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Conan the Barbarian: Battle of the Black Stone
Conan the Barbarian: Battle of the Black Stone
The legendary roster of characters created by Robert E. Howard, who single-handily forged a whole new genre – sword and sorcery – are about to collide!
Spinning out of Titan and Heroic Signatures’ critically acclaimed Conan the Barbarian comic series, this epic multi-verse event features the iconic titular hero, Dark Agnes, Solomon Kane, and a host of Howard favorites. Fans will not want to miss this!
Conan of Cimmeria is haunted by shadows, living nightmares connected to a mysterious eye symbol etched in Black Stone. The unspeakable evil foretold by Thulsa Doom looms over the Hyborian Age and every age connected to it… and it will take more than a lone barbarian to stop its relentless march upon time, space, and sanity.
Battle of the Black Stone, an epic new Conan event from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics, begins here, from Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Dungeons & Dragons) and artist Jonas Scharf (Dark X-Men, Basilisk).
Spinning out of Titan and Heroic Signatures’ critically acclaimed Conan the Barbarian comic series, this epic multi-verse event features the iconic titular hero, Dark Agnes, Solomon Kane, and a host of Howard favorites. Fans will not want to miss this!
Conan of Cimmeria is haunted by shadows, living nightmares connected to a mysterious eye symbol etched in Black Stone. The unspeakable evil foretold by Thulsa Doom looms over the Hyborian Age and every age connected to it… and it will take more than a lone barbarian to stop its relentless march upon time, space, and sanity.
Battle of the Black Stone, an epic new Conan event from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics, begins here, from Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Dungeons & Dragons) and artist Jonas Scharf (Dark X-Men, Basilisk).
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Jim Zub
926 books327 followersJim Zub is a writer, artist and art instructor based in Toronto, Canada. Over the past fifteen years he’s worked for a diverse array of publishing, movie and video game clients including Disney, Warner Bros., Capcom, Hasbro, Bandai-Namco and Mattel.
He juggles his time between being a freelance comic writer and Program Coordinator for Seneca College‘s award-winning Animation program.
He juggles his time between being a freelance comic writer and Program Coordinator for Seneca College‘s award-winning Animation program.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 15, 2025
7.0/10
Coming from the main Conan run, i will say that you don't get quite the same feeling.. which make sense. See, despite the title saying Conan: Battle of the black stone, this is more of a Robert E. Howard characters team up book, than a Conan book. So Zub writes a bit different and obviously the art is also not the same with the main Conan run. It's still a good book though. It's a nice and short adventure, that sees our group of heroes fighting evil forces they don't quite understand.
Coming from the main Conan run, i will say that you don't get quite the same feeling.. which make sense. See, despite the title saying Conan: Battle of the black stone, this is more of a Robert E. Howard characters team up book, than a Conan book. So Zub writes a bit different and obviously the art is also not the same with the main Conan run. It's still a good book though. It's a nice and short adventure, that sees our group of heroes fighting evil forces they don't quite understand.
April 28, 2025
I was expecting a bit more in this 4 issue trade. I knew the setup from Savage Sword and earlier Conan issues. It seemed a little flat and rushed. When you bring in some of Howard’s most memorable characters into the Hyborian age, you expect a lot! We didn’t get that here. For me it was a let down. There were some good parts, but it was rather choppy. It was nice that they finally gave Robert E Howard credit for Shuma Gorath who was first mentioned in a Kull story. It sets up well for a continuation. If they do, I hope it’s a little more put together. With the awesome source materiel and iconic characters, it can be done.
April 23, 2025
Nice story and treatment of Howard’s characters. Very recommended
April 26, 2025
I read this series as individual issues. It is a fun book. The idea of creating a Howardverse and having his creations fight side by side is pure fanboy fun. I love that it ends with a surprise return of a classic Mythos being created by Howard, but introduced by Roy Thomas into the Marvelverse via his Dr. Strange run. It made me want to delve backwards into that classic run. The short backup pieces giving introductory details to REH’s creations were a nice touch.
