'The Savage Sword of Conan' Issue #2! Jim Zub’s BEST 'Conan' story!

[@jacksonzelda4874]

Great review of SSOC issue #2. I wanted the Solomon Kane story to keep going. The Conan story was very intense and heart wrenching too. I hoped for a better ending for Conan’s friend. Art looked much better and I believe paper/printing quality too.

[@StygianDogs]

Thanks Dog Brother! Pace's art was a little controversial. I thought it worked so well with Zub's story, and to even greater effect in print vs. digital. And a very wrenching story. I think it could be Jim's best thus far.

[@ottohoulihan2743]

Croms bones! The improvement from the last issue is massive! Seems Titan have listened to the fans concerns. Mines on its way and I can't wait. Bravo Jim and team.

[@StygianDogs]

It's great to see. And I imagine that the less than optimal results from the last issue were frustrating for everyone - not just the fans. Sure, this is a money making venture but I think Fred Malmberg et al. really do want to take pride in what they give us. Can't wait for the next issue! 👍⚔️

[@AnAgeUndreamedOf]

I agree on Jim's story. He really nailed it here. This could be one of his best

[@StygianDogs]

T'was fantastic.

[@BrendonJaredJacobs]

This artwork 😍 I don't usually go for B&W comics but Savage Sword is a must!

[@RichardPace]

Thanks for such a kind review.

[@StygianDogs]

An absolute pleasure. Thanks for such a great telling! ⚔️

[@WakizashisTeahouse]

Really detailed and atmospheric art in the main story. I loved it!

[@RichardPace]

@@WakizashisTeahouse Thank you so much!

[@2plus2isfive]

The improvement in quality is amazing from both a product standpoint and a fan perspective. They really listened to the fans, and I appreciate the hell out of that. concerning the main Conan story, I really like Zub's writing on this. I love that he really went all in. It really communicates the brutality of the Hyborian Age. I think it may be among my favourties of his. And Richard Pace's art made me feel like I was reading BERSERK! They really smashed it with this issue.

[@StygianDogs]

Totally. I'll admit to being apprehensive about Pace's style when I saw the early panels . But basically, what he did was art.

[@2plus2isfive]

@@StygianDogs Couldn't agree more! Question though... POTENTIAL SPOILERS On the 2 page spread featuring images from Rogues in the House and Frost Giant's Daughter, what do you make of the scene in the bottom left corner? Where Conan is with an armed female companion. Red Nails perhaps?

[@StygianDogs]

@@2plus2isfive yeah...I figured it referenced he and Valeria in Red Nails. (Though not really sure about the creature...)

[@2plus2isfive]

@@StygianDogs perhaps it was that creature from the depths that was never real revealed? Or was that more reptilian in nature?

[@StygianDogs]

@@2plus2isfive I'm putting it down to artistic choice? Still great!

[@michaelk.vaughan8617]

I read this last night. Excellent issue! The Conan story was fantastic, one of the best Conan comic book stories I’ve read in years. The Solomon Kane story was way too short! We need more pages! Oh well, it was beautifully done at least.

[@StygianDogs]

Solomon Kane was far too short!! Great stuff overall. ⚔️

[@jonathanburrell5436]

We need a Kane book!!!

[@jasonsantos3037]

I love the Savage Sword of Conan.

[@StygianDogs]

So good, right?! It's a wonderful time to be a Conan fan. An even better time to BECOME a Conan fan. ⚔️

[@conanthebarbarianofficial]

Thanks for the mighty review, warrior! We appreciate the kind words about our comics form such a dedicated fan such as yourself!

[@StygianDogs]

👍⚔️

[@GrammaticusBooks]

Unbelievably, my comic book store STILL doesn't have in the latest Conan the Barbarian nor the new Savage Sword....I may have to switch comic shops! And GREAT to see the printing improvement!!!! Now if I can just get one in my grubby hands!

[@StygianDogs]

By Crom! The Sorcerers of Set are working against you! 😂 This video isn't a deep dive like my monthlies...just a quick flip-through! So if you want a tease, it's here for you! ⚔️

[@KingCronan]

YES! I am always excited for your reviews. Keep up the great work!

