BotTalk Reviews

Jim Zub's A Sacred Task We are still in Khoraja (southeast of Koth). Emida (the Laurie Strode/final girl homage) is taking care of a wounded CONAN OF CIMMERIA, Conan is staying at an inn for free as compensation for liquidating SON OF THE TOOTH (an assassin serving The Woeful Eye). A veiled woman (Roya) carrying a funerary urn is seeking a Cimmerian bodyguard to help her reach her village (close to the edge of the easter desert). Hyenas kill Roya's horse, Conan's mount flees, the barbarian kills some of the Hyenas, the remaining beasts retreat. Conan wonders how Roya can handle the harshness of the desert so well. A strange fog (another John Carpenter homage?) appears close to the ground, Conan & Roya have made it to the cursed Plains of Mardeh (a former battlefield, now a haunted graveyard). The sun disappears, the dead rise and attack our heroes, Conan destroys all the skeletons (a Ray Harryhausen homage?). Roya brings Conan to the shrine of her ancestors. Roya thanks...

64 restored and fully colored pages of barbaric savagery! Inside this magnificent full-color magazine you will find the following: Classic revitalized art pin-ups in stunning color: Conan the Barbarian by Mike Zeck from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #16 Conan ad by Pat Broderick from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #10 THE PEOPLE OF THE BLACK CIRCLE Chapters 1 & 2 only (Chapters 3 & 4 are next issue) by Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala. (New Colors by GFB Group/GFB.it) Khemsa (a wizard who works for the Master of Yimsha) puts a curse on Bhunda Chand (Yasmina's brother... the King of Vendhya) for Yezdigerd (the King of Turan). Yasmina is forced to euthanize her bother. Queen Yasmina of Vendhya wants the see the Black Seers of Yimsha dead. Conan (now a chief of the Afghulis of Ghulistan) kidnaps Yasmina to regain his seven Afghuli headmen who were captured by the Vendhyans. Gitara (Yasmina's treacherous maid) tells her boyfriend wizard Khemsa abou...

CONAN & DRAGONERO part 2 (of 7): The Gems of Aquilonia (chapter one) Conan (now a mercenary Scout) explains that he's been hunting a dragon all the way from Tarantia (capital of Aquilonia). Ian Aranill (also a Scout) of Erondár aka Dragonero, has never heard of Tarantia.  Dragonero and his sister (Myrva Aranille the Technocrat) depart on their dirigible, Conan escapes from his cell and jumps aboard their balloon ship. Myrva disarms Conan with her pistol, Myrva reminds Conan of Bêlit (the she-devil of the sea). Conan saves the skyship from losing its hull.  Conan mentions that his dragon appeared out of nowhere in the skies of Tarantia and stole some magical gemstones that were imprisoning an ancient demon. Conan must return the jewels to prevent the demon from escaping into his world. The Cimmerian lacerated one of the dragon's wings, but it teleported with the gems, him and his men to Varliendár aka the "Land of the Dragons". Because his blood is contaminated wit...

Jim Zub's Ghosts & Echoes part 3: RELENTLESS In a dark alley in Khoraja (southeast of Koth), SON OF THE TOOTH (an assassin serving The Woeful Eye) has confronted his quarry: CONAN OF CIMMERIA... who has FOUR full bottles of wine in his system. The fighting commences. SON OF THE TOOTH does an impression of Palpatine from Return of the Jedi (1983). Like Michael Myers (from Halloween (1978 film)), the more SON OF THE TOOTH kills, the stronger he becomes. SON OF THE TOOTH kills a city sentry... he absorbs the dead sentinel's soul strength. SON OF THE TOOTH visits the Restful Raven inn to slay and steal another unfortunate's soul power. Conan notices that SON OF THE TOOTH is somehow getting stronger. The Cimmerian burns the face of SON OF THE TOOTH... another Michael Myers homage. SON OF THE TOOTH slices up one last bystander to gain even more strength. Weaponless, Conan goes to hide in the chamber of Emida (a Laurie Strode/final girl homage), she gives Conan her needle look...

