Conan: Scourge of the Serpent – Complete Reading Order & Release Guide
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Conan: Scourge of the Serpent is Titan Comics’ flagship Conan event of 2025, spanning both comics and a tie-in novel.
Written by Jim Zub, it unites Conan the Cimmerian, Kull the Conqueror, and occult investigator John Kirowan in a time-spanning crossover that stretches from the ancient Thurian Age to the Hyborian kingdoms and even into the modern world.
This guide gives you the official recommended reading order, release dates, tie-ins, background build-up, and what to read after the event.
It also includes lore on Thoth-Amon and the serpent god Set, FAQs, and collector notes.
Last updated: 6 October 2025.
The whole series actually starts completely free of charge, courtesy of Free Comic Book Day 2025. I really enjoyed the free issue and knew I was hooked right away!
Table of Contents
Background Reading (Before Scourge)
While Scourge of the Serpent stands on its own, the seeds are planted in the ongoing Conan the Barbarian #17–24 (2025).
These issues (collected in Conan Volume 5: Twisted Loyalties and Conan Volume 6: A Nest of Serpents) introduce serpent-cult intrigue and build tension around recurring foe Thoth-Amon.
Some readers also look at Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring #1–4 as background. Jim Zub has clarified that series isn’t required, but it shares serpent-themed elements.
Scourge of the Serpent Reading Order (Spoiler-Free)
- Conan: Scourge of the Serpent (FCBD 2025 Prelude)
- Savage Sword of Conan #10 (short prelude scene)
- Conan: Scourge of the Serpent #1–4 (core mini-series)
- Conan: Spawn of the Serpent God (Tie-In Novel)
According to Jim Zub’s guidance on Conan.com, this sequence ensures the story unfolds naturally and avoids spoilers.
Why This Order Works
Jim Zub explained that Scourge is designed to play out across multiple ages:
- The FCBD 2025 Prelude is the true starting point.
- Savage Sword of Conan #10 contains a crucial prelude beat.
- The four-issue mini-series delivers the event itself.
- Finally, the tie-in novel Spawn of the Serpent God expands subplots and aftermath.
This isn’t just a list of release dates – it’s a multi-era narrative cycle, reflecting the way the event was built.
Detailed Checklist & Release Calendar
| Step | Title | Release Date | Notes |
| 1 | Conan: Scourge of the Serpent (FCBD 2025) | 3 May 2025 | Free prelude, essential. Available in print and as a free digital copy from Titan Comics. Features a youthful Conan (~17 years old) as a thief. |
| 2 | Savage Sword of Conan #10 | 7 May 2025 | Short set-up beat leading into the event. |
| 3 | Scourge of the Serpent #1 | 24 Sept 2025 | Event begins. Art by Ivan Gil, colours by Joao Canola. |
| 4 | Scourge of the Serpent #2 | 29 Oct 2025 | Ongoing serpent-cult conflict escalates. |
| 5 | Scourge of the Serpent #3 | 26 Nov 2025 | Penultimate chapter. |
| 6 | Scourge of the Serpent #4 | 31 Dec 2025 | Climactic finale of the mini-series. |
| 7 | Conan: Spawn of the Serpent God (Tie-In Novel) | 28 October 2025 | Expands the event with serpent lore and cosmic horror elements. |
“If you follow that reading order, you’ll get all the info you need when you need it, and get the most out of subplots as well.” – Jim Zub, writer of Conan.
Collector’s Corner
- Variants: Each issue ships with multiple variant covers, including serpent-themed art.
- Retailer exclusives: Expect exclusives from Titan’s store, Forbidden Planet, Midtown, etc.
- Collected edition: A trade paperback (issues #1–4, ~112pp) is expected in mid-2026. Perfect if you want the full aftermath arc in one place.
Tie-ins and Related Stories
Battle for the Black Stone
Not required, but enriches Titan’s wider Howard-verse crossover.
Solomon Kane Mini-Series
Jim Zub confirmed:
“The Solomon Kane mini-series shares some thematic elements, but is not directly tied to the Scourge of the Serpent storyline in a way where you need to read it ahead of time.”
Conan the Barbarian Ongoing (#25–28)
Acts as the aftermath arc of Scourge, continuing the fallout in Conan’s main series.
The Serpent Threat – Thoth-Amon and Set
No Conan epic is complete without the shadow of Thoth-Amon and his god Set. In Scourge of the Serpent, they embody the core conflict, binding the story across three ages.
Thoth-Amon – the Eternal Foe
First appearing in The Phoenix on the Sword, Thoth-Amon is Conan’s most enduring villain throughout the comics: a Stygian sorcerer of the serpent cult of Stygia, tied to Set’s worship. Over decades of comics, he’s become the archetypal recurring enemy – patient, cunning, and seemingly immortal through sorcery.
Interestingly, Conan and Thoth-Amon never actually meet in the original stories, if I remember correctly.
Set – the Serpent God
Set, the monstrous snake deity of Stygia, represents corruption and chaos. His priests spread terror, weaving influence into politics, war, and religion. Howard often used serpents – from God in the Bowl to The Shadow Kingdom – as cosmic horror symbols of temptation and death.
In The Hour of the Dragon huge serpents literally slither through the streets of Stygia!
Scourge Across the Ages
Scourge of the Serpent is a multi-era crossover that shows Set’s reach across recursive cycles of history:
- Atlantis (Thurian Age): Kull and Brule the Spear-Slayer confront the serpent cult.
- Hyborian Age: Conan faces Thoth-Amon’s schemes at full strength.
- Modern World: John Kirowan encounters serpent-themed horrors and occult legacies.
The result is a serpent-themed, cosmic horror epic showing that Set’s influence is eternal – and every age must produce champions to oppose him.
Next Reads After Scourge
- More updates as they come. Currently the only one I’ve found is the Spawn of the Serpent God book.
- Expect Titan to release a Scourge of the Serpent trade paperback, making the event easy to revisit before the next Conan crossover.
FAQs
Do I need the Free Comic Book Day 2025 issue?
Yes – it’s the official prelude. A free digital copy is available from Titan.
Where does Savage Sword of Conan #10 fit?
Immediately after FCBD 2025, before Scourge #1.
Is the novel Spawn of the Serpent God required?
It’s a tie-in novel. Optional, but it expands the serpent lore and aftermath.
Do I need to read the Solomon Kane mini-series?
No. It’s thematically linked but not part of the event.
Will there be a collected edition?
Yes – a trade collecting Scourge #1–4 is expected in 2026.
What’s your favourite Conan story involving Thoth-Amon or the serpent cult of Set? Share in the comments below – we’d love to hear your take.
