San Diego Comic-Con 2025 witnessed a triumphant display of sword-and-sorcery excellence as Heroic Signatures unveiled an ambitious slate of upcoming Conan projects during their panel presentation. 

From major crossover events to premium collectibles, the announcements revealed an unprecedented expansion of Robert E. Howard’s literary universe. 

Read on to discover every exciting detail from this game-changing presentation that’s shaping the future of heroic fantasy.

A Year of Incredible Success

The panel opened with a comprehensive review of the past year’s achievements, highlighting how the partnership between Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics has revitalized the Conan franchise. 

The resurrection of The Savage Sword of Conan in February 2024 marked a pivotal moment, bringing back the beloved black-and-white anthology format that defined an era of fantasy comics. The magazine’s first year featured an impressive roster of creators, including John Arcudi and Max von Fafner’s “Conan and the Dragon Horde” in the debut issue, Frank Tieri and Cary Nord’s primal wolf-man tale in issue #3, and Jason Aaron’s massive two-part King Conan epic with Geof Isherwood spanning issues #5 and #6. The return of legendary scribe Roy Thomas for issue #7, working with artist Rob De La Torre, served as a powerful bridge between Conan’s storied past and vibrant future.

The anthology format proved to be a strategic testing ground for expanding the Howardverse. The serialized Solomon Kane backup feature by Patrick Zircher in the first three issues generated such positive response that it directly led to the character receiving his first solo series in 15 years. Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring saw Zircher returning to write and draw all four issues, following the Puritan’s quest from the Barbary Coast to Venice then Africa in pursuit of a powerful artifact.

The year culminated in the Battle of the Black Stone event, running from September to December 2024. Writer Jim Zub and artist Jonas Scharf delivered the first major Howardverse crossover, beginning with a Free Comic Book Day special and uniting Conan with Solomon Kane, Dark Agnes, El Borak, and other Howard heroes against an immutable cosmic threat. This event successfully demonstrated that Howard’s disparate characters could coexist within a single, epic narrative framework.

Unveiling Scourge of the Serpent

The centerpiece announcement focused on the Scourge of the Serpent event, a multi-platform epic that represents the most ambitious storytelling initiative yet. The four-issue limited series Conan: Scourge of the Serpent, from writer Jim Zub and artist Ivan Gil, launches in September 2025 following another Free Comic Book Day special. The story explores Set’s influence across three distinct time periods: King Kull’s Thurian Age, Conan’s Hyborian Age, and the modern 1930s. The event features an 18-year-old Conan, more brash and dangerously confident than the seasoned warrior he will become, confronting the shape-shifting Serpent Men who symbolize corruption within civilized hierarchies.

The event also expands across multiple formats, including a direct tie-in within The Savage Sword of Conan #10. This issue features three tales by Jim Zub exploring the event’s themes: a Conan story illustrated by Doug Braithwaite, a Sailor Steve Costigan boxing tale with art by Roberto de la Torre, and a prehistoric adventure featuring Howard’s “Spear and Fang” characters illustrated by Mike Rooth. Additionally, Bram Stoker Award-winning author Tim Waggoner contributes a full-length prose novel, Conan: Spawn of the Serpent God, set in Zamora where Conan and fellow thief Valja are recruited by Mitra’s priestesses to stop the sorcerer Uzzeran from creating an army of human-serpent hybrids.

The Painted Spectacle of Issue #25

September 2025 also marks a landmark achievement with Conan the Barbarian #25, an oversized standalone issue featuring “The Nomad,” a 34-page story written by Jim Zub and fully painted by acclaimed artist Alex Horley. 

Production began in late 2024 to allow Horley time to traditionally oil paint every page without digital shortcuts. The story follows an older King Conan welcoming a mysterious visitor whose strange mission could alter history itself. 

Panel attendees received an exclusive preview of Horley’s stunning painted pages, showcasing the premium quality that makes this issue a collector’s centerpiece.

Conan’s Ascent to the Throne

Following the milestone 25th issue, the series launches into one of the most anticipated storylines in Conan history. “The Conquering Crown,” spanning issues #26-28, finally chronicles how Conan seized Aquilonia’s throne, a pivotal moment that has been referenced but never fully depicted with such detail.

Expanding the Publishing Empire

The panel also revealed numerous additional projects extending into 2026 and beyond. Savage Sword of Conan: Reforged emerges as a new full-color companion series maintaining the uncensored ethos of its black-and-white counterpart. 

The digital-first Heroic Legends prose series returns with top fantasy authors crafting tales across the Howardverse. 

The omnibus program will also collecting classic Marvel runs while expanding to include Solomon Kane omnibus editions.

Major prose novels also enhance the lineup: Tim Lebbon’s King Conan: Songs of the Slain released on July 22, 2025, following the established king on a perilous quest to fulfill an old blood oath and rescue a friend’s kidnapped children. 

The success of Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring has also guaranteed a second mini-series for the Puritan adventurer, cementing his status as a pillar of the publishing line.

The Atlantean King Claims His Throne

The panel’s final major announcement revealed that King Kull of Atlantis will receive his own comic series in 2027. 

The character has been strategically reintroduced through guest appearances, including a major role in Conan the Barbarian #9-12’s “The Age Unconquered” arc and a recent assassination story by Fabian Nicieza and Sean Chen in The Savage Sword of Conan #9. 

Kull will also feature prominently in the upcoming Scourge of the Serpent event, further establishing his significance within the expanded Howardverse. 

Bringing the Hyborian Age Home

The Conan Black Stone Action Figure arrives in 2025 as a premium 7-inch collectible based on Roberto De La Torre’s artwork from the Battle of the Black Stone event. 

Sculpted by Gurjeet Singh with multiple articulation points and alternate hand options, the figure includes a pre-order exclusive Savage Weapon Set featuring iconic weapons from across the Howardverse: Conan’s battle axe, Dark Agnes’ sword, Solomon Kane’s staff and rapier, El Borak’s pistol, and Brule’s spear. 

This cross-character approach encourages collectors to explore the entire Howard universe through a single premium product.

The Future of High Adventure

The announcements at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 represent the most ambitious phase yet for Heroic Signatures and Titan Comics. For fans of heroic fantasy, the message is clear: the age of high adventure is here to stay, with Heroic Signatures leading the charge into an ever-expanding future of sword-and-sorcery excellence.

With the methodical build toward major events, canonical stories finally being told, strategic character expansion, and premium collectibles supporting the publishing program, the future of Robert E. Howard’s literary universe has never looked brighter. 

Want to experience every moment of this historic presentation? Watch the complete panel on YouTube to see the exclusive artwork reveals, creator interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that made this one of Comic-Con’s most memorable showcases.