I've read a bunch of 'Red Sonja' comics by now. Well, maybe not that many, as it seems there are hundreds to choose from, and I've only gotten into them in a short space of time, but I think I know enough to know what to expect from them; what their types, formulas, and standards/criteria are. Some, be they standalone tales or first volumes, are okay, even solid, but some others are just tasteless, edgelordy, dense, overwhelming, frustrating, and surprisingly overly-political and pretentious and, worst of all, boring.
All this is regardless of the She-Devil's attire, or lack thereof. Another surprise is, however she's dressed, however she's drawn, it very infrequently effects the overall quality of the comic she is in, and my enjoyment of it, and it is rarely a distracting enough issue for me to be concerned by it.
In addition, most if not all of Dynamite's 'Red Sonja' comics seem to be in the competition of 'How Many Artists Can We Get to Draw the Big Boobed Redhead in the Chainmail Bikini for Our Cover Art Gallery at the End of Our Trade Volumes, and How Many Female Cosplayers Can We Get to Pose for Us'.
Thankfully, 'Red Sonja: Worlds Away: Volume 1' by Amy Chu is one of the few 'Red Sonja' comics I have read and wholeheartedly enjoyed, right after Gail Simone's 2010s run, 'Swords of Sorrow', and 'The Falcon Throne'. It is fun! And not too heavy - it is lighthearted, even - and clever and creative.
The basic premise of Sonja being sent to the future of modern day New York City by an evil wizard is executed with freshness, style, mirth, and meaning. It is very 'Samurai Jack' and 'Hercules in New York', but it's its own silly and fantastical thing.
There are female friendships and companionships, and a partnership with a male cop that, amazingly, does not ever get romantic in the slightest. Even in scenes where, yes, Sonja is nonchalantly naked in front of him, all carefree. 'Worlds Away' deserves all the accolades in the world for that alone. You know the relationship between Sonja and the man she stays closest to more than anyone else would not be allowed to stay platonic if this comic were a movie.
There's lots of diverse rep (it is New York), including older women, and an LBGTQ+ relationship between two women (though it isn't explicit, for example, we don't see them kiss), one of whom is a BIPOC.
Plus, as well as an evil patriarchal, capitalist wizard, there is a giant mothafuckin' dragon as an enemy for the She-Devil to slay!
The only real downside to 'Worlds Away' is the way she is clothed, or not clothed.
Yes, after I said that that is usually not a detriment or dealbreaker in these comics, here I'd say it is its only flaw. While the artwork is bright, colourful, and very good, Sonja herself does not look nearly as battle-worn, rough and experienced as she should; she looks like a twenty-year-old peppy cosplayer, and her tiny chainmail--sorry, they're scales in this--bikini covers practically nothing. Her skin is protected in the same way a Band Aid protects a mutilated torso. She's almost naked when she isn't naked. And I swear her breasts are the same size as her head. I don't care if her appearance is part of the humour, and to highlight how much of an outsider she is in her new environment and society.
It isn't merely feminist ranting against gratuitous fanservice on my end - it's just too silly and unbelievable, even for Red Sonja.
Girl loves her sword, though, and she can still drink, like, fifty times her body weight in beer. In this fish out of water story, she is as fierce, fearless, formidable, crafty, and determined as she is widely known to be. She is innocent and curious in the modern world, but never stupid, naïve, or scared. She will protect the weak, the helpless, and her friends, and punish the power-hungry, the greedy, the murderous.
'Red Sonja: Worlds Away: Volume 1' is a strong recommendation from me for fans of the She-Devil with a Sword. If you can overlook how its heroine is pretty much naked throughout the whole volume - and she fights giant monsters and armed goons in New York, in winter! - you will likely have an enjoyable time with the comic.
It's goofy, campy pulp entertainment, as well as feminist commentary (which 'Worlds Away' isn't exactly overt with, but it's present) - as a high calibre (Excalibur, hehe) 'Red Sonja' comic should be.
PSA left to the final paragraph of the review: It is a female character's character, her humanity, her spark, and how she is written, that makes her popularity endure, not any kind of fanservice and objectification. Porn has been freely available and everywhere on the internet for decades now. It is no longer special.
Final Score: 4/5
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