The Free Comic Book Day prelude to this Fall's epic event: Conan: Tides of the Tyrant-King! Jim Zub's Grim Tidings The Hyborian Age of Conan. The borderlands between Zingara and Argos, CONAN OF CIMMERIA and some sell-swords are fighting raiders. Next to the "CRAZED BIRD" tavern, Conan cripples one of the sell-swords for disrespecting a woman. Disgusted by the way the mercenaries are behaving, the chivalrous barbarian leaves Captain Keegan (an homage to The Adventures of Two-Gun Bob)'s unit. A servant of Thulsa Doom is seeking Conan, his mission: to slay the Cimmerian who slayed his master (way back in Conan the Barbarian (2023) #12). Looking at the ocean (Kathulos is know as "The Son of the Ocean"), Conan senses a forthcoming conflict. Montfaucon-d'Argonne, France in 1918 (from Robert E. Howard's Skull Face). American, World War I soldier Stephen Costigan (the cousin of Sailor Steve Costigan from Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #10) survives the Meu...

CONAN & DRAGONERO part 1 (of 7): The Shadow of the Dragon While battling a gem stealing dragon (with a broken wing) in the Hyborian Age, Captain Conan and his soldiers are teleported by mysterious dark forces to Varliendár aka the "Land of the Dragons". Two moons are shining in the firmament. Algents (savage, mute, albino humanoids who inhabit the desolate ash plains of Varliendár) attack, two of Conan's comrades get killed. Even more Algents attack, Conan and his men run towards "The Great Wall aka Arcelonte", the immense barrier that extends from east to west along the northern border of Erondàr and separates it from Varliendár. The rest of Conan's comrades get slaughtered.  Conan is rescued by the Red Guards of the Wall, they think that Conan could be from the Kingdom of Raghnar. Conan is chained and incarcerated, a young sorcerer gives Conan a real-time translator pendant, so that they can communicate. Commander Deynar is in charge of the border outp...

Sword-brothers, sword-sisters, your local spinner rack is once again displaying another brand new issue of SSOC!  Sixty-four startling pages of barbaric savagery in black-and-white printed on newsprint paper! Inside this magazine you will find the following: Art pin-ups: Bêlit the Queen of the Black Coast by Nick Marinkovich Conan the Barbarian by Jordan Raskin CONAN: DWELLERS OF THE OASIS part 1: Deserted Goods and Shifting Sands by Jim Zub and Ivan Gil (Conan: Scourge of the Serpent) It's only eight months after the events of "A Witch Shall be Born". Turan on the shores of the Vilayet sea. Conan is still the leader of a band of Zuagir bandits. Conan and his raiders decimate the Turanian soldiers of King Yildiz. Conan is still suffering from his wounds, he remembers Queen Taramis of Khauran, Salome (an homage to the one who asked for the head of John the Baptist), Constantius aka The Falcon, his crucifixion (as seen in the Conan the Barbarian (1982) movie), Olgerd Vladis...

48 restored and fully colored pages of barbaric savagery! Inside this magnificent full-color magazine you will find the following: Classic remastered art pin-ups in stunning color: Conan the Barbarian by Jeffrey Catherine Jones from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #5 Conan the Barbarian by Tim Conrad from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #13 Conan, Bêlit & Red Sonja ad by Pablo Marcos from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #23 BLACK COLOSSUS by Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala. (New Colors by GFB Group/GFB.it) The mysterious ruins of Kuthchemes. Shevatas (a Zamorian master-thief) finds a treasure. Thugra Khotan, the dark sorcerer who had reigned in Kuthchemes three thousand years ago, wakes up and kills Shevatas.  Khotan, who wants to rule the world, renames himself Natohk, the Veiled One; for his features were always masked.  Natohk amasses an army of nomads and teams-up with a rebellious Stygian prince (Katuman/Kutamun). Natohk lusts for princess Yasmela...

Sword-brothers, sword-sisters, your local spinner rack is once again exhibiting another brand new issue of SSOC!  Sixty-four startling pages of barbaric savagery in black-and-white printed on newsprint paper! Inside this attractive magazine you will find the following: Puritanical art pin-ups: Solomon Kane by Luke Eidenschink Solomon Kane by Ace Continuado CONAN: THE BLUE ORCHID by Roy Thomas and Roberto de la Torre An ancient Hyrkanian castle on the Zaporoska river, recently seized by Yezdigerd the Prince of Turan. Atta of Shadizar (a Zamorian thief) and Conan cannot locate the Blue Orchid diamond (a gigantic jewel from Khitai, supposedly acquired months ago in Makkalet (Conan the Barbarian (1970) #26) by Yezdigerd), so Atta helps himself to a vase and some gems and Conan nicks a necklace. Zaria and three Hyrkanians (Sulimar, Arafam and Stafah/Stapha who are also interested in obtaining the Blue Orchid) witness Conan and Atta emerging from the river. Turanian horse archers kill th...

