Jim Zub’s Conan Journey

 

Jim Zub (second from right)

Jim Zub’s Conan Journey

 

At this year's Titan Comics' Conan panel at San Diego Comic-Con, I asked Jim Zub how he had grown as a writer since he wrote Conan for Marvel Comics. Jim explained that his journey alongside the Cimmerian actually began at Dark Horse Comics, when he co-wrote the Conan/Red Sonja miniseries with Gail Simone. Jim figured it might be his only shot at writing Conan, so he made the most of the opportunity.

 

 

 

 

Yet in life, one thing often leads to another. When Marvel Comics was looking for guest writers for its Savage Sword of Conan series, they picked Jim to write the three-issue story arc "Conan The Gambler." With industry greats like Jason Aaron and the legendary Roy Thomas swelling Marvel's ranks, Jim grasped the unexpected opportunity, grateful for a second chance to chronicle Conan’s adventures.

 

 

 

But when Jason Aaron decided to cease his Hyborian Age labors, Marvel needed another scribe to take his place. Based on his story in Savage Sword of Conan #7, 8, and 9, Marvel picked Jim to script Conan's monthly journeys. Jim Zub wrote 13 more issues of Conan The Barbarian and the Conan: Serpent War miniseries.

 

 

 

After retracing his journey with Conan for me, Jim Zub explained that, after Marvel dropped Conan, Titan Comics gave him time to immerse himself in Robert E Howard's world. While Jim had always loved the original stories, the lead-up to Titan’s Conan The Barbarian #1 allowed him to delve deeper into the Howard mythos. After writing so many stories for Titan, Jim Zub better recognizes when he is channeling Howard's narrative voice in a comic script, and what to do if he isn't. 

 

Titan's Conan The Barbarian #33 Cover A

 

 

Robert E Howard may have stopped writing Conan before he died. Still, Jim Zub wants to adhere as closely as possible to the master. And by becoming conversant with so many of Howard’s characters, Jim Zub can expand his Conan universe, as he is doing with boxer and sailor Steve Costigan in his upcoming Conan: Scourge of the Serpent event.

 

 

 

Thanks to Titan Comics, Heroic Signatures, Jim Zub, and San Diego Comic-Con for sharing this story with us.

 

For Jim Zub's latest story, see Conan The Barbarian #33 Review.