Conan the Barbarian #25 review — A deluxe-sized tribute to Conan’s immortal legacy

Conan has been many things throughout his decades of history. A warrior searching for worthy foes to test his might. A thief looking to fund his lust for worldly pleasures. A pirate. A mercenary. A king. And above all else, a barbarian. Few have likely experienced as much as the Cimmerian has over the course of his storied life. And now, in a deluxe-sized 25th issue, Jim Zub takes us through that life in a spectacular journey through the ages. 

*Mild spoilers ahead for Conan the Barbarian #25*

Our story begins many years in the future, when the barbarian has traded his wanderlust for a throne. Now an old man scarred by a hard-fought life, Conan is king of the greatest kingdom of the Hyborian age, Aquilonia. Despite his age and station, however, he is still a formidable warrior at heart, fearing no man, monster, or dark gods. His fearlessness is put to the test when a stranger arrives in the Aquilonian capital, Tarantia. When pressed for his business in the city, the stranger answers only that he is there to see the king. After waiting patiently for a considerable time, Conan agrees to meet with him. Once before him, the stranger tells the Cimmerian that he has come bearing a gift, one that will be bestowed upon Conan in exchange for three days of hospitality. Against the advice of those around him, Conan agrees to the stranger’s terms. 

The following days are filled with suspicion for the stranger from those around Conan, though the king does not appear to share their concerns. If anything, he’s more annoyed that the matter continues to be brought up to him, brushing off the concerns and assuring those burdened by them that whatever the stranger might be, he is no threat to the Cimmerian. 

After three days, a viscous storm engulfs the city, something many take to be an ill omen. Conan, however, calls for a feast to be held, both to provide some degree of reassurance to the various powers within Tarantia and to mark the end of the stranger’s stay in the city. It is here that the stranger’s mysterious gift is revealed, though it is less something to simply be given and more something that must be earned. At the stranger’s words, Conan feels his spirit leave his body as it is sent careening through time to prove his mettle against all he has suffered over his life. Should he succeed, he will be blessed with immortality. Fail, and his legendary tale will reach its end. 

 In many ways, the issue is symbolic of the real-world trials Conan has been forced to endure to survive the passage of time for as long as he has. From questionable adaptations of the character to the ever-changing tastes of the public, Conan has continued to fight for his place in pop culture for nearly a century, proving time and time again that his stories are as stubbornly enduring as he is. And much like the character has fought to remain relevant, so too does the Cimmerian fight here, meeting the stranger’s challenge with the same stoicism that he’s carried into countless battles before. 

What makes the issue even more impressive is the narrative surrounding it. While this feels first and foremost like a celebration of the Cimmerian’s history, Zub doesn’t just give us a simple recollection of his life. Rather, he gives the story an intriguing build-up that feels in line with the vibe of his other Conan stories. It really isn’t until the stranger reveals what it is he’s come to offer Conan that it becomes apparent that this isn’t just meant to be another story of the Barbarian, nor the start of Zub’s next story arc (at least, not as far as I could tell). Rather, it’s an exhibition of all that Conan is and all he has been. 

The references to Zub’s other Conan stories were also a nice touch, one that will no doubt be appreciated by those who have been following his time writing the Cimmerian’s tales. One character in particular will stand out to those who read some of Zub’s earlier issues, and Conan’s response to their presence is almost cathartic, or at least as cathartic as we’re likely to see from the Barbarian. Still, it gave a sense of closure to the matter, something that Zub didn’t need to throw in, but I’m happy that he did. 

Alex Horley’s artwork presents the story in a fashion that almost resembles oil paintings, the subdued colors highlighting Conan’s older self and new station while also adding a weight to the story. In many instances, it felt less like I was reading a comic book and more like I was flipping through an art book, the beautiful, detailed illustrations easily as compelling as the story they’re helping to tell. The climactic battle near the end, in particular, becomes all the more powerful thanks to Horley’s art style, so much so that, honestly, no words are necessary here. 

All-in-all, this is a beautiful tribute to such a storied character. It feels as if Zub and Horley really put their all into this massive issue, and the result is nothing short of a testament worthy of Robert E. Howard’s legendary Barbarian. 

Conan the Barbarian #25 is available now from Titan Comics.