Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Comics Review: "The Invincible Red Sonja #4" Does Kick Ass

[Note on the cover art: As far as I could find out, the numbering is wrong and this is cover of "The Invincible Red Sonja #4.]

THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Matt Carter
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
EDITOR: Matt Idleson
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Celina;
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated Teen+

Red Sonja is female high fantasy and sword and sorcery hero.  She first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith.  Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Conan the Cimmerian's creator, Robert E. Howard.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is The Invincible Red Sonja.  It is written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Moritat; colored by Matt Carter; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.  In this recently launched series, Red Sonja finds herself on a spectacular journey filled with pirates, mermaids, princesses, and political intrigue as the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance.

As The Invincible Red Sonja #4 opens, the She-Devil with a Sword watches as Bahira Yakootah, the Lord of Thieves, summons demons from molten lava in his mission to kill the King of Erkhara.  In her bid to stop him, however, Red Sonja, commits a fatal act that determine her fate.  Now, death descends on Erkhara, Erkhara destabilizes, and Sonja may find herself even worse off.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is The Invincible Red Sonja #4, which is the first issue of the series that I have read, but this is not my first experience with the character.  I have actually read various Red Sonja titles over my time as a comic book fan, including a few recently published by Dynamite.

Under a gorgeous cover drawn by Amanda Conner and colored by Paul Mounts, Conner and Palmiotti deliver a surprisingly rousing story.  Although it is but one part of a story arc, this fourth chapter is quite entertaining by itself.  This is one of the best Red Sonja comic books that I have ever read, and I am certainly enjoying this more than I do Conner and Palmiotti's Harley Quinn comic books.

Moritat's illustrations remind me of the art of the late Vaughn Bode.  Moritat's graphical storytelling is over the top in a way a Red Sonja or Conan the Barbarian comic book should be, and the characters' emotions also leap off the page.  Matt Carter's colors give the story some edge and also seem to quicken the pace of the story, along with Dave Sharpe's letters.

Honestly, I did not expect much from The Invincible Red Sonja #4, but now, I gotta have more.  It's like my sword and sorcery crack.  I'd do anything … for another issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja comic books will want to read The Invincible Red Sonja.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

----------------------------

Amazon wants me to inform you that the affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).


Monday, August 23, 2021

BOOM! Studios Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 25, 2021

BOOM! STUDIOS

APR211217    BUFFY VAMPIRE SLAYER LEGACY EDITION TP VOL 05    $29.99
JUN219133    DARK BLOOD #1 (OF 6) 3RD PTG DE LANDRO    $3.99
JUN211072    DARK BLOOD #2 (OF 6) CVR A DE LANDRO    $3.99
JUN211073    DARK BLOOD #2 (OF 6) CVR B BA    $3.99
JUN211041    DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #9 (OF 12) CVR A CAGLE    $4.99
JUN211042    DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES #9 (OF 12) CVR B WARD    $4.99
JUN211062    FIREFLY #32 CVR A BENGAL    $3.99
JUN211063    FIREFLY #32 CVR B CARPENTER    $3.99
JUN211080    GOOD LUCK #3 (OF 5) CVR A CORONA    $3.99
JUN211077    ONCE & FUTURE #19 CVR A MORA    $3.99
JUN211088    SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #19 CVR A DELL EDERA    $3.99


Dark Horse Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 25, 2021

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR210399    BACON & OTHER MONSTROUS TALES HC (RES) (C: 0-1-2)    $19.99
MAR210314    BERSERK DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 08 (C: 0-1-2)    $49.99
MAY210303    FAR CRY RITE OF PASSAGE #3 (OF 3)    $3.99
JUN210332    NORSE MYTHOLOGY II #3 (OF 6) CVR A RUSSELL (MR) (C: 1-0-0)    $3.99
JUN210333    NORSE MYTHOLOGY II #3 (OF 6) CVR B MACK (MR) (C: 1-0-0)    $3.99
APR210395    VICTORIES OMNIBUS TP (C: 0-1-2)    $29.99


