Conan The Barbarian: Battle of the Black Stone #4 Covers

COVER A: THOMAS NACHLIK

 

CONAN THE BARBARIAN: BATTLE OF THE BLACK STONE #4 (OF 4)

(W) Jim Zub

(A) Jonas Scharf

Publisher: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics

FC, 32pp, $3.99, On Sale December 4, 2024

 

CONAN OF CIMMERIA IS HAUNTED BY SHADOWS, LIVING NIGHTMARES CONNECTED TO A MYSTERIOUS EYE SYMBOL ETCHED IN BLACK STONE.

 

An unspeakable evil looms over the Hyborian Age and every age connected to it... and it will take more than a lone barbarian to stop its relentless march upon time, space, and sanity.

 

Here are two more cover options.

 

COVER B: ANDY BELANGER

 

 

COVER C: MIKE DEODATO

You can also order a special 4-pack. It comes with a bonus cover!

 

CONAN THE BARBARIAN: BATTLE OF THE BLACK STONE #1-4 PACK

(W) Jim Zub

(A) Jonas Scharf

Publisher: Heroic Signatures & Titan Comics

FC, 5*32pp, $19.99, On Sale January 29, 2025

 

COLLECTS #1-4 OF CONAN THE BARBARIAN: BATTLE OF THE BLACK STONE – THE EPIC NEW CONAN EVENT FROM HEROIC SIGNATURES AND TITAN COMICS. FEATURES A BONUS #1 GERARDO ZAFFINO COPIC VARIANT - EXCLUSIVE TO THIS PACK! LIMITED TO 750 COPIES!

 

 

ISSUE #1 COVER: GERARDO ZAFFINO

 

ISSUE #2 COVER: ROBERTO DE LA TORRE

 

 

ISSUE #3 COVER: LIAM SHARP

ISSUE #4 COVER: THOMAS NACHLIK

BONUS ISSUE #1 COPIC VARIANT BY GERARDO ZAFFINO

Thanks to Titan Comics for sharing these cover options with us!

Ronda Rousey Debuts New Comic Book With AWA at SDCC

 Here's another press release from San Diego Comic-Con. Enjoy!

 

UFC, WWE, AND JUDO CHAMPION RONDA ROUSEY HEADS TO SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON TO DISCUSS HER COMIC BOOK DEBUT, EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED

 

Join Ronda Rousey, Artist Mike Deodato, Jr., and AWA’s Axel Alonso as they Discuss Rousey’s Debut Graphic Novel in a Panel Moderated by Actor, Producer, and Former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista

 

 

 

 

SAN DIEGO, CA – Join UFC and WWE Champion, Hollywood actress, and now comic book writer Ronda Rousey, Eisner Award-winning artist Mike Deodato, Jr., AWA Chief Creative Officer Axel Alonso and Actor, Producer, and Former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista as they discuss Ronda’s debut graphic novel EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 25, 2024. 

 

Penned by Rousey and edited by Alonso, with art by Eisner and Ringo Award-winning comic book artist Mike Deodato, Jr. (AVENGERS, NOT ALL ROBOTS, WONDER WOMAN), the graphic novel draws on Rousey’s incredible career in the ring and pairs it with Deodato’s martial arts background to create the most accurate and action-packed fight scenes in comics. The duo developed a unique process to ensure the graphic novel’s fight scenes are as accurate as possible with Rousey choreographing and filming the scenes herself as source material for Deodato’s art. Attendees will get a sneak peek into that process while learning more about their collaboration.

 

Her codename: “Mom.” With a fake baby bump filled with guns, she’s built a reputation as one of the deadliest hitwomen on the planet. But on the verge of her big break in the criminal underworld, Mom makes a fateful decision: sleeping with a potential target (who just so happens to be a top-ranked assassin himself). A few weeks later, Mom finds that her codename is about to become a lot more literal. What follows is a wild mashup of action, adventure, comedy, and romance as a newly pregnant Mom with a bounty on her head fights off wave after wave of assassins, falls in love with her baby daddy, and decides how to face her personal and professional predicament. EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED sets a new bar for the authenticity of fight scenes through a unique creative process developed by Rousey, Deodato, and AWA.

 

The EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED Kickstarter launches on July 25. Those interested in learning more about the campaign and its reward offerings can sign up HERE to get project news and updates, and to be notified as soon as the campaign is live.

 

WHO: Ronda Rousey (Creator), Mike Deodato, Jr. (Artist), Axel Alonso (Chief Creative Officer, AWA), Dave Bautista (Moderator)

 

WHAT: Join an action-packed, candid conversation between UFC, WWE, and Judo Champion Ronda Rousey and Actor, Producer, and Former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista as they discuss Ronda’s debut graphic novel Expecting the Unexpected and their journeys after stepping out of the ring. Eisner Award-winning artist Mike Deodato, Jr. and AWA Chief Creative Officer Axel Alonso will also join the discussion to celebrate the book’s Kickstarter launch and the innovative creative process behind this powerful project.