June 21, 2025
Starts pretty strong, the story is mostly cool, the art works well with the writing. I think the device by which they bring all these disparate characters together worked well. I don't think bringing them all together worked nearly as well. Ultimately bringing them all together felt rather odd and incomplete. Kane and Kirowan contributed, I guess Allison was needed as the conduit. Equally, I guess the other three were brought along to be the red shirts. 'Howardverse' is less appealing than 'Savage Avengers' so far. Some nice closing touches include Kane's staff telling him there's more coming and Kirowan still having lost his eye despite everyone returning alive to their respective times. I also liked the fact Gordon's sword stayed in the monster's head throughout... but come on, really? These measly little swords were gonna take down that big thing? And now there's a world filled with them coming our way? I think Conan needs the Savage Avengers back.
June 22, 2025
I am a bit disappointed in this book. I wanted to rate it 3.5 stars, but due to my dussapointment, I had to round down. I was hyped for this story since Titan comics' first Conan the Barbarian volume. Even though the book was good, I was expecting a lot more.
During a battle, Conan sees a sigil. This awakens long-lost memories and feelings inside him. The same sigil appears to a number of heroes and heroines in the future. Death is coming to them all. Their only hope it to work together in the past to save their future.
I was expecting a longer story to get to know the other characters. Four issues were not enough. I know they have their own book, but if you are going to do a huge crossover, do it justice. As usual, the book does bring the violence and action, but a bit more character development would have been great.
During a battle, Conan sees a sigil. This awakens long-lost memories and feelings inside him. The same sigil appears to a number of heroes and heroines in the future. Death is coming to them all. Their only hope it to work together in the past to save their future.
I was expecting a longer story to get to know the other characters. Four issues were not enough. I know they have their own book, but if you are going to do a huge crossover, do it justice. As usual, the book does bring the violence and action, but a bit more character development would have been great.
March 21, 2025
Wow! Spans the key Robert E Howard characters quite well :) Fun read
August 12, 2025
I love Conan and have never even thought of looking j to the rest of the HOWARDverse. After reading this, Conan is still my favorite (he just hits that lizard part of my brain that loves wine, women and chopping enemies into bits and pieces) but the other characters are all very interesting.
This is put together superbly and makes sense of the worlds combining while still feeling unique for each character. I’d really recommend this book.
This is put together superbly and makes sense of the worlds combining while still feeling unique for each character. I’d really recommend this book.
February 22, 2025
Only okay.
I was expecting a lot more oomph out of this one. Yes, it brought a bunch of REH heroes together, but there didn't seem to be big stakes, and virtually no consequences to the deaths.
I was really hoping for a lot more out of this.
I was expecting a lot more oomph out of this one. Yes, it brought a bunch of REH heroes together, but there didn't seem to be big stakes, and virtually no consequences to the deaths.
I was really hoping for a lot more out of this.
February 16, 2026
An exciting adventure taking 8 people from all over time that fall away as the party gets closer to their goal. Unexpected twists and turns. Each member has something that they contribute to the success of the group.
Read
January 19, 2026About five years ago, when the Conan licence was at Marvel, Jim Zub wrote the crossover Serpent War, teaming him up with Robert E Howard's other great creation, Puritan hero Solomon Kane – plus obscurity Dark Agnes, to stop it being too much of a sausage party. Now, for Titan, he does much the same again. There are differences, sure; Serpent War had Moon Knight along for the ride, whereas here we're strictly Howardverse, so it's pulp adventurer el Borak, occult Investigators Conrad and Kirowan, and the scout Brissa. But, come on, when you put two similar yarns side by side, how often is the one without Moon Knight better than the one with? Exactly.* The macguffin this time is, as the title suggests, the Black Stone which has been looming ominously through the Titan Conan run, but even the bringing together of characters from across the millennia is again accomplished via REH stand-in James Allison. Though, granted, I don't recall Serpent War specifying that his Texas home was called Lost Knob, which seems like something I would have mentioned, because even before you consider how neatly it fits Howard's own uneasy sexuality...hur hur, 'Lost Knob'. About the only thing that saves this reprise from feeling wholly surplus to requirements is Scharf and Canola's art which, especially on the craggy Kane, at its best reminds me of the much-missed Carlos Ezquerra, or maybe Goran Parlov.
