Comic Book Review Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2

7.5
Rating
Published On:2021-08-11
Published by: DynamiteComics
Author:Jonboy Meyers
Artist:Natalie Nourigat
Colorist:-- -- ---
Letterer:-- -- ---

I am the She-devil with a sword.

Comic book review written on August 12, 2021

In This Issue of

What Else Happens in this Comic?

“JONBOY MEYERS (Teen Titans) presents an aging Queen Sonja, face-to-face with a long-forgotten foe who threatens to change the world for the worse. JEFF PARKER (Aquaman) and NATALIE NOURIGAT (Disney) toss Sonja into a living sentient fungus bog, with no easy exit out. DAVID F. WALKER (Naomi, Bitter Root) and WILL ROBSON (Fantastic Four) feature a creature from myth, with a craving for the blood of a She-Devil.” We have three short stories about our favorite red-hellion.

How is the Writing in ??

The Dialogue

When reading a Red Sonja comic, there’s an expectation about how the characters should speak. They should generally avoid modern speech patterns and words. Any swearing is a “By Crom” or another Hyborian curse word. The first two tales did a good job of managing this. In Listen Close, there were a few speech ballons where I was pulled out of the story. It was like seeing a modern coffee cup on a table in Game of Thrones. “Thiss isss all a game, sssweet-heart.” The monster referencing life is a game and using sweet-heart didn’t seem right. “The gods have given women a wicked game, sssavage/sssshe-devil/ssssword-bearer/ssssslayer.” would have read better. Although it is something that Sonja would likely say, the name-play with the King’s name in a story (that’s apparently being told to a child) also wasn’t cool.

Showing Versus Telling

When reading a Red Sonja comic, there’s an expectation about how the characters should speak. They should generally avoid modern speech patterns and words. Any swearing is a “By Crom” or another Hyborian curse word. The first two tales did a good job of managing this. In Listen Close, there were a few speech ballons where I was pulled out of the story. It was like seeing a modern coffee cup on a table in Game of Thrones. “Thiss isss all a game, sssweet-heart.” The monster referencing life is a game and using sweet-heart didn’t seem right. “The gods have given women a wicked game, sssavage/sssshe-devil/ssssword-bearer/ssssslayer.” would have read better. Although it is something that Sonja would likely say, the name-play with the King’s name in a story (that’s apparently being told to a child) also wasn’t cool.

The Vibe

Comic Art Review

The core concept of only black and white art with red highlights works. It might be because this is a sword and sorcery book, or it might be because the art teams are just really good (with or without all the colors). Each story in Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2 uses an animation style. Cartoon-style is a good fit for Red Sonja. Often the more realistic art style only works when a master illustrator is on the book. Cartoon-style takes us away from worrying if “that face angle works”, and allows us to enjoy these short stories.

On the Cover

World Building

Locations

Who's Who

- Red Sonja
- Lemurians
- Kael Al-Ammon
- Tanira
- Gorgon
- Sonja's sisters in arms

Big Question

Gather around and listen close, as I tell you of the greatest warrior to walk the earth. Her name was Red Sonja.

Who Will Like

If you dig Red Sonja or black and white sword and sorcery comics, Red Sonja Black, White and Red is for you.

I Need More Content like

Should You Buy This Comic Book?

Buy this issue. Proelium Finalis reminds me of a story Robert E. Howard himself might have written. Edible and Listen Close both have nice story twists.

Official Website
Dynamite Comics, Fantasy, Red Sonja