[@StygianDogs]

Thanks Dog Brother! I hope you enjoy the issue! ⚔️

[@WakizashisTeahouse]

Excellent review as usual. Glad to hear the printing quality improved in the physical copy. I really like Richard Pace's atmospheric art, especially his facial expressions for Conan.

[@StygianDogs]

Thank you sir! Pace's story translates so well to the printed page. It was wonderful work. I thought I'd be challenged by it...but no. It's a work of art.

[@paulbigbee]

Your review scripts are almost as tight as Zub’s! Thanks for bringing these to us (and thanks for participating in some of the BroTube stuff).

[@StygianDogs]

Ah thanks Paul! Far too generous. ⚔️

[@therenegadebard3971]

Holy Shit! I might be writing an issue of Savage Sword of Conan! Nothing is confirmed. But they said once the green light is given for more issues, they're going to reach out to me for a story.

[@StygianDogs]

Oh man, sign me up for that Dog Brother! This has to happen! ⚔️

[@therenegadebard3971]

@@StygianDogs I'm also up for The Robert E. Howard Costigan Award. I'm thinking about attending Howard Days win or lose.

[@StygianDogs]

@@therenegadebard3971 'The Child' may have gotten my vote 🤔 such a perfect Conan story. You should go! It's on my bucket list for sure.

[@andrewgonzalez2356]

I really enjoyed this issue. Pace’s art is excellent. I’ve got to find more art by him. (He’s illustrating the City of the Dead novel this June.) Jim’s story is excellent too. The print production of this issue is much better. The printing just looks better, and the end cover flaps feel like they were printed with different paper (compared to last issue’s). Nice touch. Can’t wait for issue 3.

[@StygianDogs]

Loved it. Thought I'd be challenged by Pace's work at first. But it was superlative. And Alex Horley's cover for SSoC #3 is a must-have. ⚔️

[@abhilashmaddali7158]

This issue was a banger, Zircher's Kane tale is still the selling point but Zub's story shows why he gets the character. He takes familiar Conan tropes and gives it human drama and emotion. Realky looking forward to next issue for Cary Nord art.

[@StygianDogs]

Excellent review Dog Brother! ⚔️

[@joshuacardenas2809]

I always have to go back to these videos because when you put these videos I haven't read these yet. I am almost done with Issue 3 of Savage Sword of Conan

[@StygianDogs]

@@joshuacardenas2809 Thanks for returning Dog Brother! Hope you are liking them. ⚔️⚔️⚔️

[@williamtilton4469]

It looks a lot better. 👊

[@StygianDogs]

Absolutely! The physical copy is great. 👍

[@iracifragas7689]

A arte combina com o estilo da história

[@StygianDogs]

⚔️⚔️⚔️

[@frankygonzales15]

Long Day gonna read right now 👍

[@StygianDogs]

Hope you enjoy it Dog Brother! ⚔️

[@frankygonzales15]

"It is a message as PRIMAL as it is VISCERAL 'You are NOT fierce You are Food They hear and Acknowledge" wowwwwww👍🔥🔥🔥🔥👍

[@StygianDogs]

@@frankygonzales15 Right?! 🔥⚔️

[@unodestosdiaz2998]

I am ordering mine next week. Would you happen to know if there will be a "second" printing of number 1 with corrections? They can have an special edition of sorts. I think if theres a trade, it woul be wise to do the conan and kan stories separate. To give the magazine format a kind of respect an distinctiveness, much like the conan regular series trades.

[@StygianDogs]

I would love to see a special edition. But honestly, I'd like to see it in the colourized version. (A glossy print...or better yet, a giclee type printing.) I wonder if we could crowd fund something like that? 🤔 Fred?

[@HobbiesofaMan]

Yeah the paper of the cover does look glossier, I still think it should be a cardstock cover.

[@StygianDogs]

Maybe...at least something a little more durable. I like the glossy in that it adds a sense of depth to the image. But it also shows off imperfections a little more. I didn't mind last issues to much. There was definitely bad cutting along the bottom edge of my covers.

[@Wabin22]

I haven't gotten this yet, so I'm not gonna watch now.. but still gonna show my support!

