Panel Chewing: Trombone Week, Ice Cream Man Returns & Conan Claims the Crown 129

It’s a rollercoaster week on Panel Chewing: Pick of the Week—and not always in a good way.

Steve and Jarrod break down a mixed bag of comics, featuring everything from disappointing reads (yes… multiple trombones 👀) to standout surprises that kept the stack from falling apart completely. From the eerie return of Ice Cream Man to the wild swings of Absolute Batman and Dead Teenagers, this week proves not every pull list is a winner.

On the flip side, Jarrod finds gold with Human Nature and dives headfirst into Hyde Street, while Steve explores a new take on Deathstroke and battles through a confusing adaptation of Smile. And when all hope seems lost… Conan shows up.

🔥 Pick of the Week: Savage Sword of Conan #13 brings classic storytelling, stunning black-and-white art, and everything you want from a Conan tale—proving sometimes the old ways still hit the hardest.

📚 Group Read Update:
We continue our journey through the Batman and Son run, with a stylish murder mystery and a confusing jump into modern-day chaos. With only a few issues left, the big question remains: does this run come together… or fall apart?

💬 Got suggestions for our next group read? Let us know—we want you reading along with us!