THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #9, from Dynamite Comics on June 8th, 2022, finds Red Sonja facing off against a beast with impenetrable skin to save her friends. The end of the battle will lead to even greater misfortune.
The Details
- Written By: Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner
- Art By: Moritat
- Colors By: Sal Monoco
- Letters By: Dave Sharpe
- Cover Art By: Amanda Conner (cover A)
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: June 8, 2022
Was It Good?
THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #9 is possibly the strongest issue in the series so far. Yes, there’s the sword-slashing you’ve come to expect. Sure, there’s plenty of drunken revelries and sea-faring adventure. But what this series has lacked so far finally comes to the surface, and the issue benefits in a big way. What’s this missing ingredient? Read on.
Okay, we’re not going to make you wait. The missing ingredient is emotion. Genuine, heartfelt emotion. Up until now, the series has been flat. Truthfully, some of the flatness is due to the art, but the writing simply lacked anything to get excited about, a reason to connect with Red Sonja on an emotional level. Now, we experience some depth in Red Sonja’s character as she fights, wins, and is rewarded for her efforts but accepts that some things in life are not meant to be. Red Sonja feels a sad acceptance that her path isn’t an easy one but the right one.
The second positive in this issue is a change in the status quo through Red Sonja’s acquisition of new armor. It’s likely the new armor design (a design you’ve seen in other titles) is intended to get Red Sonja out of her chainmail bikini phase and into something more “practical” in anticipation of the upcoming film. We’re canon purists as much as the next person, but it’s hard to get around the impracticality of a bikini on the battlefield, so if Dynamite is going to make a change, at least they’re consistent about it.
The art is generally okay. We’ve been critical of Moitat’s inconsistency, and you get more of those unfinished, rough sketch panels here, but it’s not as obvious. Monoco is new to the title on colors, and the colors look great in several spots, so he’s a welcome addition to the team.
In all, the writing is improved with emotional weight, and the art is improved with better colors, so this issue is a winner going into the finale next month.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Bone up on Red Sonja’s travels before she gets eaten by a horrific beast (or not) in our THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #8 review.
We pick up with the cliffhanger from the last issue with Red Sonja faced by the monstrous offspring of Tezzah while her friends are forced to watch. The beast proves to be difficult because its skin is impenetrable to the sharpest swords. Fortunately, Red Sonja is brave enough to get up close and personal with the beast’s fleshy bits.
Later, Red Sonja defeats the beast and separates Tezzah from her head. Tezzah’s death means her killer earns the right to rule the kingdom of Capellia, a prize Red Sonja has no taste for. Red Sonja spends the night relaxing with food and wine before deciding what to do the next morning. She acknowledges leadership is not for her, so she grants the kingdom to Tuma.
As an expression of thanks, the craftsman of the kingdom gift Red Sonja new armor, a new sword, and a sturdy ship to escort Zaria home with Ederik. We conclude the issue with a sea voyage, secret plans, and flames.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #9 is possibly the strongest issue so far and an excellent way to build up to next month’s finale. The character interactions reflect a surprising amount of emotional weight, Red Sonja gets a new costume, and the last page sets up the potential for an explosive ending.
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