Review: Red Sonja #15 (Vol 5)
It figures that as comics are making it back into stores, that Dynamite Comics red haired warrior Queen is leading that charge! For some, the seemingly constant changes swirling around Sonja can be a little off putting. I totally understand that, after all I preferred the Amy Chu book and am still buying the Vampi / Red Sonja book. Maybe it is because both of these book offer something different to the usual sword and sorcery fare.
Times are tough for Queen Sonja. Her kingdom is in need of food and supplies and the only option is for her to strike a bargain with the man who killed her mentor. So weighs heavy the crown. I guess it goes to show that just because a person can be good in one role, doesn’t always translate well when promoted.
With story by long time, at least for this volume, writer Mark Russell various thread points are built upon well enough. This level of plotting does have a weakness in that it doesn’t always allow for many jumping on points. So if you were in from the start; if not, you had better start hitting the back issues. Russell does well continuing to craft his story, happy with maintaining the status quo. The dialogue mirrors the doubts of anyone who has gone up a level, due to expectations rather than true desire creating the feeling that they are a little out of their depth. Its not a situation that Sonja is used to, after all she can hardly smote it with her sword.
The art by Bob Q is highly stylised in places, and yet in others lacks a sense of movement. It’s an odd mix, baring in mind the level of dialogue that this issue has; I would have thought that Q would have tried to maximise the effect, at least in my opinion. Perspective are also a little off in places which is quite distracting at times. Colors are provided by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, who does a good job with a subtle blend of schemes that kind of undersells Otsmane-Elhaou’s skills. Thanks to a lack of a credits page, I can only advise that Cosby provides the letters, which doesn’t negatively impact the pace of the story.
It is fair to say that his isn’t my favourite iteration, though I know that Russell and gang have loads of fans, who will please to see this book back on the shelves.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors – 3 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Written by; Mark Russell
Art by;Â Bob Q
Colors by; Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Letters by; Cosby
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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