Red Sonja

In Red Sonja #2, Marguerite Bennett continues to layer political themes in the background while telling the story of Red Sonja trying to adapt to a more complicated Hyrkania after a long absence.

Red Sonja #1 has anything a fan of female fronted sword and sorcery comics could want from political intrigue and commentary to sweeping landscapes from Aneke and colorist Jorge Sutil, who gives Hyrkania the bluest skies and greenest woods as a facade for the corruption that infects this land that seems semi-utopian on the surface. (Namely, random settlers give Red Sonja sass when she offers to protect them for food, drink, and shelter.) And there also plenty of earthy humor and wit in writer Marguerite Bennett’s script, who continues to keep Red Sonja stinky from the moment she pulls the heart out of a bull monster. Bennett also explores Sonja’s approach to romance and relationships as well as her need to always be fighting or protecting someone and balances it nicely with the political intrigue.

I am looking forward to the new Dynamite relaunches of 2016 because it will be great to see excellent writers, like Bennett, Barbiere, and Leth, combine both pulp, classic horror, and modern sensibilities in putting a fresh coat of paint on these iconic and timeless female characters.

Red Sonja and Jungle Girl #1 is a tie-in to Dynamite’s summer Swords of Sorrow event featuring all their female characters from this comic’s heroines to Dejah Thoris, Princess of Mars, Vampirella, and even obscure Shadow villain, Black Sparrow. It gives readers their first look at the character of Jana the Jungle Girl since Swords of Sorrow #1 and also answers the question about what happened to Red Sonja after she fought Dejah Thoris in Swords of Sorrow #2. But writer Marguerite Bennett and artist Mirka Andolfo ensure that this comic isn’t mere connective tissue until the next issue of Swords of Sorrow drops with Sonja’s usual quick wit firing on all cylinders, some great comic misunderstandings, and fast fight scenes and beautiful jungle vistas from Andolfo. They also introduce readers to the pre-Bronze Age world of Jungle Girl, and how the Prince and his army are doing more than trying to make heroines kill each other.

On a surface level, it doesn’t seem that the sword and sorcery adventures of Red Sonja could fit in a Victorian steampunk story. However, in Legenderry: Red Sonja #1, writer Marc Andreyko and artist Aneke combine witty dialogue (and voiceovers), plenty of action, and hook readers in with a mystery/conspiracy plotline along with an equally mysterious foil for Red Sonja.

Conan/Red Sonja #1 Written by Gail Simone and Jim Zub Art by Dan Panosian Colors by Dave Stewart Published by Dark Horse Comics Near the beginning of Conan/Red Sonja #1, there is an evocative image of a lion and panther battling in the arena for the pleasure of the prince of Koth. However, the panther and lion end up devouring their handlers instead …

Ten years. Dynamite has already been around for a decade. It doesn’t seem like a very long time, considering that Marvel and DC are both nearing 80. On the other hand, over the last ten years, Dynamite Entertainment has risen to become quite a competitor in the market. Part of Dynamite’s success is based on …

Red Sonja and Cub Art: Jonathan Lau Colours: Stefani Renee Letters: Simon Bowland Cover: Jeffrey “Chamba” Cruz Publisher: Dynamite Purchase: http://www.tfaw.com/Profile/Red-Sonja-And-Cub-One-Shot___447119 Who wants a free history lesson? No one? Too bad, you’re getting one anyway! Originally published in 1970, Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima’s manga entitled Lone Wolf and Cub is one of the most …

When she’s not making fun of Cyclops and generally being the most awesome celebrity on Twitter, Gail Simone writes comics. For a decade, she has been one of the art form’s strongest writers, and is arguably the most popular female comic book writer working today. Simone first gained notoriety not for writing comics but rather …

Red Sonja #5 Written by Gail Simone Art by Walter Geovani Colors by Adriano Lucas Published by Dynamite In her first story on Red Sonja, Gail Simone has revitalized this sword swinging, scantily clad warrior woman for a new generation of fans. She immediately put Red Sonja through the wringer by letting Sonja’s old friend in the …

Red Sonja #1 Writer: Gail Simone Art: Walter Geovani Colours: Adriano Lucas Letters: Simon Bowland Main Cover: Nicola Scott Variants: Amanda Connor, Fiona Staples, Jenny Frison, Colleen Doran Publisher: Dynamite Comics When people first start reading comics, they tend to gravitate towards certain characters with which they share a familiarity with. You’ve heard of Spider-Man, …