RED SONJA (2023) #1 / Script by TORUNN GRØNBEKK / Art by WALTER GEOVANI / Colors by OMI REMLANTE JR. / Letters by SIMON BOWLAND / Published by DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

I don’t know off-hand if 2023’s Red Sonja #1 is setting a world record with its 92 variant covers. Certainly Dynamite Entertainment, who have held the Red Sonja license for nearly two decades, have often times seemed more concerned with satisfying speculators than those who still read comics. Thankfully, this inaugural issue of the Scourge of Hyrkania’s latest monthly title is a worthy kick-off to Red Sonja’s 50th anniversary.

Our story starts in media res, picking up where Red Sonja #0 (released earlier this year as a Free Comic Book Day special) left off. The warrior woman called Red Sonja is on the run, framed for a murder she didn’t commit and harried by an unseen enemy who has the power of possession. This leaves Sonja seeking what allies she can find, even as the dragnet around her tightens. While Sonja is reluctant to fight innocent men, she does not hesitate to do so when her life and liberty are threatened.

The script by Torunn Grønbekk is full of action, yet captures Sonja’s humor like no writer since Gail Simone. While many writers depict Sonja as a humorless harridan who does not like anyone looking on her with lust, Grønbekk writes a Sonja who laughs at more than death and is not above enjoying the awkward flirtations of a young man called Mouse when he approaches her in a pub. This is a refreshing change of pace, to put it mildly.

Talking of Gail Simone, this new series also sees the return of artist Walter Geovani, who shared in Simone’s legendary run. Geovani is considered by many to be the definitive Red Sonja artist, drawing her as a sensual yet unsexualized figure. It is a rare thing for an artist to draw a chainmail bra that looks like it might serve as a serious support garment, but Geovani manages this routinely. It is one of the many fine details Geovani sneaks into his work. Praise must also be paid to colorist Omi Remlante Jr. and letterer Simon Bowland, for their perfect finishing touches.

While suffering somewhat being the second chapter of this story rather than the first, Red Sonja #1 is a solid introduction to the She-Devil With A Sword for new readers and a worthy continuation of her saga. I fear that most of those who buy this book will not look past the covers. That is their loss, for this book is the essence of quality sword-and-sorcery.