perfect score…From an art standpoint, from a storytelling standpoint, from a character standpoint, these are the best comic books you will read.”
July 4, 2025
Zubby Newsletter #118: Home Body
Conan the Barbarian #22 artwork by Fernando Dagnino and Diego Rodriguez.It’s nice to be home and enjoy some summertime weather here in Toronto, even if the humidity can be intense at times.
In my studio I’ve been knocking down writing deadlines, working to deliver all my July and August deliverables this month so I won’t have to write much on the road when I start sprinting through five events in six weeks from late July through to the end of August.
Next week sees the release of CONAN THE BARBARIAN #22, the second part of our Nest of Serpents story arc that ties into the Scourge of the Serpent event happening this Fall. With each issue I think Fernando Dagnino‘s already amazing artwork improves, which is really something to see, especially when it’s enhanced by Diego Rodriguez‘s top-notch coloring.
A Boxing Story This September
Here’s a sneak peek from the SAILOR STEVE COSTIGAN story coming in Savage Sword of Conan #10 (in stores in September, so pre-order now).
Rob De La Torre‘s black & white art is a dream and I’m having the best time channeling Robert E. Howard‘s punchy pulpy narrative style.
Still a Few Seats Left!B. Dave Walters gets interviewed at the summer session of D&D in a Castle and, as expected, has some great insights into why this deluxe vacation gaming experience works so well.
I’m Dungeon Mastering a double dose of D&D in a Castle this Fall. My November 3-7 table is SOLD OUT, but there are a few seats left for the November 10-14 campaign, so snap those up if you want a memorable tabletop adventure in a lavish setting, jam-packed with fun and camaraderie.
After DMing at the castle for my first time last year, I wrote an extensive newsletter all about it you can read up on right HERE.
The second half of my interview with the NRI podcast covers practical advice I’ve learned over years of creating comics and attending conventions, the pitfalls of AI, networking, and more.
Before We Go
Daniel Meyer at the Before We Go Blog interviewed me about working on Conan the Barbarian – influences, thought processes, and more.
Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia has been added to my list to cap off the summer convention season and there are a couple more event announcements in the coming weeks.
Pork loin, ready to be broken down.Adulthood is getting excited about grocery store deals. This boneless pork loin was $2 per pound ($4.41 per kg)! Here’s some Chez Zub’s food and freezer prep-
In my early 20’s, I worked as a butcher’s assistant for a summer, so I already knew how to break down sections of meat, but there are lots of videos online showing how easy it is and the savings can be substantial.
I broke the loin down into:
• dinner cuts for the grill
• thicker cuts for tonkatsu
• cubed meat trimmings for stir fry
• extra fat trimmings I’ll render down to use for cooking
Stacy and I will probably get eight meals out of that $13 worth of meat, and the whole prep process took about 15 minutes.
Ready for marinating or the freezer.Other Links• My friend Jesse Scoble has a crowdfunding campaign underway for Dead Money, a Western-Horror mini-series with an eclectic cast and some great artwork. I read an advance of the first issue and quite enjoyed it, so check it out.
• Artist Joe Catapano does a solid breakdown of Joe Madureira’s distinct style, discussing the core artistic traits and ways to understand them. Lots of useful information and techniques here.
• Elisabeth Wheatley discusses Conan the Barbarian as a romantic archetype in this short video.
Jim
June 23, 2025
Zubby Newsletter #117: Ten Day Tornado
My luggage is packed and I’m finally ready to fly home after 10 days and 3 events that took me from Las Vegas to Columbus, Ohio, and back to Vegas again. It’s been a ridiculous and amazing time, but I’ve gotta get back to Toronto and slow this merry-go-round for a bit before the next crash of conventions hits in late July.
With Erik and Josh in Vegas at the Glass Cannon 10 Year CelebrationThe Glass Cannon 10 year celebration in Vegas was an absolute blast. Around 100 fans stayed at the Linq Hotel and gamed up a storm with members of the Glass Cannon Network and cast members from various liveplays they’ve done over the past decade. I game mastered three sessions on the schedule and added a last minute pick up game when there was a ton of interest in the Mothership RPG.
In between those sessions and a killer blast of karaoke, I hung out a lot with Erik Mona and Josh Dinges, doing our best to avoid the absolute scorching heat that hit the Vegas strip that weekend.
