Red Sonja brings about the beginnings of a democracy to Hyrkania, rising from the ashes and dirt a phoenix as she overthrows a new, tyrannical king and dictator with a god complex whose goal is to make his nation the militant superior, and thereby rule the world through it. She fights in a rebellion, a revolution, and a war, alongside the newly inspired and enlightened people of her land.
She is neither a queen, nor a goddess, nor a legend as people tell it. She is not a curse, nor a gift.
She is Sonja. Huntress. She-Devil. The one and only. Owned by no one.
Hero and friend of the downtrodden. The defenceless. The helpless. The poor. The frightened. The "foreignborn".
A person. Doing what is in her power to make right.
(She is also as good with words as she is with a sword, better than she gives herself credit for.)
That is the gist of 'Red Sonja: The Falcon Throne', the first of many 'Red Sonja' comics I have started reading that are not by Gail Simone. How fun, funny, clever, and inspiring it is, as well as political! It is reminiscent of Simone's 2010s run - it even references it!
The pulpy, sword and sorcery comic says a great deal about how a lot of our "legends" are just about people - ordinary and flawed people like you and me, and their stories, told and passed on through generations, are mostly not true, if at all.
Stories are important. They are what make us human. They give us hope, joy, freedom (in the sense of in the heart and mind), possibilities, ideas, visions, incentives, and the motivation to carry on in life no matter what. But, depending on other, substantial proof, they don't really tell us about the people who lived before us; what they could have been like, and what they could have actually achieved, as a "hero", "good person", or even a "god".
But however much they inspire us, give us the strength and hope to rise above any hardship and injustice in the world, to propel us forward, we have to believe in ourselves to do it, as a true first start and first step, and not rely so heavily on a legend, an icon, an idol. Idolising people and putting them on a pedestal isn't realistic, stable, or helpful to anyone.
Trust yourself first to make change and right wrongs. Be aware of your own circumstances, and educate yourself and ground yourself in reality as much as you can, then act.
In other words, as I like to say whenever the subject of idolising and hero-worshipping comes up: Don't be like your heroes, be better than them.
We can always be better than those who came before us.
I'll still look up to the entirely fictional Red Sonja, as it's fun, and (here at least) she is a female empowerment icon and written to be a genuinely awesome heroine.
Plus, redhaired heroines are just the best, ya know?
In 'The Falcon Throne', Sonja has many female friends and allies, including slightly queer partnerships here and there. Most of the men in her life either end up dead or evil. How's that for a "political agenda", eh?
It is one of the 'Red Sonja' comics that puts her in decent clothing, as well. Mind you, that's not saying much when, in her chainmail vest (not string bikini) and cloak, her arms, legs, neck, head, and lower torso remain exposed. She needs more armour.
'Red Sonja: The Falcon Throne' can be read as a standalone, and if it is anyone's introduction to the character, they won't be lost and confused, and they certainly could do far worse.
I know it's made me extra pumped about reading some of her other comics. I only know of Gail Simone's solo comics run, and 'Swords of Sorrow'. I can't wait to devour further adventures starring the She-Devil with a Sword.
Red Sonja - legend or no, she deserves her credit and iconic pulp comic status. And writers and artists who respect her - respect the hero she is, and what she stands for: the people.
Final Score: 4/5
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