Mahmud Asrar's art is stunning in this issue. There is an astounding level of detail to this book and the violence is both savage and beautiful. I was blown away with how good this book looks as well as how fun it was to read. Can't wait to see what happens next. Read Full Review

Aaron uses a time-shifting story device he's been using in Thor's comic - and it's effective here, but I hope he doesn't go to the well too many times (so to speak). Still, it's a great start to the new series (and it's an original story, not an adaptation) - I'm looking forward to the next issue! Read Full Review

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 marks the first and latest iteration of the character in his new home with Titan. Thankfully, Conans move appears to be for the better as Jim Zub delivers a sword-slashing, brooding, action-packed debut worthy of Robert E. Howard fans, and Robert De La Torres art is a perfect homage to classic Conan comics. Read Full Review

Conan is back home and better than ever. Read Full Review

Really solid start for Conan at Marvel. A great jumping on point for readers new and old! Highly recommended. Read Full Review

This book will put hairs on your chest and have you speaking several octaves lower than you did before. Read Full Review

Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar have put together a spectacular comic that should excite old fans and new readers alike. Read Full Review

Conan the Barbarian #1 isn't just a bunch of sword swinging and yelling. The story is well thought out and will surprise you with its wit and smarts. If you're looking for something new to read, Conan might be the answer. Read Full Review

A scintillating start to what looks set to be a triumphant return to Marvel by the worlds most famous barbarian. By Crom, you truly owe it to yourself to pick this one up! Read Full Review

Aaron, Asrar, Wilson and the team present a fresh, time-spanning tale on "Conan The Barbarian" #1, proving the character is still in good hands. Read Full Review

I don't really know what a Conan the Barbarian story is supposed to feel like, but Conan the Barbarian #1 feels like one to me. It has all the ingredients of a fantastic fantasy tale and was just a ton of fun to read. Aaron delivers a winding fantasy tale that I am very excited to see where it takes Conan, and the art team is fantastic as well. I can't imagine, if you are a fan of Conan, not liking this; and if you are new to the “Cimmerian Barbarian” then this is a perfect place to jump on! Read Full Review

Conan the Barbarian is one of the best fantasy comic debuts in years. Read Full Review

Conan the Barbarian #1 swerves as a mighty debut for the character as he returns to Marvel Comics. Read Full Review

With this first issue, or if you go with the Legacy numbering (which I love), #276, Conan's feet have been firmly placed on the battlefield of Marvel, and I say it is about time. CONAN THE BARBARIAN #1 may herald the beginning of one of the most interesting series of stories for the character in years, and I for one will heed its call. Read Full Review

A great jumping on point for new fans and old fans alike. Read Full Review

Conan the Barbarian finally returns to Marvel Comics since his first incarnation. Does his homecoming hold up? Ultimately, yes. Read Full Review

While this series probably won't win over readers who aren't already fans of sword-and-sorcery comics, Conan fans will find this book fit for a King of Aquilonia! Read Full Review

Conan returns to Marvel with a savage splash of blood and a straightforward tale of sword versus sorcery. This introduction demonstrates ample and admirable skill. If Conan is going to become relevant and challenging, though, this story needs a little more complexity in future installments. Read Full Review

Conan the Barbarian #1 is a fun, nostalgic return to a familiar fantasy realm, which will please long-term fans of the Cimmerian. Nothing challenging or innovative is added to Conans lore, however, so whether seeds of series sustainability have been planted, remains to be seen. Read Full Review

Marvel Comics has assembled the perfect creative team for a new era of Conan. Read Full Review

I really enjoyed the issue and thought this was a solid re-introduction to the world of Conan. Read Full Review

Marvel’s new Conan the Barbarian is the best of both worlds. Not only is it a solidly entertaining introduction of the Cimmerian to a whole new audience of readers, but a reverent adaptation that acknowledges the wealth of material that came before it. Jason Aaron, Mahmud Asrar, and Matthew Wilson keep their eye on the past, but their swords pointed forward in this bloody fun debut issue. Read Full Review

Conan the Barbarian #1 is a fantastic start to the new year and hopefully a hint as to the overflowing entertaining comics we'll be spoiled with in 2019. Read Full Review

Heil to the King! If you are a fan of Conan or just a casual sword and sorcery fan, either way,you will find this a good read. Grab this book;"and if you do not listen, the HELL with you". Read Full Review

Best new comic out right now. Great art and story. I'll keep buying the issues if they keep making stories like this.

It was fun !

And I should say Conan is really not my cup of tea

 I read so many comics that it often surprises people when I tell them I have never checked out Jason Aaron's run on Thor. There were a lot of complaints about Jane Foster becoming Thor and Odinson being revealed as Unworthy. I didn't really care about the controversy and chalk it up more so as me just not following Marvel all that closely the past few years.

I know Jason Aaron primarily from his run on Southern Bastards. Bastards is one of the most violent and poignant series that I've read in recent memory and is one of the reading experiences I swear by when I make suggestions to new readers. 

