For the longest time, my understanding of Conan the Barbarian was the 1982 feature film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the hunka hunka manly barbarian. It’s only as I’ve gotten deeper and deeper into comics that I even realized Conan was a consistent part of Marvel Comics from 1970 through 1990, with creative talent like Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and John Buscema (among many others) crafting an in-depth comic book universe for the character.
In the 2000’s, the license for Conan comics came to Dark Horse, where creators like Kurt Busiek reshaped the classic Conan stories of creator Robert E. Howard for a modern audience. In 2019, the savage sword of Conan came back to Marvel for the legacy to begin anew.
Below you’ll find a complete guide to Conan the Barbarian comics throughout history. I’ve highlighted the standouts or most notable starting places with the Comic Book Herald logo. Enjoy the comics!
Related Reading Orders:
Conan the Barbarian – The 70’s Comic Book Debut!
Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 1
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Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970) 1-26; Material From Chamber Of Darkness (1969) 4; Savage Tales (1971) 1, 4
Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 2
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970) 27-51, Conan The Barbarian Annual (1973) 1, Giant-Size Conan (1974) 1-4 And Material From Savage Sword Of Conan (1974) 1, 8 And 10
Savage Sword of Conan: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. 1
Collects: Savage Tales (1971) 1-5; Savage Sword Of Conan (1974) 1-12, The Savage Sword Of Conan Annual (1975) 1
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 8: Brothers of the Blade and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian #52-#60
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 9: Riders of the River-Dragons and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-93 Marvel) #60-63, 65, And 69-71
The Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 2
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #11-24
I’d point out here that Savage Sword of Conan and Conan the Barbarian do not *need* to be read together, aligned to the general publication order of each series. I’ve laid out the collections more or less that way to mimic the experience of reading these comics as they were coming out, but truth be told you could read through Roy Thomas’ first 115 issues of Conan the Barbarian without touching Savage Sword, and then jump back to that series whenever you wanted.
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 10: When Giants Walk the Earth and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-93 Marvel) #72-77 And 79-81
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 11: The Dance of the Skull and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #82-90
The Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 3
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #25-36 And Savage Tales (1971-1975) #2
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 12: The Beast King of Abombi and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #91 And 93-100.
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 13: Whispering Shadows and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #92 And 101-107
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 4
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #37-48
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 14: Shadow of the Beast and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #108-115
The Savage Sword Of Conan Volume 5
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #49-60
Worth noting that the “King Conan” series release date (launching in 1980) fits around this time period in the order. Personally, I recommend reading King Conan separately from the Barbarian and Savage Sword ongoings, in one full piece below.
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 15: The Corridor of Mullah-Kajar and Others Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #116-121 And Conan The Barbarian Annual (1970-1980) #2
The Savage Sword Of Conan Volume 6
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #61-71
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 16: The Eternity War and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #122-126 And Conan The Barbarian Annual (1970-1980) #4-5.
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 7
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #72-84
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #127-134
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 18
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #135-142
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 8
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #85-93
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 19: Deathmark and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #143-150
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 20: Night of the Wolf and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #151-159
The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 9
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #94-101
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 21: Blood of the Titan and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #160-167 And Annual #7
Conan’s Original Graphic Novels And Ongoing Comics (Mid-1980’s)
Conan the Barbarian – The Witch Queen of Acheron
Collects: Marvel Graphic Novel, No. 19
Collects: Marvel Graphic Novel #28
Conan the Barbarian in the Skull of Set
Collects: Conan: Ravagers Of Time
Written by Roy Thomas with art by Mike Docherty.
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 10
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #102-109
The Chronicles of Conan, Vol. 22: Reavers in the Borderland and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian #168–#173 And Conan The Barbarian Annual #8 And #9
The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 11
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #110-118
Chronicles of Conan Volume 23: Well of Souls and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian #174–#181 And Conan The Barbarian Annual #10
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 24: Blood Dawn and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #182-189 And Annual #11
Chronicles of Conan Volume 25: Exodus and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian #190–#199
The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 12
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974-1995) #119-130
The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 13
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #131-140
The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 14
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #141-150
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 26: Legion of the Dead and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #199-205 And Annual #12
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 27: Sands Upon the Earth and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #206-214
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 28: Blood and Ice and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #215-223
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 29: The Shape in the Shadow and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #224-232
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 30: The Death of Conan and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #233-240
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 31: Empire of the Undead and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #241-249
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #151-160
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 16
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #161-170
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 17
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #171-180
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 32: The Second Coming of Shuma-Gorath and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #250-258
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 33: The Mountain Where Crom Dwells and Other Storie
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #259-267
The Chronicles of Conan Volume 34: Betrayal in Zamora and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The Barbarian (1970-1993 Marvel) #268-275
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 18
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #181-190
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 19
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #192-201
The Savage Sword of Conan Volume 20
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #202-212
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 21
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #213-222
Savage Sword of Conan Volume 22
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (1974 Magazine) #223-235
Enter King Conan – 1980s!
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 1: The Witch of the Mists and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #1-5
Written by all-time Conan scribe with art by John Buscema and Ernie Chan. Long live the king!
