Red Sonja

• Title: Sonjaversal #2
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Christopher Hastings
• Artist: Pasquale Qualano

The second issue of Sonjaversal doesn’t do anything to clear up just what caused Red Sonja‘s current trouble of having Sonjas from every shade jump dimensions and attempt to kill her. While the comic restates the fact that Red Sonja has apparently done something to anger her god, we don’t see much evidence as to what that might be (other than perhaps the seemingly disconnected story of Sonja battling and then bedding an attractive warrior some time before any of these events were set in motion).

The second issue does clear up the confusion that the Sonja we see recruiting others is a Sonja and apparently the head acolyte to the god that Red Sonja has somehow offended. The story also seems to imply that the goddess is a bit flaky and isn’t above lashing out at perceived slights.

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• Title: Red Sonja Valentine’s Special (One-shot)
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Bill Willingham
• Artist: Giuseppe Cafaro

A witch’s separate encounters with both Red Sonja and Kulan Gath leads the misadventures of the 2021 Red Sonja Valentine’s Special. The first encounter, Sonja attempting to take the witch’s head ends up poorly for the She-Devil with a Sword as she leaves with a head (just the one that was connected to the witch’s body). It’s an interesting stand-off that allows Sonja to keep to the letter of her word.

Had Sonja killed the witch the rest of the adventure would have never taken place as she is later accosted by Kulan Gath who threatens to kill the witch until she tells him she can use magic to find his greatest enemy. What she doesn’t reveal is the method on how he will find her, as her love spell makes him fall hopelessly in love with Red Sonja to the complete surprise and dismay of the Hyrkanian warrior who spends the rest of the issue struggling to get away from the lovesick fool.

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• Title: Red Sonja #22
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mark Russell
• Artist: Alessandro Miracolo

Red Sonja #22 offers the introduction of a mysterious new character in the Bird Overlord while focusing on Red Sonja‘s quest to kill the child king Cyril, son of Dragan the Magnificent. Most of the action centers around Sonja barely making it out of Cyril’s throne room alive by wounding the giant and then escaping when Cyril uses his magic to nearly squeeze the life out of the She-Devil with a Sword.

I have to admit I was far less interested in the Bird Overlord pieces, including an opening backstory whose narration somewhat fits into Sonja’s desperation as the comic shifts its focus back its title character and a dungeon escape. It’s weaved throughout the issue, leaving me with a mixed reaction.

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• Title: Red Sonja #21
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Mark Russell
• Artist: Alessandro Miracolo

Red Sonja continues to make her presence known in Shadizar as the cloaked figure stalks the streets killing all the guards the child king Cyril, son of Dragan the Magnificient, sends after her. Hoping to whittle away his forces and make him commit more to the city leaving the palace vulnerable, eventually Sonja turns her attention to the the city’s King.

Red Sonja #21 works as a dance between Sonja and Cyril, both plotting their opponent’s demise. Cyril’s use of his decapitated oracles comes in to play once more, giving the tyrant king more understanding about what Sonja is planning. We also see more examples of Cyril’s ruthless style of ruling once he learns of the scarcity of men willing to hit the streets and do battle against the She-Devil with a Sword.

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