Bottalk Reviews

Jim Zub's Conan tale of the undead shows some signs of life, at last. But is it too late? Conan frees a sliver of surviving Barbarians from the icy grip of the possessed picts, is able to get a minuscule amount of payback... but ends up in the soup, literally. What I did not like: Conan not solicitous about the fate of his family members or childhood friends. All the unsightly covers except for the snake one by Roberto (and only from afar).  The old and infirm are still alive? Please! They survived the trip to the citadel? Stop insulting the reader. Only men fight alongside Conan. No vengeful Cimmerian women? That's disappointing and also sexist.  I was getting a Conan the Barbarian (1982 John Milius film) vibe from the very first page. Trying to appeal more to the casual movie fan than the Robert E. Howard scholar. Still no Big Bad for Conan. The letters page was too small and only featured sycophants. Competent creators and editors should crave constructive criticism. Please

Jim Zub's Conan Zombie story progresses at a snail's pace. Conan is still plagued by The Walking Dead... sorry, my mistake: The Possessed Picts. Our favorite Cimmerian and new girlfriend follow the shambling undead back to their den. They also bicker over the ownership of a stolen blade and... have intercourse. Bow chicka witless! What I did not like: Making love outside in the open, in minus zero weather with the stench of death teasing your nostrils while zombies are poking around everywhere. Absurd and hard to swallow. Zub is a Canadian, he should know better when it comes to the cold. Brissa praises Conan way too much. Our hero has a very fragile ego, apparently. Conan is excessively fearless. Shrinking away is not a crime. This comic is turning into a bad video game. The colouring is even more atrocious! Would be so much better in black-and-white. Nice Renato Casaro homage cover! But... Renato is not credited on said cover? Faux pas for sure! Alan Quah's cover reminds

Jim Zub's Conan Zombie story bored me to tears. What I did not like: Not enough story. I felt unsatiated at the end of the issue. The aping of Big John Buscema is disrespectful. Please find your own voice, Roberto De La Torre. Too much hemoglobin. Conan is not a gore comic. Mediocre colours. This really should have been printed only in B&W. Badly drawn bare orbs. Make sure you know how to draw the female form before showing us anything. Maimed maiden. You see, I'm weird that way, I prefer my women with 2 eyes. Conan paying for damages. Conan acting like a perfect gentleman. Conan using a freaking napkin! Conan running TOWARDS the supernatural. Reminding us that young Conan killed an innocent bear just to feel like a big man. Lame! The Living Dead? It's been done already, let it rest. Plagues. In 2023, NOBODY wants to read a story about plagues. The amateurish art used for REH and his ages undreamed of. The embarrassing cover by Mignola. What I did like: Conan The Barbar