A 'Red Sonja' anthology comic collection with the most gorgeous black, white and red colours. Really, all the artwork looks fantastic; there is not a single dud. And they tell some excellent, gruesome, and bloody brilliant epic tales.
I like nearly all of these epic, bloodstained, feminist and even funny medieval yarns. A few are kind of weird and end disjointedly and unsatisfactorily. I just wish there was more to the collection, and less of the cover gallery at the end, which is overabundant in every 'Red Sonja' comic volume ever. Could have used more overt LBGTQ+ content, as well.
Red Sonja as a character, as a durable icon, as a marching symbol of rebellion and bravery, is what is meant by the saying, "the stuff of legend". She's a merciless, menacing, overpowering, untouchable, unstoppable deadly force as a barbarian warrior, who is also cunning and caring when she needs to be. She has the brightest red in her hair, her blood, the blood on her weapons, sometimes on her lips, and in her heart. You, and by that I mean I, truly want to believe she is an immortal legend - in-story and one who transcends comics and pulp fiction - because of the awesomeness of her. She's a mythical hero worth admiring and idolising. There is so much complexity, and so many layers to her. She lends herself strikingly well to stories with feminist social commentary; she has more to offer than blades and boobs (*sigh*). Forget her forever impractical chainmail that isn't armour (when she's usually practical about everything else!), but do remember her love of pubs and booze. And sex and rabblerousing.
Red Sonja is, and always will be, her own hero and person, independent from anyone else. Even when she teams up with others, and in IP crossover events. Conan the Barbarian doesn't even exist to her anymore, and hasn't for decades.
Everyone she meets - every life, even the lives she ends up taking - is equal to her. Class, status, hierarchy, bureaucracy, power (im)balance, the corruption of politics, they do not matter to her. She serves nobody but herself. She lives her own life on her own terms. Whatever her religious proclivities varies from comic to comic, though seeing as most of them do establish gods actually existing in her world, her attitude towards certain deities depends on if they are "good" or "bad" gods. But regardless, Red Sonja will help any innocent who needs help (usually for coin or the promise of a tavern afterwards, but still, her moral compass works above capital), and will slay whatever threat to innocents' safety needs slaying. It is that simple to her.
'Red Sonja: Black, White, Red Volume 1' showcases many of these attributes of Red Sonja. It is the writers' and artists' tribute to the Red Devil. As a grand heroine who is indicative of the violence, death, tragedy, brutality, cruelty, and battles and wars throughout human history - the atrocities of man - but who manages to shine through all of that and become a symbol of humanity's hope, resilience and endurance. To overshadow that overshadowing. And to demonstrate that someone's capacity for kindness is not as deeply buried as they'd thought, no matter the pain, tragedy, hardship and darkness in their life.
Sonja is not a paradox (not a time paradox, either, but that's another matter entirely). She is not a literal devil. She is not a demon. She is human, trying her very best to survive in a cruel world, for herself, and for other people.
My favourite quotes in the treasure trove that is 'Red Sonja: Black, White, Red Volume 1':
'"'You ever meet a brainwashed person who was funny?"'
'"The role of the jester has always been to speak truth to power. [...] But to rule? [...] You must speak
power in place of truth."'
'[...] The feeling that they are of service to some greatness they don't understand. [...] And the simplistic beauty of life under an uncast spell.'
'Whatever the BATTLEGROUND--whatever the foe... [...] I shall NEVER FALTER! [...] The world of men will not shrink or fail... [...] For it is led by a woman.'
'"[...] You don't want to be me, kid. Heroes are all alone. But you, you've got a chance to grow up with a family that loves you, with a village, a home. I think you should take it. [...] But if you do decide to become a hero... at least learn to use a weapon."'
'She is no royal figurehead. She is ill-suited to lead armies from behind, or to buy loyalty with speech or with gold. [...] She is a warrior. [...] She is the she-devil. [...] She is Red Sonja. [...] So will she ever be.'
A near-perfect holy grail of 'Red Sonja' tales. Recommended to fans of the fiery red heroine with the blade - the battle master (never a mistress, or a maiden, or a vixen, or a queen) of blood, debauchery, and justice and never giving up, never giving a shit. She is the warrior of hearts, in an ever-flowing river of ways.
Final Score: 4/5
'[...] The feeling that they are of service to some greatness they don't understand. [...] And the simplistic beauty of life under an uncast spell.'
'Whatever the BATTLEGROUND--whatever the foe... [...] I shall NEVER FALTER! [...] The world of men will not shrink or fail... [...] For it is led by a woman.'
'"[...] You don't want to be me, kid. Heroes are all alone. But you, you've got a chance to grow up with a family that loves you, with a village, a home. I think you should take it. [...] But if you do decide to become a hero... at least learn to use a weapon."'
'She is no royal figurehead. She is ill-suited to lead armies from behind, or to buy loyalty with speech or with gold. [...] She is a warrior. [...] She is the she-devil. [...] She is Red Sonja. [...] So will she ever be.'
A near-perfect holy grail of 'Red Sonja' tales. Recommended to fans of the fiery red heroine with the blade - the battle master (never a mistress, or a maiden, or a vixen, or a queen) of blood, debauchery, and justice and never giving up, never giving a shit. She is the warrior of hearts, in an ever-flowing river of ways.
Final Score: 4/5
