Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Red Sonja #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Simone & Geovani
Gail Simone tackles Red Sonja in what is sure to be a smash hit take on the character. This first issue just gets the character's feet wet as Simone plays it safe in terms of introducing the character, providing some action and leaving us with a nice cliffhanger to close out the book. It's a good start but there isn't anything earth shattering in the book…yet. It's worth getting in on the ground floor for this series though. Check this book out.
Red Sonja is generally confused as a female version of Conan. The various character takes over the years have only furthered that notion. However, Simone takes the reader down a very different path in this book as Sonja shows a side of her that Conan rarely shows: debt.
Sonja is rescued early on in this comic and is almost immediately pulled back to return the favor owed. She isn't convinced so much as obligated to out of a sense of her own honor. Simone is giving a glimpse into the character's virtues that may translate into themes as the series progresses.
The book does rely heavily on a female cast. This isn't a bad thing but there is an aspect to it that makes it feel unnecessary. Is it better to have Sonja stand out among female characters or male ones? It seems that a mix of both would be ideal but this book sticks more with the females and that is also part of the plot that Simone introduces.
The supporting cast is the weak point in the book. Some of them seem to exist solely to explain the plot while others seem to only offer some comedy relief or a chance for Sonja to show her strength against. I'm not sure how these will develop, but for now they seem to be more a distraction than support.
The artwork is terrific. Sonja commands a presence on the pages and that is a testament to the visuals. The comic doesn't rely too heavily on the sex appeal and that works well to showcase the character within rather than her body. However, she does present strength and beauty that you would come to expect from the cover depiction. Overall, the art is a highlight on the book.
Simone's command of female characters is not in question. Her ability to deliver a compelling read month in and month out is never in doubt. However, she is going for more of a long view in this comic and the first issue starts off by simply establishing the first brick in the foundation. It's an entertaining read but we must be patient for the payoff to come down the road. I recommend picking this up.
3 out of 5 Geek Goggles
