Short Stories and Comics I Read in August 2026

Here’s what else I read this month besides the Conan and Warhammer short stories I wrote about in my previous posts. 

Solomon Kane: The Blood Countess by Steven L. Shrewsbury (Titan Books, 2026)

Solomon Kane journeys to Hungary to help an old friend whose daughter has been taken by Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess. Not quite Howard’s Kane but I enjoyed the story and the use of a historical figure. It was also interesting to learn something about the term “puritan” and how it was used in the past.

Rating: 3.5/5

“A Ghost Return” by Dan Abnett (from Gaunt’s Ghosts Vol. 1: The Founding, Black Library, 2017)

Gaunt’s Ghosts is a military science fiction series set in the Warhammer 40K universe. I picked up the first omnibus after really enjoying Dan Abnett’s Brothers of the Snake (2007) last year and I figured it was finally time to jump in. Omnibus Vol. 1 collects the first three books as well as some short stories. 

In this story set before the first book, Commissar Ibram Gaunt and his team descend into a planet in search of a shrine while the planet is being bombarded in another location. Of course, things don’t go as planned. An okay story with a definite prequel feeling to it.

Rating: 3/5

Old Moon Quarterly Vol. 6 (Old Moon Publishing, 2024) 

Another interesting mix of dark fantasy and sword & sorcery stories. I’ll post a full review next month.

Rating: 4/5

Conan the Barbarian Vol. 6: Nest of Serpents. Written by Jim Zub, art by Fernando Dagnino. (Titan Comics. 2026)

This collects issues 21-24 of Titans Conan the Barbarian. I went with the variant cover by Greg Staples. Conan and his allies wind up in Stygia manipulated by a powerful sorceress. Great work from author Jim Zub and artist Fernando Dagino, an excellent combination of narration, dialogue, and art. The story is thrilling and fast paced and the art is gorgeous. 

Rating: 5/5

Next month: Cimmerian September!

Brothers of the Snake by Dan Abnett

Brothers of the Snake (Black Library, 2007) follows Priad of Damocles Squad as he rises through the ranks of a Space Marine chapter known as the Iron Snakes of Ithaka. Each chapter is basically a short story or novelette about Priad and his brothers in arms fighting against aliens and other agents of Chaos in the Warhammer 40K universe. Some good character development in between the action, and I liked the use of Greek and pseudo-Greek names which brought to mind Greek mythology. The final chapter, the longest in the book, had an epic feel to it and I liked how it tied into the first story. I really enjoyed how I learned more about the characters and their world as each story progressed, something I see in the sword & sorcery genre but not often in other genres. 

Part One: Grey Dawn - Undertaking to Baal Solock 

After something crash lands on their planet, the inhabitants reach out to the legendary Iron Snakes, who have not been needed for 600 years. When help arrives it’s not what they were expecting. As a reader new to Warhammer, I liked how we follow from the perspective of people who don’t know much about these legendary warriors. A suspenseful start that held my attention, which moved to gradual revelations and an explosive finale. 

Rating: 5/5

Part Two: Black Gold - Undertaking to Rosetta 

Damocles Squad is sent to a planet to liberate an oil refinery from invaders. A straightforward and well done “men on a mission” and “things don’t go as planned” story with lots of action. 

Rating: 4/5

Part Three: White Heat - Undertaking to Eidon 

Chapter Librarian Petrok is introduced as he joins Damocles Squad during a mission to retake a city from the Dark Eldar. It’s an okay “men on a mission” story but I didn’t get a handle on Petrok or his role as Chapter Librarian. 

Rating: 3/5

Part Four: Red Rain - Undertaking to Ceres 

Four squads of Iron Snakes investigate towns that may have been taken over by Chaos forces on the agricultural world of Ceres. I enjoyed the build-up of tension and the creepy folk horror-like atmosphere.

Rating: 4/5

Part Five: Crimson Wake - Ithaka 

The squad returns to their home planet to honor team members lost in battle and to decide on replacements. Priad investigates when one of his choices is refused. An excellent “between missions” story with some great world building. I loved getting to see Ithaka up close after hearing about it in the previous stories.

Rating: 5/5

Part Six: Blue Blood - Undertaking to Iorgu 

The squad is sent to a planet as emissary guards for the coronation of a new king. Priad is disappointed about being sent on a non-combat mission but then Chaos ensues. I liked the fast pace and the introduction of the mysterious Inquisitor, a kind of intelligence agent in the Warhammer 40K universe.

Rating: 4/5

Part Seven: Green Skin - Undertaking to Ganadarak 

The longest story in the book brings more character development, more world building, and adds conflict within the squad. The story then moves on to an epic battle with the realization that brawn and force of arms alone isn’t always enough to lead to victory in battle. There are so many things I liked about this novella, including the reintroduction of Chapter Librarian Petrok, as I got a much better handle on his character this time, how the story eventually ties into the first story, and how the conflict within the squad was eventually resolved.  

Rating: 5/5

This was my second Warhammer 40K read and I found it to be a fantastic introduction to the 40K universe. Looking forward to reading more.