RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #18, by Dynamite Comics on 1/29/25, brings the story and the volume to a close when Red Sonja and the gods fight Kulan Gath, who has become the vessel of Chaos.
Credits:
- Writer: Torunn Grønbekk
- Artist: Walter Geovani
- Colorist: Omi Remalante Jr.
- Letterer: Jeff Eckleberry
- Cover Artist: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
- Publisher: Dynamite Comics
- Release Date: January 29, 2025
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 24
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #18:
Recap:
When we last left Sonja in Red Sonja (Vol. 7) #17, her quest to return Erlik’s soul to the afterlife ended, but the price of victory was the life of her traveling companion. If that wasn’t bad enough, Kulan Gath took the opportunity to raise Hell on Earth in Sonja’s absence. The issue ended with Erlik and Red Sonja returning to the land of the living to confront Kulan Gath.
Plot Analysis:
In Red Sonja (Vol. 7) #18, begins with Red Sonja and Erlik joining Grace and the gods on the battlefield against Kulan Gath’s army of demons and monstrous mutations. The army of light holds its own for a time, but the enemy forces are too overwhelming. The God of the Hunt calls all forces to him to form a line of defense.
Red Sonja asks why her allies haven’t attacked Kulan Gath directly. They tell her their attacks do nothing but pass through his shadowy form. Realizing she is marked, Red Sonja asks Grace to fly her up to Kulan Gath’s floating position because she may be able to pierce his defenses. Grace agrees, flies Red Sonja up to where Kulan Gath hovers in the air, and launches Red Sonja at the wizard.
Red Sonja stumbles into a pocket realm with Kulan Gath sits on a throne, mumbling. An evil mirror image of Red Sonja appears and explains the wizard can’t be killed with direct attacks. Red Sonja sense a power source nearby, opens a stone casket, and finds the green jewel that is the heart of Kulan Gath’s power. Red Sonja destroys the jewel, which destroys the army and banishes Kulan Gath into the Hell ruled by Chaos.
The issue ends with her mirror image explaining there is a price to pay is she wants to return to the land of the living – the world will forget Red Sonja ever existed.
First Impressions:
Red Sonja (Vol. 7) #18 ended the volume the same way it started – it’s just okay. Torunn Grønbekk’s serviceable script technically gets the job done by tying up the major loose ends, but the lesser threads and the broader implications of Red Sonja’s adventure are ignored in favor of a so-so ending.
Artwork and Presentation:
Walter Geovani’s artwork is as good as you could hope for in a modern Marvel comic. Red Sonja (Vol. 7) #18 is an action-heavy issue, so Geovani has plenty of opportunities to show the She-Devil with a Sword doing what she does best. The gore level is appropriate but not gratuitous, and Geovani’s figure work is excellent.
Art Samples:
Story Positives & Negatives:
The Positives:
To be generous, Torunn Grønbekk wraps up all the major plot points with a reasonable conclusion. Kulan Gath is dealt with, the battlefield conflicts are hard-fought, and the happily-ever-after ending comes at a cost. In short, it’s fine.
The Negatives:
“Fine” is not good enough for one of the world’s most recognizable pulp heroes. The solution to stop Chaos is almost too simple, and the price Sonja must pay to return to the land of the living doesn’t feel like much of a price. You may get some satisfaction through the resolution of the major plot points but not through the mainstays of heroic acts like sacrifice and hard choices.
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Is Red Sonja (Vol. 7) #18 the end of the series? Well, it depends. This issue is the end of the volume and the current run with the current creative team. There is no issue #19 upcoming, according to the available Dynamite solicitations. One-off miniseries are due to be released in the coming months, pairing Red Sonja with “Ash Williams” and “Mars Attacks!” properties, but the main Red Sonja series is on hold for the time being.
Final Thoughts:
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RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #18 brings the fight against Kulan Gath and the volume to a close when Red Sonja dives into a shadow realm to stop the evil wizard. Torunn Grønbekk’s script does a serviceable, albeit forgettable, job of wrapping up the major plot threads, and the finale is elevated by Walter Geovani’s energetic art.
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