*In fact, I'd like to see this principle tested further. Imagine how much Marc et al might liven up Rebecca, or Phoenix Nights.
*In fact, I'd like to see this principle tested further. Imagine how much Marc et al might liven up Rebecca, or Phoenix Nights.
April 8, 2025
3.5/5
Having finished the 'Black Stone' arc of the Conan the Barbarian volumes 1-3, I felt it was right to pick up this volume 1 of the 'Battle of the Black Stone' series.
With the events in Conan series fresh in my mind, it gave context to what the Black Stone was and the horror/cosmic elements that we come across. I knew this would contain other Robert E Howard characters, and this series being the true start of the Howardverse.
The characters that were chosen are interesting choices, though a total of 7 characters may be a little much initially. I feel a smaller roster with further introductions in later volumes may have suited better.
But that being said, it highlights a number of Robert E Howard's lesser known characters (to readers like me who haven't read his stories yet, and am only really familiar with Conan and Solomon Kane), and has perked my interest further into reading his stories.
The art style was good throughout and was well written, though whilst not my favourite of the Titan Comics reboot so far, if a volume 2 is released I will definitely pick it up.
There are also links to The Savage Sword of Conan comics that are also being released, which I haven't read yet either. But they are now high up on my radar so I can link the pieces together.
Having finished the 'Black Stone' arc of the Conan the Barbarian volumes 1-3, I felt it was right to pick up this volume 1 of the 'Battle of the Black Stone' series.
With the events in Conan series fresh in my mind, it gave context to what the Black Stone was and the horror/cosmic elements that we come across. I knew this would contain other Robert E Howard characters, and this series being the true start of the Howardverse.
The characters that were chosen are interesting choices, though a total of 7 characters may be a little much initially. I feel a smaller roster with further introductions in later volumes may have suited better.
But that being said, it highlights a number of Robert E Howard's lesser known characters (to readers like me who haven't read his stories yet, and am only really familiar with Conan and Solomon Kane), and has perked my interest further into reading his stories.
The art style was good throughout and was well written, though whilst not my favourite of the Titan Comics reboot so far, if a volume 2 is released I will definitely pick it up.
There are also links to The Savage Sword of Conan comics that are also being released, which I haven't read yet either. But they are now high up on my radar so I can link the pieces together.
February 17, 2026
Ni bien ni mal, sino todo lo contrario.
De hecho, empieza de manera bastante prometedora, colocando las piezas en el tablero de juego y presentando la amenaza a combatir por los héroes howardianos (¿por qué no aparece Sonya de Rogatino, por cierto? ¿O Steve Costigan? Jope, me habría gustado ver a Conan y Costigan dándose cera, la verdad). Luego, la cosa comienza a flojear a un ritmo bárbaro (pun intended), y, en cuanto empiezan a cascar los buenos, ya sabemos que al final tendrá truco. Y lo tiene, en forma de un deux ex machina que no revelaré, pero, vamos, que el guionista se saca un conejo de la chistera, y ya está, cosa resuelta en un par de viñetas.
Vaya chapuza.
Por el contrario, el final final, la última página, vamos, promete. Pero veremos a ver si Zub cumple, porque con este hombre nunca se sabe.
¿El dibujo? Normalito y gracias.
De hecho, empieza de manera bastante prometedora, colocando las piezas en el tablero de juego y presentando la amenaza a combatir por los héroes howardianos (¿por qué no aparece Sonya de Rogatino, por cierto? ¿O Steve Costigan? Jope, me habría gustado ver a Conan y Costigan dándose cera, la verdad). Luego, la cosa comienza a flojear a un ritmo bárbaro (pun intended), y, en cuanto empiezan a cascar los buenos, ya sabemos que al final tendrá truco. Y lo tiene, en forma de un deux ex machina que no revelaré, pero, vamos, que el guionista se saca un conejo de la chistera, y ya está, cosa resuelta en un par de viñetas.
Vaya chapuza.
Por el contrario, el final final, la última página, vamos, promete. Pero veremos a ver si Zub cumple, porque con este hombre nunca se sabe.
¿El dibujo? Normalito y gracias.