Jim Zub's Ghosts & Echoes part 2: Trail of the Warrior SON OF THE TOOTH (an assassin serving The Woeful Eye) is tracking Conan across Shem. SON OF THE TOOTH knows that Conan destroyed Thulsa Doom aka The Necromancer-King of the BLACK STONE (way back in Conan the Barbarian (2023) #12). SON OF THE TOOTH is disappointed that Conan is just a man working as a mercenary in Khoraja (southeast of Koth). SON OF THE TOOTH spies on Conan as Dunick the Kothian picks a fight with Conan. Conan breaks Dunick's arm. SON OF THE TOOTH spies on Conan as the barbarian beds a bar wench. SON OF THE TOOTH spies on Conan as Conan kills Dunick's accomplices and a defenceless Dunick. Conan pays the city's sentries to look the other way. SON OF THE TOOTH spies on Conan as Conan enjoys a meal and drinks FOUR carafes of vino. The still sober Cimmerian finally confronts SON OF THE TOOTH! We learn that Conan and SON OF THE TOOTH share an interest in voyeurism. Do Conan and SON OF THE TOOTH become...

Jim Zub's Ghosts & Echoes part 1: The Sharpened Tooth (of The Woeful Eye) Conan the Barbarian is not showing up in his own comic book this month! Let's find out why that is. This is the origin story of SON OF THE TOOTH (a loyal assassin serving The Woeful Eye).  The Hyrkanian Steppes. SON OF THE TOOTH is born, the 11th child of a tribe leader, weak, small and plagued by nightmares and throbbing toothaches caused by The Woeful Eye.  SON OF THE TOOTH kills one of his older brothers. SON OF THE TOOTH removes a canine tooth (canines are also called EYE teeth) from his brother's jaw for The Woeful EYE and hides his brother's body. Like Michael Myers (from Halloween (1978 film)), SON OF THE TOOTH kills one of his older sisters and like Michael Myers, the more he kills, the stronger he becomes. SON OF THE TOOTH kills the rest of his siblings. SON OF THE TOOTH goes on a hunting trip with his father, he tells his dad that he is the one who murdered his brothers and sisters. ...

48 restored and fully colored pages of barbaric savagery! Inside this magnificent full-color magazine you will find the following: Classic remastered art pin-ups in stunning color: Conan the Barbarian by Frank Brunner & Steve Leialoha from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #14 Conan ad by Gary Groth & Bob Kline from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #7 SHADOWS IN ZAMBOULA by Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas, Neal Adams and the Tribe. (New Colors by GFB Group/GFB.it) In the desert city of Zamboula, Aram Baksh offers a sleeping Conan to his business partners... a group of starving cannibals from Darfar. Conan kills four cannibals and saves Zabibi/Nafertari whose lover Alafdhal/Jungir Khan (who is wearing the ring with the jewel called the Star of Khorala) has been drugged by Totrasmek. Conan strangles Baal-Pteor the Strangler. We learn that Nafertari wants the ring for herself. Conan kills Totrasmek. Jungir Khan gets cured. After rearranging Aram Baksh's face and voice, Conan offers Aram B...

Sword-brothers, sword-sisters, your local spinner rack is once again brandishing another brand new issue of SSOC!  64 startling pages of barbaric savagery in black-and-white printed on newsprint paper! Inside this gorgeous magazine you will find the following: Terrific art pin-ups: Conan the Barbarian by Ivan Gil (Conan: Scourge of the Serpent) El Borak versus Samiri by Patrick Zircher (Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring) CONAN: HEART OF DARKNESS by Chris Ryall (Mighty Marvel Calendar Book: A Visual History) and Gabriel Rodriguez (Robert E. Howard: Rattle of Bones & Other Terrifying Tales) Ghulistani Hinterlands A beast of sorceress Er'Bo'A attacks Conan, C'Kaan (a sorcerer and an homage to The Guy aka the mascot of Disturbed), Jorgus and Buterra the Wise (an homage to Heroic Signatures editor Chris Butera). Buterra dies. The dying beast infects Conan with its black magic. An old woman (Hanna, whose daughters (Suna and Suhar) are under the influence of Er'Bo'A) clea...

