Written by: Stefano Vietti & Luca Enoch
Art by: Lorenzo Nuti
Lettering by: Richard Stalking & Tyler Smith
Cover by: Patrick Zircher
Published by: Titan Comics, Heroic Signatures
Summary:
This issue starts out in a blaze, as the dragon from the previous issues has blown fire on the two men: Conan and Dragonero. The Dragon blows fire, but Dragonero’s sword is enchanted enough to dodge the element from reaching their skin. The Dragon flies off into the sky, only for the two to chase after it.
Conan, being the courageous barbarian that he is, hurls insults at the dragon as he rides its back, holding on to the dual axes that are lodged hard into the outer skin of the creature. The dragon itself has flown into a dark temple, and from this point the issue is non-stop action as the plot pushes itself. The panel placement is clever, as it’s revealed that gems are lodged into the dragon’s chin, which gives it immense power. The artwork is still solid for every issue. Conan and Dragonero waste no time going after the biggest threat: the dragon.
I love the teamwork the two men seem to have as they fight against the dragon. Conan uses brute force, as Dragonero attempts to cut down the creature from afar using archery. The issue comes to an end as one of the gems in its chin activates and pulls the two into another dimension.
I think this issue will tease readers a little, as the natural expectation is to witness the heroes “slaying the dragon”, but another twist happens at the end. Dialogue is still tight, and Zub knows when to get out of the way and let the artist shine. I think this issue has demonstrated exactly that: Nuti’s strengths as an artist.
Overall: 8/10
India Williams is a comic writer and reviewer based in Florida. She is a lifelong comics fan, with favorites including Thor, Conan, G.I. Joe, and Speed Racer. When she’s not writing comics or reviewing them, she enjoys toy photography.
