REVIEW: 'Red Sonja' #2 by Torunn Gronbekk, Walter Geovani, and Omi Remalante, Jr.

RED SONJA #2

Writer: Torunn Gronbekk

Artist: Walter Geovani, Omi Remalante, Jr.

Letterer: Simon Bowland

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Release Date: August 16, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

Hunted, haunted, and hurting, Sonja has no one to trust and faces danger and suspicion at every turn. There's something rotten in the land, and all the signs are pushing her towards the source of the disease-Vestfold and its cruel ruler, Varg!

Building on the chart-topping success of Red Sonja #1, Dynamite Entertainment continues to delve deep into the She-Devil's world with the second sensational installment of "His Master's Voice," written by acclaimed author TORUNN GR NBEKK and illustrated by Sonja superstar WALTER GEOVANI. This issue also features another killer lineup of cover artists, including Bryan Hitch, Inhyuk Lee, Bjorn Barends, Stephen Platt, Lucio Parrillo, Joseph Linsner, and more!

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

QUICK REVIEW: In discussing sword and sorcery books out this week, 'Red Sonja' #2 and 'Queen of Swords' #2 have different approaches to the genre but both are compelling in their own ways. QoS is an extended issue, so it takes a long-form approach to its magically-driven journey. Torunn Gronbekk, Walter Geovani, and Omi Remalante, Jr. also use magic as a driving force in 'Red Sonja' but it is written in a concise linear fashion that presents one obstacle after another for the She-Devil with a Sword. QoS has more space and time to develop its characters as they march on but Sonja has to react quickly to new threats and new information as she avoids being killed by mind-controlled hordes.

All this is to say that this latest run of 'Red Sonja' is executed so well from the eloquent narration detailing the evil Thorg Varg's plans, to the heightened sequence of fighting Sonja engages in, to the use of villagers for exposition, and a shocking cliffhanger, 'Red Sonja' has the perfect recipe for sword and sorcery fans. The only quibble might be that the narration can be too much at times. What's spot on is Geovani's character designs and staging. The action flows providing Sonja every opportunity to attack and counter one assailant after another. But what Geovani does best is center the star in each frame giving Sonja centerstage as she should. The poise, the muscularity, the swagger, of a titular character that commands attention. It's all the qualities fans have come to expect.

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