[@StygianDogs]

Thanks Dog Brother! No real spoilers in this one. Just a taste! 👍⚔️

[@Wabin22]

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[@Wabin22]

@@StygianDogs O==()======>

[@Wabin22]

@@StygianDogs I know you don't spoil anything, but for me.. I want to go in without anything :) And now I have gotten around to it, and it kinda feels like I'm alone about not liking this issue? The art wasn't to my taste and got messy at parts and the story.. well allthough it being good, it felt a bit short and wierd at places. Sure, Conan would honor and help out a kid who would save his life, but at part it felt like he's about to be a father and embracing that for some reason. Conan would also not drag someone out of their culture which he kinda does here. It just doesn't feel like Conan but hey, I'm open to new ideas and character development. And I'm also pretty sick now of all the undead that are swarming over Conan in both The Barbarian and Savage Sword. Last isse of SSOC was great because it finally did something else and stepped out of that horror story style, but now we're right back and it seems like we're getting a heck a lot more. Am I alone on this? It's not bad but it's just getting a bit too much, there are so much other things that could be explored, eerie sorcery or why not a pirate story? I'd prefer adventure with my Conan over horror :) Great review as always man, appreciate your work!

[@OldManHyborian]

Some improvement from issue #1. The cover was not bad, the perspective appeared to be off, unless it was Conan’s intent to cut off one of the creatures’ legs. The quality of the map is much improved, liked the detail on this. Pin-up by Rafael Kayanan was not bad, not really my style, but decent. The transition between the pin-up and the story is not well done, confusing, pin-up seemed to be the start of the story. Story was much improved from previous issue; however, the art was disappointing. It gave the feel of draft sketching in preparation for the final product. The ragged rock, used on the wolf, looked like a half-eaten calzone. I did like showing Conan in a beard, giving the sense of the passing of time; also, the monster De’Ahm looked like it would have been cool, if only legible, just poor execution. The Chainmail did not appear to accurately reflect the quality of issue #1, I am sure some fans enjoyed it; however, I am sure there were ones that did not. Negative views should also be posted, with Titan supporting their creative team, they should be acknowledging multiple points of view. Again, Solomon Kane stole the show, and I am not even overly fond of that character.

[@StygianDogs]

@@OldManHyborian A definite improvement over #1. And Zub's best Conan story so far. Richard Pace's art style was especially effective in the print edition.

[@iljagobeyn8914]

late again XD tbh, I started and I wasn't a fan of the artwork on this conan (100% personal, nothing against the artist), but once I was done I actualy thought it realy fited thee story, its dark and looks heavy, realy worked with the story

[@StygianDogs]

I was uncertain at first too...but man, to my mind, it ended up being perfect. 👍⚔️

[@jonathanburrell5436]

Will there be a trade for Savage Sword ?

[@StygianDogs]

I'm hoping so. I guess it's a matter of whether or not it extends beyond these 6 issues and how they'd like to collect it. I'd be happy to see 12 issues (or more!) collected in a hardback edition. 👍⚔️

[@jonathanburrell5436]

Me too. I could see a 6 issues paperback and a 12 issue hardback maybe with a few extras.

[@nc9726]

Loved the Conan story, am not a fan of the artwork in it. And I’m hoping the back cover isn’t a cover design for issue 3? Ughh. I want this series to thrive and not start skimping on the artwork!

[@StygianDogs]

Not to worry. Cary Nord's is very stylistic. It may not be to everyone's taste...but damn, Alex Horley's cover is lit. ⚔️

[@badmojo7825]

The first issue was GREAT, this second issue IS NOT. Somebody tell Titan Comics to put competent pencillers on books with inks only. The first story looked hideous. The artist scribbled art on the Conan story. This issue WAS NOT worth $7! Richard Pace SUCKS.

[@StygianDogs]

Totally disagree. 👍⚔️

[@badmojo7825]

@@StygianDogs Dude I was drawing better than that with more detail and rendering in 9th grade art class. None of my OLD Savage Sword of Conan issues has art that looks as rough as the new issue two does.

[@abhilashmaddali7158]

I think the art suited the story. The background detail is sparse so it's more about the shadows and expressions of the characters which I think Pace nailed it well. It does start out looking thin and sketchy but improves as the story progresses.