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RobinMarx

@[email protected]

Tokyo-based American working in the video game industry handling localization and international licensing. Occasional writer and goth/industrial music fan. Other interests include Japanese art and history as well as fantasy and horror fiction. He/him.

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to random

For Bandcamp Friday I picked up the whole digital discography of the label GENOM, mostly for the vaporwave/barber beats artist Haircuts for Men.

https://genomrecords.bandcamp.com/music

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to comics group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

While the story beats are a bit familiar, the Conan the Gladiator montage is a lot of fun.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-22/

@bookstodon @comics @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

In this issue Jim Zub manages to take one of the worst of the original Conan stories and use it as a springboard for a much better story. Great art by Fernando Dagnino to boot!

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-21/

@bookstodon comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

Had some time so I updated my fantasy, horror, SF book review archive for the first time since March. Much more on the way!

https://robinmarx.writeas.com/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed Old Moon Quarterly Volume 7 for Grimdark Magazine!

Another strong collection of short fiction from the “Soulsborne” dark fantasy specialists.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-old-moon-quarterly-vol-7/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to random

Recently discovered The Monster Channel, a site that streams old public domain horror and sci-fi movies along with fun Elvira/Svengoolie-style host segments.

https://themonsterchannel.com/

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of the 2025 Free Comic Book Day issue of Conan the Barbarian just went up! My 60th review at Grimdark Magazine.

The prelude to this fall’s Scourge of the Serpent event will weave together three Robert E. Howard classics.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-free-comic-book-day-2025-scourge-of-the-serpent/

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

With this two-parter, it finally feels like artist Doug Braithwaite had material that showcased his strengths.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-20/

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

I’ve been lukewarm on some of Doug Braithwaite’s art on the past, but he turned some amazing work here.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-19/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to random

If you’re interested in pulp fantasy in the tradition of Robert E. Howard, C.L. Moore, Michael Moorcock, and Fritz Leiber I’ve created a feed in the Surf app bringing together relevant accounts across Mastodon and Bluesky.

Sword & Sorcery
https://surf.social/feed/surf%2Fcustom%2F01jjhbdrdxr9k4ak04a8d1g3vr

The Surf beta is available here (use the referral code SURFSHARES):
https://waitlist.surf.social/

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

With a two-issue storyline and a newcomer artist, I'm pleased to see they're still willing to experiment with the title.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-18/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

An artist new to the series delivers…Female Gaze Conan?

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-17/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @comics @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed Red Sonja: Consumed by Gail Simone for Grimdark Magazine!

While it’s possible to tell that this is a first novel by an established comics writer, Simone’s portrayal of Red Sonja is always fun.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-red-sonja-consumed-by-gail-simone/

@bookstodon @comics @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My first review of the New Year is up; I reviewed Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #4 for Grimdark Magazine!

This miniseries had some problems, but I’m excited about the upcoming solo titles it will help launch, like Solomon Kane: The Serpent Ring.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-battle-of-the-black-stone-4-by-jim-zub-w-and-jonas-scharf-a/

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #3 for Grimdark Magazine! Writer Jim Zub thins the herd in an over-crowded miniseries, but—put bluntly—watching classic Robert E. Howard characters go out like punks hasn’t been a great time.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/battle-of-the-black-stone-3/

@bookstodon @comics @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed The Savage Sword of Conan #5 for Grimdark Magazine! Growing a little nervous about the editorial direction…

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-savage-sword-of-conan-5/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @comics @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #2 for Grimdark Magazine! It's entertaining, but with only two issues to go it seems like the remainder may end up rushed and crowded with too many characters.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-battle-of-the-black-stone-2/

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

My review is kinda scathing! Not a fan of the whole “Are You There, Crom? It’s Me, Conan” thing.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-16-by-jim-zub-w-and-doug-braithwaite-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @comics @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine!

A strong issue, but I was bummed to see Zub do a Howard adaptation after all the talk about not being a “cover band.” Also, while I mostly like Doug Braithwaite’s art, I don’t think he was up to the task of illustrating an unearthly beauty like Atali (pointy knees, etc.).

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-15/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed Conan: Battle of the Black Stone #1 for Grimdark Magazine! I don’t think Titan Comics’ Conan the Barbarian really required a big Marvel-style style crossover event spanning space and time, but it’s off to an interesting start, at least.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-battle-of-the-black-stone-1/

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed The Savage Sword of Conan #4 for Grimdark Magazine! More build-up to the Battle of the Black Stone crossover event, with some hits and some misses.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-savage-sword-of-conan-4/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed The Savage Sword of Conan #3 for Grimdark Magazine! I was actually pretty disappointed with this issue, but appreciated that they're still willing to experiment with the magazine.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-savage-sword-of-conan-3-by-frank-tieri-w-cary-nord-a-john-c-hocking-w-patch-zircher-w-a-alan-quah-w-a/

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine! Young Conan gains allies among the Aesir northmen and attracts the eye of a mysterious observer.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-14-by-jim-zub-w-and-doug-braithwaite-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed To Walk on Worlds, a collection of 11 tales of pitch black sword & sorcery, for Grimdark Magazine! A strong debut book by one of the rising stars in sword & sorcery (and also one of the hosts of the Rogues in the House podcast).

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-to-walk-on-worlds-by-matthew-john/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed To Walk on Worlds, a collection of 11 tales of pitch black sword & sorcery, for Grimdark Magazine! A strong debut book by one of the rising stars in sword & sorcery (and also one of the hosts of the Rogues in the House podcast).

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-13-by-jim-zub-w-and-doug-braithwaite-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed the latest Stephen Graham Jones book, "I Was a Teenage Slasher," for Grimdark Magazine. An approachable entry point to the work of one the best horror authors of today!

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-i-was-a-tennage-slasher-by-stephen-graham-jones/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine. Year Two of Jim Zub's run at Titan Comics begins with a fresh start and an easy on-ramp for newcomers.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-13-by-jim-zub-w-and-doug-braithwaite-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed Conan: City of the Dead for Grimdark Magazine! This volume collects two Conan novels by John C. Hocking: the classic Conan and the Emerald Lotus and its long lost sequel Conan and the Living Plague. Action-packed S&S by a writer with a deep understanding of the character!

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-city-of-the-dead-by-john-c-hocking/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine. Year One of Jim Zub's run at Titan Comics concludes on a high note!

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-12-by-jim-zub-w-and-roberto-de-la-torre-a/

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@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

I reviewed the recent novella “Hurled Headlong Flaming” by Matt Holder at the newly-launched New Edge Sword & Sorcery blog!

A desperate 13th century bishop ventures into hell in search of texts thought capable of fending off the apocalypse. Recommended for fans of medieval horror like “Between Two Fires.”

https://newedgeswordandsorcery.com/review-hurled-headlong-flaming-by-matt-holder/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

My review of Conan the Barbarian just went up at Grimdark Magazine. Jim Zub snuck in a fun homage to the 1982 movie in this issue.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-11-by-jim-zub-w-and-roberto-de-la-torre-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

Here's my review of the Free Comic Book Day 2024 issue of Conan the Barbarian. The digital edition is free on Kindle and direct from Titan Comics if you want to check it out yourself!

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-conan-the-barbarian-battle-of-the-black-stone-by-jim-zub-w-and-jonas-scharf-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

Following my review of issue 1 from earlier in the week, here’s one for The Savage Sword of Conan #2. Conan shows a different side of his personality and the Solomon Kane story gears up for the finale.

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-savage-sword-of-conan-2-jim-zub-w-richard-pace-a-and-patch-zircher-w-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group @comics @fantasy

@RobinMarx@wandering.shop avatar RobinMarx , to bookstodon group

A little late to the party, but my review of Titan Comics’ The Savage Sword of Conan #1 just went up at Grimdark Magazine. The new black-and-white Conan magazine is off to a good start!

(As always, boosts are appreciated!)

https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-savage-sword-of-conan-1-by-john-arcudi-w-jim-zub-w-and-max-von-fafner-a/

bookstodon@a.gup.pe icon bookstodon group comics@a.gup.pe icon comics group @fantasy