Zubby Newsletter #128: All Transpires Now
This week sees the release of CONAN: SCOURGE OF THE SERPENT #1, the first part of a 4-issue time-twirling mini-series with Conan the Barbarian, Kull the Conqueror, and Dr. John Kirowan confronting snake-sent threats in their respective times and how those events echo and ripple through each other. It’s an epic sword & sorcery adventure using key elements from three different Robert E. Howard short stories to create something new. It also carries the torch from plotlines introduced in last year’s BATTLE OF THE BLACK STONE event mini-series, so if you’ve been following along you’ll see where the larger mythic story arc I’m building goes next.
Artist Ivan Gil has been working in the French comic market for many years on intensely detailed historical graphic novels and now brings those skills to bear on our ‘Howardverse’, and the results when paired with João Canola‘s colors are really breathtaking.
Artwork from Scourge of the Serpent #1.Ivan’s pages are imbued with a deep sense of “place”. His environments are lush with detail but in a way that doesn’t distract readers away from the story, it wraps them up in it. Every time new artwork comes in from Ivan I’m impressed by the thought and care he puts into each panel, building rock solid environments while staging both drama and action with intent.
Look at this sneak peek panel from Scourge of the Serpent #2 – seven characters (and a corpse) in an intricately-presented setting and yet all of it is instantly readable and communicates exactly what’s needed for the scene. What a pro!
Line art from Scourge of the Serpent #2.
Working with incredible artists like Ivan (or Roberto, or Doug, or Danica, or Fernando, or Alex, or so many others) is such a pleasure because I see the thought and care they put into every page. It doesn’t matter how good the story I write is, without visuals that communicate it well, the whole thing would be sunk.
Scourge is a complex story with three narratives in three different time periods and, as we move through each one, they build in intensity and emotion. It was a real challenge to set up the plot this way, but even more of the work is on Ivan and João to clarify and accentuate each story beat…and this week readers get to dig into our first chapter and let us know how we did. 
Also in stores this week is PREDATOR: BLACK, WHITE and BLOOD #3. I have a ripping short story in this anthology issue called Demon of the Deep. It’s Predator VS Pirates with artwork by the amazing Pat Boutin and Matt Milla.
Yo ho ho, and a bottle of blood.
In the latest Zdarsky Comic News (#15), Chip interviewed me about Conan the Barbarian and the accompanying illustration is…well, it’s something.
Memorable (even when you wish it wasn’t). Bewildering…Haunting.
The interview is pretty good though.
ZCN is available wherever fine comic books are sold, or a digital version is available if you subscribe to Chip’s newsletter.
Comic WatchI spoke to Chad and Matt at Comic Watch about all things Conan, including some exclusive sneak peeks at artwork from Scourge of the Serpent and Conan the Barbarian #25.
Figuring It OutShawn at Heroic sent me a prototype Conan: Battle of the Black Stone Action Figure (available for pre-order until Oct 10th) so I can bring it to upcoming conventions and, even though I’ve seen a lot of photos and videos of it, it feels extra-surreal having one right here in my office. I’m not even a big toy guy and this is ridiculously impressive:
A slew of other outlets received figures as well. Here are links to their reviews:
The Lethal Collector
Sydney Mcardoso
The Review Spot
Unparalled Universe
and Stygian Dogs :
Current + Upcoming Releases
This weekend I’m at Chattanooga Comic Con in Tennessee. I’m looking forward to meeting readers in a state I’ve never been to before.
• The Thought Bubble Festival is setting up free portfolio reviews so aspiring creators can get feedback on their work, and I’ll be one of the professionals participating.
• A traditional Hawaiian board game called Kōnane is making a comeback thanks to an enthusiast named John Kaʻohelauliʻi.
• Hades II arrives this week and the animation on the launch trailer by the Line Art Team is absolutely stunning. What a great way to bring the hype. If it’s anywhere near as good as the first game, it’s going to be amazing.
Jim