Dynamite Entertainment Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 25, 2021

DYNAMITE

JUN210923    BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #3 CVR M LINSNER LTD VIRG    $50.00
JUN210924    BETTIE PAGE & CURSE OF THE BANSHEE #3 CVR N MYCHAELS LTD VIR    $50.00
JUN210927    DEJAH THORIS VS JOHN CARTER OF MARS #2 CVR A PARRILLO    $3.99
JUN210928    DEJAH THORIS VS JOHN CARTER OF MARS #2 CVR B LINSNER    $3.99
JUN210929    DEJAH THORIS VS JOHN CARTER OF MARS #2 CVR C MIRACOLO    $3.99
JUN210930    DEJAH THORIS VS JOHN CARTER OF MARS #2 CVR D COSPLAY    $3.99
JUN219118    DEJAH THORIS VS JOHN CARTER OF MARS #2 CVR N PREMIUM FIUMARA    $3.99
JUN210853    KISS PHANTOM OBSESSION #1 CVR O CELOR LTD VIRGIN    $50.00
JUN210854    KISS PHANTOM OBSESSION #1 CVR P SEELEY LTD VIRGIN    $50.00
JUN210895    RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #2 CVR L MEYERS LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1    $50.00
JUN210969    SONJAVERSAL #7 CVR A PARRILLO    $3.99
JUN210970    SONJAVERSAL #7 CVR B LINSNER    $3.99
JUN210971    SONJAVERSAL #7 CVR C LEE & CHUNG    $3.99
JUN210972    SONJAVERSAL #7 CVR D YOON    $3.99
JUN210973    SONJAVERSAL #7 CVR E COSPLAY    $3.99
JUN219128    SONJAVERSAL #7 CVR N PREMIUM PARRILLO VIRGIN    $3.99
APR211084    VAMPIRELLA #22 PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN CVR    $50.00
MAY210829    VAMPIRELLA #23 CVR A PARRILLO    $3.99
MAY210830    VAMPIRELLA #23 CVR B MASTRAZZO    $3.99
MAY210831    VAMPIRELLA #23 CVR C MAER    $3.99
MAY210832    VAMPIRELLA #23 CVR D LOUW    $3.99
MAY210833    VAMPIRELLA #23 CVR E COSPLAY    $3.99
JUN219122    VAMPIRELLA #23 CVR O PREMIUM WHITE    $3.99
JUN219123    VAMPIRELLA #23 CVR P PREMIUM CASTRO    $3.99


IDW Publishing Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 25, 2021

IDW PUBLISHING

MAY210434    BEAUTY OF HORROR COLORING BOOK VOL 05 HAUNT OF FAME (C: 0-1-    $16.99
FEB210466    SPACECRAFT SMITHSONIAN COLORING BOOK (C: 0-1-0)    $16.99
JUN210491    TMNT ONGOING #120 CVR A NISHIJIMA    $3.99
JUN210492    TMNT ONGOING #120 CVR B EASTMAN    $3.99
JUN210500    TRANSFORMERS BEAST WARS #7 CVR A OSSIO    $3.99
JUN210501    TRANSFORMERS BEAST WARS #7 CVR B PIRRIE    $3.99
JUN210497    TRANSFORMERS SHATTERED GLASS #1 (OF 5) CVR A MILNE    $3.99
JUN210498    TRANSFORMERS SHATTERED GLASS #1 (OF 5) CVR B KHANNA    $3.99
JUN210503    USAGI YOJIMBO DRAGON BELLOW CONSPIRACY #3 (OF 6)    $3.99


Image Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 25, 2021

IMAGE COMICS

JUN210195    CHU #7 (MR)    $3.99
JUN210205    DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #12 CVR A SIMMONDS (MR)    $3.99
JUN210206    DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #12 CVR B WIJNGAARD (MR)    $3.99
APR218083    DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #12 CVR C CAMPBELL (MR)    $3.99
JUN210207    DIE #19 CVR A HANS (MR)    $3.99
JUN210208    DIE #19 CVR B FRISON (MR)    $3.99
JUN210009    ECHOLANDS #1 CVR A WILLIAMS III (MR)    $4.99
JUN210010    ECHOLANDS #1 CVR B WILLIAMS III (MR)    $4.99
JUN210098    ICE CREAM MAN #25 CVR A MORAZZO & OHALLORAN (MR)    $4.99
JUN210099    ICE CREAM MAN #25 CVR B THOROGOOD (MR)    $4.99
JUN210100    ICE CREAM MAN #25 CVR C SHIMIZU (MR)    $4.99
JUN210101    ICE CREAM MAN #25 CVR D SIMMONDS (MR)    $4.99
JUN210102    ICE CREAM MAN #25 CVR E ANNV WRAPAROUND (MR)    $4.99
JUN210228    KILLADELPHIA #16 CVR A ALEXANDER (MR)    $3.99
JUN210229    KILLADELPHIA #16 CVR B OBARR (MR)    $3.99
JUN210027    KING SPAWN #1 CVR A LEE    $5.99
JUN210028    KING SPAWN #1 CVR B MCFARLANE    $5.99
JUN210029    KING SPAWN #1 CVR C FINCH    $5.99
JUN210030    KING SPAWN #1 CVR D MURPHY    $5.99
MAY218952    KING SPAWN #1 CVR E CAPULLO    $5.99
MAY218953    KING SPAWN #1 CVR F BOOTH    $5.99
JUN218205    KING SPAWN #1 CVR G CATES    $5.99
MAR210118    LOW DLX HC VOL 02 (MR)    $49.99
JUN210230    MADE IN KOREA #4 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
JUN210234    MOM MOTHER OF MADNESS #2 (OF 3) CVR A RATCLIFFE (MR)    $4.99
JUN210235    MOM MOTHER OF MADNESS #2 (OF 3) CVR B LOTAY (MR)    $4.99
JUN218688    MOM MOTHER OF MADNESS #2 (OF 3) CVR C FERRIS (MR)    $4.99
JUN210239    OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #33    $3.99
JUN210240    OLD GUARD TALES THROUGH TIME #5 (OF 6) CVR A FERNANDEZ (MR)    $3.99
JUN210241    OLD GUARD TALES THROUGH TIME #5 (OF 6) CVR B ALBUQUERQUE (MR    $3.99
JUN210242    OLD GUARD TALES THROUGH TIME #5 (OF 6) CVR C FERNANDEZ (MR)    $3.99
JUN210152    OLD HEAD TP (MR)    $16.99
JUN210157    PUNDERWORLD TP VOL 01    $16.99
JUN210074    ST MERCY #1 (OF 4) CVR A ROJO    $3.99
JUN218103    ST MERCY #1 (OF 4) CVR B PARKER    $3.99
JUN210255    SUMMONERS WAR LEGACY #5    $3.99
JUN210260    SYPHON #2 (OF 3)    $3.99
JUN210261    THAT TEXAS BLOOD #9 (MR)    $3.99
JUN210266    VINYL #3 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99


Marvel Comics Shipping from Diamond Distributors for August 25, 2021

MARVEL COMICS

JUN210677    ALIEN #6    $3.99
JUN210678    ALIEN #6 LARROCA VAR    $3.99
JUN210679    ALIEN #6 YU VAR    $3.99
JUN210606    AMAZING FANTASY #2 (OF 5)    $4.99
JUN210607    AMAZING FANTASY #2 (OF 5) ANDREWS VAR    $4.99
JUN210609    AMAZING FANTASY #2 (OF 5) MOMOKO VAR    $4.99
JUN210538    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #72 BALDEON HANDBOOK VAR SINW    $3.99
JUN210537    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #72 INHYUK LEE AAPIH VAR SINW    $3.99
JUN210535    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #72 SINW    $3.99
JUN210626    AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 INFD    $4.99
JUN210627    AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 RON LIM CONNECTING VAR INFD    $4.99
JUN210705    BLACK WIDOW #10    $3.99
JUN210706    BLACK WIDOW #10 BROOKS VAR    $3.99
JUN210707    BLACK WIDOW #10 NETEASE MARVEL GAMES VAR    $3.99
JUN210571    CABLE RELOADED #1 ANHL    $4.99
JUN210572    CABLE RELOADED #1 LIEFELD DEADPOOL 30TH VAR ANHL    $4.99
JUN210726    CONAN THE BARBARIAN #24    $3.99
JUN210585    DARKHAWK #1 (OF 5)    $4.99
JUN210588    DARKHAWK #1 (OF 5) RON LIM VAR    $4.99
JUN210587    DARKHAWK #1 (OF 5) YU VAR    $4.99
JUN210596    EXTREME CARNAGE RIOT #1    $3.99
JUN210598    EXTREME CARNAGE RIOT #1 JOHNSON CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
JUN210599    EXTREME CARNAGE RIOT #1 YOUNG VAR    $3.99
JUN210801    FANTASTIC FOUR EPIC COLLECTION TP BATTLE BEHEMOTHS    $39.99
JUN210800    FANTASTIC FOUR EPIC COLLECTION TP GREATEST MAGAZINE NEW PTG    $39.99
JUN210613    MARVELS VOICES IDENTITY #1    $5.99
JUN210614    MARVELS VOICES IDENTITY #1 AAPIH VAR    $5.99
JUN210617    MARVELS VOICES IDENTITY #1 AHMED VAR    $5.99
JUN210618    MARVELS VOICES IDENTITY #1 GONZALES VAR    $5.99
JUN210615    MARVELS VOICES IDENTITY #1 MOMOKO VAR    $5.99
FEB210681    MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 21    $75.00
FEB210682    MMW AVENGERS HC VOL 21 DM VAR ED 310    $75.00
APR210903    NON-STOP SPIDER-MAN #4    $3.99
JUN210656    SPIDER-MAN LIFE STORY ANNUAL #1    $4.99
JUN210657    SPIDER-MAN LIFE STORY ANNUAL #1 BAGLEY VAR    $4.99
JUN210752    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #15 SPROUSE LUCASFILM 50TH VAR WOBH    $3.99
JUN210751    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #15 WANTED POSTER VAR WOBH    $3.99
JUN210750    STAR WARS DARTH VADER #15 WOBH    $3.99
JUN210746    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #13 SPROUSE LUCASFILM 50TH VAR WOBH    $3.99
JUN210745    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #13 WANTED POSTER VAR WOBH    $3.99
JUN210744    STAR WARS DOCTOR APHRA #13 WOBH    $3.99
MAY210707    STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC TP VOL 01 THERE IS NO FEAR    $15.99
JUN210722    STRANGE ACADEMY #12    $3.99
JUN210723    STRANGE ACADEMY #12 ADAMS CHARACTER SPOTLIGHT VAR    $3.99
JUN210661    SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN CROSSROADS #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
JUN210711    THOR #16    $3.99
JUN210714    THOR #16 LIEFELD DEADPOOL 30TH VAR    $3.99
JUN210713    THOR #16 MOMOKO MARVEL ANIME VAR    $3.99
JUN210715    THOR #16 NETEASE MARVEL GAMES VAR    $3.99
MAY210729    UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL GN TP SQUIRRELS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN    $12.99
JUN210696    UNITED STATES CAPTAIN AMERICA #3 (OF 5)    $4.99
JUN210697    UNITED STATES CAPTAIN AMERICA #3 (OF 5) CUTLER DESIGN VAR    $4.99
APR210983    VENOM BY DONNY CATES TP VOL 06 KING IN BLACK    $19.99
JUN210573    WINTER GUARD #1 (OF 4)    $4.99
JUN210575    WINTER GUARD #1 (OF 4) LASHLEY VAR    $4.99
JUN210576    WINTER GUARD #1 (OF 4) NAUCK HEADSHOT VAR    $4.99
JUN210653    WOLVERINE #15    $3.99
JUN210655    WOLVERINE #15 INHYUK LEE AAPIH VAR    $3.99