Warning: contains preview images for King Conan #4!
The fate of the Hyborian Age hangs in the balance as the son of Conan the Barbarian comes for his father’s crown in King Conan #4, on sale in print and digital this March. King Conan is the next in Marvel’s series of Conan the Barbarian comics, telling the story of the Cimmerian’s later years, and his struggles to hold his kingdom together.
Marvel first acquired the rights to create Conan the Barbarian comics in 1970. These books were instrumental in introducing generations of readers to Conan’s adventures, and are part of the reason the character is still popular today. After a decade at Dark Horse Comics, Marvel reacquired the rights in 2019, launching a new line of Conan comics for the 21st century. The character was then reintegrated into the Marvel universe, appearing in Savage Avengers. When Conan the Barbarian ended its run earlier this year, Conan was riding off into the sunset with his son Conn, but their story is far from done. Writer Jason Aaron and artist Mahmud Asar have come together to tell the next chapter in Conan’s life in the six-issue miniseries King Conan, the first issue of which is on sale now. In a first look at March’s King Conan #4, his world is turned upside down as he fights for his life against his son.
A solicitation for the issue reveals that after capturing the crown of Aquilonia, Conan must not face Conn, AKA Conan II—and the result will change the course of the Hyborian Age. Meanwhile, Conan’s long-time foe Thoth-Amon lurks in the background, pursuing a mysterious agenda. Asar’s cover, shared below, shows Conan locked in combat with his son, their swords clashing, fierce looks on their face, each determined to finish the other.
- KING CONAN #4 (OF 6)
- JASON AARON (W) • MAHMUD ASRAR (A/C)
- Variant Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
- FATHER VS. SON! CONAN fought his way to the crown of Aquilonia…but the most difficult battle is yet to come! Yes, it’s KING CONAN versus CONAN II, A.K.A. CONN, in a duel that will change the course of the Hyborian Age! Plus: The sinister hand of THOTH-AMON enters the fray – is he truly the foe Conan has believed him to be all these decades?
These stories chronicle the later years of Conan’s life, showing the weight he carries balancing his desire for adventure with the responsibilities of his kingdom and family. This is an older and wiser Conan, but still restless, seeking battles and foes to vanquish. Judging from the cover, Conan is in for one of the biggest battles of his life. Conn is just as fierce a warrior as his father, and Conan’s age and experience may be his only saving grace. The solicitation did not offer a reason as to why Conn is fighting his father but did mention Thoth-Amon. Amon is one of Conan’s oldest foes—is he manipulating Conn to kill Conan? Will Conan be able to turn back his son, or have the years dulled the Cimmerian?
Conan the Barbarian is one of the fiercest warriors in not only comics, but all of fiction, and this March, he will fight his own son in King Conan #4, with the fate of his kingdom—and the future, hanging in the balance.