 

Following the panel, Rousey will participate in a limited signing opportunity at the Exclusive Autograph Area at Sails Pavilion (2nd Floor) from 2:00-3:00 PM, open to the first 100 SDCC badge holders who register with their SDCC Member ID here (found in the Exclusives Portal tab under “Comic-Con 2024 Exclusives Portal”.

 

WHEN: Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 10:00 - 11:00 AM PT

 

WHERE: San Diego Convention Center (Room 6A)

The Scorched #22 Review

 

Writers: Sean Lewis & Todd McFarlane

Artist: Stephen Segovia

Colorist: Ulises Arreola

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Mike Deodato, Jr.; Kael Ngu

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: October 11, 2023

 

Spawn, She-Spawn, and the team confront Terminus. The Senator wields the Spear Of Longinus, stolen from the military base. His kin are on the way. Can the Scorched defend Earth against the Planet Eaters? Let's burn into The Scorched #22 and find out!

 

Story

Death refined Jessica Priest. It galvanized her in the pit. Redeemer, Monolith, and Medieval left her as she fought the virus. What gave her the will to survive was her daughter.

 

Motherhood—protecting a child she hadn’t raised--fueled her fight against Urizen in The Scorched #17. Seeing that Jessica’s daughter might become an orphan, Gaia spared She-Spawn. She also gave She-Spawn a new team. But then, Gaia is the mother of all. Who better to defend her planet than another mother?

 

Terminus was an emissary of the Planet Eaters. But power corrupted him. Nor can Gaia trust Spawn after he teamed up with Urizen in the last issue.

 

Sean Lewis and Todd McFarlane tantalize us with prophecies and potential futures in The Scorched #22. Did Gaia send the Planet Eaters to destroy Earth? Or was finding a champion to turn back the Planet Eaters always the plan? Perhaps Gaia changed her mind? If a woman can do that, why not a god?

 

Art

After a one-issue break to recharge his spawn batteries, Stephen Segovia returns to The Scorched. He delivers the ultimate battle between She-Spawn and Senator Terminus. The others fight, but only Spawn diverts the action from the contenders. The arrival of a space fleet signals a lull in the battle. But this window closes quickly. Terminus wields his sacred spear, yet his arm doesn’t transform like in earlier issues. Something Spawn sees startles him. Incredibly, one member of Jessica’s new team dwarfs even Monolith.

 

Combatants fight against a purple sky. Yet a yellow glow surrounds She-Spawn. Blood—both red and green—flies. Spaceships and weapons cut through the air, leaving a trail of colored light. Redeemer's sword shoots a yellow energy beam at Terminus’ blood beasts. Yet the most intense light—yellow and green—sparks from She-Spawn’s eyes. Her hair and suit match Spawn’s cape and another woman’s dress. These are a sample of the bold and rich colors Ulises Arreola wows readers within The Scorched #22.

 

Yellow words in brown narrative boxes guide readers through this titanic title fight, courtesy of Andworld Design. Black and red uppercase words dominate white narrative boxes with stylized arrows. Jessica and Terminus's dialogue balloons resemble those of ordinary humans--even though both are far more. Minimal sound effects accentuate the intense action. Their absence goes unnoticed amid this issue’s thundering action.

 

Final Thoughts

Still suffering from the virus that nearly killed her, She-Spawn battles the Planet Eaters and combats greed and blindness in The Scorched #22.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For more cover art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

King Spawn #26 Review

 

Writer: Todd McFarlane

Artist: Javi Fernandez

Colorist: Ivan Nunes

Letterer: Andworld Design

Cover Artists: Mike Deodato, Jr.; Kael Ngu

Publisher: Image

Price: $2.99

Release Date: October 4, 2023

 

While he argued they joined forces to take down Cogliostro, Clown killed Spawn’s friend Yoko. Now Spawn’s fed up. So, he’s gearing up. Spawn won't be a pawn in Heaven and Hell's game. Who is he going after? Let's leap into King Spawn #26 and find out!

 

Story

Knives. Guns. Modern assault armor. Spawn straps it all on, then flies through the night. He searches for a woman. One who can aid him: the Visage.

 

Al Simmons will never join forces with his wife’s murderer. But Clown was right about one thing. Whoever sits on Hell’s throne can harm Earth. Spawn reigns harm upon his enemies to prevent this. He flies through the shadows of our world like a bat out of Hell. All the while, he seeks a kindly old lady.

