The Savage Sword Of Conan – Volume 01 Issue 06

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Surrounded by the Brethren of the Briar on his descent down the Graaskal Mountains, Conan readies himself for battle. For those who had destroyed the witches in their own sanctuary, had laid in wait for the barbarian King of Aquilonia to pass. In their own arrogance, however, they misjudged raw savagery for a bewitched demeanor. Fortune favored Conan, as he was in his right mind.

As the masked zealots locked steps, then drew their weapons, the Cimmerian, a man battle-born to a life of combat, smiled slightly and drew his own blade. These fools may have the numbers, but one does not become king without falling men like bushels of wheat. In the next few moments, Conan would learn the truth about the one called the Father of the Flail.

Return to the Witch! Conan escapes the Brethren of the Briar by the skin of his teeth, but his options are limited. How does one slay a sorcerer with god-like powers? The King of Aquilonia must recruit a wizard of his own or face the reality of a fallen kingdom.

To battle, the witch hunters soon came. Up and up to the peak of the Graaskal Mountains. But the grand witch herself, Xyleena, and Conan were well-prepared. For the barbarian had touched the heart of the Green Mother, and in return the goddess reciprocated with a powerful relic. Soon, both of the hunted will find out if divine intervention is enough to stop Mitra’s wrath.

Years have passed since Conan descended the throne of Aquilonia, leaving his son Conn to rule in amity. During a trip through the kingdom of Brythunia, Conn and his men stopped to inspect a snow-filled canyon leading up through the infamous Graaskal Mountains. It was there that his entourage debated the very existence of the infamous witches of Graaskal, and of their sinister deeds which terrorized local farmers in kind. Then Conn remembered the stories his father told him by the warm fires of the castle hearth. 

In Conan’s youth, he had ventured north into the frozen kingdoms of the Aesir and Vanir. During those days, the bearded tribesmen drew heavy swords upon their brothers. All of them fought and died for the limited wealth offered by the region. 

In time, Conan would join, fight, and grieve with the Aesir in their cause. The Cimmerian even survived being seduced by the daughter of Ymir, one of the northmen’s gods of war. But nothing would prepare Conan, or the battle-hardened Aesir, on this night as they return from raiding Vanir caravans. A fallen star had been discovered upon a frozen hill. A mound wet with blood. A mound of wrought with madness.

Deep in the marsh-woods of eastern France, Agnes De Chastillon fled. Her pursuers were not far behind, as the tangle of underbrush slowed the red-haired vagabond. As Agnes darted down into a thicket of overgrown pines, her thoughts drifted to her partner in crime, the young swordsman Étienne Villiers. 

Had Captain de Valence found her dear friend, and if so, would Étienne survive the torture chambers? Paris was famous for its sinister sense of justice. But Agnes was forced to digress in her mind. Night had come, and the bright moon shone through the gnarled old branches, giving her position away with every pool of light illuminating the path ahead. It was time to find a hidden nook and lie low. Unknown to Agnes, there was more to fear than soldiers in that dark wood.

I was a bit worried when Titan Comics announced in 2024 that they were going to reboot “Savage Sword Of Conan” – which ran for over twenty years in the Marvel Comics magazine division. Not only did Titan have some big shoes to fill, they were also going to run the new publication side by side with their successful Conan the Barbarian comic. Could Titan retain enough talent to fulfill the needs of both projects? After seventeen issues of the regular series and six magazine-sized editions, I can confidently say yes. Yes, they can. No problem. 

If you were around to enjoy the original “Savage Sword Of Conan” – which ran from 1974 to 1995, you will absolutely love Titan’s series. There is so much brought over from the original, it’s as if the series never discontinued. If you are currently reading the series, then you already know there is a lot of variety in the content. In this issue, Matthew John writes a follow-up story which featured in “Conan the Barbarian” issues thirteen through fifteen. The northlands are more cursed than ever before! 

For a rating, I have to go with five stars all the way around. There is a lot of entertainment here for $6.99, which is greatly needed in the struggling comic book industry of 2025.

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