Current Conan Comics in 2026: The Complete Guide to What’s Out Now
Main image by Liam Sharp for Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #11
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We’re living in a golden age of Conan the Barbarian.
I don’t say that lightly. In my opinion, this is arguably the best time to be a Conan fan since the 1970s – and possibly ever. Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures have built something remarkable since acquiring the licence in 2023, and the quality has been consistently excellent.
But it’s not just Conan.
Robert E. Howard as a whole is experiencing a renaissance. There’s a new Red Sonja film. Solomon Kane has his first solo comic series in 15 years (and a new book, Suffer The Witch). Kull is getting his own series in 2027.
Monthly prose novellas are being released featuring characters across the Howard-verse. New Conan novels from acclaimed fantasy authors. High-quality short story pastiches.
If you’ve been away from Conan comics for a while – or you’re entirely new – this is the perfect time to jump in. So let me break down exactly what’s available right now and whether it’s worth your money.
The Current Conan Comics Line-Up
Here’s everything Titan Comics is currently publishing, in order of where I’d recommend starting:
1. Conan the Barbarian (Ongoing Monthly Series)
What is it? The flagship title. A full-colour monthly comic following Conan’s adventures across the Hyborian Age.
Where are we? As of February 2026, the series has reached issue #28 and is entering its third year. The current arc, “The Conquering Crown,” follows Conan as a mercenary getting caught up in Aquilonian politics.
I usually buy the trade paperbacks (starting here with Conan volume 1) as opposed to individual issues as they store easier and look better on the shelf – but I did treat myself to issue 25, The Nomad.
It’s a standalone issue, and is FULLY handpainted. From start to finish. And it’s a truly incredible piece of work. I cannot recommend it enough.
Who’s making it? Writer Jim Zub has been the guiding hand since issue #1, and he’s been phenomenal. The man genuinely understands Howard’s character – the melancholy beneath the savagery, the philosophical undercurrents, the sheer momentum of the best Conan stories.
Artists rotate between arcs, with Roberto De La Torre, Doug Braithwaite, and Fernando Dagnino all delivering stunning work.
Is Titan’s Conan the Barbarian worth reading? Absolutely. Zub writes Conan as Howard intended – not a mindless brute, but a cunning, world-weary wanderer with his own code. The art is consistently excellent, and the stories feel like genuine Conan tales rather than generic fantasy with a barbarian dropped in.
Where to start: The volume I mentioned above collects issues #1–4 and is the perfect jumping-on point, alternatively this slip-case set of volumes 1-3 (so issues 1-12) is pretty sweet.
The landmark issue: If you only buy one single issue, make it Conan the Barbarian #25. This oversized anniversary special features “The Nomad,” a King Conan story written by Jim Zub and fully painted – every single page – by Alex Horley.
It took Horley a full year to complete, painting in oils without digital shortcuts. The result is genuinely breathtaking. It’s a love letter to Conan’s entire history, and I’d argue it’s one of the finest single issues of any Conan comic ever published.
2. The Savage Sword of Conan (Magazine Format)
What is it? A revival of the legendary black-and-white magazine that ran from 1974 to 1995. Published bi-monthly in oversized format.
I am absolutely loving the new SSOC, and buy every issue physically. It’s a little slow here in Germany, so the digital version does have some advantages, but whichever way you decide to read it, you’re in for a treat.
What’s inside? Each issue contains multiple comic stories, prose fiction, poetry, art pin-ups, and essays. It’s not just Conan – you’ll find stories featuring Solomon Kane, Bran Mak Morn, El Borak, Dark Agnes, and other Howard characters.
Who’s making it? A rotating roster of top talent. Jim Zub contributes regularly (including his first Conan prose story), and you’ll see work from Roy Thomas – the man who brought Conan to Marvel in 1970 – alongside newer voices. Patrick Zircher’s serialised Solomon Kane backup in the early issues was so well-received it led directly to Kane getting his own series.
Pat Zircher also did a beautiful follow-up to the classic Red Nails story in Savage Sword of Conan #10. I figured we were at peak art with this one, then Liam Sharp came along with issue 11.
