The new Conan comics published by Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures have been hailed as a welcome return to form. Both fans and critics have praised the series for how it honors the legacy of Robert E. Howard. However, the preview of Conan the Barbarian #9 suggests the series will go beyond emulating Howard’s classic pulp stories in tone. Indeed, it appears the Barbarian will be joining forces with another of Howard’s most popular heroes.
Written by Jim Zub with art by Rob De La Torre, the first chapter of “The Age Unconquered” begins in the Thurian Age. This was a time period, in Howard’s cosmology, before the sinking of Atlantis. It is as savage as the Hyborian Age of Conan, yet also a time of more refined magics. In this time dwelled Brule, the Spear-Slayer, a warrior of great skill and legendary accomplishment. It is also into this time that Conan is seeming thrust, by the same dark powers that have manipulated him throughout the current series.
The first four pages of Conan the Barbarian #9 can be viewed below.
Conan the Barbarian #9 Continues Crossover Tradition
While crossovers are most often seen in comic books and cartoons today, they have a long literary history. Robert E. Howard made allusions in his stories to the writings of fellow Weird Tales writer H.P. Lovecraft, and vice-versa. Howard also teamed two of his heroes in a time-spanning adventure in 1930’s Kings of the Night. This story found the Pict king Bran Mak Morn joining with a time-displaced Kull of Atlantis to repel a Roman invasion.
The circumstances of Conan’s arrival in the Thurian Age seem similar to how Kull traveled forward in time to aid the descendants of his Pict allies. It is notable, however, that Brule appeared in a vision in a previous issue of the current comic series. This showcases the craft which has gone into the new series, as well as how it honors what came before in spinning new ripping yarns.
Conan the Barbarian #9 arrives in comic shops everywhere on March 27, 2024.
