Conan The Barbarian #34 Review
Writer: Jim Zub
Artist: Fernando Dagnino
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Tyler Smith
Cover Artists: Esad Ribic, Jesus Merino, Nicola Scott &
Juan Alberto Hernandez
Editor: Chris Butera
Publisher: Titan Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: August 26, 2026
The Zingaran Navy threatened the Red Brotherhood with
extinction. Instead, it gave them sport and booty. But a battle amid a raging
storm took everything Conan and Valeria had and more. Despite surviving the
wind-tossed seas, Conan has more on his mind than the Zingarans' new War on
Piracy. During the night, the Cimmerian faced a phantom with red eyes who slew
Captain Quinn's First Mate and knocked him unconscious.
As they drop anchor at an unknown island, will the crew find
the resources they need to repair their damaged vessel? And what forces molded
skeletons and stone into a haunting monument? Let’s shout, “Hail Crom,” leap
into Conan The Barbarian #34, and see!
Story
With Conan and Valeria's help, Captain Quinn steered the
Briney Wren through the raging storm. But as the ship lists and salt water
invades its battered timbers, the sailors realize it has seen its last voyage.
Captain Quinn is no stranger to surviving disaster. So, he organizes the crew
to salvage what they can, lower the boats, and make for land.
The obelisk along the shore casts a dire warning. Yet each
sailor realizes that the loot they took from other vessels cannot help them on
this island. Closer to nature than his city-bred companions, Conan wants to
scout the land for food, water, and enemies. But after losing his First Mate
and the Briney Wren, Captain Quinn wants his remaining crew to stick together.
So, although he realizes it exposes everyone to more danger, the Cimmerian
accompanies the party as they survey the island together in Conan The Barbarian
#34.
Before the cataclysm that ended Kull’s Thurian Age, this
island might have been charted, and its dangers known. But as Captain Quinn and
his company survey this forbidding island, they witness wonders unknown in an
age when knowledge is hoarded or lost instead of shared. While the fiercest
fighters like Conan and Valeria seem best suited for the dangers they face, a sailor
who makes light of everything demonstrates surprising survival skills in Conan
The Barbarian #34.
Art
As their ship sinks, its masts bow toward the monolith
ashore. The cargo Captain Quinn ordered his crew to batten down now floats near
the wrecked vessel. As they bid farewell to the Briney Wren, Conan stands
taller than all his companions save Captain Quinn. Then, as they climb the
grassy slope toward ferns and trees, Conan takes the lead, while a wary Valeria
follows, yet also lingers.
Fernando Dagnino combines eye-catching set pieces with inset
panels to heighten tension and convey action. Unlike Quinn's extravagant
appearance and Morley's posturing, Conan never demands the spotlight. Yet when
danger threatens, Captain Quinn lurks in the background while Conan raises a
hand to block the blinding light. Diego Rodriguez adorns Conan The Barbarian
#34 with a loaded palette that accentuates the mystery and majesty of Jim Zub’s
story. Yet when yellow and orange emphasize a character’s features, Conan
remembers the wraith with glowing red eyes that he battled amid the storm.
Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith fill white dialogue
balloons with black uppercase text as the survivors seek food, water, and
shelter after losing their plunder. The words grow bold for intonation, broken
balloon borders suggest lowered voices, and letters swell as people die. Yellow
narrative boxes accompany readers on this trek through an unknown island. A red
balloon border accompanies a shouted warning. Yet, red dialogue spells doom for
the crew of the Briney Wren. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review
copy.
Final Thoughts
When she roused him on the storm-battered deck of the Briney
Wren, Valeria intended to drag Conan into the hold. But when he insisted on
standing by Captain Quinn, she followed his lead, trusting Conan's instincts
more than her own. Now, as they explore a forgotten island filled with danger
at every turn, Valeria learns why so few of the Cimmerian's fellow thieves,
mercenaries, and freebooters survive to tell tales of their adventures in Conan
The Barbarian #34.
Rating 9.8/10
For more see ConanThe Barbarian #34 Cover Preview.
For what happened last time, see Conan The Barbarian #33 Review.
For how this series began, see my review of Conan The Barbarian TP Vol 1.
For Conan's first adventure after the Battle of Venarium, see my review of Conan The Barbarian Vol 4: Frozen Faith.
