REVIEW: 'Red Sonja' #1 by Torunn Grønbekk, Walter Geovani, and Omi Remalante, Jr.

 

RED SONJA #1

writer: Torunn Grønbekk

artist: Walter Geovani, Omi Remalante, Jr.

Letterer: Simon Bowland

covers: Shannon Maer (A), Jim Cheung (B), Alan Quah (C), Bryan Hitch (D), Cosplay / Joanie Brosas (E), Mr Garcin Collage (F), Jenny Frison (G), Kevin Eastman (H), Mike Mignola (I), Blank Authentix (J)

FC | 32 pages | Sword & Sorcery | $3.99 | Teen+

In Stores July 19, 2023

Following directly from the pages of Red Sonja #0, the She-Devil finds herself on the run, framed for murder, and with an unseen force tugging at the back of her mind. Join Sonja as she races to unravel the mystery of “His Master’s Voice!” Written By Torunn Grønbekk and featuring art by Red Sonja superstar Walter Geovani (with colors by Omi Remalante, Jr.), this brand-new series dives deep into Sonja’s world, exploring the darkness of Hyboria like never before. And all this is wrapped up in an amazing series of covers: Shannon Maer, Jimmy Cheung, Alan Quah, Bryan Hitch, Joanie Brosas (Cosplay), Jenny Frison, and MANY more —including the Dynamite Debut of Bjorn Barends!

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: Red Sonja is off on another dangerous adventure with all the swashbuckling fun you'd expect from the She-Devil with a Sword. In celebration of 50 years of Red Sonja, Dynamite has released another run of comics from writer Torunn Grønbekk and artist Walter Geovani. It's a delightful new adventure that finds Sonja wrongly accused and on the run encountering pitiful soldiers along the way. The story is familiar but nicely executed. The pace is quick, the fighting well choreographed, and the machinations of the baddie are just evil enough. Wonderfully illustrated by Geovani, which is not surprising, with one of the best renditions of Sonja in the comic's history. What's different in this series is the work of colorist Omi Remalante, Jr. Sonja comics are usually colored darker with bolder, richer, earth tones. Sometimes, it's to set or fit the mood of the series. Here, Remalante uses lighter softer tones creating a brighter landscape. It gives off a sunnier look at this world but doesn't lessen the danger at all. 

Fans of Red Sonja will love this new series and should appeal to new readers as well. It's off to a great start in another epic adventure befitting of the legend herself.