Review: Red Sonja #12

I have shown a whole lotta love for Gail Simone and Walter Geovani’s incredible run with Red Sonja.  Their work has been some of the best I have read from Dynamite’s reboot of the She Devil ever and I always leave an issue wanting more.  The overall mixture of action, drama, and comedy with themes of loyalty, honesty, and friendship has been super. We have now come to the conclusion of the second story arc and I am very happy to report that nothing has changed.  Simone and Geovani are still rocking no stopping and I anxiously await to see where this wonderfully dynamic duo will go next with our red-headed lady of bad assiness.

RSv2-12-Cov-FrisonWithin these pages, Sonja completes her quest for securing the world’s greatest artisans to be guests of honor for a dying king and his last wishes of throwing a death party that will be matched by no other.  Along the way, Sonja has faced great tribulation… murderous thugs, cannibalistic inbred swamp people, insane religious zealots, and temptations, temptations, temptations.  There is also quite a problem with Ms. Sonja and an incredible stink that she has acquired through her adventures here.  The artisans are delivered and things progress quite quickly from there. All I can say is that there is a party and it’s pretty intense.  I don’t know if the outcome was what I was expecting.

Though unexpected, this outcome was perfect.  Gail Simone has leveled out some very good dialogue with a wonderful story that allows Red Sonja to do something that you don’t see a whole of… She has assistance in the fight. Real assistance, not just someone fighting by her side.

I have nothing but praise for the writing and it is equally matched by Walter Geovani’s art.  I really dig Geovani’s depiction of Sonja.  It is a perfect mixture of strong, yet soft at the same time.  It gives way to nice emotional responses that are typically lacking within a Red Sonja title. It is pretty, but isn’t afraid to get dirty.

This title has now gone through 12 wonderful issues of excellence and shows no sign of slowing.  Bring on the new arc… I am ready and waiting.


Score: 5/5


Writer: Gail Simone Artist:  Walter Geovani Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment Price: $2.99 Release Date: 9/24/14 Format: Ongoing; Print/Digital