Conan The Barbarian #33 Review

 

Cover by Max Von Fafner

Conan The Barbarian #33 Review

Writer: Jim Zub

Artist: Fernando Dagnino

Colorist: Diego Rodriguez

Letterer: Richard Starkings & Tyler Smith

Cover Artists: Roberto De La Torre, Fernando Dagnino, Max Von Fafner, Don Aguillo, Rebeca Puebla & Dan Panosian

Editor: Chris Butera

Publisher: Titan Comics

Price: $4.99

Release Date: July 29, 2026

 

The Zingaran government wants to send a message: its ports are open, and its seas are safe for vessels to sail upon. As the Navy cracks down on piracy, one ship defies their reach. Commanded by Captain Quinn Corvaxis, the Briney Wren strikes terror upon the seas. But what makes this crew of pirates such an unstoppable force? And what dangers will arise to threaten Captain Quinn, Valeria, and Conan the Cimmerian’s supremacy on the high seas? Let’s shout, “Hail Crom,” leap into Conan The Barbarian #33, and see!

 

Story

Captain Quinn may order his sailors into battle against the Zingaran seadogs. But Conan is the first to board the military vessel. The Cimmerian orders the Red Brotherhood to seize the helm. While his zeal inspires most of his comrades, two other seasoned sailors observe the Cimmerian's bloodlust. Morley quips with Valeria as they cut a swathe across the deck. And they force the Zingaran Captain to surrender, while Conan would prefer to continue the fighting.

 

In Conan The Barbarian #33, the Cimmerian is more prone to melancholia than mirth. Morley senses a history between Conan and Valeria. But Conan says nothing, and Valeria insists they were just fellow thieves. Like Captain Quinn, Conan seems content to observe his fellow sailors following the battle. But he snaps into action when another danger arises.

 

As Jim Zub’s story follows a day in the life of Conan and Valeria, Morley is an interloper. He seems intent on sweeping Valeria off her feet. While Valeria keeps him at arm’s length, the two warriors are well-matched. Conan takes little interest in the duo's flirting. More attuned to nature's rhythms than his civilized companions, the Cimmerian remains alert for danger.

 

But while the smirking swordsman and the warrior woman spar, an unseen enemy begins a game of their own. Like Morley and Valeria, their adversary plays by their own rules. And while Morley and Valeria cut short Conan’s battle aboard the Zingaran naval vessel, the Cimmerian may get more than his fill of death in Conan the Barbarian #33.

 

Art

While Bêlit disdained restrictive clothing, Captain Quinn has a dress code. And instead of the sword he found at the Battle of Venarium, Conan wields a sabre with a crossguard. As he swings over to the Zingaran vessel in his long-sleeve shirt, pants, and boots, Valeria and the others follow wearing similar attire. A red sash at their waist is their calling card, along with the crimson they spill with their swords. After a splash page and a double-page spread, Fernando Dagnino uses rectangular panels to portray calm moments, while diagonal borders enhance the fraught battles.

 

Diego Rodriguez lavishes a loaded palette on the swashbuckling action in Conan The Barbarian #33. Red and yellow enhance the daytime battle as the pirates battle purple-clad Zingarans beneath purple sails. But the blue night turns green when Conan’s heightened senses detect danger. As sailors scramble for safety, green and white electrify the night. Yet Captain Quinn stands on the top deck, wearing his black hat and long jacket, while his long gray beard and a dagger adorning his wide leather belt mark him as an experienced captain.

 

Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith fill white dialogue balloons with black uppercase text as Conan strikes terror into his enemies. Jim Zub's narration in yellow boxes guides readers through this maritime chapter of the Cimmerian’s life. The words grow bold for intonation and never shrink. Yet they swell, and balloons grow spikes, when sailors’ voices rise. And dialogue changes color when staring death in the face. Thanks to Titan Comics for providing a review copy.

 

Final Thoughts

Conan and Valeria have fought together before. Then they slipped through shadows as thieves, and nighttime was their friend. Now they rob and steal in daylight. But when darkness falls, the pirates brave unknown dangers in Conan The Barbarian #33.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside, see my preview of Conan The Barbarian #33. 

 

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.