LEGENDS OF RED SONJA #2 / Written by GAIL SIMONE, MELJEAN BROOK & TAMORA PIERCE / Art by JACK JADSON, MEL RUBI & CASSANDRA JAMES / Colors by SALVATORE AIALA STUDIOS/ Letters by SIMON BOWLAND / Published by DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

Legends of Red Sonja is built upon several novel concepts. Chief among these is the idea of an anthology series devoted towards the woman warrior Red Sonja – the first lady of sword and sorcery comics – with stories being spun by the greatest female writers of the fantasy genre. With this second issue, it is clear that another literary concept lies at the heart of this series – the unreliable narrator.

The frame story by Gail Simone sets the stage for the other tales in this anthology. Once again we are introduced to The Grey Riders – a mercenary band whose numbers include a Stygian priest, a Pictish tracker and all manner of exotic mugs, pugs and thugs. Some fight for gold and others seek revenge but they are all united in one common cause – killing Red Sonja!

The first story – “The Undefeated” – sees some of The Grey Riders listening to the tale of a mercenary known as Gordrak The Beheader – once called Gordak The Undefeated by all. Now, he only calls himself ‘the Undefeated’. In the story of why he still deserves the title, he talks of his travels with Red Sonja to slay a great monster. His portrait of Sonja is of a cowardly seductress, who served no useful purpose in their journey besides warming his bedroll.

Written by Meljean Brook – author of the romantic fantasy Guardian Series – this story is probably the closest thing one could get to a romance novel tale featuring Red Sonja. Gordrak is a surprisingly likeable hero, though we know what he says to be blatantly untrue and Brook’s free-spirited, flirtatious Sonja is an enjoyable take on the character.

The second story – “Double Edged” – is told to The Grey Riders as a warning by a young girl. The girl and her mother – apparently a priestess of the same unnamed Goddess who blessed Red Sonja and gave her legendary fighting prowess – persuaded Red Sonja to act as their bodyguard. This tale depicts Sonja as an uncouth mercenary and a drunkard, who views her obligation to The Goddess as more curse than blessing.

This tale by Tamora Pierce – a rightfully beloved author of many young adult fantasy series – rings less true than the first. The priestess speaks of her goddess hating bloodshed which flies at odds with the idea of the same goddess giving fighting skills to Sonja. It’s an oddity that rankles throughout the story, as Sonja is forbidden from killing the gang of rapists and slavers that pursue them. A larger problem is that Sonja is reduced to a supporting player in this tale, with more of the focus on the masked priestess than on our favorite amazon.

The artwork is similarly mixed. Jack Jadson – most recently seen on Red Sonja Unchained – displays his talent to good effect in the framing sequence. Veteran Red Sonja artist Mel Rubi also does a fine job with the Brook story. The one weak spot in the art is the Pierce tale, illustrated by Cassandra James.

For the most part, James’ artwork equals her counterparts and yet for some reason her Sonja looks awful. At least, her faces for the She-Devil look awful. This may have been an attempt to make Sonja look rougher and less feminine compared to her inhumanly beautiful patron. Whatever the reasoning, it doesn’t work and the reader is likely to be thankful that James drew Sonja with her hair hiding her face or with her back to the reader through most of the story.

Thankfully, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts and Gail Simone’s frame story brings everything together beautifully in the end. Fans of fantasy in general, sword and sorcery in particular and anyone who enjoys a good ripping yarn with a strong heroine at the center would do well to join The Grey Riders in their journey.