RED SONJA: RED SITHA #3, from Dynamite Comics on July 6th, 2022, sees Red Sitha and Kildrick try (again) to defeat the Kinn guarding the town’s treasure in exchange for the artifact that will lead them to their parent’s kidnappers. Success, however, leads to unintended consequences.
The Details
- Written by: Mirka Andolfo, Luca Blengino
- Art by: Valentina Pinti
- Colors by: Chiara Di Francia
- Letters by: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover art by: Jung-Geun Yoon (cover A)
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 6, 2022
Was It Good?
RED SONJA: RED SITHA #3 is the strongest issue in the series so far as it takes a lighthearted (read: playful) approach to defeating an uncharacteristically cuddly-looking demon to continue their quest. Does this issue embody the very essence of grim, sword-slashing, swashbuckling adventure? No, but that demon sure is cuddly-looking.
The highlight of this issue is the lack of Red Sitha. Up to now, the aged-up version of Sitha has proven to be little more than an annoying Red Sonja knockoff, so it makes sense that the issue with the least amount of Red Sitha in it is the issue that seems to have the most engaging content. This is not a slight on the creators. Red Sitha is simply not an interesting character, so by focusing on developing the side characters as critical components to the main quest, the issue gets an injection of variety.
The downside of focusing on the side character and the oh-so-cuddly demon is the development of a jokey tone that diffuses the stakes and urgency of the group’s quest. This is supposed to be a high-high stakes adventure, but it’s taken on a farcical vibe. While there’s nothing wrong with a farce, that tone vibe seems out of place for Red Sitha’s origins and this type of material.
The art by Pinti, Di Francia, and Eckleberry is serviceable. Oddly, the design and creative effort appear to be more focused on the Kinn demon than the characters around it. The humans have basic, bland designs. Special kudos to Eckleberry for the excellent use of high-contrast color selections in the demon’s dialog lettering.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Find out how the team’s first encounter with the Kinn went on our RED SITHA #2 review.
We begin with the team getting together to strategize how they can defeat the Kinn and free the town’s treasure in exchange for the Sand Astro-Labe. Kildrick, Red Sitha’s brother, believes he can use his incantations to hold the Kinn long enough for Kebra and Red Sitha to snatch up its magic lamp. Before they head for the treasure tower, Kebra laments her pending wedding to Hazar since she does not love him.
When they enter the treasure chamber, the Kinn attacks by using the treasure against Red Sitha. In the chaos, Kebra insults the Kinn by calling it names, sending the Kinn into a rage that explodes from the treasure chamber. The Kinn disappears to everyone’s amazement.
Later, Red Sitha and Kildrick say their goodbyes and head out into the desert, following the Sand Astro-Labe’s direction. When they rest for the evening, a portal opens and dumps Kebra at their feet. Kildrick deduces their encounter with the Kinn isn’t over.
We conclude the issue with name-calling, wish-making, and heart-breaking.
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Final Thoughts
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RED SONJA: RED SITHA #3 is a serviceable-to-amusing entry in the series that puts the Kinn demon and the sidekicks at the heart of the plot. By relegating the largely uninteresting Red Sitha to a background character, the issue is somehow more engaging. It’s uncertain how this adventure will play out, but it least this issue is good for a chuckle or two.
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