November 26, 2025
I normally don't care much for ensemble stories that lump a bunch of characters together and tell a tale that leaves me a little disappointed with one character's usage or another's. there was some of that for me which prevented 5stars. tue story is a solid 3 for me. the bonus star comes from the presentation of the trade paperback. I love that Titan comics adds background articles at the end. They also have the cover of each issue at full page size in the book with a glorious cover gallery of all the alternate covers at the end. that is a special treat for fans that can't really afford to buy the same thing 4 times to get said covers. I love what they are doing with Conan and Jim Zub seems to be successfully treading the world of 2025 without losing the character that is Conan.
October 3, 2025
Really Good Howardverse Story
While I liked this volume, I do prefer Jim Zub’s regular Conan stories more. This is Conan alongside several other of Robert E Howard’s characters.
The writing is excellent except for a few dialogue spots that don’t quite fit Conan. He speaks a little too much early in the story and uses some words that just don’t fit. As an example of a word that doesn’t seem to fit, at one point Conan called someone a codger.
I really liked the art, and it might be my favorite of the recent Conan stories. It’s a different style from the regular series. It’s good art, but it also comes down to taste.
While I liked this volume, I do prefer Jim Zub’s regular Conan stories more. This is Conan alongside several other of Robert E Howard’s characters.
The writing is excellent except for a few dialogue spots that don’t quite fit Conan. He speaks a little too much early in the story and uses some words that just don’t fit. As an example of a word that doesn’t seem to fit, at one point Conan called someone a codger.
I really liked the art, and it might be my favorite of the recent Conan stories. It’s a different style from the regular series. It’s good art, but it also comes down to taste.
September 27, 2025
It's cool seeing Heroric Signatures and Titan Comics utilising all of Robert E. Howards pulp characters and this series brings the majority of them together for the first time. It's cool seeing Conan fighting alongside Solomon Kane, my second favourite Howard creation. The big bad of this tale is a bit of a let down, but Zub maintains a quick pace and the art, while nowhere near as good as Torre's, is better than most series. Looking forward to seeing what other crossovers this team manage to put togeher.
June 22, 2025
I love this idea of merging all the REH characters together. And using the Black Stone is brilliant as that's an item REH wrote about in stories set in the modern era but it comes from ancient times.
The comic ends up feeling like a BPRD story with a giant frog monster something that Guy Davis and Mignola would approve of.
It's silly, but I did get really hung up on the fact that Conan can communicate in English. Maybe I missed some explanation, but it really took me out of things. I would have appreciated some head-nod to the fact that Conan is really proficient with languages and manages to communicate with the English speaking characters through some means.
The comic ends up feeling like a BPRD story with a giant frog monster something that Guy Davis and Mignola would approve of.
It's silly, but I did get really hung up on the fact that Conan can communicate in English. Maybe I missed some explanation, but it really took me out of things. I would have appreciated some head-nod to the fact that Conan is really proficient with languages and manages to communicate with the English speaking characters through some means.
January 15, 2025
I think there is a whole world of a backstory im missing. That said, as a stand alone, just off writing and art i give this a 3 . Im not sure knowing wtf is going on would raised that score or lower it, but the writing is pretty good, didn't love the art. I wont seek out more of this.
September 2, 2025
If this is Titan announcing it is rolling out a whole Howardverse, I am excited. Howard had a slate of B-list characters, and this gives them quick intros. Lengthy bibliographies for each are tucked in the back. As a coherent story this is a bit of a mess.
June 1, 2025
nicht so die Wucht
October 3, 2025
Fun read.
Very cool. I had fun with this adventure. Good to see Brissa back in action. Very good art. Loved every page.
Very cool. I had fun with this adventure. Good to see Brissa back in action. Very good art. Loved every page.
October 21, 2025
A decent meet-up of all Howard characters if you turn a blind eye in a few silly stuff. 3.5/5 stars.
February 26, 2025
Feels very similar to Conan: Serpent War from Conan's recent Marvel residency. It's mostly a crossover for the sake of a crossover, but it was still decently fun, and there's hope that this one will have continued impacts on this continuity since this event comes so early in the Titan Comics run. Strong art too: Titan is head and shoulders above the Dynamite/Boom/Vault/etc tier of comic art.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews