Red Sonja #57
Written by Eric Trautmann
Art by Noah Salonga
Colors by Ranier Petter
Letters by Troy Peteri
Covers by Fabiano Neves, Walter Geovani
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: August 31, 2011
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #57 was so action packed it is ridiculous, and I mean that in a good way. Out on an assassination assignment in Koth, she stumbles into a huge plot between members of an elite family and a ruler that may not be all he seems…one of whom she saved, another who she contracted to kill. The beginnings of the cross and double cross are brought to light, but only after Sonja battles a huge stone golem and dozens of men-at-arms.

Conan The Barbarian
Directed by Marcus Nispel
Starring: Jason Momoa, Leo Howard, Rachel Nichols, Stephen Lang, Rose McGowan, Ron Perlman
Release Date: August 19, 2011

Director Marcus Nispel has most undoubtedly taken on quite the challenge in the new Conan The Barbarian film. Consider to begin with, the original Robert E. Howard stories, followed by the additional work by subsequent authors over the years. Moreover, there’s the legend of Conan depicted in comics, perhaps most memorably in The Savage Sword Of Conan. But the biggest challenge facing Nispel is probably the unforgettable film version portrayed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by John Milius. The 1980’s Conan pervaded mainstream pop culture and left quite an impact, and the original film is still considered by some fans with reverence.

Having said all that, Nispel along with the writers of the latest Conan The Barbarian have released a film that will most likely please the fans of the Conan books and comics, but may disappoint those whose only experience with the Cimmerian warrior has been through Schwarzenegger’s depiction. The new movie, for all intents and purposes, is an origin tale and begins with narration from (believe it or not) Morgan Freeman. Conan is born on the battlefield, in a gruesome birth sequence that would easily be the fastest Caesarian procedure by sword captured on film. He is raised under the watchful eye of his father, Corin (Ron Perlman), learning the ways of the warrior and the tradition of the Cimmerian Barbarians.

The first full-length trailer for Conan the Barbarian is now online.

Watch it here below.

The new movie, directed by Marcus Nispel, is based on the universe created by Robert E. Howard and is a remake of the 1982 film that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title barbarian. The teaser trailer released last month left a lot to be desired, but now the longer theatrical version shows that this movie actually has potential (now whether you can stand remakes in general is another thing).

Jason Momoa plays the title role here and at first, I wasn’t sure if he was the right person to wield the blade, but he’s won me over, especially after seeing the actor recently in HBO’s new series Game Of Thrones.

This June BOOM! Studios is bringing Robert E. Howard‘s Hawks Of Outremer to the masses in comic form for the first time ever!

If you’re not familiar with the story, it features Cormac FitzGeoffrey, a wandering warrior born and bred on the battlefield. A renowned fighter, a ruthless adversary, and a man that is no stranger to bloodshed and violence. When he learns of the murder of his most recent liege, nothing will stop his quest for revenge. By oath, a path of vengeance will be marked by the blood of his enemies.

Michael Alan Nelson (28 Days Later) will be handling writing duties on the book with artist Damian Caouceiro (Nola) and the first issue will feature covers by Joe Jusko (The Savage Sword Of Conan) and Karl Richardson (Slaine).

Since its announcement nearly two years ago, there’s been very little buzz about Solomon Kane, the big-screen adaptation of the Robert E. Howard books about a 16th century wandering Puritan on a path to vanquish evil in the most badass of ways.

At the San Diego Comic-Con today, the film’s director Michael J. Bassett, producer Samuel Hadida, and star James Purefoy were on hand for the Solomon Kane panel to give audiences their first glimpse of the film.

From the trailer and clips shown, we see that Kane (played by Rome‘s James Purefoy), a formerly greedy warrior who meets someone with more power than him who takes him almost to Hell. Kane has to suffer the consequences of his earlier immoral actions and his soul is in jeopardy. From there, Kane embarks on a path of redemption, trying to avoid the road to Hell, fighting evil across the land. In his journeys, he meets up with a good family who shows him there’s goodness in the world; he also believes that this family could help him on this mission.

Director Bassett likens Kane to Batman, a man without superpowers who’s strong and has a strong belief in his own convictions and strengths. While Kane has renounced violence, he finds that the road to redemption is not always a peaceful one.