News from San Diego Comic-Con confirms that Robert E. Howard’s other great barbarian hero, Kull, will return to comics in 2027. The announcement, made during the Conan the Barbarian panel, sees Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics collaborating to bring the Atlantean king back to the page.
Kull of Atlantis, often known as the Conqueror, is one of Howard’s earliest pulp heroes, predating Conan the Cimmerian. An exile from the sunken continent of Atlantis during the Thurian Age, Kull is a barbarian who, through sheer force of will and combat prowess, seizes the throne of Valusia, the most powerful kingdom of his era. In stories such as The Shadow Kingdom and By This Axe I Rule!, Howard presented a warrior-king who was often more introspective and philosophical than the more visceral Conan, grappling with the loneliness of power and the conspiracies of a decadent court.
As with much of Howard’s work, modern readers and creators must navigate a complex legacy. Howard’s writing, while foundational to the sword and sorcery genre, often contains racial hierarchies and stereotypes reflective of early 20th-century prejudices. The challenge for contemporary adaptations is to capture the raw energy of Howard’s prose while re-evaluating or excising these problematic elements for a modern audience. The enduring popularity of Howard’s creations, a topic frequently charted on Geek Native, is evident in this packed release schedule from Titan.
While Kull’s return is still a few years away, fans of the Hyborian Age have plenty to look forward to this autumn, with Titan unveiling details for several upcoming Conan titles.
First, this October will see the release of Conan the Barbarian #25. This extra-sized one-shot is an epic stand-alone story written by the current Conan the Barbarian writer, Jim Zub. It will feature fully-painted interior illustrations by fantasy artist Alex Horley. According to the publisher, the story involves King Conan of Aquilonia receiving a mysterious visitor whose incredible power could alter the course of history.
Also arriving in October is The Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged #1. This new series aims to revitalise the classic black-and-white magazine format by presenting stories with all-new colour restorations. The first issue will feature two iconic tales: Tower of the Elephant, with art from the legendary team of John Buscema and Alfredo Alcala, and The Frost-Giant’s Daughter, illustrated by the incomparable Barry Windsor-Smith.
Finally, spinning out of this year’s Free Comic Book Day special, a new event series, Conan the Barbarian: Scourge of the Serpent #1, is set to launch in September. Written by Jim Zub with art by Ivan Gil, the series pits Conan against the true power of the serpent god Set.
Conan the Barbarian #25 is scheduled for release on 8th October, with The Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged #1 following on 22nd October. All announced comics will be available from local comic shops.
