PopCultHQ received a review copy of CONAN THE BARBARIAN Vol. 2: Thrice Marked for Death from Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics. Available on July 16th in bookstores & July 17th in comic book shops, the creative team for this book features writing by Jim Zub, art from Doug Braithwaite, colors by Diego Rodriguez, and letters by Richard Starkings of Comicraft.
Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…
CONAN THE BARBARIAN Vol 2: Thrice Marked for Death
Written by Jim Zub
Art from Doug Braithwaite
Colors by Diego Rodriguez
Letters by Comicraft‘s Richard Starkings
Genre: Action/Adventure, Fantasy
Format: 116 pages; SC
SRP: $17.99
After adventures on the high seas, CONAN returns to shore to find himself haunted by his memories of BELIT, captain of the Tigress and Queen of the Black Coast. Can a high-stakes heist draw him out of his tortured past, or will it plunge him deeper into the chaos that has always been waiting for him?
In this the second volume of the new Conan The Barbarian adventures, writer Jim Zub teams up with the legendary artist Doug Braithwaite for a truly extraordinary and brutal new tale.
Thrice Marked for Death checked every box for me as a comics reader. Lifelong fans of Conan the Barbarian will eat this story up, and newcomers will enjoy it, too. The writing, the art, and the colors were all fantastic. Sadly, the lettering did not grab me as much as it should have, but this is not a detriment, and hopefully, my review will showcase why. So grab a snack, sit back, and prepare for a wild adventure with Conan the Barbarian.
Writing:
Jim Zub knocked it out of the ballpark with the writing for this volume. Having been a Conan fan for years, I went into this review with high expectations. Everything about this book was outstanding. Not having read Volume 1 could be seen as a hindrance. Thanks to Jim, I did not get lost, bogged down, or confused. He handles potential plot holes through careful narration and an engaging script. An outstanding job for Jim Zub all the way.
Art:
I’ve been a fan of Doug’s artwork since I was a kid. Anyone out there who is a Marvel fan should check out the Universe X and Paradise X comics. Doug understands the importance of providing readers with a rich visual landscape to enjoy, and this volume is no exception. The attention to detail is evident throughout the book. Any budding artists would do well to take notes when sitting down to enjoy Thrice Marked for Death, because Doug is one darn talented, artistic individual.
Colors:
Diego did a dynamite job as the colorist—such a glorious and vibrant palette to bring the script and artwork to life. The choices of shading for the shadows and dark scenes were excellent, mainly when used in contrast to different aspects such as skin tone, clothing, or even outrageous ‘dream sequences’. Based on how much I enjoyed this SC, I will be checking out other work where Diego laid a keen colorist’s hand on things; count on it.
Lettering:
In past reviews, Richard Starkings’ contribution as a letterer has always been one of my favorites of the form. He has made a name for himself as one of the premier letters worldwide; the same goes for his Comicraft company. Unfortunately, this time, he falls short of the mark. I chalk this up because the lettering doesn’t add thrill or zest to the book this time. That is sad because it should have been epic, heroic, and thrilling, but instead, it was bland and left me feeling empty inside.
Overall Assessment:
Conan is a character who continues to impact pop culture even decades after his creation by Robert E. Howard. Whether it is novels, movies, cartoons, or comic books, the world always wants more from this wild and legendary warrior. This latest installment of the new comics from Jim Zub and company proves that whether it is the 1930s or the 2020s, fans will always welcome Conan with open arms. I encourage everyone to pick up Thrice Marked for Death and add it to your libraries.
PopCultHQ’s Rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
About Titan Comics:
Titan Comics is a bold new publishing initiative from Titan Publishing, offering readers the best new stories from new and established comics creators – and offering those creators a great deal to bring their stories to a worldwide audience!
Combining unique voices and idiosyncratic visions with strong marketing and a trusted brand, Titan Comics is the ultimate expression of our extensive editorial, design and sales experience.
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