Red Sonja

Red Sonja #25

Red Sonja #25 comic reviewA song in the woods and the sound of battle break Red Sonja‘s solitary travels in the latest issue of Red Sonja from writers Amy Chu and Erik Burnham, and artist Pasquale Qualano. The She-Devil makes short work of a pack of thieves attacking a small traveling party, but when the dust clears only one survivor remains.

Despite the pair’s philosophical differences, Sonja takes the job of seeing the last pilgrim to his destination. Running into more trouble while attempting to barter passage across the sea with pirates, Sonja discovers there is more to her charge than meets the eye as the power of his song is able to stop the bloodthirsty mercenaries in their path allowing Sonja to go to work.

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Red Sonja/Tarzan #1

Red Sonja/Tarzan #1 comic reviewDespite some similarities, Red Sonja and Tarzan aren’t characters that naturally fit together, knowing this writer Gail Simon sidesteps the rather important question of just how these two characters are brought together and instead focuses on the why and the reason for their team-up. The first issue of Red Sonja/Tarzan introduces both characters to a common enemy in the hunter Eson Duul.

We are shown separate sequences of Duul and his men beating a drunken Sonja in the streets and years (and dimensions) away Duul harming the African animals and locals of the area who Tarzan considers family. While Tarzan gets a small victory over the man, it leads to only further trouble with the hunter who pushes back hard against the Lord of the Jungle. It does seem our two protagonists have a common foe.

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Red Sonja #0

Red Sonja #0 comic reviewDynamite Entertainment’s new series gets a preview with this twenty-five-cent issue featuring Red Sonja hired by the citizens of Meru to put down a demon. After taking down the creature she also has a short run-in with Kulan Gath before things get weird. Awaking in caves, Sonja begins her journey to the service only to discover she’s not in Kansas, or Meru, anymore.

Beginning with the next issue, the new volume of Red Sonja takes place in modern day where a woman in a chain-mail bikini holding a very large sword is a tad bit conspicuous. Laying the groundwork for the new series, the zero issued gives us more classic She-Devil with a Sword action before transporting to new surroundings.

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Red Sonja #5

Red Soja #5Red Sonja‘s return to Hyrkania continues as King Savas makes Midyan his captive and plans to use a Red Sonja impersonator to win the support of his people. As for the real She-Devil with a Sword, she has her hands full with taming a Roc for most of this issue. Finally taming the giant bird of legend, Sonja is ready to return to her friends and lead a rebellion against Savas and the throne.

I’m far from a regular reader of Red Sonja. Sure, I’ll jump in from time to time but there’s usually not enough going on to keep my interest for long. Red Sonja #5 marks my first foray into the new series by Marguerite Bennett and artist Aneke. I was able to catch-up on events fairly quickly. And even if Sonja is absent from a large chunk of the story having to deal with the politics inside the Hyrkanian palace, she still gets her opportunity to shine hunting and taming the bird of legend.

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Legends of Red Sonja #5

Legends of Red Sonja #5The five-issue mini-series featuring a number of artists and writers offering various takes on the She-Devil with a Sword comes to a close as Red Sonja picks off another member of the Grey Riders in a tale by writer Blair Butler and former Secret Six artist Jim Calafiore and one more member of the band will fall to the tricks of a band of actors and thieves in a story by Kelly Sue DeConnick and artist Valentine De Landro.

From there Gail Simon and artist Jack Jadson bring the series to a close as Red Sonja, tired of playing games with the group out for her head, springs one final trap and teaches the remaining soldiers and mercenaries a deadly lesson about being careful about what they wish for.

Legends of Red Sonja #5 ends the mini-series a strong note (and unfortunate use of hero’s chain-mail bikini by one of the acting troupe). Those who have stayed with the series are rewarded, and for those who haven’t I would recommend looking out for the likelihood of a trade paperback collection in the near future. Worth a look.

[Dynamite Entertainment, $3.99]

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