RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #4, from Dynamite Comics on 10/18/23, brings Thord Varg’s army to Velanger’s gates where Red Sonja has the impossible task of leading the city’s people to war.
The Details
- Written by: Torunn Grønbekk
- Art by: Walter Geovani
- Colors by: Omi Remalante Jr.
- Letters by: Simon Bowland
- Cover art by: Lucio Parrillo (cover A)
- Comic Rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: October 18, 2023
Is RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #4 Good?
Torunn Grønbekk’s latest entry in the Red Sonja’s 50th Anniversary run gives readers a face full of war, mayhem, and tragedy. However, the big wow moment isn’t the battle or its tragic outcome but the reveal of the disembodied voice following Red Sonja since issue #1.
Grønbekk’s script ignites the battle when Thord Varg’s possessed forces storm the walls and gates of Velanger. Through a series of flashbacks and moments in the now, Thord Varg’s agents attack the city with overwhelming numbers in the present, while agents in the past sabotage Velanger’s defenses. Through it all, one voice finally emerges to tell Red Sonja what she must do.
The battle is pretty standard stuff, and it takes up most of the issue, so plan your purchase accordingly. However, the last-page reveal of the disembodied voice influencing and saving Red Sonja throughout the series is supposed to be the big surprise moment. No spoilers in this section, but the character revealed should be familiar to both Red Sonja and Conan fans.
What’s great about RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #4? The lion’s share of the issue is a battle (more like a massacre) between Thord Varg’s forces and the city of Velnager. For the art team’s part, the battle is well done. Individual fights are intense, the tides shift to create tension and drama, and the battle’s end forces Red Sonja to make an unpleasant choice.
What’s not so great about RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #4? Since the issue is almost entirely one battle, there’s not much meat to the plot. The outcome was obvious from the first page, so the value of this issue comes from the last page reveal, which isn’t that surprising of a reveal.
How’s the art? Kudos to Walter Geovani for carrying this issue with excellent battle art. The deaths are brutal, and the panel compositions are fairly dramatic.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #4 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #3 review to find out how Thord Varg prepared his army for conquest.
We begin with a flashback to a few days before Thord Varg’s siege. A beautiful woman enters the Velanger’s gates, posing as a refugee. Once inside, she quickly seduces one of the monks who guards the temple containing the city’s defense – burning tar.
Now, Throd Varg’s siege begins. Velanger’s citizens are not trained soldiers, but Red Sonja applies all her leadership to get the people ready to defend themselves. When Varg’s army scales the city walls like ants, soldiers call for the burning tar in vain. Red Sonja races to the temple but only finds death.
We conclude the issue with a duel, a plea, and a familiar face.
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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RED SONJA (VOL. 7) #4 begins the battle for Velanger with plenty of battle action, brutal deaths, and loads of energy, but very little movement on the plot. That said, the crux of the issue relies on a big reveal that isn’t as big or surprising.
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