Savage Sword of Conan (2024) Review – Conan: Leaving the Garden (#2)
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The idea of these short reviews is to give you a quick overview of what this issue is about (or remind you if you’ve forgotten!).
I try to give as much information as possible without spoiling any plots or twists, though of course there are likely to be some mini-spoilers… so read on dog-brother!
Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #2 REVIEW – Conan: Leaving the garden
Writer: Jim Zub
Artist(s): Richard Pace
Published: Titan Comics, May 2024
Cover
We’ve got a painted cover from Dave Dorman that actually fits the content of the story very well — a welcome change from the classic Conan trend where the cover often had little to do with the interior.
This one captures the mood and moment of the tale with accuracy and strength. I’ve got the A variant, but there are many covers to explore if you’re a collector.
It’s a solid front cover, nasty monsters included — no complaints here.
Below–they’ve fixed the printing issues that plagued the first issue (full review of Savage Sword of Conan #1 here) but this time we only get half the map (which was unreadable first time out…)
Art
This is where the issue stumbles. The first page starts strong with a really nice full-page spread, but after that, the art takes a significant dive.
It’s a sketchy, rough style that some might find expressive, but in black and white, it often becomes hard to follow.
Many pages look more like unfinished roughs than polished illustrations.
It’s a real letdown, especially for a title like Savage Sword of Conan, which traditionally comes with high artistic expectations. John Buscema this is not.
Richard Pace’s work here just doesn’t meet the standard — and I genuinely hope this isn’t the direction for future issues. I know some people will like this style, but it’s not anything for me.
Story
Which is such a shame, because the story itself is brilliant. It’s dark, moody, sad, and genuinely unsettling. Jim Zub has really taken things up a level here.
Conan is a little more restful and introspective than usual, perhaps unusually so — but given the circumstances in the story, it works.
He’s still forced into action, and when he moves, he moves decisively. It’s an excellent, emotionally rich tale. Story alone? 8 out of 10.
Howard Accuracy / Faithfulness
Conan here is deeply Howardian. He perseveres, he rages, he fights back when cornered. And he has that soft spot for the helpless — one of the truest traits of Howard’s original barbarian.
He gets himself out of a sticky situation or two, and his moral code — rough as it may be — remains intact. I think Robert E. Howard would be satisfied with this portrayal.
Character Spotlight
Conan himself takes the spotlight this time. It’s a focused story, and it’s all about him — and it works. We see different sides of him here: wearied, reflective, angry, and resilient.
Best Panel or Scene
Probably the scene where Conan shows his domination over lesser predators, shall we say.
It’s a moment that captures his raw, unshakable presence — even if the art makes it harder to fully appreciate. That scene still cuts through.
Extras
Back to the good stuff. We get a letters page titled Chainmail, which is a brilliant throwback to the 70s and 80s vibe. Absolutely love it.
We also get part two of the Pat Zircher Solomon Kane story. The art here is fantastic — detailed, evocative, and completely opposite the Conan feature.
It’s a shorter segment this time and feels a little like a filler, but I’m still looking forward to the conclusion (possibly in the next issue). Kane is as sharp and stoic as ever.
We also get another note from Rialto at the end, pointing us to Conan.com — a nice in-world touch.
Where to Buy
Probably the easiest way to get hold of Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #2 is in the trade paperback. You might be able to pick up a back issue on ebay.
Final Thoughts & Rating
This issue drops back to a 7 out of 10. The story is easily an 8 — the best so far — but the art drags the experience down considerably.
The Solomon Kane backup is still strong, even if a little more subdued this time around. I still love seeing stories set in Wales.
Here’s hoping issue #3 brings the visuals back up to the level the writing deserves.
7/10.
