Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #3 REVIEW – Conan: Wolves of the Tundra
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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) #3 REVIEW – Conan: Wolves of the Tundra
Writer: Frank Tieri
Artist: Cary Nord
Letterers: Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith
Publisher: Titan Comics
Published: July 2024
Cover
Another painted cover from Alex Horley and I love it. Very evocative of earlier Savage Swords – this one is a real tribute. Great stuff.
Art and Story
The main story here is Conan: Wolves of the Tundra, written by Frank Tieri and with art by Cary Nord – one of my all-time favourite Conan artists.
Nord’s Dark Horse work is iconic, and after John Buscema, he might just be my favourite Conan artist. That said, in black and white magazine format, his art doesn’t shine quite as brightly.
It feels a little less detailed, or maybe it’s the format – either way, it didn’t land as powerfully as I’d hoped. Still high-quality art, just not as impressive as his previous work.
**since I started uploading digital images for this review, I have to admit the art looks a lot better on screen. Something didn’t quite work in the magazine format – I felt like the ink bled and the edges lost their sharpness.
I think it actually looks significantly better digitally than it does on paper, which is a shame.
Story-wise, this one was just okay. It revolves around Conan being possessed, which, for me, is a misstep.
Conan’s indomitable will is arguably his greatest strength — the thing that sees him through every outnumbered, deadly encounter.
Taking that away undermines the essence of his character. We’ve seen this before in other modern arcs, and it just never quite feels right. I get why trying it is in an interesting idea but it doesn’t land for me.
The ending does redeem things slightly with a fun and satisfying final page (not the one shown below, I don’t want to spoil it!).
Howard Accuracy / Faithfulness
Not especially faithful this time around. In the original stories, I can’t recall a time when Conan lost his free will entirely. It’s just not in his nature. Possession and loss of agency don’t really align with Howard’s version of the Cimmerian. If I’m wrong and he does, leave me a comment below and I’ll happily correct myself.
Character Spotlight
It’s Conan from beginning to end, but due to the possession, he doesn’t really feel like himself. There aren’t any other notable characters to highlight in this story.
Best Panel or Scene
The final page stands out. It got a chuckle from me and ended the story on a much-needed high note. I won’t show it here because I don’t want to spoil it for you!
Extras
This is where the issue redeems itself.
First up is a long excerpt from Conan and the Living Plague by John C. Hocking — one of two novels featured in Conan: City of the Dead.
I’ve read both and enjoyed them, and this excerpt is a solid reminder of why.
Conan facing off against a horde of ghouls in a crypt and running blindly into something and nearly knocking himself out? Sounds like Conan!
There’s also a biography of John C. Hocking, which is well worth reading. It provides insight into the author’s connection with Conan and how he came to write about him.
Next is Master of the Hunt, Part 3, the final chapter of the Solomon Kane story by Patrick Zircher, with letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt.
The first two parts were excellent — this one, while still good, shifts from creeping horror to more straightforward action.
It felt shorter and less impactful than it could’ve been. Honestly, this could’ve been merged with the previous chapter.
Then we have a short poem from Jim Zub, Call Thee to Crom, with art by the incredible Rob De La Torre. A quick read, but very effective. Zub continues Howard’s legacy with his forays into poetry as well as prose (as seen in this review of Savage Sword of Conan 2).
Finally, there’s Lure of the Pit Creature by Alan Quah — a silent Conan comic with no text at all. It’s very well done.
The art is clear and engaging, and the story works despite having no dialogue. The panel layout is distinctive too, with a grid structure on some pages that adds to the pacing and action. A great way to close the issue.
Final Thoughts & Rating
This one was a bit of a letdown after the strong first two issues.
The main story just didn’t click — possession isn’t a good fit for Conan’s character, and even Cary Nord’s usually stellar art didn’t quite deliver in this format.
That said, the extras are strong, and there’s enough good material here to make the issue worth picking up. But compared to what came before, this is definitely a step back.
Rating: 6/10
Where to Buy
Probably the easiest way to get hold of Savage Sword of Conan (2024) #3 is in the trade paperback. You might be able to pick up a back issue on eBay (buy on eBay).
