Writer: Jim Zub
Artist: Fernando Dagnino
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
Letterer: Richard Starkings & Tyler Smith
Editor: Chris Butera
Cover Artists: Dan Panosian, Greg Staples, Joel Gomez & Sweeney Boo
Publisher: Titan Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 13, 2025
When Conan rescued Livia from Bajujh’s Balakah tribe, he led the Bamulas away in triumph. But then the grinning people of Daynt captured them with kindness. The sorceress Athyr-Bast owns Conan and Livia. And as Conan excels in the arena, he begins to wonder: What is best in life? Will Conan and Livia live out their days in Athyr-Bast’s household? Or will she use them to undermine Thoth-Amon’s dominance in Kheshatta? Let's grab our swords and battle axes, shout “By Crom,” charge into Conan The Barbarian #23, and find out!
Story
After making Conan the centerpiece of her elegant soirée, Athyr-Bast said, "Do you not wish to warm yourself by my fire?" Conan found it as hard to resist Athyr-Bast’s willpower as he did Thulsa Doom's mesmerizing stare. Then Zula climbed in through the window and knocked the sorceress out.
Conan has waited patiently for this moment. It has cost him the lives of his friends. Now, he has a chance to rescue Livia and escape Kheshatta. Instead, Zula says, “You owe me.” So, Conan repays Zula for saving him from Set’s corrupting influence.
Zula guards the Black Kingdoms against Set’s attacks. For the last month, he has been in Kheshatta, listening for clues to the snake cult’s plans. Perhaps, like Athyr-Bast, he sat in the grandstands near the sorcerers, as Conan battled other gladiators in The Pit. Zula knows Thoth-Amon has arranged a meeting with Athyr-Bast. The shapeshifter intends to take the place of the sorceress. But in Conan The Barbarian #23, Zula fears entering Thoth-Amon's presence alone.
In Jim Zub’s story, Zula and Conan face danger as they stride through the dark streets of Kheshatta. Like Maya in Space 1999, Zula can only maintain Athyr-Bast's form for a limited time. As Set's supreme servant, Thoth-Amon knows appearances can be deceiving. And then, there is the problem of Athyr-Bast. When she awakens, she probably won’t tell Conan, “We have warmth. That’s so hard to find in this world.”
Art
As Zula stands in Athyr-Bast’s stone bedroom, he gazes out the arched window. The sculpted towers rising above the tenements find echoes in the enchantress’s carved bedposts and attire. Zula demonstrates that gender does not define a shapeshifter’s identity in Conan The Barbarian #23. Conan adopts similar adornments to those of his owner. The artistic helmet and gorget seem better suited to princely Elric of Melniboné than the Cimmerian.
As Fernando Dagnino shows the disparity between rich and poor, Diego Rodriguez paints the night purple on Conan and Zula’s nocturnal adventure. Green links the sorcerers with their god, while gold links Conan with "Athyr-Bast." The sorcerers wield white and yellow energy that intensifies with anger. Red connects Zula’s blood magic with a case of mistaken identity. But when it creeps into the skies, Conan and Zula stand to lose more than a glass slipper.
Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith conjure uppercase lettering into white dialogue balloons and yellow narrative boxes in Conan The Barbarian #23. Words grow bold for intonation, occasionally enlarge, and never shrink as Conan and Zula brave the narrow streets of those who live far below their sorcerous rulers. Words swell and change color, while balloons sprout spikes as sorcerers rage like angry gods. Thanks to Titan for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
As Zula and Conan pass the poor standing before their homes or sitting in the alleys, they risk discovery on several fronts. Their undercover mission will cost them. And the Cimmerian will learn more about his shapeshifting ally in Conan The Barbarian #23.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my preview of Conan The Barbarian #23.
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