Conan The Barbarian #31 REVIEW
Mano A Mano
After a long game of cat and mouse, the Cimmerian known as Conan faces off with a deadly and formidably cunning assassin called Son of Tooth. Locked in a battle never seen before, Conan will have to use his savage instincts to best this skillful warrior in combat. Unfortunately, Conan isn’t facing off against a normal man. His opponent is more than he seems. Conan The Barbarian #31 pits two versatile men of valor up against each other and sees which one will be the victor. Conan will have to use everything he has learned from his recent battles, but will it be enough to see him through?
Leaping from the previous issue of Conan, Jim Zub (Heroes Reborn, Conan: Battle of the Black Stone) drops readers right into the thick of the battle between Conan and Son of Tooth. The encounter between these two characters in a fight was bound to happen. Thankfully, such an event happened because the idea of prolonging the inevitable would be distasteful to the progression of the story itself. It would have felt stagnant, but Zub surprises readers without warning. Conan believes he has the upper hand, but then proves wrong. The way Zub actively shifts between perspectives allows readers to understand the depth of each warrior’s resolve. This shift back and forth between characters in the comic book includes suspense and intrigue, which is a staple in Conan stories. Moreover, the minor use of narration to replace an otherwise talkative experience captures the core excitement of reading a Conan comic book in Conan The Barbarian #31.
Giving readers a fantastic display of artwork and visual entertainment, Doug Braithwaite’s (Survive, Bloodshot) contributions as the artist on Conan The Barbarian #31 are far too good to be unrecognized. As readers dive into the issue, it’s clear that Braithwaite wanted to show how this battle is truly a challenge our favorite barbarian has never fought before. We’ve seen him take on the worst, but the way Braithwaite makes this comic book feel like Conan could lose to someone of equal tenacity makes great use of creativity. Yes, the words may have driven the story throughout the pages. However, the artwork within this book amplifies the adventure and pure adrenaline Conan must face. Seeing a foe like Son of Tooth drawn to be so ruthless and unapologetically confident in himself asks not a question of when he’ll be defeated but how. While that question is festering in the minds of readers, they are presented with a dire situation right after the next. The artwork provides suspense and a thrill of adventure.
Having understood the importance of the main artist, the colorist is equally important in providing readers with impressionable, vibrant colors that allow Conan The Barbarian #31 to flourish. No matter the scenery of the pages, Diego Rodriguez (DC K.O.:Boss Battle, Save Now) enhances the epic battle between the two warriors by adding depth and distinct color choices. Whether it’s an alley or a place of shelter, Rodriguez focuses on the quality of coloring rather than the quantity of pages he has to color. For a comic book series like Conan, it’s important to make the coloring work just as well as the artist. Thankfully, Rodriguez hits his marks in this issue.
Speaking of on par, Richard Starkings (Murder Drones, X-Men of Apocalypse) and Tyler Smith (Tortured Hearts, Batman) uphold the nuisance of reading a Conan book like Conan The Barbarian #31. From the word bubbles, narration, and sound effects, Starkings and Smith shine in this comic book.
The cover art to Conan The Barbarian #31 by Mahumad Asrar (X-Men: United, Venom) and Matt Wilson (Odin, Nectar) depicts a grueling yet great, enticing cover. It shows a level of danger and confrontation readers might expect when they open the comic book and read its contents.
Overall, Conan The Barbarian #31 is an exciting issue that puts Conan on his backside. He’s used to others not being as cunning as him, but in this series, he’s the underdog. Be sure to pick this up at your local comic book store or online, where comics are sold online. It’s Conan at his finest.
CONAN THE BARBARIAN #31(W) Jim Zub (A) Doug BraithwaitePublisher: Titan Comics & Heroic SignaturesFC • 32pp • On Sale May 27, 2026 • $4.99
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics & manga. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he is a seasoned gamer with an appreciation of quality storytelling. As he is always on the hunt for rare collectibles, he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandoms. Follow along for new discoveries and changes in the world of entertainment.
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