But the good times don’t stop there. Jeff Shanks, one of the greatest living Conan/Robert E Howard scholars regularly contributes essays and thoughts, a part of the series I really enjoy. We’re also treated to short stories so good I’m sure REH himself would have approved. Matthew John’s Madness on the Mound in Savage Sword issue 6 is a great example.
Is Savage Sword of Conan worth it? For Howard fans, this is essential. I love the anthology format – it captures the spirit of the original Weird Tales pulps where Howard first published. The black-and-white art is gorgeous, and the variety means there’s something for everyone. It’s also where you’ll find some of the most experimental and literary Conan content.
Where to start: The Savage Sword of Conan #1 is readily available and sets the tone perfectly. The series actually gets stronger as it goes on, so you can jump in anywhere. Savage Sword vol 2 has an awesome double-parter in it, so that would also be a solid place to start.
3. Spin-Off Series and Events
Titan has expanded the Howard-verse through crossover events and character-specific mini-series:
Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring (4-Issue Mini-Series)
What is it? The first solo Solomon Kane comic in 15 years. Written and drawn by Patrick Zircher, it follows the dour Puritan adventurer from the Barbary Coast across Southern Europe to Venice, hunting the legendary Serpent Ring of Set.
Is it good? It’s excellent. Zircher clearly loves the character, and his art perfectly captures Kane’s grim intensity. If you’ve never read Solomon Kane, this is an accessible starting point that captures everything that makes the character compelling.
Where to buy: Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring is available as a collected trade.
Conan: Battle of the Black Stone (2024 Event)
What is it? The first major Howard-verse crossover, uniting Conan with Solomon Kane, Dark Agnes, El Borak, James Allison, and Conrad and Kirowan against a cosmic threat.
Is it worth reading? Yes – it’s ambitious and mostly succeeds. Seeing Howard’s disparate characters interact is a treat for longtime fans, and Jim Zub handles the ensemble well.
Where to buy: Conan: Battle of the Black Stone collects the complete event.
Conan: Scourge of the Serpent (2025 Event)
What is it? The second annual crossover, exploring Set’s influence across three time periods: Kull’s Thurian Age, Conan’s Hyborian Age, and the 1930s with John Kirowan. This is my favourite mini series so far. I love any stories to do with Stygia and/or serpents, so this one is exactly what I wanted.
It’s essentially a re-telling and expansion of The God in the Bowl (Conan), The Shadow Kingdom (Kull) and The Haunter of the Ring (John Kirowan) but all tied together throughout the ages. The Conan and Kull stories are two of the best Sword & Sorcery stories ever written, in my humble opinion, so this series was always going to sit well with me.
Where to buy: The trade of Conan: Scourge of the Serpent is out in May, so for now it’s easiest to grab the individual Scourge of the Serpent issues. You can get a free taster over at Titan’s Free Conan Comic Book Day.
Coming in 2026: Tides of the Tyrant-King
The next major event brings back Thulsa Doom – the Atlantean necromancer and Conan’s greatest villain. Written by Jim Zub with art by Jesús Merino, it launches with a free #0 issue on Free Comic Book Day (May 2026) followed by a mini-series in September.
4. Omnibus Reprints: Classic Marvel Conan
Titan is also reprinting the classic Marvel Conan comics in massive omnibus editions. If you want to experience the legendary 1970s and 1980s runs, these are the definitive collections. I made a guide to the classic Conan comics with a lot more detail here, so check those out for full details.
Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus
Collecting Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith’s groundbreaking early run, followed by the John Buscema era. These are the comics that defined Conan for a generation.
- Volume 1 – The essential starting point, with art from Barry Windsor-Smith.
- Volume 2 – Roy Thomas hits on a winning formula
- Volume 3 – The start of the infamous Black Coast Arc
- Volume 4 – The end of a powerful set of stories
Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus
The complete black-and-white magazine run, uncut and uncensored. This is where you’ll find some of the most mature and artistically adventurous Conan stories ever published.
- Volume 1 – Where SSOC all began
- Volume 2 – Includes Beyond the Black River and The Tower of the Elephant
- Volume 3 – Features The Scarlet Citadel and Hawks Over Shem
- Volume 4 – Includes The Treasure of Tranicos and Conan the Liberator
King Conan: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus
Focusing on Conan’s later years as ruler of Aquilonia.
- Volume 1 – A wiser Conan takes on all-comers
- Volume 2 – Conan goes looking for his son
- Volume 3 – Releasing April 2026
Solomon Kane Omnibus
Yes, they’re collecting the classic Marvel Solomon Kane material too. Essential for Kane fans. I have the Marvel version (the new version is virtually identical) and it’s beautiful.
Conan The Adventurer
A 1990s reboot that didn’t last long but offers a fresh perspective and some great art. The Adventurer omnibus is due out in July 2026.
Are the omnibuses worth the price? In my opinion, absolutely – if you want physical copies of these classic runs, the omnibus format offers the best value. They’re gorgeous hardcovers with restored art. The Savage Sword omnibuses in particular are essential; that magazine format material has never looked better.
Conan: Reforged
These few issues take old black and white Savage Sword stories and recolour them. I have the first Reforged issue and it covers The Tower of the Elephant and The Frost Giant’s Daughter, looking like you’ve never seen before!
Beyond Comics: The Wider Howard Renaissance
The comics are just part of the story. Here’s what else is happening in the world of Robert E. Howard:
New Conan Novels
Titan Books has published several new full-length Conan novels by acclaimed fantasy authors:
- Blood of the Serpent by S.M. Stirling
- Conan: Songs of the Slain by Tim Lebbon – A King Conan epic following the ageing barbarian on a quest to fulfil a blood oath
- Conan: Spawn of the Serpent God by Tim Waggoner – Conan and fellow thief Valja are recruited by Mitra’s priestesses to stop a sorcerer creating human-serpent hybrids. I really enjoyed this book and it’s part of the Scourge of the Serpent reading order.
- City of the Dead by John C Hocking – a follow-up to The Emerald Lotus, one of the highest rated Conan pastiches. For more Conan pastiche novels check this out.
Are the new Conan novels good? They vary, as you’d probably expect. I think the John C Hocking and Tim Waggoner books are particularly strong – they capture Howard’s pacing and atmosphere while bringing their own sensibilities.
Heroic Legends: Monthly Prose Novellas
Heroic Signatures has launched a digital-first novella series featuring characters from across the Howard-verse. New releases drop monthly, with physical editions following in the future.
The series captures the short fiction energy of Howard’s original pulp stories, and it’s a fantastic way to get regular doses of sword-and-sorcery.
Savage Sword Short Stories
The Savage Sword of Conan magazine includes prose stories alongside the comics. One standout is “Madness on the Mound” by Matthew John (get it in Savage Sword #6) – a fast-paced, atmospheric pastiche that honestly feels like something Howard himself might have written. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why this format works so well.
Red Sonja (2025 Film)
The She-Devil with a Sword got her own film again after many years, finally released in August 2025 and starring Matilda Lutz. Reviews were mixed – it’s clearly a low-budget production – but it’s entertaining sword-and-sorcery if you adjust your expectations. I gave it a 6/10. Available now on Blu-ray and streaming.
Kull Comics Coming in 2027
King Kull of Atlantis – Howard’s proto-Conan and one of his most philosophical creations – will receive his own ongoing comic series in 2027. He’s already appeared in guest spots throughout the Titan line, particularly in the Scourge of the Serpent event.
The Creative Team: Why This Era Works
I want to highlight the people making this renaissance happen, because they deserve recognition.
Jim Zub is the architect. His work on Conan the Barbarian has been consistently excellent – he understands Howard’s character on a deep level and writes stories that feel authentic to the source material while remaining accessible to new readers. He’s also handled the crossover events with skill, juggling multiple characters without losing focus.
Jeff Shanks provides editorial guidance and deep Howard scholarship, ensuring the comics respect the source material.
Roberto De La Torre and Doug Braithwaite have been the primary artists on the main series, and both deliver stunning work. De La Torre’s moody, atmospheric style is perfect for horror-tinged stories, while Braithwaite brings kinetic energy to action sequences.
Alex Horley deserves special mention for his painted covers on Savage Sword and that extraordinary #25 issue. His work connects directly to the Frazetta tradition while remaining distinctly his own.
Patrick Zircher writing and drawing Solomon Kane has been a revelation – he clearly loves the character. Jason Aaron’s Conan the Ensorcelled was a brilliant Savage Sword.
Fernando Dagnino, Danica Brine (the first female artist on the main Conan series), Jonas Scharf and Liam Sharp have all contributed excellent work. There are many more contributors, too, of course, so thanks to them as well.
This is a team that genuinely cares about Robert E. Howard’s legacy. It shows on every page.
Where Should You Start?
If you’re new to Conan comics or returning after a long absence, here’s my recommended reading order:
For New Readers:
- Conan the Barbarian Volume 1: (2023) – The perfect starting point for Titan’s run
- The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 1 (2024) – Experience the anthology format
For Longtime Fans:
- The new Savage Sword – It’s genuinely excellent and rewards Howard knowledge
- Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring – Kane’s first solo series in 15 years
- The omnibus reprints – Finally get those classic runs in definitive editions
On a Budget:
- Free Comic Book Day issues – Titan releases free Conan specials each May
- Individual issues – At $4.99 per issue, the monthly comics are generally affordable
- Digital editions – Often cheaper than print
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Titan’s Conan the Barbarian comic good?
Yes. In my opinion, it’s one of the best ongoing Conan comics since the Marvel era. Jim Zub writes Conan authentically, the art is consistently excellent, and the stories feel like genuine Howard-style sword-and-sorcery.
Are the Conan omnibuses worth it?
If you want physical copies of the classic Marvel runs, absolutely. They’re beautifully produced hardcovers with restored art. The price per page is actually excellent value compared to buying individual trades.
Where should I start with Conan comics?
Conan the Barbarian Volume 1 from Titan is the perfect modern starting point. If you want classic material, Conan the Barbarian: The Original Years is the definitive collection.
Is Savage Sword of Conan still being published?
Yes! Titan revived the magazine in 2024, and it’s now entering its third year. It’s published bi-monthly in black-and-white, oversized format.
When is the Kull comic coming out?
2027. Kull has appeared in guest spots throughout the current Titan line, building anticipation for his solo series.
Is now a good time to get into Conan?
It’s the best time in decades. We’re in a golden age for Robert E. Howard adaptations across comics, prose, and film.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been reading Conan comics for years, and I can honestly say this current era rivals the best the character has ever seen.
The creative team understands Howard. The production quality is high. The variety – ongoing series, magazine anthology, events, omnibus reprints – means there’s something for every type of fan.
If you’ve been curious about Conan but never knew where to start, start now. If you drifted away during the Dark Horse or later Marvel years, come back. This is the real thing.
By Crom, it’s a good time to be a barbarian.
Related Reading:
Where to Start Reading Conan the Barbarian
Thank you so much for this detailed post
My pleasure, I enjoyed writing it and being able to see clearly what’s on the horizon for Conan and the others!
Hi.. I’m a longtime Conan fan. I was very happy about the new titan series of Savage Sword of Conan. Alas.. where I live, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, there has been some kind of an issue with the suppliers, and I haven’t been able to buy an issue since #8. All the comic book stores here have the same issue. They can’t get the savage swords in.. I haven’t been able to get issues 9 to 12. I don’t know what has caused the supplier problem. I hope it does get resolved and I hope I can somehow find issues 9 to 12. It is a really amazing book.
I feel your pain! I have been able to keep getting the latest issues, but VERY delayed (Germany). I hope you can find the later issues – either ebay or similar, or at the very latest the trade paperback will be available sometime in the future, at least. Thanks for the comment, glad you’re enjoying them as well!