WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Savage Avengers #17, by Gerry Duggan, Kev Walker, Java Tartaglia and VC's Travis Lanham, on sale now.
Marvel's Savage Avengers series chronicles the modern-day quest of Conan the Barbarian and his superheroic allies to end the cataclysmic threat of the sorcerer known as Kulan Gath. However, the heroes of today's Marvel Universe don't always get to choose the evil they confront though. That fact became very clear to Conan in Savage Avengers #17, the kick-off chapter to a tie-in arc with Marvel's King in Black event where the malevolent, ancient god Knull and his army of alien symbiote dragons are assaulting Earth.
The story began with Conan separated from his allies, but he quickly teamed with some new friends: Deadpool and a high-tech thief known as Night Flyer. It also ended with him being reunited with the alien symbiote sword he wielded back in Savage Avengers' initial arc. CBR spoke with Duggan about those elements, how future issues of the arc will take Conan face-to-face with some of the mutant characters from Duggan's X-titles and what threats are waiting in the wings for Conan and his allies as 2021 unfolds, along with an exclusive first look at Savage Avengers #18, featuring art by Kev Walker and Java Tartaglia.
CBR: In Savage Avengers #17, you tied into the events of King in Black by reuniting Conan with the symbiote from the City of Sickles who served as his sword in this series first arc. What does joining with a symbiote during Knull's invasion mean for Conan?
Gerry Duggan: This symbiote is just a scrap of what it once was. Kulan Gath separated it from the rest of its species a long time ago. It's just a pure scrap of fury now.
The other new dynamic introduced in this arc is Conan and Deadpool. What made you want to bring Wade Wilson and Conan together? And why this point in this series?
It was an itch I needed to scratch, and once I realized it was his 30th anniversary, it felt like the perfect spot. Introductions are always very fun. Deadpool meeting Conan is a fun introduction. Doom meeting Conan was fun, I think this one is an even more fun introduction than "To Dine With Doom."
An old Marvel character named Night Flyer joined up with Conan and Deadpool in Issue #17. Why did you want to include him in this story? How much did you and Kev update him for this tale?
It's a brand new character who stole the old name. He's fun, a slippery thief, and one that can allow the Savage Avengers to plant a flag in the criminal world with a character that I know I'll be able to reach for and won't be in space. It's no secret that characters don't always last so long in Conan's orbit though. Our next few issues roll in a lot of black hats, including Night Flyer. We'll see how long he manages to stay flying around the Cimmerian.
Speaking of Kev Walker, how much fun has he been having with Conan and his symbiotic sword? How does it feel to be working with him?
I can't believe this is my chance to work with him; I've been a fan of his forever. His Conan is wonderful, and as we commence the "Bring on the Bad Guys" era of the book, I'm glad he's here to help ring it in. Conan fans, Deadpool fans, Savage Avengers fans, Kev Walker and [colorist] Java [Tartaglia] are serving prime rib. Enjoy. The art for the next few issues from Kev and then [Patrick] Zircher is really wonderful. I'm excited for readers to get to discover all the big stars we plan to throw at you... and Conan.
The solicits suggest that the rest of the King in Black arc involves characters from your Marauders series. Can you elaborate?
Well, I think there are some bigger tales that may bring the characters together, but a few more mutants are getting the chance to meet Conan during the long emergency that is the King In Black.
Finally, what can you tell us about your plans for Savage Avengers after the King in Black arc wraps?
Well, right now the Savage Avengers have dealt a blow to Kulan Gath. They cut off his supply of the ancient elder God that he was slowly consuming, but it begs the question: Whatever happened to Shuma Gorath?