Connect with us
Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review

Comic Books

Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review

There are cases where a story doesn’t necessarily have to be happening in reality to matter. Look at The Matrix or Vanilla Sky and you’ll see stories that aren’t happening in the real world, but do matter because they affect the character’s psychosis. Conan has been on a vision quest the last two issues and that quest ends today. Many folks might think this story doesn’t matter, but maybe it does for Conan mentally. I digress, and ask the question, “is it good?”


Conan the Barbarian #18 (Dark Horse Comics)


Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review
If you missed our review of Conan the Barbarian #17, check it out here.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

Two issues ago Conan took a pill that dropped him into a vision quest along with his lover Belit. He’s tromped around in the north, fought spirit bears and, in the final pages of the last issue, met his son. This issue starts off there, as we see Conan live on a remote island making babies with Belit.

Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review
Coward!

This issue will be remembered more for artist Davide Gianfelice’s fight sequences than anything. As Conan takes on some leather clad thieves he and his son take them out with violent clarity. It’s well rendered action and should satiate any fans looking for some barbarian action. That said, the remainder of the issue, in all its wistful, dreamlike nature, doesn’t add up to much.

Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review
Is that a party favor?

Essentially writer Brian Wood is showing us a potential future where Conan retires as a father, but even then he can’t stay away from bloody violence. I get what he’s doing—he can’t change Conan’s future because it’s already been written—and while it’s a good way to show us how Conan might perceive such end, there isn’t much for the reader to come away with. If anything this story seems more focused on showing us this future rather than saying anyting of merit.

Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review
Fighting is rad!

By issue’s end I was so bored and done with this storyline I couldn’t remember why I liked it in the first place. It seemed to have been going in the right direction with some deep character development between Belit and Conan going on, but it ends with a pointless flourish of Belit and really nothing of merit. It’s possible this vision quest will weigh on Conan in future issues, but as it stands nothing was said with any merit and Conan never confirms how he feels about the visions. Unless of course you count his admitting Belit is all that he cares of, in which case her death may mean more to him now that we’ve seen these visions.

Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review
How badass do you have to be to request death?

Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review 6.0

Is It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 ReviewIs It Good? Conan the Barbarian #18 Review
  • Great action sequences
  • Potential ramifications of the story…in the future
  • Not much is said or confirmed on what we’re supposed to think
  • A wistful sort of story

Overall the concepts driving this story are good ones with high potential. That said, there’s nothing here by story’s end that live up to the promises you’d hope from this series. It’s possible Wood is holding his cards on this for future stories, but as it stands this story arc feels limp and unsatisfying.

Is It Good?

Meh. It’s always the most disappointing when a story that has potential falls so flat.

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1 I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1

‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ #1 review: Apocalyptic squad goals

Comic Books

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Comic Books

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024 Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Comic Books

DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

DC reveals ‘DC: Pride’ and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup