Published On: 2021-08-11 by DynamiteComics
Artist: Natalie Nourigat
Catch-up on Last Issue
The greatest tales! The most amazing storytellers! Red Sonja, like you’ve NEVER seen before…all presented in beautiful black, white, and red!
In This Issue of Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2
“JONBOY MEYERS (Teen Titans) presents an aging Queen Sonja, face-to-face with a long-forgotten foe who threatens to change the world for the worse. JEFF PARKER (Aquaman) and NATALIE NOURIGAT (Disney) toss Sonja into a living sentient fungus bog, with no easy exit out. DAVID F. WALKER (Naomi, Bitter Root) and WILL ROBSON (Fantastic Four) feature a creature from myth, with a craving for the blood of a She-Devil.” We have three short stories about our favorite red-hellion.
The Comic's Themes
In Red Sonja #2, we have three of the most universal themes: woman versus man, woman versus nature, and woman versus creature. These themes are as old as time and we can all relate to them. Expect a twist or two as our three story spinners use the base theme, mix in a little Red Sonja and create three fun tales of adventure.
How's Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2's Writing?
The Dialogue
When reading a Red Sonja comic, there’s an expectation about how the characters should speak. They should generally avoid modern speech patterns and words. Any swearing is a “By Crom” or another Hyborian curse word. The first two tales did a good job of managing this. In Listen Close, there were a few speech ballons where I was pulled out of the story. It was like seeing a modern coffee cup on a table in Game of Thrones. “Thiss isss all a game, sssweet-heart.” The monster referencing life is a game and using sweet-heart didn’t seem right. “The gods have given women a wicked game, sssavage/sssshe-devil/ssssword-bearer/ssssslayer.” would have read better. Although it is something that Sonja would likely say, the name-play with the King’s name in a story (that’s apparently being told to a child) also wasn’t cool.
Comic Art Review
The core concept of only black and white art with red highlights works. It might be because this is a sword and sorcery book, or it might be because the art teams are just really good (with or without all the colors). Each story in Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2 uses an animation style. Cartoon-style is a good fit for Red Sonja. Often the more realistic art style only works when a master illustrator is on the book. Cartoon-style takes us away from worrying if “that face angle works”, and allows us to enjoy these short stories.
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- Rsbwr 02 02021 B Meyers
The Comic Panel by Panel
The speech balloons caught my attention this issue. In Proelium Finalis, Pat Brosseau shows us Sonja’s thoughts with a unique balloon shape highlighted in red. Pat also does a brilliant job with all the sound effects in this story. In Edible, the monster’s words and thoughts appear in reversed text.
Who's In This Issue of Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2
- Lemurians
- Kael Al-Ammon
- Tanira
- Gorgon
- Sonja's sisters in arms
Gather around and listen close, as I tell you of the greatest warrior to walk the earth. Her name was Red Sonja.
Who Will Like Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2?
If you dig Red Sonja or black and white sword and sorcery comics, Red Sonja Black, White and Red is for you.
I Need More Content like Red Sonja: Black, White, Red #2
- Required listening for any Red Sonja comic is the movie soundtrack. Find it on YouTube.
- In September a new Red Sonja #1 launches.
- Tabitha Lyons Instagram for more cosplay Red Sonja.
Should You Buy This Comic Book?
Buy this issue. Proelium Finalis reminds me of a story Robert E. Howard himself might have written. Edible and Listen Close both have nice story twists.