This issue delivers precisely what fans want from a Red Sonja story, told with a singular voice and tone that is a welcome departure from the usual sword and sorcery formula. Read Full Review

A great first issue for the new direction of this iconic character. The premise is good and the action superb, though the humor is a little too modern at times. I love the visuals, with the characters and battles excellent, the colors spot on, and the lettering increasing every emotion and action. This is a Sonja I'll follow. Read Full Review

Red Sonja #1 was a book was entered into with cautious optimism. The pedigree of the creative team is certainly strong enough to give this first issue a try. Those willing to take the leap will come away enamored and desperately looking for more. Those that pass up Red Sonja will simply be missing out. Read Full Review

The art by Mirko Colak is very good. The backgrounds are beautifully detailed and the characters are nicely done. It will be interesting to see if Colak has more to express visually in the next issue. Read Full Review

Red Sonja is the kind of property that comes around from time to time that I get into as something clicks with the creative team. Mark Russell has a straightforward story set here but the trappings are spot on and the way the dialogue works with that edge of weird whimsy to it is just delightful. I like the way Sonja ends up in the position that she does and how she's going to handle it going forward " and Hyrkania itself. Mirko Colak give this a fantastic sense of being a really lived-in raw and rough world while also delivering up some fantastic character designs. The flow is strong and it was an book that had me from the first panel to the last and wanting to see a whole lot more, both of what's to come and things happening in between the panels we do get here. Very recommended. Read Full Review

Russell and Colak have delivered one for the fans. Read Full Review

As mentioned above, I loved the last series of Red Sonja, and whilst this return to a more traditional setting my please many, I for one am disappointed. However, if traditional is what the powers that be at Dynamite are looking for, they would be hard pressed to find creators of this calibre to achieve that particular goal. Read Full Review

Sonja without her bikini is like Batman without a cowl. It isn't impossible but it just feels off. Otherwise,Red Sonja #1is a great introduction to the character and offers an easy entry point for new readers jump into while older readers can still enjoy this new story that pays homage to Sonja's past. Read Full Review

This new series is off to a strong start, delivering not only hand-to-hand combat to appease the action-orientated readers, but also the promise of more strategic warfare, in addition to Sonja herself acting like a total badass. Read Full Review

Coupled to Russell’s fantastic script is illustrator Colak’s excellent pencils that do a magnificent job of portraying some quiet moments equally as well as the several fight scenes peppered throughout the issue. Kelly’s colours make Colak’s art pop off the page and really make it a fun read. Read Full Review

"Red Sonja" #1 is a unique, intriguing take on the character that sets up an endearing antagonist. Read Full Review

RED SONJA #1 is a well-plotted, well-written and well-illustrated issue that does proud to its legacy. Pick your copy up today and enjoy the bloodshed. Read Full Review

A decent start if you like sword and sorcery tales and (maybe?) strong females. A bit too early to tell on that second one. Read Full Review

I'm not sure how long I'll stay with this new volume, but Red Sonja #1 offers a solid opening for fans. Worth a look. Read Full Review

Red Sonja's new start doesn't feel much like a Red Sonja book. It is full of political intrigue and high stakes, but the titular character is mostly missing here. Still, there are a few moments in here that may be iconic later, and this debut could be setting up something big. Read Full Review

Red Sonja will always remain a firm favourite of mine, and Im always eager to see new titles in the series. Whilst this issue certainly has its flaws, its a good start and I think, if youre a Red Sonja fan, this is going to be a series thats well worth your time and money. Read Full Review

I'm a huge fan of Mark Russell and remember picking this up around the time that The Lone Ranger also from Dynamite ended. I'm not sure why it takes n me so long to review this comic.

I've never actually read or purchased a Red Sonja book, but I do recognize her as a Conan The Barbarian spinoff. This issue is a nice and simple introduction to the character. Enough insight into the character is provided over the course of the issue. The reader won't be lost at all. Sonja is a badass redhead warrior that seems to be just as capable as the men of this setting.


The comic is straight forward with Russell's trademark wit and irony matching well with the action. It's not the deepest of stories. The Emperor Dragan The Magnificent is prophesized to die if his expanding. To ensure that the prophecy does not come true hes constantly annexing city-states or declaring war with them. He decides to send a letter to the City of Hyrkania. Hyrkania has recently made Sonja its queen and the threat goes about as well as you'd expect with the character.

The story and art are solid. Mirko Colak does a fine job of balancing the action with conversational scenes between characters. This is a must with a Mark Russell book because a lot of the nuance and humor found in his comics are conveyed via text and body language. The book reads kind of fast, but it is worth checking out if you're a fan of the character and setting or looking for something outside of the Superhero genre.

The opening scenes between Emperor Dragon and a local King were particularly impressive to me. It firmly establishes the villain, his depravity and what Red Sonja will be up against in this arc. Because of this book, I picked up issue #2 when I went to my Local comic shop last week, it was a lot of fun. more

Red Sonja is an odd fit for Mark Russell, but he's long demonstrated a knack for writing unexpectedly good things. There is some pretty great dialogue from the douchebag tyrant, though I'm still not a big Red Sonja fan or anything.