When I heard Jason was taking the reigns on Conan The Barbarian I was excited because Jason seemed like the perfect candidate for the series. 


The plot is pretty straight-forward for Conan. We get a rundown of who he is and the Hyborian setting. After winning a fight Conan is seduced by a woman seeking to resurrect her god. Conan manages to spoil the plot but it comes back to haunt him decades later after he becomes king. 

Jason has an excellent voice for Conan. His Conan is a brute but he's not an idiot. There's a complexity brimming beneath the surface. Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson are on pencils and colors. The art direction is stellar. The action is fast paced brutal and conveys a ton  of energy on every page. Even when the action slips into more mundane scenes it looks great and there is no dip in overall quality

Conan the Barbarian #1is a perfect rendition of the character. In fact, the only knock I can give the issue is that it doesn't really stand out a amongst Conan stories. However, it's exactly what you want from the character. I had fun but struggled to remember plot details when it was time to write this review. That's not really a knock on the writing or art. It's speaks more to the limitations surrounding the character. 
​
The Issue is $4.99 and for once I didn't feel the need to complain. The issue is oversized 37 pages and delivers a definitive Conan experience. There is one team delivering a great story from beginning to end. If you're a fan of the character, it doesn't get much better than this. If not you're the biggest fan of Conan you're still in for an above average reading experience. 

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Conan is back with the help of Jason Aaron who delivers with a great story and the art is beautiful

Well, I wasn't ready for this :D

I don't care much about Conan either way, but I'm a Jason Aaron fan so I checked this out. So far, so good. The villain is cool.

This was an alright issue... There was a ton of exposition that's trying to establish Conan and this world, and to Jason Aaron's credit, I was never bored by this. I only have a very small amount of knowledge of Conan and I never felt lost. There was a YouTube video promoting the upcoming War of the Realms and in it, they say that Jason Aaron has always been able to make a comic "new reader friendly." And I didn't really believe that for whatever reason, I just thought it was Marvel trying to sell an event based on nearly seven years worth of stories. But this Conan issue really sold me on that idea. It's extremely new reader friendly while not feeling like it's being dumbed-down or anything like that. My problem with this issue is that not a lot happens and yet we focus on that a ton. Although, what does happen is really fun and cool. It's just the pacing seems a little slow and this isn't such a bombastic opening, like we've all come to expect from comics in general. I really like the Crimson Witch, especially once she becomes a bloated corpse monster, that's real fun. In fact, I'm very excited for issue two despite not absolutely loving this issue. It's well written and well drawn, while not blowing anyone's minds. more

The first part of the issue was of course intended to be a standard 1970s Conan story, and it was reasonably good but it felt just a bit like an imitation of the superb Roy Thomas era, and the causal sexism of that era and of Conan's world doesn't hold up well. But then we shift to old Conan, and the there is a new and welcome focus on a character I haven't seen nearly enough of. Very promisinsg, if still also with the potential to falter on all those outdated tropes.

It was good, but I expected more from Jason Aaron...

This was fun and I feel pretty immersed in the world, I’m kinda lukewarm on the whole thing but not so much as to not enjoy it.

Its an opening story, evil is afoot. Great drawing, Not a fan of digital coloring… for a Conan story.

BY CROM--this be a Thor ripoff--but without the charming world-building, humor, cast, or creativity!

THE GOOD:

-I liked the beginning of this issue. It was a cool use of classic Conan material.

-I thought the opening battle was cool. Gory and well done.

-I liked Asrar's art. It wasn't anything amazing but it did the job well enough.

THE BAD:

-I found the Crimson Witch to be a very boring and uninteresting villain, despite her horror elements.

-I was pretty bored with this issue after the first few pages. It was pretty bland and exposition heavy in my opinion.

-This issue in general was very meh. Nothing outstanding, nothing too terrible though. I am rather indifferent about it and have very few thoughts to give.

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myconius - Jan 2, 2019

what style of art is in this? typical comic, or more of a fantasy graphic novel like Simon Bisley & Glenn Fabry's 2000AD Slaine style of art?

ohhaimark - Jan 3, 2019

This is a more conventional style of art, I believe.

myconius - Jan 3, 2019

ah! thanks. guess it wouldn't be practical to have a painted art style comic on a monthly basis. - - i should have known better to base my expectations on a promo poster i'd saw.

myconius - Jan 5, 2019

ohhaimark - would you say this might be worth waiting for the trade? or is is even worth that?

ohhaimark - Jan 5, 2019

Maybe. The action scenes are good, but the story is uninteresting and there is a lot of exposition. I'm still holding out hope for it to improve. I'm hoping that Gerry Duggan's Savage Sword of Conan will be better than this, but I guess we'll see.

myconius - Jan 5, 2019

thank you ohhaimark. guess i'll keep away for now and wait to maybe see about the trade.

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