RED SONJA / HELL SONJA #1, from Dynamite Comics on December 14th, 2022, begins a brand new adventure as Hell Sonja escapes to Earth after Hell is attacked by an indomitable force. Can Hell Sonja and Red Sonja team up to restore the natural order?
The Details
- Written by: Jordan Clark
- Art by: Miriana Puglia
- Colors by: Ellie Wright
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: December 14, 2022
Is It Good?
Well, here we go again. That Hell Sonja just can’t seem to stay out of trouble. RED SONJA / HELL SONJA #1 kicks off a new round of trouble where the Queen of Hell gets kicked off her throne, bringing trouble to Earth on her way out. As a starting issue in a brand new adventure, Jordan Clark delivers a clear, concise, imaginative setup, and the art team is firing on all cylinders.
The bright spot in Jordan Clark’s script is the clever premise. After the events of the Hell Sonja series, the titular character was back in charge of Hell, Red Sonja was back on Earth with her resurrected love, Warrick, and all was back in order. Now, Hell Sonja is quickly deposed by an unseen force, and Earth quickly bears the consequences of her exile. The setup is metaphysical and supernatural yet easy to follow. The horror elements have an unknowable vibe akin to the Old Ones from Lovecraft lore. And the events that eventually bring Hell Sonja and Red Sonja together feel organic and make sense.
Further, Clark’s pacing and dialog are excellent. Hell Sonja has an edge of snark born out of being alive and in charge for way too long. And Red Sonja carries herself as a warrior with the edge of uncertainty that comes from having someone to protect, Warrick. The two characters are similar, as they should be, but different enough to sound distinctive.
Miriana Puglia’s art always comes across as top-notch, and this title is no exception. The character designs are grotesque and memorable. The action scenes flow with momentum and movement. And Ellie Wright’s coloring is clean and nuanced. We would have preferred it if Wright hadn’t used such a muted color palette, but the application of colors is excellent.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a visit to Hell Sonja as she sits on her throne in Hell, passing judgment on all souls who pass before her. On one fateful day, an odious beast is sentenced to an eternity of torment and thrown into the maw of a gigantic serpent. Suddenly, stinging bugs begin swarming forth from the serpent’s mouth after swallowing its latest offering. The bugs kill Hell Sonja’s guards and turn their attention toward her. Hell Sonja barely manages to escape through a portal.
On Earth, Red Sonja enjoys the comfort and pleasures of life with a resurrected Warrick by her side. Warrick talks of possibly settling down as they travel when they spot a town under siege. Red Sonja and Warrick ride down to help the villagers, but they soon discover the villagers have been turned into mindless zombies who charge after their would-be saviors.
When the odds become overwhelming, a new player arrives to lend a familiar but different hand. We conclude the issue with a new look, a new attitude, and a pesky stowaway.
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Final Thoughts
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RED SONJA / HELL SONJA #1 kicks off a new adventure starring the unlikely duo when Hell Sonja is banished from Hell by a monstrous force. The character work, the premise, the pacing, and the dialog are excellent, and the art team delivers Grade-A work.
Related Information
Are Conan and Red Sonja in the same universe?
In the Robert E. Howard source material, no, Conan and Red Sonja do not co-exist. When Marvel Comics acquired the rights to Red Sonja, the editorial team reimagined Red Sonja to fit within the same universe and timeframe as Conan the Barbarian.
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