Conan the Barbarian #24
Written by Brian Wood
Art by Riccardo Burchielli
Colors by David Stewart
Cover by Massimo Carnevale
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: January 22, 2014
Cover Price: $3.50

Conan the Barbarian #24 is one of the most heartbreaking comics that I’ve ever read. But, I didn’t find that out until the very end. A great penultimate issue to this series.

Writer Brian Wood delivers an issue that is emotionally charged on two levels: one is heartbreak, the other is ferocity, and both come across equally, simultaneously, and spectacularly. On the surface, it’s Conan taking on a bunch of, literally, wild animals. And, on a deeper level, it’s Conan taking on the death of the love of his life, Belit. About halfway through the battle you realize why exactly Conan is fighting so hard.

The art by Riccardo Burchielli is pretty good. I wouldn’t say he’s one of my favorite Conan artists, but his style fits the book and he’s able to pull off the fantasy element of the series without a hitch. His jungle scenes are lush, accurate, and GORGEOUS. And, Burchielli is not one to skimp on backgrounds (thankfully, since skimping out on backgrounds is one of my pet peeves).

If you haven’t read the previous issues, I’d track them down. You’ll get a LOT more from this story if you read the issues leading up to it. If you HAVE been reading the title, then this issue is a great payoff. And, it’s only the beginning of the actual payoff, as there’s still one more issue left to go til the final installment. I recommend that you pick this one up!