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.
