Issue two of Dynamite’s The Invincible Red Sonja tosses us into The Kingdom of Erkhara with the vivid imaginings of writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner; a most dramatic place!
Red Sonja has committed herself to protect a young princess as her wedding day approaches. But there is danger all around: underfoot, overhead, behind every door, under every hat. The Kingdom is a minefield of mean and aggressive interlopers.
Artist Moritat gives us a Sonja whose face is a bit softer and prettier than we usually see. This brings a vulnerability and youth to Sonja, which certainly works in this ‘pre-nuptial girls’ situation. The backgrounds and details of Erkhara’s streets, its buildings and the Palace are richly spectacular. We revel in the ornate furnishings, the burnished surfaces (colourist is Matt Carter), and the shapely mistresses. The figures are lithe, sexy, muscular, sinewy. The battles are sudden, urgent, and demanding.
Letterer Dave Sharpe deserves special mention for his ability to flow the balloons and tails around the action.
This series has a story that’s involving and going somewhere, but isn’t predictable, yay. It’s a well-conceived tale that delves into ‘upstairs downstairs’ kingdom life, and the writing shows wit and invention.
Recommended!
Dynamite Comics, The Invincible Red Sonja #2, $3.99 for 22 pages, multiple variant covers available.
Newsdesk