John Jack
Marvel Comics has announced a new Conan the Barbarian series to premiere in January, written by Jason Aaron with art by Mahmud Asrar and covers by Esad Ribic.
Marvel has promised a series filled with new tales (they better, I don’t need another retelling of The Elephant Tower you’re not gonna top Roy Thomas) from the Hyborian Age of magic and blades. The creative team had this to say:
Aaron:
“I’ve literally been preparing for this job since I was 13 and discovered my first Robert E. Howard Conan paperback in a used bookstore in my little hometown of Jasper, Alabama I devoured every Howard book I could find after that, and I’ve been making up Conan stories in my head ever since. Now I finally get to do that for real, alongside the amazing Mahmud Asrar. So this opportunity means an awful lot to me, and I’m cherishing every blood-splattered, spider-haunted second of it.”
Asrar:
“Growing up, Conan was one of the first comic books I’ve read. It’s partly responsible in making me a lifelong comic book reader, in fact, it’s the first book where I’ve noticed the names of the creators and that being a comic book artist was something I could do for a living. Now, years later, I get the chance to draw the book myself and do it with the amazing Jason Aaron. I couldn’t be happier to tell epic new tales of the Cimmerian – to continue the legacy that will hopefully make a mark on readers, just like the original comics did for me.”
All New All Different Avengers by Asrar
Marvel Editor Mark Basso:
“I can’t wait for readers to see the epic scope of the first story lined up for CONAN, like our illustrious writer and artist, my intro to Conan came in the form of an old paperback that magically found its way to me as a kid, and this team is harnessing all of that love and respect for the character’s history while expanding the Hyborian mythos in a way that’s really never been done before.”
Fredrick Malmberg of Cabinet Entertainment:
“These past months have been an exciting whirlwind for us and the folks at Marvel, going through creative teams with passion for the Cimmerian, Jason and Mahmud are crafting a really strong story, it’s amazing to see the process and pages coming through. Esad Ribic’s covers evoke the classic Conan, yet with his own distinct and personal freshness. Crom!”
Comic Watch will release updates (hopefully some interior art!) As they unfold.