To fully appreciate the 2025 Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1, a little history must be known.
The first revisions of the Comics Code Authority (CCA) in 1971 paved the way for a Renaissance in the American comic industry. Whole genres once made unviable by the CCA regulations, like fantasy and horror, were once again fair game. Hither came Conan, the most popular of the creations of pulp writer Robert E. Howard, who gained a solo series at Marvel Comics. This Conan the Barbarian title swiftly became one of their best-selling books.
Yet even the new CCA rules did not allow for wholly accurate adaptations of Howard’s stories, or pastiches in the same spirit. Thankfully, the CCA rules did not apply to magazines. So, it was in 1974 that Marvel launched The Savage Sword of Conan; a comic magazine which told adult tales of Conan the Barbarian and other Howard heroes.
Titan Comics acquired the Conan license in 2023 and launched a new Savage Sword of Conan magazine in 2024. This volume collects the first three issues of the magazine, which adheres to the aesthetics of the classic Savage Sword of Conan magazine. Beyond being published in a magazine size, the artwork is all monochromatic and the stories far more visceral. It is also an anthology, featuring stories by a variety of artists and writers. Also, while the lion’s share of stories center around Conan, there are other tales featuring Robert E. Howard’s other creations.
“Conan and the Dragon Horde” by John Arcudi and Max von Fafner tells the tale of an older Conan, not yet a king but a general in command of a cavalry company. He and his men follow a would-be usurper, who promises them wealth in plenty once he takes his rival’s palace. However, the city turns out to be guarded by reptilian beasts.
“Master of the Hunt” by writer/artist Patrick Zircher is a three-part story starring the Puritan Solomon Kane. The witch-hunter is traveling through Wales, when he hears tale of an ungodly beast in need of smiting. This quest turns into a mission of mercy, when a young boy disappears seeking his father, who also vanished hunting the monster.
“Conan: Leaving the Garden” by Jim Zub and Richard Pace is a more horrific tale, which opens with Conan digging himself out of a shallow grave. Wounded and weakened, he nurses his wounds with the aid of a young boy. Unfortunately, the boy’s village hides the same evil that sought to kill and corrupt Conan.
“Conan: Wolves of the Tundra” by Frank Tieri and Cary Nord is another story the leans heavier into horror than fantasy. This time, Conan himself is the monster, cursed with lycanthropy. This leads him on a hunt to find the leader of the pack, whose death is the only thing that might save his soul.
“Conan: Lure of the Pit Creature” by writer/artist Alah Quah is a short, silent story. It finds Conan falling into a pit and chasing after a pretty girl. However, as the title implies, this is bait for a trap.
All these stories and the art that defines them are fine work. The anthology format emulates the pulps of old. Even with the focus on Conan, there is variety. Many of these stories will hold appeal to fans of horror rather than fantasy in general and sword and sorcery in particular. I dare say some manga readers might appreciate the black-and-white artwork.
Titan Comics rates this volume as appropriate for readers 15 and up. I generally agree with the assessment but would advise that the British standards are somewhat looser than those of American publishers. There is considerable violence, on par with an OT manga. This is also some nudity and implied sexual content, with Conan enjoying the affections of a female engineer in “Conan and the Dragon Horde.” Bare breasts and buttocks are visible as they lounge in the afterglow, though the actual act is not shown. To that end, I would suggest librarians shelve this one in the adult collection, lest you face a savage book banner.
The Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1
By John Arcudi, Patch Zircher, Jim Zub, and Frank Tieri
Art by Max von Fafner, Alan Quah, Richard Pace, and Cary Nord
Titan, 2025
ISBN: 9781787744318
Company Age Rating: 15+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
Creator Representation: Canadian, Malaysian,
