Comic Book Review The Invincible Red Sonja #4

8

Rating

Published On:2021-08-25

Published by: DynamiteComics

Author:Amanda Conner

Artist:Justin Moritat

Colorist:Matt Carter

Letterer:Dave Sharpe

Always unmask your foe before claiming the reward.

Comic book review written on August 25, 2021

In This Issue of

What Else Happens in this Comic?

Red Sonja has always had a little ‘invinciblity’ to the character. Sometimes it was just her skill in battle. Depending on the series, she’s had goddess granted powers. In ‘The Invincible Red Sonja #4’, we learn why she’s called ‘invincible’ in this series, and it’s a great plot development on both the meta meaning and a literal one. If your enemy, Red Sonja, is a peerless warrior what could you do to them to turn their prowess to your advantage. In his grief, Brelaq curses Sonja making her might his to command.

How is the Writing in ??

The Dialogue

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti understand how to write a Red Sonja comic. Jimmy’s plot is fast and action packed. Amanda’s dialogue is fantastic. In a period comic (or a sword and socercy comic like Red Sonja), how the characters think and what they say is critical to the success of the comic. Castles, warriors and demons require a different view of the world. Sonja does a fair amount of cursing, and it’s always period-correct words like ‘Tarim’s red blood’ or ‘Erlik grant me the reach…” Those words are important because they keep us in the scene and story. One modern word or thought breaks the world-building and pulls us out of the story. That never happens in Invincible Red Sonja #4.

Showing Versus Telling

Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti understand how to write a Red Sonja comic. Jimmy’s plot is fast and action packed. Amanda’s dialogue is fantastic. In a period comic (or a sword and socercy comic like Red Sonja), how the characters think and what they say is critical to the success of the comic. Castles, warriors and demons require a different view of the world. Sonja does a fair amount of cursing, and it’s always period-correct words like ‘Tarim’s red blood’ or ‘Erlik grant me the reach…” Those words are important because they keep us in the scene and story. One modern word or thought breaks the world-building and pulls us out of the story. That never happens in Invincible Red Sonja #4.

The Vibe

Comic Art Review

At first glance, Moritat’s art didn’t grab me. The art style reminds me of Barry Windsor Smith’s Conan — loose lines but strong story-telling and character acting. After a closer read and review, Moritat’s artwork grew on me. His facial expressions go a long way to illustrating what’s happening in a scene like when Sonja and Tuma forgot to grab the crown. Their eyes tell us everything we need to know about the level of trouble they landed in forgetting the crown.

On the Cover

Amanda Conner’s covers for Invincible Red Sonja have been great and issue #4 follows the pattern. Amanda’s covers featured a scene from the comic but doesn’t give away the entire story (which is always welcome) and focuses on Red Sonja (the entire reason I’m reading this issue).

World Building

Locations

Consistency is important in world building. Much of this issue happens in the castle, and the interiors always look like an extension of the previous room. Sonja is using a sword with a very particular shape, and it’s always the same shape throughout the issue. That attention to detail can be found throughout the creative team (plot, dialogue, art, colors, and letters).

Who's Who

Red Sonja
Tuma (winged warrior)
Brelaq (wizard)
Naijel (Brelaq's son and thief)
Scathach (goddess)

Big Question

How will Sonja break Brelaq's curse next issue?

"A curse to you, foul Brelaq! I will haunt your days and nights."

Sonja

Who Will Like

If you are a classic Conan the Barbarian fan or like sword-and-sorcery in general, you’ll enjoy Red Sonja #4. Palmotti (@jpalmiotti) and Conner are including the right amount of swords, action, and magic to entertain all fans of the genre.

I Need More Content like

Jump over to Moritat’s Deviant Art page for a few images of Sonja and Conan.
Previews World interviewed the authors about the current series
Dynamite’s store has a lot of great Amanda Conner Red Sonja art available
As of August 19, Dynamite Comics commented that this series has been expanded to 10 issues!!
There’s a retailer variant cover by Rose Besch (@rosebesch) that looks spectacular.