RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #1 – Comic Review

RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #1, from Dynamite Comics on 7/19/23, sends Red Sonja on the run from a murder she didn’t commit when she encounters a kingdom under the control of dark gods with a taste for human sacrifice.

The Details

• Written by: Torunn Grønbekk
• Art by: Walter Geovani
• Colors by: Omi Remalante Jr.
• Letters by: Simon Bowland
• Cover art by: Shannon Maer (cover A)
• Comic Rating: Teen+
• Cover price: $3.99
• Release date: 7/19/23

Is It Good?

Okay, not bad. Not bad at all. In honor of Red Sonja’s 50th Anniversary, Dynamite’s latest volume of Red Sonja’s adventures takes her to a kingdom beset by dark forces and corrupted leaders, ripe for a She-Devil with a Sword’s brand of justice. In other words, RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #1 is a rock-solid start.

Torunn Grønbekk’s script centers on Red Sonja fleeing Aquilonia after being accused of a murder she didn’t commit. Her travels soon take her near a kingdom recently rebounding from starvation, border incursions, and all-around suffering when the head bishop learns the best way to earn the gods’ favor is through human sacrifice.

What’s great about this issue? Grønbekk takes a page or two to get settled, but once the story kicks in, the comic looks and feels like a proper Red Sonja adventure from the pen of Robert E. Howard. Yes, this Red Sonja is technically not the same character Howard created, but the tone, style, and vibe of Howard’s writing are still present. The narration from a disembodied character (who may or may not show up later) feels authentic to Howard’s style, the action is the stuff of solid sword & sorcery, and the plot is an intriguing mystery surrounding the dark forces behind the Bishop’s actions.

What’s not so great about this issue? Honestly, nothing much beyond the rockiness of the first page or so. Once the story finds its footing, Grønbekk’s plot moves smoothly.

How’s the art? We’ve reviewed comics rendered by Walter Geovani before, and this issue is some of Geovani’s best work. Geovani’s figure work is outstanding, Red Sonja’s action scenes are grounded and gritty, and the layouts are top-notch. It helps to have Omi Remalante Jr. on coloring duties to give the overall look of the comic a weathered patina that fits with the setting of the story.

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]

We begin with a prologue about Vesfold, a kingdom whose king dies without an heir, leaving all power to Bishop Thord Varg. The Bishop is hungry for power but not over a starving land at the mercy of neighboring kingdoms. The Bishop decides that the gods are not listening to his prayers because he’s not made a suitable offering – children.

Later, Red Sonja quietly works her way through the woods to avoid Aquilonia’s soldier. They’ve been told to capture Red Sonja for murdering Lady Alaberta. Red Sonja dispatches the soldiers and seeks the help of an old ally, a lascivious Bishop who owes her a favor, to write a letter of innocence to the rulers of Aquilonia.

While Sonja waits for the letters to be sent and her name cleared, Sonja enters an unusually happy tavern. We conclude the issue with forgotten stories, forgotten songs, and a watchful eye.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.

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