Conan the Barbarian is leaving the Marvel Universe following the conclusion of the current King Conan series.
According to ComicBook.com, Marvel decided not to renew its Conan the Barbarian publishing rights with Conan Properties International, which is owned by Heroic Signatures. "We had a wonderful run with Marvel Comics but ultimately they have decided not to extend their license beyond this year," Heroic Signatures CEO Fred Malmberg said. "Conan has more than 50 years of comic book publishing. We took the decision to pick up the baton ourselves, not only for Conan but all the other wonderful characters and IP that we control. The publishing program will commence next year but exact details are not final yet."
Conan the Barbarian currently stars in Marvel's Savage Avengers series, which launches a new volume on May 18. While it's not immediately certain what the announcement means for the future of the Savage Avengers series, Malmberg said the character could potentially still show up in future issues. "We enjoy a great relationship with Marvel and hope to do crossovers and that Conan will appear now and then in Savage Avengers but nothing is planned as of this moment," he said.
As Jason Aaron's King Conan #6 marks the end of Marvel's new Hyborian Age adventures, Marvel recently announced a number of Conan-related trade collections and omnibuses coming in the following months. September will see the release of Conan the Barbarian Epic Collection: The Original Marvel Years — Vengeance in Asgalun TPB Volume #6 by Roy Thomas, John Buscema and Howard Chaykin, with a cover by Gil Kane. Conan the Barbarian: The Original Marvel Years Omnibus Vol. by Roy Thomas, Sandy Plunkett, Bill Wray, Michael Docherty, Gary Hartle, Tony Dezuniga, Dave Hoover, E.R. Cruz, John Watkiss, with covers by Todd McFarlane and Jim Lee, follows in December.
Initially created by Robert E. Howard, Conan the Barbarian's first appearance in the Marvel Universe was in 1970's Conan the Barbarian #1 by Roy Thomas and Barry Smith. Dark Horse Comics attained Conan the Barbarian publishing rights in 2003, with Marvel then reacquiring them in 2019.
King Conan #6 publishes on July 6 from Aaron and artist Mahmud Asrar. The synopsis for the issue reads, "THE FATE OF THE CROWN, THE ISLAND AND THE BARBARIAN KING! CONAN makes his Last Stand! THOTH-AMON shows his true colors! The fate and fortunes of Aquilonia and the Hyborian Age turn! Don’t miss the poignant, powerful and unbelievable chapter that closes out this saga of KING CONAN!"
Source: ComicBook.com, Marvel