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 2: Vengeance from the Desert and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #6-10
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 3: The Haunter of the Cenotaph and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #11-15
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 4: The Prince is Dead and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980) #16-20
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 5: The Black Dragons and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #21-25
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 6: A Death in Stygia and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #26-30
Chronicles of King Conan Volume 7: Day of Wrath and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #31-35
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 8: The Road to Empire and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #36-40
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 9
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #41-45
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 10: The Warlord of Koth
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #46-50
The Chronicles of King Conan Volume 11: Nightmare and Other Stories
Collects: Conan The King (1980-1989) #51-55
Conan Limited Series and Relaunches in the 1990’s
Collects: Conan The Adventurer #1 To #14
Collects: Conan The Savage #1 To #10
Collects: Conan (1995) #1 To #11
The Dark Horse Conan Reading Order
Conan Omnibus Volume 1: Birth of the Legend
Collects: First 3 Tpbs: Born On The Battlefield, The Frost Giant’s Daughter, The God In The Bowl
Writer Kurt Busiek and artist Cary Nord take on the relaunch of Conan the Barbarian for Dark Horse comics, beginning in 2004.
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection: Out of the Darksome Hills
Collects: Conan The Legend #0, Conan (2004) 1-19
This newer release overlaps with the issues in the “Omnibus Volume 1” immediately prior. You do not need both. It’s just another collecting option.
Conan Omnibus Volume 2: City of Thieves
Collects: “The Tower Of The Elephant,” “The Hall Of The Dead,” And “Rogues In The House.”
Conan Chronicles Epic Collection: The Heart of Yag-Kosha
Collects: Conan (2004) #20-39
Collects: Conan And The Jewels Of Gwahlur (2005) #1-3, Conan: Book Of Thoth (2006) #1-4, Conan And The People Of The Black Circle (2013 Dark Horse) #1-4, Conan And The Songs Of The Dead (2006) #1-5, Conan: The Blood-Stained Crown And Other Stories [Conan (2004-2008 Dark Horse) #18, 26-28, 39], And Conan And The Daughters Of Midora (2004)
Collected Conan one shots and minis, with work across the 2000’s Conan spectrum by creators like Kurt Busiek, Fred Van Lente and P. Craig Russell
Conan: The Jewels of Gwahlur and Other Stories
Collects: Conan And The Jewels Of Gwahlur 1-3, Conan And The Daughters Of Midora, Conan And The Mad King Of Gaul, Conan: The Weight Of The Crown
Similar selections of minis and one-shots, re-released by Marvel Comics now that they have the Conan license back.
Conan Omnibus Volume 3: Ancient Gods and Sorcerers
Collects: “The Hand Of Nergal” And “Black Colossus,”
Written by Timothy Truman
Collects: Conan Volume 9: Free Companions (Conan The Cimmerian #14, #16-21), Conan Volume 10: Iron Shadows In The Moon (Conan The Cimmerian 22-25, Conan And The Mad King Of Gaul, Conan: Weight Of The Crown), Conan Volume 11: Road Of Kings (Conan: Road Of Kings #1-6)
The Colossal Conan the Cimmerian
Collects: Conan The Cimmerian (2008 Dark Horse) #0-25
Note that this collection duplicates (and streamlines) the 26 issue Conan the Cimmerian run written by Timothy Truman.
Collects: Conan Vol. 12: Throne Of Aquilonia (Conan: Road Of Kings #7-12 #14, #16-21), Conan Vol. 13: Queen Of The Black Coast (Conan The Barbarian #1-#6), Conan Vol. 14: The Death (Conan The Barbarian #7-#12)
Collects: King Conan Tpb (2012-2015 Dark Horse) Vol. 1-5
Collects: Conan Vol. 15: The Nightmare Of The Shallow (Conan The Barbarian #13-#18); Conan Vol. 16: The Song Of Bêlit (Conan The Barbarian #19-#25); Conan Vol. 17: Shadows Over Kush (Conan The Avenger # 1-#6)
Collects: Conan Vol. 18: The Damned Horde (Conan The Avenger #7-12), Conan Vol. 19: Xuthal Of The Dusk (Conan The Avenger #13–#19), Conan Vol. 20: A Witch Shall Be Born (Conan The Avenger #20–#25)
Collects: Conan The Slayer #1-#6
Collects: Conan The Slayer #7 To #12
Collects: Wonder Woman/Conan #1-6
By Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti
Collects: Conan / Red Sonja #1 To #4
Marvel’s Conan Relaunch Reading Order (2019–)
For a bonus look at Conan’s sporadic history in Marvel’s superhero comics, I recommend checking out this crossover list on CBR!
Collects: Conan The Barbarian 1-6
Marvel relaunch by Jason Aaron and Mahmud Asrar!
Collects: Savage Sword Of Conan (2019) 1-5
Latest Additions
Conan the Barbarian Vol. 2: The Life and Death of Conan
Collects: Conan the Barbarian (2019) #7 to #12
Conan the Barbarian by Jim Zub Vol. 1: Into the Crucible
Collects: Conan the Barbarian (2019) #13 to #18
Conan the Barbarian by Jim Zub Vol. 2: Land of the Lotus
Collects: Conan the Barbarian (2019) #19 to #25
Conan the Barbarian: Bound in Black Stone Vol. 1
Collects: Conan the Barbarian #1 to #4, FCBD 2023 special edition
Do you have any plans of posting a reading order for Conan in the 616? From No Road Home, Savage Avengers to Serpent War to Serpent Crown?
Any idea if/when any of this will come to Marvel Unlimited? Specifically the older stuff?
Marvel has stated that they have plans to release the Conan books to MU. I don’t think they announced timing, but my guess would be the first quarter of 2019.