Unexpectedly with Zack and Miyuki in VegasOn the Monday after that wrapped up, I had a day and a half of downtime where I did a bit of work and then wandered Vegas, people watching and rolling story ideas around in my head. I thought I was going to have a quiet night, but discovered that Zack Davisson (who newsletter readers will probably know from the cultural essays in Wayward or his current work on Ultimate X-Men) and his wife Miyuki were also in Vegas at the same time, celebrating their wedding anniversary. Ten minutes after I saw his “Wait, you’re in Vegas?!” message, we met up and had a great little visit that capped off Vegas Part 1 quite well.
With Jim Demonakos at Origins 2025.From there I flew to Columbus for the Origins Game Fair, one of the biggest and longest running tabletop game conventions in North America (50 years and still going strong). Jim Demonakos (founder of Emerald City Comic Con and the Lightbox Expo) and I had business stuff there but managed to work in some gaming and social time as well, which was great.
When I went back to check my photos I was shocked to realize it had been literally 20 years since I’d last attended Origins. The show had been formative to me near the start of my comic + gaming career, solidifying my spot at the UDON studio when I met a bunch of art directors and editors and brought in a slew of extra TTRPG work for the UDON artists. Dizzying to think how quickly that time has gone by.
With Nareesa and Zeshan at Origins 2025.Also at Origins this year were Nareesa and Zeshan, two of my players from D&D in a Castle back in November! It was heartwarming seeing them again and waxing nostalgic about our time at the castle. They were instrumental in me quickly getting the lay of the land at Origins this year and their enthusiasm was infectious.
With Kandrix and Lindsay back in Vegas, wrapping it all up.Finally, I ricocheted back to Vegas to check in at MagicCon, a huge Magic the Gathering event, and spend time with my dear friends Kandrix and Lindsay. They’re foodies and basketball fans, so we hit up quite a few of their favorite restaurants and took in a WNBA game before finally getting to NOW.
*whew*
These friendships, personal or professional, are at the heart of all these amazing experiences and opportunities, and I cannot believe how many there have been so far in 2025, only halfway through the year.
Good fun and great food, but I’m extra-ready to return to Toronto, hug Stacy tight, and hunker down at home for the next month.
The Scourge Begins in September!
Cimmerian September brings the busiest Conan month since we relaunched the series at Titan almost two years ago!
I have three new releases – CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT #1, CONAN THE BARBARIAN #24, and SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #10, plus a deluxe oversized hardcover collection of the first story arc in the relaunch, BOUND IN BLACK STONE. So many incredible covers and interior artwork that’s just as strong.
It’s a big bold release month jam-packed with the best action and adventure in the business and I hope you’re following along.
Talking at Titan HQSpeaking of the Cimmerian, when I was at the Titan Books office last month, Chief Stride and I recorded a quick interview discussing the amazing Conan stuff coming up. Give it a watch for some more details on Scourge of the Serpent and our special 25th issue of Conan the Barbarian.
In Depth With NRI
I was a guest on the NRI Podcast, chatting at length about my career, writing comics, working on iconic characters, conventions and a whole lot more.
Current + Upcoming Releases
A few eagle-eyed readers caught my name on the World Con panelist list. It’s true – Stacy and I are heading to Seattle in August for World Con, our first time attending one of the longest running science fiction and fantasy conventions! More details as we get closer to the dates.
While I was bouncing between events, Robert E. Howard Days happened in Cross Plains, Texas. I wasn’t able to make it to the event this year, but it was heartwarming to see and hear how well it all went:
• Scholar Jeff Shanks did a tight 3-part series showing Howard Days highlights – Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
• Stygian Dogs has a couple great Howard Days videos on his channel, including extensive interviews and a casual wind down.
• Lion from the Sword & Sorcery Book Club gives a rundown on Robert E. Howard Days 2025, including little interviews with visitors.
• Sean Korsgaard recorded the ‘What’s Up With REH?’ panel from the event and has uploaded it to YouTube.
Next year is the 40th anniversary of Howard Days, so I expect it’ll be the biggest one yet. Pencil it on your calendar and I hope to see you there!
Jim
June 22, 2025
Zub Comics in Arriving September 2025!
CONAN THE BARBARIAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT #1 (OF 4)
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Ivan Gil
FC, 32pp, $4.99
On Sale September 24, 2025
Spinning out of the pages of the Free Comic Book Day Special, the new Conan epic starts here!
CONAN OF CIMMERIA has encountered Stygian sorcery and snake-sent creatures many times in his grand adventures, but he has never faced the true unspeakable power of SET… until NOW.
The serpent god’s influence coils around the Hyborian Age and every other age linked to it. Three stunning supernatural stories will weave together to answer a chilling question of past and present – What is Set’s grand plan for humanity and, now that it’s begun, can it be stopped?
COVER A: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
COVER B:JOHN MCCREA
COVER C: GEOF ISHERWOOD
COVER D: MATÍAS BERGARA
COVER E: CHRIS STEVENS
COVER F: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE FOIL TRADE ($14.99)
COVER G: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE ‘GLOW-IN-THE-DARK’ ($14.99)
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #24
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Fernando Dagnino
Publisher: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics
FC, 32pp, $3.99, On Sale September 10, 2025
FINAL PART OF THE EPIC STORY THAT TIES INTO SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT!
The Great Serpent’s influence twists and turns, pulling Conan into their deadly coils as the Cimmerian and his allies are lured into Stygia…
What they find on this journey will make their blood run cold and set the stage for a conflict beyond their wildest imagination!
COVER A: DAN PANOSIAN
COVER B: LUKE EIDENSCHINK (BLACK & WHITE “BLOOD SPLATTER” COVER)
COVER C: KAREN HALLION
COVER D: DAN PANOSIAN FOIL VIRGIN ($13.99)
THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #10
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Roberto de la Torre, Doug Braithwaite, Mike Rooth
Publisher: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics
B&W, 64pp, $6.99
On Sale September 3, 2025
A SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT TIE-IN!
Prepare for the launch of the new Conan mini-series, SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT, with this special issue boasting three thrilling tales from legendary writer JIM ZUB. Including a clash between Conan and dark cultists with artist Doug Braithwaite, a bruising SAILOR STEVE COSTIGAN bout with Roberto de la Torre, and a journey into prehistory with characters from Robert E. Howard’s SPEAR AND FANG with artist Mike Rooth.
Bolstered with an array of pin-ups and incredible covers from Mike Mignola and Alex Horley, THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN Issue #10 is not one to be missed!
COVER A: MIKE MIGNOLA
COVER B: ALEX HORLEY
COVER C: MIKE MIGNOLA FOIL TRADE ($16.99)
CONAN THE BARBARIAN: BOUND IN BLACK STONE DELUXE EDITION
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Roberto de la Torre
HC, 144pp, $29.99
On Sale September 17, 2025
AN EPIC OVERSIZED HARDCOVER COLLECTION FEATURING FOIL COVERS, INTERVIEWS, BEHIND THE SCENES SCRIPT-TO-ART AND MORE!
On the eve of his first major battle, young Conan of Cimmeria pictures a life beyond the borders of his homeland and yearns for a life of adventure undreamt of in his small village. Visions of future allies and unspeakable evils he will eventually encounter throughout his fabled career fill his mind, as he makes the choice to take his first fateful step into the Hyborian Age.
Collects: Conan the Barbarian #1-4 (2023), plus material from the FCBD 2023 special edition.
Includes BONUS MATERIAL and foreword by ROY THOMAS!
REGULAR: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
DIRECT MARKET: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE
CONAN THE BARBARIAN: VOL. 1-3 SLIPCASE SET
(W) Jim Zub
(A) Roberto de la Torre and Doug Braithwaite
BX, SC, 352pp, $49.99
On Sale September 10, 2025
THE FIRST THREE ACTION-PACKED VOLUMES OF CONAN THE BARBARIAN’S NEW ERA OF COMICS COLLECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Armed with just his wits and his sword, Conan sets out for the first time from his beloved Cimmeria and after adventures on the high seas, he returns to shore to find himself haunted by his memories of Bêlit, captain of the Tigress and Queen of the Black Coast. Then, sent back in time to the Thurian Age, Conan battles terrifying creatures and meets Kull the Conqueror, a barbarian-king as strong as himself!
Collecting: Conan the Barbarian Vol. 1-3, plus 3 Exclusive Art Cards!
REGULAR: MIKE DEODATO
DIRECT MARKET: JAE LEE