 

News personalities muse upon the relationship between caped crusaders and global warming. Do costumed superheroes proliferate alongside extreme weather events? Spawn may not be responsible for the latest heatwave in King Spawn #26. Still, is he willing to expose his secrets and risk all to prevent villains like Cogliostro and Clown from controlling Hell?

 

Clown action figure available at Amazon.com

 

 

Art

Gloved fingers grab grenades, load guns, and wreath Spawn’s chest with bands of bullets. Moonlight casts his shadow upon buildings, thanks to artist Javi Fernandez. Lights gleam in the night from New York City skyscrapers as Spawn perches upon a denuded tree in King Spawn #26. His cape carries him like batwings as the symbiote soldier Al Simmons swoops down upon his enemies.

 

Spawn’s crimson cape gives way before the red neon nightclub sign as Al Simmons enters. Red ceiling lights threaten to turn the splattered blood brown. Al's teeth gleam and his eyes glow green as Ivan Nunes imbues King Spawn #26 with colored film noir appeal.

 

Yellow uppercase letters glow within brown narrative boxes as Todd McFarlane relates Spawn's actions. Giant red sound effects punctuate Spawn's Breaking And Entering. Uppercase black letters inhabit white dialogue balloons as Spawn questions his victims and begs his favor. Andworld Design delivers a fast-paced horror adventure that’s Heaven on the eyes in King Spawn #26

 

Final Thoughts

Do the ends ever justify the means? To prevent a greater evil, Al Simmons lays aside his principles and engages in aggressive negotiations with the blood-soaked King Spawn #26.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

For another cover see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

Gunslinger Spawn #24 Review

 

Writer: Todd McFarlane

Artist: Brett Booth

Inker: Adelso Corona

Colorist: Ivan Nunes

Letterer: Tom Orzechowski

Cover Artists: Mike Deodato Jr.; Kael Ngu

Publisher: Image

Price: 2.99

Release Date: September 20, 2023

 

Taylor’s haunted by nightmare visions. Gunslinger wakes him, then tells him they’re Splitsville. Wait? Is the scarred hellspawn breaking up the team? Let’s fall into Gunslinger Spawn #24 and find out!

 

Story

Taylor suffered while growing up due to his less-than-human heritage. He struggled to fit in because his father never explained he didn’t belong. This reminder of his past makes Taylor notice Javier's scars. Taylor's pity reminds his hellspawn friend of unfinished business.

 

Javier abandons Taylor to visit his shaman. Waya reminds Gunslinger of his obligations to the boy. But Javier hasn't had time to train the boy or help Taylor fight the infection poisoning him. After dealing with the angels that pursued him and battling Clown and Violator on Omega Island, Gunslinger wants revenge on the people who hurt him and his sister. He’s waited long enough: it’s time to settle the score.

 

Gunslinger Spawn #24 reminds us of Taylor’s parentage and ups the stakes for his survival. Javier suffers from a similar sickness, but we haven’t seen how his angelic affliction affects him since Waya aided him in issue #18. The friends should go to school with each other. But Javier's tired of running. Make Do and Mend must do until he's balanced the scales. Watch out, villains! If Gunslinger's serving up revenge, it'll be a dish best served scorching hot!

 

Gunslinger Spawn figure available at Amazon.com

 

 

Art

Brett Booth and Adelso Corona open with a double-page spread of Taylor’s hellish suffering. While it doesn’t explain Taylor’s confusion, Dakota’s mention of giving Javier a steed makes more sense when Gunslinger pulls the tiny dinosaur from his pocket. The shape it assumes suggests its owner influences its transformation. Javier’s new ride--and the modern weapons Spawn supplied in issue #19--contrast with the ancient weapons and modern transportation Gunslinger used in this series debut. Two minor quibbles with Booth's otherwise excellent contributions would be the tiny panels that limit the expressiveness of Sharon's boyfriend and don’t show what Javier did to his adversary’s car.

 

Ivan Nunes loads his palette with vibrant colors that provide contrast and a touch of gray in Gunslinger Spawn #24. The fire surrounding Javier’s new steed burns red hot in the verdant forest. Smoky candles provide ambiance to Gunslinger’s sepia-toned scenes with Waya. Forelorn Sharon’s blue-green eyes dazzle, and Gunslinger’s red scarf and green eyes enhance the ferocity of his attack. Yet what lingers is the blood that pervades Taylor's torture.

 

Tom Orzechowski delivers dialogue in stylized balloons in Gunslinger Spawn #24. While the yellow words in brown narrative boxes are usually easy to read, longer sentences reduce the letter size in this issue. Sparse sound effects accentuate the action as Javier charts a new path.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Gunslinger Spawn #24 ponders the hunger for revenge, the universal nature of human suffering, and our responsibility to care for those in need.

 

Rating 9.4/10

 

For more covers see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.