Red Sonja #6 – Review

by Gail Simone (Writer), Walter Geovani (Artist), Adriano Lucas (Colorist)

The Story: As the true culprit of every evils that has befallen the town and Red Sonja lets itself be known, it is time for a little savagery from the warrior woman herself.

The Review: Well played Gail Simone, well played indeed. I’ll be honest here and actually say that I’ve been taken by surprise by this issue and its quality. There are always time when a series become a bit tedious, not because of a lack of quality but only because of a certain lowering of the readers excitation. Gail Simone on this title seemed like it was a match made in heaven, yet the series never did seem to be on the same level I thought it could reach someday. The previous issues were very competent in many regards, yet they did not impress me in the best of ways in a lot of areas.

It seem that this issue does a lot of things in order to circumvent my initial impression of this series, with Gail Simone working very thoroughly in order to not only bring this story to a close in a great way, but provide plenty of opportunity for twists and turns along the way.

One the better aspects of this issue, which had been a staple of the series so far is how Simone writes Red Sonja herself, making her much more than just a mere bloodthirsty barbarian out for battle and alcohol. In this issue, every single nuances is brought forth, with her thirst for vengeance, her personal code, her beliefs, her past and most of everything that can make her an interesting protagonist is present. Being presented in a more nuanced way, Sonja ends up being not only interesting and important, but also serves as a good window to the world Simone has built.

Red Sonja #5 – Review

by Gail Simone (Writer), Walter Geovani (Artist), Adriano Lucas (Colorist)

The Story: Sonja gets cured as she prepares to finally meet Annissia in battle.

The Review: There are certain times when any reader begin to question why exactly he or she is following a certain writer or artist. That particular person may have made some spectacular work before, getting loyalty from a good deal of potential buyers in the process, yet there will always be weaker or stronger work depending on the subject and character. I rather like Gail Simone, thanks to her work on titles like Secret Six and the first volume of Birds of Prey, yet I can’t say I am her biggest fan, with what she is writing right now not exactly doing it for me. I am rather uninterested by Batgirl and The Movement, yet I know that she can do some really great work.

This is the mindset in which I read Red Sonja, with a lot of elements being rather good and fitting with the voice Simone has established for herself as a writer, yet there’s just something missing to make it something absolutely enjoyable and memorable.

Red Sonja #4 – Review

Gail Simone (Writer), Walter Geovani (Artist) Adriano Lucas (Colorist)

The Story: Sonja remembers some more of her personal history as she battles some foes sent from Dark Annisia.

The Review: Many people who are really into comics are looking for the next big thing. Be it the next event that delivers on its promises, the big breakout writer or artist who made it big or the next Saga. It’s normal to be anxious to be able to read something exceptional, yet a lot of the time some comics merely pass through, some that don’t quite fit the bill when it comes to superb or unique, but still delivers a certain amount of quality in a consistent manner. Those aren’t the book that will impress readers with impossibly amazing and expansive ideas or cool concepts, yet they are pleasant with but their solidly executed ideas nonetheless.

Red Sonja by Gail Simone is one of the latter, as although it doesn’t really break any new ground, it mostly delivers on things that are promised, notably action and strong female characters. There is some fantasy, a lot of brutality and some potent sword and sorcery tropes to be found in this book, which should please those that enjoy the genre in the first place.

What is enjoyable first and foremost, though, is the characterization that Simone write Sonja with, giving her plenty of different sides. She can be a violent and drunken barbarian as well as rather caring and introspective without really jumping the shark. Showing the readers a bit of the character’s past along with her current predicament allow for a three-dimensional approach to the character as well as a deeper understanding about why she is like this in the first place. Those who merely think of Red Sonja as the objects of countless fetishes could learn a whole lot more about her in this title a Simone treats the character with the respect she deserves.