Jim Zub's The Conquering Crown part 3 (of 3): The Unlikely Sovereign Count Trocero of Poitain saves the life of Captain Prospero (who was mesmerized by Conan's awesomeness). Aquilonian General Conan (The Savior of Poitain) is spreading hope and his army is growing. Count Trocero thinks that he should be the future ruler of Aquilonia... Prospero is not so sure. Baron Phineas of Tauran joins the Cimmerian's insurgency/armed rebellion.  Travelling to Tanasul (city in northern Aquilonia), King Numedides' forces get attacked by Conan's rebel insurgents. Prospero and Baron Thasperas of Schohira push back Numedides' royal military and gain reinforcements. Close to the Tybor River, the legion of Numedides surrenders to Conan, Prospero and the army of Shamar (city in southern Aquilonia). Conan and co. reach the capital of Aquilonia (Tarantia).  Gromel, the giant Bossonian captain of the Black Dragon Knights, grovels for his life... Conan lets him go. King Numedides has s...

Scourge of the Serpent part 4 (of 4): Unity or DEATH. The epic new Conan event from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics is over. Kirowan, Kull and Conan are now in Set's dimension. The mysterious Set siren appears before our heroes. The siren is disappointingly just Set (the Great Serpent) in human form. Our heroes morph into their future selves: John Kirowan loses his right eye (Battle of the Black Stone #4), King Kull loses his flesh (Conan the Barbarian (2023) #10) and Conan the Barbarian loses his freedom and youth (Conan the Barbarian (2023) #25). Set introduces our heroes to a Woeful dark god who has awaken from his slumber... The Woeful Eye/Shuma-Gorath is coming to earth (as revealed in Conan: Spawn of the Serpent God). Set remarks that the "END WAR" is upon us. We see an extremely unlikely future... Kirowan, Kull and Conan accompanied by their serpent-descendants are fighting the Black Stone Beasts of the Woeful Eye (last seen in Battle of the Black Stone #4). To...

Robert E. Howard's Solomon Kane, the dour English Puritan Swashbuckler, gets a revised complete collection of his classic Marvel suggested for mature readers sword and sorcery adventures.  The omnibus is available in two versions: with a Mike Mignola dust jacket (available everywhere) or with a direct market Howard Chaykin dust jacket (only available from comic book stores). Inside this magnificent hardcover you will find the following: Stories in full color: Kane versus looter Le Loup (Red Shadows by Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin) Kane versus looter Le Loup (Red Shadows by Robert E. Howard, Ralph Macchio, Steve Carr and Bret Blevins) Kane versus a werewolf (And Faith, Undying... by Ralph Macchio and Bret Blevins) Kane versus kidnaper Sir George Banway (Blades of the Brotherhood by Robert E. Howard, Ralph Macchio, Bret Blevins and Al Williamson) Kane versus Prince Ali-Ben Ar (The Prophet by Ralph Macchio, Mike Mignola and Al Williamson) Kane versus vampires/zombie...

48 restored and fully colored pages of barbaric savagery! Inside this magnificent full-color magazine you will find the following: Classic remastered art pin-ups: Conan the Barbarian by Mike Zeck from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #15 Conan the Barbarian by John Buscema from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #15 Conan ad by Gil Kane from Savage Sword of Conan (1974) #5 THE DEVIL IN IRON by Robert E. Howard, Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala. (New Colors by GFB Group/GFB.it) Terror on a time-lost isle! On the uninhabited island known as Xapur the Fortified, Conan the Barbarian protects Princess Octavia from a gigantic snake, the iron-skinned giant Khosatral Khel (the ancient from the Abyss, the god of Dagonia) and Jehungir Agha (lord of Khawarizm).  A 1976 INTERVIEW WITH CONAN ARTIST JOHN BUSCEMA conducted by John Collier & John Wren What I did like: The giant sleeping snake that tried to eat Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Conan the Barbarian 1982 film was taken from THE DEVIL...

Jim Zub's The Conquering Crown part 2 (of 3): The Ill-suited Guest Conan is now an Aquilonian General (Count Trocero/Poitain's new military leader), he has received word that King Numedides wants to see him at his castle in Tarantia (capital of Aquilonia aka The Flower of The West). Conan and some of his Westermarck Wolves mercenaries arrive to meet the King. King Numedides flatters Conan and thanks him for HIS victory. Conan mentions his fallen comrades, not wanting to take full credit for winning the great BATTLE OF POITAIN. Conan is forced to mingle with the nobles of Aquilonia. The Cimmerian is introduced to the the obese Baron Dion of Attalus, Baron Maloric of Cantrium, the diminutive Count Volmana of Karaban, Lord Brocas of Conawaga, Count Ulric of Raman, Baron Thasperas of Schohira and Baron Phineas of Tauran. King Numedides reveals to Conan that he received visions of a DARK FUTURE from The Woeful Eye. The mad King is aware that Shuma-Gorath aka The Woeful Eye (mentione...