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.

Red Sonja #75
Written by Eric Trautmann
Pencils by Marcio Abreu
Colors by Salvatore Aiala Studios
Lettered by Simon Bowland
Covers by Mel Rubi, Erik Jones and Walter Geovani
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: May 22, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #75 is the last issue of Dynamite Entertainment’s longest running title. Although the series ends on an OK note story wise, in my opinion, it deserved a much better send off than it got.

Writer Eric Trautmann gives us a pretty satisfying ending to the latest story line within the title, but for a title that’s been coming out for the last 8 years, I wanted something WAY more out of this issue than just a last chapter to a the latest 6 month story line. The issue is about 99% war between Sonja and her army against Omaju and his. With, a surprise enemy thrown in for good measure and “shock” value. Again, what it fails to deliver is an ending to the SERIES or this chapter in her life. It’s simply just a turning point in Sonja’s life. This could’ve been issue #34 or #58 or any other natural story break. Simply put, the issue was good. Just not good enough.

Red Sonja #74
Written by Eric Trautmann
Pencils by Marcio Abreu
Colors by Salvatore Aiala Studios
Letters by Simon Bowland
Cover by Walter Geovani
Edited by Joseph Rybrandt
Dynamite Entertainment
Release Date: April 17, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

Red Sonja #74 is CLASSIC sword & sorcery stuff! It’s a really fantastic book that took me back to reading this title and Conan when I was a kid. Classic stuff, told with modern storytelling.

Eric Trautmann does a great job here with the script and the overall story, which has been building for some time now. This is the penultimate chapter of both the story AND the series, so it’s fitting that he would choose to tell a “gather everyone for the big fight” tale. A bunch of mysteries are explained, things get heavy with the villains chasing Sonja & company, and it’s a perfect cliffhanger ending to lead up to the next issue.

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.