Red Sonja #2
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Walter Geovani
Colored by Adriano Lucas
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Edited by Joseph Rybant
Covers by Jenny Frison, Nicola Scott and Stephanie Buscema
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 14, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #2 delves into the relationship between Red Sonja and Dark Annisia. Three years prior to the events taking place, they fought as slaves against scores of other slaves until they were the last two standing. Their relationship was stronger than sisters, but now they are fighting against each other. Sonja is fighting to protect her people, but Annisia’s cause is much more of a mystery and much more sinister.

Gail Simone‘s writing is riveting. Intertwining their relationship’s origin story with the fight being waged, it allows for a slow reveal that builds suspense and allows for a unique twist. Sonja’s inner monologue allows for great character development. She is so much more than a red-headed she-devil with a sword.

Red Sonja #1
Written by Gail Simone
Art by Walter Geovani
Colors by Adriano Lucas
Letters by Simon Bowland
Covers by Nicola Scott, Amanda Conner, Fiona Staples, Jenny Frison, Colleen Doran and Stephanie Buscema
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: July 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #1 is many things. And there’s many things it’s not. I had been tremendously skeptical that after reading hundreds of Red Sonja stories that I wouldn’t be able to be shocked, surprised, or delighted in any way with a new series. But, I’m happy to report that you proved me 100 percent wrong!

When Gail Simone was announced as writer of a new Red Sonja series a few months ago, fandom took note. There heads spun. And, many people smiled. Well, let me assure you that you have every reason to smile! This is a fantastic comic, plain and simple.

Ignition Vol. 1
Written by Various
Penciled by Various
Colors by Various
Edited by Andrew DelQuadro
215 Ink
Release Date: Available for Pre-Order
Cover Price: $29.99

So, there’s a review in here, promise, and it’s going to be about the new collection from 215ink called Ignition Vol. 1. The lede is just, as people who call writing a profession say, buried. First, I need a moment to qualify what I mean and give a frame of reference. So, sorry, but: you can always circumvent that by skipping to the end if you’d like.

There’s been something of a renaissance of creator owned content lately, with a bevy of titles being announced from creators like Grant Morrison, Steve Niles, Brian K Vaughan, and other industry heavyweights. Although artistic control has been a high profile issue in the comics world at least since the early 90s -what with the Creator’s Bill of Rights in 1988, and the creation of Image Comics in 1992- the past calendar year has seemed like something of a watershed moment for the publicity and frequency of creator owned projects. Every major publisher, I believe, has an imprint dedicated to these projects, and the whole thing smacks of a cash-in. That sounds cynical.

How awesome is this? One of the premiere writers in comics, Gail Simone, who’s best known for her work on DC series such as Batgirl, Birds Of Prey, Secret Six, and Wonder Woman, will be writing an upcoming relaunched Red Sonja for Dynamite Entertainment beginning this July, the publisher announced on Friday.

This is huge for a variety of reasons. Primarily, Red Sonja is one of those comics that unjustifiably winds up thrown in the pile of other comics with scantly clad super heroines – ones who aren’t necessarily presented in a positive light for female readers, with art and writing that rarely has a strong female voice or vision behind them. With Simone being one of the most outspoken and progressive voices in comics, however, a truly awesome, kick-ass, brutal lead lady will surely be within the pages of Red Sonja, especially without the restrictions of a major corporation-backed publisher.

Each and every week “Gainfully Employed” MK2Fac3 and “Two More Vodka Cranberries, Please!” Henchman21 read a lot of comics. Seriously you guys, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics. I mean, it is possible”¦ theoretically. They look forward to some more than others, I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of their pull lists, grab some comics, and we’ll let YOU know what the top books to look forward to are for the week of June 6, 2012. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

Guys, a lot has happened over the past week. I got a job, Henchman got a mohawk, and DC Comics thought it would be a good idea to release Watchmen prequels! Well, if you want to read about that, then you can just go look to another article, because there will be none of that here! What will be here? Well, we’ve got some pleasant surprises for you, so just keep on reading as we show you The GoD List, a place where you will find out all of the comics that you should be reading this week!