What do you think?
Rate this book
The Savage Sword of Conan (2024) (Single Issues)
The Savage Sword of Conan #7
Featuring the return of legendary writer Roy Thomas with artist Roberto de la Torre for a ferocious Conan tale, a mysterious Bêlit story from writer Joseph Pruett and artist Goran Parlov, a behind-the-scenes look at Conan’s upcoming appearance in NetherRealm’s Mortal Kombat 1, tantalizing covers from Alex Horley and Sean Joyce, an array of incredible art pin-ups, and more – Issue 7 kicks off the second year of The Savage Sword of Conan in stunning style!
- GenresComicsFantasyComic Book
69 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 26, 2025
About the author
Roy Thomas
4,549 books276 followersRoy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 11, 2025
I never expected anything else from Roy Thomas, but I believe this is the real stuff. It has the same vibe as Thomas’ original stories of 50 years ago.
The story easily finds its place in the Conan annals and the cover illustration by Alex Horley is as good as many of those earlier ones that decorated both the books and the comics. Thomas’ story is expertly illustrated by Roberto de la Torre.
For anyone who has an interest in Conan, this one is definitely worth acquiring.
The story easily finds its place in the Conan annals and the cover illustration by Alex Horley is as good as many of those earlier ones that decorated both the books and the comics. Thomas’ story is expertly illustrated by Roberto de la Torre.
For anyone who has an interest in Conan, this one is definitely worth acquiring.
April 26, 2025
WOWZA!!
I feared that the Roy Thomas story was going to be just a blip meant to honor him; however, it was full blown AWESOMENESS!!
Without Roy Thomas, my favorite Cimmerian would never made the jump to comics. This is a return to that. De la Torre’s art is a phenomenal nod to the Late Great Big John Buscema. Purely fantastic.
The Breckenridge Elkins story is spot on.
This is the best issue yet.
I feared that the Roy Thomas story was going to be just a blip meant to honor him; however, it was full blown AWESOMENESS!!
Without Roy Thomas, my favorite Cimmerian would never made the jump to comics. This is a return to that. De la Torre’s art is a phenomenal nod to the Late Great Big John Buscema. Purely fantastic.
The Breckenridge Elkins story is spot on.
This is the best issue yet.
March 5, 2025
Roy Thomas returns with a bang! This felt like a 1970’s Savage Sword. Great long Conan story. There was also an interview concerning the Conan character in an installment of Mortal Combat. A Breckinridge Elkins story finished things up nicely. The right amount of action and a little humor. Excellent!
February 26, 2025
A Howardian Masterpiece (And a Great Elkins Tale afterward!)
HOLY ISHTAR!
The Return of Our Ol' Boy Roy Thomas!
That was no novelty guest starring appearance, by Golly (not a Hyborian god, just a turn of phrase). Roy is back, and he ain't just filling in for a little gimmicky quick yarn. He's here in full, SAVAGE force, and ready to do business.
The story he writes about our favorite Cimmerian is one of the most vicious, heartfelt, operatic, shocking, suspenseful, strange, and intense I've ever read. If that doesn't sound like it cuts to the meat of what a Conan story should be, then you don't know this Age! And with De La Torre along for the ride, it's like the old Roy and Buscema crew has been summoned from the abyss.
De La Torre in particular has poured his massive talent onto every page, each one dripping with the juxtaposed, highly detailed features of light and dark and masterful penning. Every subtle expression, every crashing blow, every tender moment, every hint of mysticism, is all captured here in cinematic fashion, like the best Savage Sword of old. De La Torre has gotten even better over time, as I feel a better sense of scope, angle, scenery and atmosphere from his drawing. He was well suited for the ultimate teaming up that we've desperately waited for between him and the legendary Thomas.
Speaking of whom, Roy, in no way less skilled, conjures decades of his experience with this lore to culminate in a tale drenched with knowledge of the world and hero within. And the prose is adequately verbose, neatly arranged, charged with that spark of the original source material, and still fresh.
"[He] turns to behold a tableau of beauty amid nightmare, a miasma, blended in equal portions, of deadly dreams and fearful awakening."
