The red-headed warrior is back as Dynamite have released a new series: Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword. Red Sonja has had quite a few new series and short-stories recently, which have been of varying quality. Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword #1 however is a promising start to the series.
Spoilers ahead for Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword #1
Threat of revolution
There is a new threat in Hyboria which Red Sonja much face. A revolutionary group, the Rising Sun, have their sights on reforming society with violence and dark magic. They plan to use the blood of the last living descendant of an ancient wizard to harness the power of a demon. They have a problem though. Red Sonja is out to stop them.
Red Sonja’s call to adventure is given from an old friend, the banished Prince Eaymon of Koth. Eaymon happens to have got to the wizard’s descendant, Aretha, before the Rising Sun. He needs Sonja’s help to keep her alive and to seek aid in purifying her blood.
Twists and interesting characters
Aretha is not overly keen on helping but circumstances leave her with little choice. She is a long way from home and dependent on Eaymon and Sonja for protection. After initially escaping, she is forced to comply and join them.
Aretha’s escape was a taste of how writer Rory McConville seems to be approaching this series. He gave Aretha’s character agency there, using an understandable response to the situation to guide the story. A character led approach to developing the plot always gives a more natural feel to a story than characters shaped to fit a plot.
The other noticeable element to McConville’s writing is he knows how to write a good hook. The violent opening creates an understanding of the stakes at play, plus the cliffhanger was a good one.
“Trust me. It can always be worse.” – Red Sonja
If there was any criticism, it was a conversation between Sonja and Aretha. The dialogue throughout is natural and well-written, but Sonja brushing off Aretha’s sympathy for some of the Rising Sun’s messaging felt strange. Red Sonja has never seemed like someone to just accept the way things are.
Expressive and action-packed
Generally however, the writing is excellent, but it is not just McConville who deserves the plaudits. Colourist Salvatore Aiala Neto adds bright, but not too vibrant, colours to the comic. His use of shading provides depth in areas, particularly backgrounds, where there is no pencil detail.
Artist Pablo de Bonis also shines in the issue. It is the sign of a great artist where you can have a good understanding of what is going on without the dialogue. De Bonis captures the characters’ emotion effortlessly. Eaymon’s warmth for Red Sonja is evident from his smile alone, and it is returned with the jokey, half-courtesy performed by Sonja.
Add in some dynamic sword fights and it is clear that Sonja is safe hands with this team. Hopefully this issue is a sign of things to come and should please current fans, as well as pick up some new ones along the way.
Pre-order Red Sonja: She Devil With A Sword #1 (Jamie Tyndall Exclusive Bright-Sky Virgin Variant) – Forbidden Planet UK
Buy Red Sonja: Empire of the Damned – Bookshop.org US
Buy Red Sonja Volume 1: Queen of Plagues – Bookshop.org UK
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