Best Conan the Barbarian Comics (September 2025)

Conan the Barbarian is arguably the greatest fantasy hero from the 20th century, setting the standard for sword-and-sorcery stories. He has influenced various aspects of modern fantasy literature, such as being the inspiration behind a character class in Dungeons and Dragons, and his comics are considered some of the most significant works in illustrated fiction history.

In 1932, the renowned Texan pulp author Robert E. Howard penned the initial Conan the Barbarian tale titled ‘The Phoenix on the Sword’. This character proved to be Howard’s most successful creation, leading him to write an additional 20 short stories and one novel featuring Conan. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that Conan gained recognition beyond fantasy enthusiast circles.

Roy Thomas, an editor at Marvel Comics, struck a licensing agreement with the estate of Robert E. Howard. This permitted him to commence transforming Conan the Barbarian into a comic book format. The new publication quickly gained popularity, sparking a trend of similar fantasy comics. Since then, the license has been transferred between different publishers; however, Conan has been the main character in a monthly comic series for nearly half a century.

Best Conan the Barbarian comics as of 2025

One key factor that has contributed to the enduring popularity of the Conan the Barbarian character is its versatility and broad appeal. Robert E. Howard originally wrote the Conan tales without adhering strictly to a specific canon or timeline, which allowed for a wide range of stories featuring different versions of Conan at various stages in his life – as an older king, a young thief, a pirate captain, and an experienced soldier. This approach also makes it easy for new readers to jump into any Conan comic without needing to know the backstory or fearing they might be lost due to ongoing plotlines. This flexibility offers multiple starting points for newcomers searching for an engaging entry point into this legendary series.

Conan The Barbarian: The Original Comics Omnibus Vol.1

For those who want to delve into Conan the Barbarian’s origins, going back to the first comics that featured him would be ideal. Notably, the 70s comics are now prized collector’s items and their value significantly exceeds the initial 15 cents they were sold for. Fortunately, there’s an affordable option available.

In 2019, when Marvel Comics regained ownership of the Conan license, they started reissuing the original comics in large, hardcover compilation editions called omnibus. The inaugural omnibus, titled “Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 1,” gathers together the initial 26 issues of Conan the Barbarian. Additionally, it includes a number of stories that were initially published in Savage Tales and Chamber of Darkness.

Primarily showcasing the artistry of Barry Windsor-Smith, this book is home to the first officially authorized comic adaptations of Robert E. Howard’s writings. Notably, it marks Red Sonja’s initial appearance and a collaboration with another revered fantasy character, Elric of Melniboné. Although the Marvel edition has ceased print, Titan Comics has picked up where they left off, reissuing these stories in a collection called ‘Conan The Barbarian: The Complete Original Comic Collection Vol.1’.

Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Comics Omnibus Vol. 1

The initial run of Conan the Barbarian comics, starting in 1971, was among the first to experience advantages from the revised Comics Code Authority’s guidelines. Known for imposing some of the most stringent censorship regulations on the U.S. comic book industry, the CCA nevertheless presented challenges when Marvel attempted to faithfully adapt Robert E. Howard’s original stories. Luckily, there was an exception: the CCA’s restrictions applied to comics but not magazines, providing a way for publishers like Marvel to showcase more mature content outside of the traditional comic book format.

Every other month, the Savage Sword of Conan magazine arrived, offering more mature stories about Conan the Barbarian. Unlike many American comics, these tales were printed in just one color. This choice was likely made to keep younger readers away from the frequent violence and occasional nudity that were common in Conan’s pulp stories due to their explicit nature.

In 2019, just like the comprehensive collection of Conan the Barbarian stories known as “Conan the Barbarian Omnibus,” Marvel published hardcover editions of the initial Savage Sword of Conan stories. Similarly, Titan Comics assembled these tales under the name “Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Comics Anthology.” This first volume combines the first twelve issues of Savage Sword of Conan and the opening five issues from the Savage Tales Magazine.

Conan Chronicles Epic Collection: Out of The Darksome Hills

In the ’90s, Conan, who was a staple character in Marvel Comics during the ’70s and ’80s, started losing popularity. Ironically, in an era saturated with brutal anti-hero characters, there seemed to be no room for Conan the Barbarian. Despite numerous attempts at reviving him through miniseries during the same decade, he failed to regain his former glory. Eventually, Marvel decided to let go of the Conan license.

2003 saw a revival of sorts for the barbarian character Conan, as Dark Horse Comics took control of the brand. They launched a new monthly series called just “Conan,” written by Kurt Busiek and illustrated by Cary Nord. This series detailed Conan’s story in chronological order, beginning with his departure from Cimmeria as a teenager to become a mercenary.

Conan comics published by Dark Horse are more accessible and usually less costly compared to the original Marvel comics. But in 2019, Marvel decided to release a reprint of the entire Conan series as part of their Epic Collection line in trade paperback format. The initial volume, titled “Out of the Darksome Hills,” compiles the first twenty issues of Conan and presents a grittier, more intense portrayal of Conan the Barbarian than the original Marvel comic book series on a monthly basis.

King Conan Chronicles Epic Collection: Wolves and Dragons

The Conan series penned as Dark Horse was both critically acclaimed and financially prosperous. Yet, certain followers of Robert E. Howard expressed apprehension over the leisurely progression in the new series. They voiced concerns that it might take a while for adaptations depicting an older Conan the Barbarian to surface, particularly those stories that took place after Conan crowned himself King of Aquilonia. Of these, the tales set following his coronation were of particular interest.

It’s great news that starting in 2011, writer Timothy Truman and artist Tomás Giorello embarked on adapting these stories into a miniseries under the King Conan brand. For a span of five years, Truman and Giorello delved deep into these timeless tales by setting them within a framing narrative where an aged King Conan shares his life experiences in the form of memoirs with a diligent scribe. Eventually, Marvel Comics reissued these comics in two volumes as part of their Epic Collection line.

Between the two books, they’re both engaging reads, but the second one, “Wolves and Dragons,” stands out as it incorporates a retelling of The Hour of the Dragon. This is the lone Conan the Barbarian novel penned by Robert E Howard. In this tale, Conan embarks on a far-reaching journey to reclaim his throne, which was usurped by treacherous foes and a sinister sorcerer. Over the years, this story has been adapted numerous times, but the Truman and Giorello rendition is generally considered the finest.

Conan the Barbarian, Volume 1: Bound in Black Stone

As a dedicated fan since 2023, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures on the Conan license. Rather than merely adapting Conan’s tales, we’ve expanded his world, with writer Jim Zub contributing to the rich lore of Conan. We’re not only connecting Conan to other Robert E. Howard heroes but also staying true to Howard’s vision by placing all characters within a shared universe. This approach not only honors the original spirit of Conan but also promises an exciting, interconnected narrative for readers like me.

Miniseries such as “Battle of the Black Stone” and “Scourge of the Serpent” follow in the same vein. These are engaging tales and certainly worth your time. Nonetheless, to truly appreciate the Titan Age, it’s best to start from the beginning, with “Bound in Black Stone”, the initial collection of Titan Comics’ original Conan stories featuring Conan the Barbarian. The narrative opens with a more experienced Conan considering a journey back to Cimmeria, which then leads him into battle against an army of the undead. Zub skillfully weaves an exciting saga in this series, excellently illustrated by Rob De La Torre.

How we chose the best Conan the Barbarian comics

These Conan the Barbarian stories were carefully selected not only for their high quality but also for their appeal to new readers. They offer a diverse range of narratives, illustrating the comics’ development throughout time. Additionally, consideration was given to which editions are still being published.

2025-09-09 02:19