The tale here is a long one, thank goodness. I didn't want it to end. I think some of the recent past Savage Sword have been somewhat shy of the bullseye--the last two with Jason Aaron and Matt John being some of my all-time favorites--I mostly really remember and love the Solomon Kane stories from the first few issues. Here, it feels like the best of any generation of Conan comic, and rightly so, as without Roy, we may have never read a proper Conan outside of the original short stories by Howard himself.
Something was in the air back in the seventies, and I don't mean all the drugs! I mean there was enough determination, imagination and collaborative power that the most mega talented artists and writers were primed to bring the best literary properties to life. Roy was one of the major players in Conan, and assisted with a lot of other work at early Marvel alongside Stan Lee. If you're curious about a heavily storied history involving Roy, get yourself a copy of his three Barbarian Life books, in which he documents his life and history working on the Barbarian hero's two major comic book adaptations, among other characters, alongside brilliant artists. Those two adaptations are Conan The Barbarian, a more direct, family appropriate version of Robert E. Howard's work, and pastiches, and The Savage Sword of Conan, which explores every facet of Howard's work, and the pastiches thereof, without the constraints of the comic code of the time, allowing for blood and boobs aplenty. But please, dear reader (always wanted to say that), don't allow that to make you think this is or was some filthy, cheap cash in of carnality and shallowness, because all of it was ever treated with the deepest respect to the source material, was done with exceptional taste and deftness, and never comes off as overabundant or crass. Even violence was done to a necessary yet exciting degree.
Here we are, decades later, in the latest continuation of both of the main comics, and now the distinction between the two is much more gray. One is black and white, with snippets of magazines, art pages, bonus materials, interviews, and short stories featuring characters other than just Conan. The other is a more straightforward continuation of some point in Conan's career, chronologically told within miniseries or parts, and then moved to a different time in his life, either younger or older. The mainline CtB by author Jim Zub is also in full color, but in this modern year it has entirely shrugged off any constraints of comic code that once tied it down. The storytelling potential is as potent as ever, coloring outside the lines so to speak, of the known Conan chronology. It is pastiche, but of the highest order on both fronts. Zub has carried on where Roy left off, as well as others who bore the torch along the way.
We could have had so much worse, and it is a huge relief to say that the people who create these stories do so with love and respect to what has come before.
Before I leave, I have to say this: thank you Roy for all of your immense work in this field and subgenre. This is my favorite hero of all time, and we wouldn't be enjoying any of this to the same degree without your influence, direction and hard work. After all this time, you still come out swinging.
Edit: I was limited on characters and had to end my review early. I was going to say I loved the Pat Zircher Breckenridge Elkins Tale so much. It was larger than life, felt appropriate to the era and setting, the character was greatly realized, and it made me laugh. Loved the art so much as well.
And the Conan story, I just cannot spoil this one but there are so many fun elements, action, magic, a hint of romance, brotherhood, it sounds like nothing new but the way it all comes together and builds throughout is so spectacular. I had such a great time with this, and it's all in one part!
HOLY ISHTAR!
The Return of Our Ol' Boy Roy Thomas!
That was no novelty guest starring appearance, by Golly (not a Hyborian god, just a turn of phrase). Roy is back, and he ain't just filling in for a little gimmicky quick yarn. He's here in full, SAVAGE force, and ready to do business.
The story he writes about our favorite Cimmerian is one of the most vicious, heartfelt, operatic, shocking, suspenseful, strange, and intense I've ever read. If that doesn't sound like it cuts to the meat of what a Conan story should be, then you don't know this Age! And with De La Torre along for the ride, it's like the old Roy and Buscema crew has been summoned from the abyss.
De La Torre in particular has poured his massive talent onto every page, each one dripping with the juxtaposed, highly detailed features of light and dark and masterful penning. Every subtle expression, every crashing blow, every tender moment, every hint of mysticism, is all captured here in cinematic fashion, like the best Savage Sword of old. De La Torre has gotten even better over time, as I feel a better sense of scope, angle, scenery and atmosphere from his drawing. He was well suited for the ultimate teaming up that we've desperately waited for between him and the legendary Thomas.
Speaking of whom, Roy, in no way less skilled, conjures decades of his experience with this lore to culminate in a tale drenched with knowledge of the world and hero within. And the prose is adequately verbose, neatly arranged, charged with that spark of the original source material, and still fresh.
"[He] turns to behold a tableau of beauty amid nightmare, a miasma, blended in equal portions, of deadly dreams and fearful awakening."
The tale here is a long one, thank goodness. I didn't want it to end. I think some of the recent past Savage Sword have been somewhat shy of the bullseye--the last two with Jason Aaron and Matt John being some of my all-time favorites--I mostly really remember and love the Solomon Kane stories from the first few issues. Here, it feels like the best of any generation of Conan comic, and rightly so, as without Roy, we may have never read a proper Conan outside of the original short stories by Howard himself.
Something was in the air back in the seventies, and I don't mean all the drugs! I mean there was enough determination, imagination and collaborative power that the most mega talented artists and writers were primed to bring the best literary properties to life. Roy was one of the major players in Conan, and assisted with a lot of other work at early Marvel alongside Stan Lee. If you're curious about a heavily storied history involving Roy, get yourself a copy of his three Barbarian Life books, in which he documents his life and history working on the Barbarian hero's two major comic book adaptations, among other characters, alongside brilliant artists. Those two adaptations are Conan The Barbarian, a more direct, family appropriate version of Robert E. Howard's work, and pastiches, and The Savage Sword of Conan, which explores every facet of Howard's work, and the pastiches thereof, without the constraints of the comic code of the time, allowing for blood and boobs aplenty. But please, dear reader (always wanted to say that), don't allow that to make you think this is or was some filthy, cheap cash in of carnality and shallowness, because all of it was ever treated with the deepest respect to the source material, was done with exceptional taste and deftness, and never comes off as overabundant or crass. Even violence was done to a necessary yet exciting degree.
Here we are, decades later, in the latest continuation of both of the main comics, and now the distinction between the two is much more gray. One is black and white, with snippets of magazines, art pages, bonus materials, interviews, and short stories featuring characters other than just Conan. The other is a more straightforward continuation of some point in Conan's career, chronologically told within miniseries or parts, and then moved to a different time in his life, either younger or older. The mainline CtB by author Jim Zub is also in full color, but in this modern year it has entirely shrugged off any constraints of comic code that once tied it down. The storytelling potential is as potent as ever, coloring outside the lines so to speak, of the known Conan chronology. It is pastiche, but of the highest order on both fronts. Zub has carried on where Roy left off, as well as others who bore the torch along the way.
We could have had so much worse, and it is a huge relief to say that the people who create these stories do so with love and respect to what has come before.
Before I leave, I have to say this: thank you Roy for all of your immense work in this field and subgenre. This is my favorite hero of all time, and we wouldn't be enjoying any of this to the same degree without your influence, direction and hard work. After all this time, you still come out swinging.
Edit: I was limited on characters and had to end my review early. I was going to say I loved the Pat Zircher Breckenridge Elkins Tale so much. It was larger than life, felt appropriate to the era and setting, the character was greatly realized, and it made me laugh. Loved the art so much as well.
And the Conan story, I just cannot spoil this one but there are so many fun elements, action, magic, a hint of romance, brotherhood, it sounds like nothing new but the way it all comes together and builds throughout is so spectacular. I had such a great time with this, and it's all in one part!
February 17, 2026
March 2025
Review:
"Alls I's is gonna say is were-tigers and witch-bears make for sums good reading." - Breckinrdige Elkins, maybe.
Both stories hold a commonality in the lengths even the most gruff man will go for the wyles of beauty. I'm disappointed in the actions of two fathers within the "Mark of the Beast", but some men are more beastly than they are fatherly. With Breckinrdige's tale being a bit more on the humorous side, and Conan's being a savage and grim run, this issue is one of the better ones in a year's time, since the start. De La Torre and Hernandéz's art really brought two already interesting stories to life. I hope to see more of Breckinrdige and similar Rajas.
------------------------------------------------
Reference:
Pin-ups by Stuart Sayger (Conan) and Patch Zircher (Breckenridge Elkins)
"Conan: Mark of the Beast", written by Roy Thomas. Art by Roberto de la Torre.
""
- Conan
- Helgi - of Yota-Pong
- Raja - of Vezek Turan
- Punjar Chun - satrap of Yota-Pong
- Kumaon - Captain of palace guard
- Bassa - eldest guard
- Hellina - Helgi's mom; a wife to Punjar
- Patha - sneak-theif
- Samar - sneak-theif
- Taunaa - tiger god
- Dharhini - Vendhyan high priestess
- Jhebbal-Sag - animal god of th Black Kingdoms and Picts
"King of Kombat", edited interview from th Conan YouTube channel between Shawn Curley and NetherRealm design manager Nick Nicastro on Conan and Mortal Kombat 1.
"The Twelfth Labor of Breckinrdige Elkins", written by Patch Zircher. Art by Juan Alberto Hernández.
"."
- Breckinrdige Elkins
- Horace Strick
- Maggie McNeil
- Jeppard - Breckinrdige uncle
- Cap'n Kidd - stallion
- Nesting Eagle - Washoe witch
#1, March 2024
#2, May 2024
#3, August 2024
#4, September 2024
#5, November 2024
#6, January 2025
#7, March 2025
#8, April 2025
#9, July 2025
#10, October 2025
#11, December 2025
#12, February 2026
Review:
"Alls I's is gonna say is were-tigers and witch-bears make for sums good reading." - Breckinrdige Elkins, maybe.
Both stories hold a commonality in the lengths even the most gruff man will go for the wyles of beauty. I'm disappointed in the actions of two fathers within the "Mark of the Beast", but some men are more beastly than they are fatherly. With Breckinrdige's tale being a bit more on the humorous side, and Conan's being a savage and grim run, this issue is one of the better ones in a year's time, since the start. De La Torre and Hernandéz's art really brought two already interesting stories to life. I hope to see more of Breckinrdige and similar Rajas.
------------------------------------------------
Reference:
Pin-ups by Stuart Sayger (Conan) and Patch Zircher (Breckenridge Elkins)
"Conan: Mark of the Beast", written by Roy Thomas. Art by Roberto de la Torre.
""
- Conan
- Helgi - of Yota-Pong
- Raja - of Vezek Turan
- Punjar Chun - satrap of Yota-Pong
- Kumaon - Captain of palace guard
- Bassa - eldest guard
- Hellina - Helgi's mom; a wife to Punjar
- Patha - sneak-theif
- Samar - sneak-theif
- Taunaa - tiger god
- Dharhini - Vendhyan high priestess
- Jhebbal-Sag - animal god of th Black Kingdoms and Picts
"King of Kombat", edited interview from th Conan YouTube channel between Shawn Curley and NetherRealm design manager Nick Nicastro on Conan and Mortal Kombat 1.
"The Twelfth Labor of Breckinrdige Elkins", written by Patch Zircher. Art by Juan Alberto Hernández.
"."
- Breckinrdige Elkins
- Horace Strick
- Maggie McNeil
- Jeppard - Breckinrdige uncle
- Cap'n Kidd - stallion
- Nesting Eagle - Washoe witch
#1, March 2024
#2, May 2024
#3, August 2024
#4, September 2024
#5, November 2024
#6, January 2025
#7, March 2025
#8, April 2025
#9, July 2025
#10, October 2025
#11, December 2025
#12, February 2026
May 4, 2025
Roy Thomas returns to deliver a classic Savage Sword issue with the 21st century's John Buscema - Roberto De La Torre. It has the epic scope and adventure of a classic issue but with even more references to the original stories than normal. Fantastic concept and perfect execution.
June 2, 2025
This issue has two stories, a longer comic and a short one, and a report on the appearance of Conan in Mortal Kombat 1, plus two pin-ups, one of Conan (looking almost like Frazetta’s Death Dealer) by Stuart Sayger and one of Brekenridge Elkins by Patch Zircher.
Conan: Mark of the Beast by Roy Thomas (writer), Roberto De La Torre (artist), and Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (letters). Inspired by a story by Rudyard Kipling.
The combination of Roy Thomas and De La Torre is phenomenal! It’s like reading an issue of The Savage Sword of Conan from back in the day. This story is excellent and fills the majority of the issue. Filled with violence, weirdness, sexual desire, and the thirst for freedom. I’d love to see more stories like it in the future.
The Twelth Labor of Brekenridge Elkins by Patrick Zircher (writer), Juan Alberto Hernāndez (artist), and Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (letters).
I’ve never read any of REH’s Brekenridge Elkins stories, but I know they’re in the tall tale tradition. Zircher’s story was fun and humorous. I’m glad to see REH’s other characters getting stories. And Hernāndez’s art is excellent!
Awesome cover art by Alex Horley! Overall, an outstanding issue!
Conan: Mark of the Beast by Roy Thomas (writer), Roberto De La Torre (artist), and Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (letters). Inspired by a story by Rudyard Kipling.
The combination of Roy Thomas and De La Torre is phenomenal! It’s like reading an issue of The Savage Sword of Conan from back in the day. This story is excellent and fills the majority of the issue. Filled with violence, weirdness, sexual desire, and the thirst for freedom. I’d love to see more stories like it in the future.
The Twelth Labor of Brekenridge Elkins by Patrick Zircher (writer), Juan Alberto Hernāndez (artist), and Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (letters).
I’ve never read any of REH’s Brekenridge Elkins stories, but I know they’re in the tall tale tradition. Zircher’s story was fun and humorous. I’m glad to see REH’s other characters getting stories. And Hernāndez’s art is excellent!
Awesome cover art by Alex Horley! Overall, an outstanding issue!
March 3, 2025
A Good Story
The first story, the mark of the beast, definitely reminded me of the SSOC mags of years ago, the artwork is very well done, and as with previous issues, read the story first, than went back to enjoy the art. The second story has a little known R E H character, but is still well done.
I recommend this issue for those that have read the previous issues, those that enjoy Conan, and those that want to try something different.
The first story, the mark of the beast, definitely reminded me of the SSOC mags of years ago, the artwork is very well done, and as with previous issues, read the story first, than went back to enjoy the art. The second story has a little known R E H character, but is still well done.
I recommend this issue for those that have read the previous issues, those that enjoy Conan, and those that want to try something different.
June 24, 2025
I just finished Titan Comics The Savage Sword of Conan #7 -I know, it came out months ago. (This is why monopolies are bad. Talking to you, Diamond Comic Distributors.)
Crom!! What a great issue. The artwork, the stories, and the format, are freakin' amazing!
The cover, the pinups, the panels, all perfectly drawn, inked, and laid-out, to set the dark nihilistic tone and portray the explosive violence savage enough to be worthy of..well..The Savage Sword of Conan legacy.
Conan: Mark of the Beast is inspired by Rudyard Kipling. Of course, Rudyard Kipling because his work is a perfect fit for the Hyborian Age, which makes me wonder. How much influence, if any, did Mr. Kipling have on Robert E. Howard's own writing?
It needs to be mentioned, that, Mark of the Beast is written by arguably.. no, the best adaptor of REH’s work; Roy Thomas. Nuff said. True believers know what I'm talking about.
The Twelfth Labor of Breckenridge Elkins was so awesome, and how can you not love a Breckenridge Elkins story?!? Who has ever done one before? Titan and company did, and it was so fun to explore one of Howard's characters that I know the least about.
It gave me a vibe like The Revenant movie by way of a Lovecraftion Greek myth. ( Fans of the graphic novel series, Hillbilly by Eric Powell will love it.)
Comics and graphic novels are only as good or as bad as the attitude of everyone involved in its creation. When, not just the artists and writers, but the inkers, letterers, layout, editing, marketing, and the publishers, everyone from company to creator believes in what they are doing, great stories are born.
Titan and team get it and then some. Plus, they respect, not only Robert E. Howard himself, but the original Marvel's The Savage Sword of Conan too. I even feel like they're paying homage to the old Howard fans, like me -reading this stuff for 50 years-, by capturing the look, the feel, and even the smell, of the old Marvel black-and-magazines with tales that are as good if not better.
Crom!! What a great issue. The artwork, the stories, and the format, are freakin' amazing!
The cover, the pinups, the panels, all perfectly drawn, inked, and laid-out, to set the dark nihilistic tone and portray the explosive violence savage enough to be worthy of..well..The Savage Sword of Conan legacy.
Conan: Mark of the Beast is inspired by Rudyard Kipling. Of course, Rudyard Kipling because his work is a perfect fit for the Hyborian Age, which makes me wonder. How much influence, if any, did Mr. Kipling have on Robert E. Howard's own writing?
It needs to be mentioned, that, Mark of the Beast is written by arguably.. no, the best adaptor of REH’s work; Roy Thomas. Nuff said. True believers know what I'm talking about.
The Twelfth Labor of Breckenridge Elkins was so awesome, and how can you not love a Breckenridge Elkins story?!? Who has ever done one before? Titan and company did, and it was so fun to explore one of Howard's characters that I know the least about.
It gave me a vibe like The Revenant movie by way of a Lovecraftion Greek myth. ( Fans of the graphic novel series, Hillbilly by Eric Powell will love it.)
Comics and graphic novels are only as good or as bad as the attitude of everyone involved in its creation. When, not just the artists and writers, but the inkers, letterers, layout, editing, marketing, and the publishers, everyone from company to creator believes in what they are doing, great stories are born.
Titan and team get it and then some. Plus, they respect, not only Robert E. Howard himself, but the original Marvel's The Savage Sword of Conan too. I even feel like they're paying homage to the old Howard fans, like me -reading this stuff for 50 years-, by capturing the look, the feel, and even the smell, of the old Marvel black-and-magazines with tales that are as good if not better.
February 28, 2026
Just finished Savage Sword of Conan #7 and this issue is a brutal treat for sword-and-sorcery fans. Legendary writer Roy Thomas returns to the Hyborian Age with “Mark of the Beast,” delivering a pulpy, savage adventure that perfectly channels the spirit of Robert E. Howard’s original tales — from mysterious temples and primal gods to Conan’s unrelenting might and cunning. The main story, rendered in stunning black-and-white by Roberto De La Torre, balances ferocity and atmosphere that longtime fans will appreciate. The backup “The Twelfth Labor of Breckenridge Elkins” by Patrick Zircher brings a fun, tall-tale contrast, turning the shorter piece into a memorable bite of humor and old-school frontier chaos. With pin-ups and extra features rounding out the mag-format, this is one of the most solid issues yet and a strong kick-off to the series’ second year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
The Savage Sword of Conan (2024-) #7
The main feature here - "Mark of the Beast" - pairs Roy Thomas and Rob De La Torre together for this hefty, nearly 50 page long story. A fitting duo for a Conan story, representing the classic and modern takes on the character. Though the De La Torre == John Buscema comparisons are even harder to ignore here, with De La Torre's black-and-white artwork seamlessly fitting the same loose and expressive lines of the late, great Big John. The story brings Conan to Kosala (Robert E. Howard's more Indian themed location with customs and mythos derived from the subcontinent), where he pairs up with a formidable archer known as Raja of Vezek. After returning a recently enslaved daughter to the local king, Conan and Raja travel out together as companions on the road. They come across Dharini, a woman with a supernatural connection to beasts. What ensues is a bloody fight for Conan, where he must tap into a more animalistic part of himself to overcome Dharini's thralls. This was an enjoyable romp, calling back to some classic Roy Thomas era of Savage Sword of Conan with references to Jhebbal Sag and homage to Rudyard Kipling.
Patch Zircher is joined by artist Juan Alberto Hernandez to deliver a similarly themed story featuring Breckinridge Elkins, another one of Robert E. Howard's creations. Lighter and more humorous in tone, this shorter piece caps off another great issue of Savage Sword. The second year of the modern revival of the magazine is starting off strong.
The main feature here - "Mark of the Beast" - pairs Roy Thomas and Rob De La Torre together for this hefty, nearly 50 page long story. A fitting duo for a Conan story, representing the classic and modern takes on the character. Though the De La Torre == John Buscema comparisons are even harder to ignore here, with De La Torre's black-and-white artwork seamlessly fitting the same loose and expressive lines of the late, great Big John. The story brings Conan to Kosala (Robert E. Howard's more Indian themed location with customs and mythos derived from the subcontinent), where he pairs up with a formidable archer known as Raja of Vezek. After returning a recently enslaved daughter to the local king, Conan and Raja travel out together as companions on the road. They come across Dharini, a woman with a supernatural connection to beasts. What ensues is a bloody fight for Conan, where he must tap into a more animalistic part of himself to overcome Dharini's thralls. This was an enjoyable romp, calling back to some classic Roy Thomas era of Savage Sword of Conan with references to Jhebbal Sag and homage to Rudyard Kipling.
Patch Zircher is joined by artist Juan Alberto Hernandez to deliver a similarly themed story featuring Breckinridge Elkins, another one of Robert E. Howard's creations. Lighter and more humorous in tone, this shorter piece caps off another great issue of Savage Sword. The second year of the modern revival of the magazine is starting off strong.
March 23, 2025
TBH I didn't know Roy Thomas was still with us. An amazing tale, hope there is more to come.
De La Torre really nails it, reminding me of John Buscema and Joe Kubert.
De La Torre really nails it, reminding me of John Buscema and Joe Kubert.
September 17, 2025
Issue 7 of The Savage Sword of Conan sees a return of Roy Thomas, who originally wrote the stories to the first run of Conan comics for Marvel in the 1970s.
I haven’t read any of those myself, but I get a classic comic vibe from this issue, and it worked really well.
The artwork by Roberto Delatore, whose artwork I’ve come across in the Conan the Barbarian comics, was a perfect partnership who helped capture a classic 70s look to the story.
The story itself includes a more comedic Conan in places, but is filled with gruesome battles from man to beast, along with treachery and adventure. Everything you’d see in an original Robert E Howard story, and something that Roy Thomas delivers here.
The second story in this issue featured the character Breckinridge Elkins, one of REH’s comedy western characters of which I’ve not read yet. Though now I am intrigued to return to this character as the story in this issue is a bit crazy and again, feels like something Robert E Howard would write.
Overall, one of my favourite issues so far in the new run of The Savage Sword of Conan from Titan Comics, and I look forward to issue 8.
4.5 rounded up to a 5.
I haven’t read any of those myself, but I get a classic comic vibe from this issue, and it worked really well.
The artwork by Roberto Delatore, whose artwork I’ve come across in the Conan the Barbarian comics, was a perfect partnership who helped capture a classic 70s look to the story.
The story itself includes a more comedic Conan in places, but is filled with gruesome battles from man to beast, along with treachery and adventure. Everything you’d see in an original Robert E Howard story, and something that Roy Thomas delivers here.
The second story in this issue featured the character Breckinridge Elkins, one of REH’s comedy western characters of which I’ve not read yet. Though now I am intrigued to return to this character as the story in this issue is a bit crazy and again, feels like something Robert E Howard would write.
Overall, one of my favourite issues so far in the new run of The Savage Sword of Conan from Titan Comics, and I look forward to issue 8.
4.5 rounded up to a 5.
April 17, 2025
Loved it! Epic Roy Thomas Conan story and Rob De La Torre art is amazing as always.
Thought Patrick Zircher’s Breckinridge Elkins yarn was great too - would have liked to have seen more, could of delved a little deeper into each of the 12 Labours but great story - more from writer and character would be amazing
Thought Patrick Zircher’s Breckinridge Elkins yarn was great too - would have liked to have seen more, could of delved a little deeper into each of the 12 Labours but great story - more from writer and character would be amazing
May 20, 2025
The description is not accurate...the long awaited Belit story still has not seen print (looks like it might come in #9).
I will say, I was quite excited to see the original Conan comic author, Roy Thomas, come back with John Buscema clone, Robert de la Torre (and that's not an insult at all), however his story was, unfortunately overlong, and felt like it should have been more like three issues of a regular monthly comic. It really felt like, at the very least, two mashed together stories, possibly three.
The back up feature with Breckenridge Elkins (literally a REH character I have zero knowledge of) was fun, but I had to laugh at the bungling of the spelling of "Cerberus" into "Cerebus"...because, apparently, that's how a certain aardvark got his name...when Dave Sim misspelled the same name.
Overall, beautiful art this time around, and good writing. Just wish that first story had been broken up, or stitched tighter together, or...something.
I will say, I was quite excited to see the original Conan comic author, Roy Thomas, come back with John Buscema clone, Robert de la Torre (and that's not an insult at all), however his story was, unfortunately overlong, and felt like it should have been more like three issues of a regular monthly comic. It really felt like, at the very least, two mashed together stories, possibly three.
The back up feature with Breckenridge Elkins (literally a REH character I have zero knowledge of) was fun, but I had to laugh at the bungling of the spelling of "Cerberus" into "Cerebus"...because, apparently, that's how a certain aardvark got his name...when Dave Sim misspelled the same name.
Overall, beautiful art this time around, and good writing. Just wish that first story had been broken up, or stitched tighter together, or...something.
June 7, 2025
Without the backup story, "The Twelfth Labor of Breckenridge Elkins," this would have been a 3.5 out of 5. "Conan: Mark of the Beast" was a good Conan story, don't get me wrong, but you can tell by the clunky, overwrought narration that Roy Thomas comes from an older generation of comics writers. There are captions that made me chuckle because of how silly the writing sounds: "But then, he SENSES rather than hears or sees or scents something behind him... and turns to behold a tableau of beauty amid NIGHTMARE-- a miasma, blended in equal portions, of deadly DREAMS and fearful WAKENING. Instinctively, Conan knows that only DARK SORCERY could have hatched such a chimerical reality... if reality it BE... and that FLIGHT in the face of black wizardry seems a wiser response than trusting to sword or sinew." It's reflective of some of the pulpy paid-by-the-word writing of Howard's heyday and the over-written schlock of 60s-70s-era Marvel, which will be nostalgic to some readers but annoying to others. The story itself was a good, old school adventure, and the art captures that perfectly, but the writing could have been less heavy-handed and intrusive and it would have have been better for it.
I'd never heard of Breckenridge Elkins before, but the story shines because Patrick Zircher's writing, in contrast to Thomas's, is actually enjoyable to read. He captures this herculean Davy Crockett's voice so well, it's a joy to hear him tell his own ridiculous story, a loose retelling of the classic Greek myth as 19th-century tall tale. For me, the issue is worth this entry alone, which is why it rounds out at a solid 4 out of 5.
I'd never heard of Breckenridge Elkins before, but the story shines because Patrick Zircher's writing, in contrast to Thomas's, is actually enjoyable to read. He captures this herculean Davy Crockett's voice so well, it's a joy to hear him tell his own ridiculous story, a loose retelling of the classic Greek myth as 19th-century tall tale. For me, the issue is worth this entry alone, which is why it rounds out at a solid 4 out of 5.
August 6, 2025
Outstanding. Legitimately Savage Sword hit the heights of its previous incarnation here.
April 17, 2025
SSOC continues to wow me. This issue's main story is a real banger. It has all of the great Conan elements and some truly amazing art from De La Torre. It's easy to see immediately why Thomas is considered a classic writer for the series. His depth of lore and surety with characterization/dialogue is immediately impressive. From a critical standpoint, I did notice a few verbal ticks: repeated words, phrases. But, that is more the fault of a story editor than the writer himself. Not enough of an issue to detract from the tale, just something a fellow writer/editor would notice.
The Elkins story was really engaging too. Probably my favorite of the b-side characters we've been introduced to. Gotta love a violent tall tale with a good sense of humor about a mountain of a mountain man. Great fun and great art. I hope we see more of him. This is really good stuff. They've got a subscriber for life as long as they hold up this level of quality.
Read as a single issue.
The Elkins story was really engaging too. Probably my favorite of the b-side characters we've been introduced to. Gotta love a violent tall tale with a good sense of humor about a mountain of a mountain man. Great fun and great art. I hope we see more of him. This is really good stuff. They've got a subscriber for life as long as they hold up this level of quality.
Read as a single issue.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews