“I pay with Steel.” Read Full Review

This story is high fantasy and adventure as was rampant in Howard's stories and the American pulp stories of the time. It's fantastic fun and whether I had read the prose story or not I would be anxious to read the next issue and see where it goes next! If you like sword fights, beautiful art and tales on the high seas, get this comic! Read Full Review

The book deftly straddles the lien between adhering to the tone of previous comics but also reflecting Wood's own voice and storytelling sensibilities. Wood lends the story a surreal, dreamlike quality as Conan becomes enraptured with the legend of Blit. So even if the characters have yet to meet face to face yet, it's already abundantly clear that Wood and Cloonan are building a quality adaptation of a landmark tale. Read Full Review

Having been out of the Conan loop for quite a long time, this was an excellent re-introduction to the character and has left me eagerly anticipating more issues. A lot of first issues really don't do a good job of being a jumping on point and making it accessible to new readers while still being serviceable and engaging for existing fans, but Brian Wood nailed it just right here. It makes me want to check out some of his earlier adventures while eagerly looking forward to more. And Becky Cloonan captured it just right with the artwork, with his rough and ragged style while also bringing in the striking and disturbing beauty that is Belit. There aren't many books that make me really want another issue right away, but the first installment of the Queen of the Black Coast has done just that and more can't come soon enough. Read Full Review

This story is going to play out over the next two years (or 25 issues), so Wood and Cloonan have plenty of room to weave Belit's story. It's going to be one to watch for! Read Full Review

Conan the Barbarian is a book that is going places. Brian Wood, Becky Cloonan, and Dave Stewart seem to be the perfect compliments for each other, and I cannot wait to see the beautiful things they are going to do together. If you haven't already, you should be giving this book a look, because it's well worth your time. Read Full Review

The Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan combo has rarely failed before, and the addition of Dave Stewart only makes their work stronger. Their take on Conan is exciting even to those who have little to no exposure to the barbarian, and this issue stands as an excellent example of how to pull off an issue #1 for a previously existing property. What does a neophyte know about Conan? That he is a barbarian. What does he need to know? That he is a barbarian. And how do you get that neophyte to stay? With excellent writing and art. Read Full Review

Not a replacement for Northlanders, but a worthy read simply because of Wood and Cloonan's highly literate work, Conan the Barbarian looks like a monthly pull list keeper. Read Full Review

All in all, a solid issue 1, with a good storyline to come in further issues (not saying exactly what due to major spoilers, but Robert Howard is a plotting beast). Read Full Review

I'm not going to go into the art too much. Cloonan's art isperfect for Wood's story and you're either going to hate it or love it. I'm inthe latter. My guess is that the press is going to love this book and others willnot know what the hell to expect. I would just say go in with an open mind andnot let everything you think you know about Conan ruin the experience for you.They're not trying to deliver what you're expecting; they're telling you how itis from this point forward. Read Full Review

I'm not going to hide my love for the Wood/Cloonan creative team; they've produced some of my favourite comics of this modern era. However, I'm not being a fanboy when I say they've managed to make me interested in a character I had no prior interest in. Read Full Review

Wood, Cloonan, and Stewart are an exemplary creative team, and Dark Horse deserves credit for bringing them together for this book. There's an effortlessness in their collaboration that makes reading a pleasure. With an excellent first issue under their belt, their collaboration is already leaving its unique mark on Conan, and perhaps converting more skeptical fans, like me. Read Full Review

A fresh jumping on point for new readers and fans alike, but it manages to suffer from too much information and too little at the same time. It's an exciting experiment, however, handing the reigns over to Wood and Cloonan and I'm anticipating where it goes from here. Read Full Review

Conan has never been a character or a genre that I could get into. However, Wood is showing me that there is more to the character than a simple sword and sorcery comic. I would have preferred a lit more action and blood in this issue but there is room for that to come. I liked this issue and if you have ever looked for a reason to pick up a Conan comic then you won't find a better opportunity than this one. Read Full Review