Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #6 Review
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Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #6 Review – King Conan: The Ensorcelled, Part 3 – The Woods of the Witchbreaker
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Geof Isherwood
Letterers: Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith
Publisher: Titan Comics
Published: November 2024
Table of Contents
Cover
I have Cover A by Jason Shawn Alexander, another strong painted piece. It features King Conan – an older, crowned version of the Cimmerian – rendered with impressive craftsmanship.
It’s slightly darker than I’d prefer, which makes some details difficult to discern, but it works overall. The tone is moody and dramatic, fitting perfectly with the story’s later direction.
Interestingly, it contrasts the cheerful opening but proves fitting as events unfold.
A striking and effective cover.
Intro
This is King Conan: The Ensorcelled, Part 3 – The Woods of the Witchbreaker.
Parts one and two appeared in last month’s review of Savage Sword of Conan #5.
I love the start of this one. Conan is singing full-throatedly – an obscene song, of course – as he strides through the forested tundra. He’s happy, relaxed, and at peace for a brief moment.
This aspect of Conan is, in my opinion, criminally underused: his mirth. His humour and joy, along with his melancholy, are key elements of Robert E. Howard’s original conception.
As the big man (REH) himself once said:
“Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet.”
I’m glad to see these feelings featured here. They make Conan human, complex, and far more than ‘just’ a brooding warrior.
We usually see his rage and sorrow, but not his laughter. I love that Jason Aaron brings that side of Conan back here. It’s a fantastic opening.
Story and Art
This might be my favourite story in the series so far, for several reasons.
As always, this is a spoiler-light review, so I’ll avoid specifics.
We know Conan as a fighter, thief, reaver, and barbarian – but never as a sorcerer. This issue raises an intriguing question: could Conan ever have been one, and what would that mean?
One of the defining traits of Howard’s Conan is his iron will – his refusal to be dominated or broken. That idea is explored beautifully here.
Most sorcerers in the Hyborian Age become enslaved to the demonic powers they wield. But what if Conan, with his unyielding will, faced the same temptation?
Could even he be consumed? It’s a powerful concept and executed with depth and imagination.
Geof Isherwood’s art suits the tone perfectly – crisp, muscular, and shadowed, working especially well in black and white.
His storytelling is generally clear and dynamic. However, one page layout felt disjointed enough that I briefly wondered if a page was missing – a sentiment echoed by other readers online. A minor misstep, but worth noting.
Overall this was a very strong story, one of the best of recent times. We’ve got both sword and sorcery, and Conan doing what he does best. I don’t want to give spoilers, but do yourself a favour and read it!
Madness on the Mound
Next comes a short story, Madness on the Mound, by Matthew John – pure pulp excellence distilled into a few pages. It captures the fast-paced, blood-and-thunder spirit of the original Conan tales.
Having read countless post–Howard Conan stories, I can confidently say that few truly capture the essence of the character. Conan arguably shines best in short fiction, and this story proves it.
Picking up after The Frost Giant’s Daughter, we revisit Niord and Old Gorm, with even a subtle nod to Fafnir – presumably the same character from the early Conan the Barbarian comics of the 1970s. Those Easter eggs are nice touches for long-time fans.
It’s a brisk, exciting read that perfectly evokes the classic spirit of Howardian storytelling. Highly recommended.
The accompanying artwork was also excellent – fitting to how we often see Conan in his Frost Giant’s Daughter time – horned helmet and all!
Dark Agnes – The Head of Saint Denis
The issue concludes with Dark Agnes: The Head of Saint Denis.
Unfortunately, this was the weakest segment for me. To be fair, I’m not deeply familiar with Dark Agnes, so I can’t fully gauge how true the portrayal is, but the story didn’t resonate.
The narration feels far too heavy – almost every panel includes one or two caption boxes, resulting in too much telling and not enough showing.
The artwork is competent and well-paced, but the story itself is unmemorable. Even a day later, it barely lingered in my mind.
Definitely the least engaging part of the magazine.
Character Spotlight
This issue’s focus on Conan himself is refreshing. After the ensemble structure of Savage Sword issue #4, it’s satisfying to see Cimmerian stay strongly centre-stage.
The witch in the main story is also a strong addition, and I hope we get to revisit her and her offspring in the future…
Extras
There aren’t any additional features beyond the Dark Agnes story, but that’s perfectly acceptable. A full issue devoted primarily to Conan more than compensates.
Howard Accuracy and Faithfulness
The first story diverges somewhat from traditional portrayals by leaning heavily into the realm of sorcery – yet it does so in a way that feels authentic and true to the spirit of Howard’s world.
Madness on the Mound, meanwhile, feels like something Howard himself would have appreciated.
Together, they strike a strong balance between faithfulness and creative innovation.
Where to Buy
You can find Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #6 at your local comic shop (if still available) or as part of the Savage Sword of Conan vol 2 trade paperback collection.
Final Thoughts & Rating
I’m giving this issue a firm 9 out of 10.
The main story was excellent, and the short story was a superb addition. It’s one I’ll gladly revisit.
Overall – 9/10, the highest rating I’ve awarded any issue of Savage Sword of Conan (Titan, 2024) so far. Well worth picking up, and I’m genuinely looking forward to Part Two of the main story.
