Red Sonja Unchained #1
Story by Peter V. Brett
Pencils by Jack Jadsen
Colors by Marcelo Pinto
Letters by Simon Bowland
Covers by Mel Rubi & Walter Geovani
Edited by Joseph Rybandt
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: February 13, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja: Unchained #1 is a different kind of Red Sonja comic than we’ve had in a while. It has many of the classic elements we’ve come to know, love, and expect from a Red Sonja book, but it’s got a little bit more that makes this a great start to this comic series.

I’m not sure where writer Peter V. Brett‘s tale takes place continuity-wise, but it seems like Sonja is a little bit older here. Not as old as say, Queen Sonja, and by no means near the end of her life, but it seems like she’s more experienced about the facts of life and is a little more battle weary and skeptical about life. This is a really entertaining story about Sonja and her falling ass-backwards into a plan to rob a hidden tomb of its riches. But, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Half the book is an awesome fight between Sonja and a group of barbarian wanderers that are (naturally) up to no good. Any more story details than that would be spoiling, so I recommend you pick this one up and find out for yourself.

Jack Jadsen is a great choice for art duties on this book. He’s not hyper detailed or short on detail, but has just the right amount. There are some pretty gory scenes, but he plays them with enough subtlety that it won’t gross you out, while it doesn’t fall into the cartoony catagory at all. Also, Jadsen doesn’t scimp on the backgrounds, which is always nice. A very good artist and a perfect choice for this book.

Perfect jumping-on point! And not only that, but it’s a great comic in general. It’s 100% different from anything else on the stands today, so pick it up! You won’t regret it!