Author: Multiple Authors - see list below
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Rating: WORTHY!
DISCLOSURE: Unlike the majority of reviews in this blog, I've neither bought this book nor borrowed it from the library. This is a "galley" copy ebook, supplied by Net Galley. I'm not receiving (nor will I expect to receive or accept) remuneration for this review.
Writers: Meljean Brook, Blair Buttler, Nancy A. Collins, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Devin Grayson, Mercedes Lackey, Marjorie M. Liu, Leah Moore, Tamora Pierce, Rhianna Pratchett, Nicola Scott, Gail Simone (and there are actually several redheads amongst these writers - although some may be strawberry blonde or just have plain cheated, but who's counting?)
Artists: Jim Calafiore, Doug Holgate, Jack Jadson, Cassandra James, Valentine de Landro, Tula Lotay, Carla Speed McNeil, Naniiebim, Phil Noto, Mel Rubi, Nei Ruffino, Noah Salonga
» List of writers and illustrators «
I was not a fan of Red Sonja, especially not after seeing the god-awful Brigitte Nielsen & An old Schwarzenegger movie, but when I saw that this was not only available, but also written by female writers, I was curious to see what kind of a take they would put on it. As it happens, I wasn't disappointed which was a really nice feeling to be left with after reading this!
The result was still rather exploitative in that Sonja is routinely depicted wearing what your average Brazilian woman might wear to the Copacabana (or might have worn before Brasil got its rear-end handed to it on a large platter by the immensely impressive German team in the World Cup this week, but at least they offer a token explanation for it: she can move faster with so little to restrict her!
This story, which might well have been titled "The Dirge Dozen" is actually reminiscent of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales in presentation, or perhaps it's more like a "Duodecameron": framed by the over-arching story of a hunt for Red Sonja by a dozen men and women (although the women appear as only a token brace as far as I can see), we're treated to a series of flashbacks to her previous adventures.
All of these rogues in this sorry band of twelve have a history with Sonja - and a sad history at that; now they've joined together seeking revenge under the flimsy guise of seeking justice for her slaughter of their prince (who had evidently and very foolishly expected rather more from Sonja than her provision of guard duties).
Everyone they meet on their trip has a tale to tell, all of them different at the beginning, but all of them the same in the end in that those who cross Sonja are lucky if they're onlysorry for it, and those who need her aid receive it aplenty.
The question here though is: is this team of villains stalking Sonja, or is she stalking them?
Beautifully illustrated and very well written, this proved to be a pleasantly surprising and really rewarding read, and did it actually turn me into a fan of Sonja's.
