In Dynamite’s The Invincible Red Sonja #8, Red Sonja looks a little less ‘invincible’. Perhaps more ‘winceable’, if that’s a word. (Ouch, maybe not.)
Sonja is being shot at while hiding in a tree. Far from home, and far from safety. It’s part of her journey, one which has taken her eight issues, and as writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti recap: “The Kingdom of Erkhara should’ve seen me dead by now… I’ve survived stealthy assassins and hordes of drunken curs… but the worst, by far, was an evil sorcerer who rendered me an inviolable prisoner in my own skin, stealing my ability to choose my own way…”
So, Sonja wincing under attack, Sonja under-washed and under-dressed, Sonja fighting the good fight, all the while wording, and swearing.
It’s great fun, and Conner and Palmiotti keep us rooting for the blood haired one, as she spits, snarls and attacks. The dangers are real, Sonja keeps getting tossed under the bus, and we admire the battle. The dialogue is well fashioned; we can hear subtleties in the foreign tongue, the panting of the men, the splashing of the bath, the fawning of the fans.
Moritat continues to amaze and puzzle, as he renders Sonja’s face and body in bootylicious fashion, her features changing shape in panel after panel. While Moritat’s ‘multiface’ Red Sonja can be a bit distracting, his handling of limbs, torsos, body battles, and bath time is impressive. It’s Barry Windsor Smith linework – meets Dan DeCarlo gestures – by way of Frank Thorne”, perhaps. Vibrant colour by Matt Carter, lettering by Dave Sharpe.
The entertainment value is high, the panels are many, the words are wise and carved with care. Check out this issue, then go back and buy the whole run while you can find it!
Dynamite, The Invincible Red Sonja #8, $3.99 for 22 pages, Teen+
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