“JUMPING-ON POINT FOR NEW READERS. Sonja The Red, victorious. But ruling is impossible. And a young, old foe returns with a plan, to Kill Red Sonja… By MARK RUSSELL (Swamp Thing) and ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO (Zorro). The saga of Red Sonja continues at Dynamite Entertainment!”

By BOB FREEMAN – Paint Monk’s Library Writer

Jumping-on point? More like jumping-off.

I have championed Mark Russell’s run on Red Sonja from the start. While less than thrilled with the comedic undertones, I like the political intrigue and seeing Sonja in this light, as a fish out of water.

She handled herself well, but over two arcs, it began to grow stale. I had hoped that perhaps a proposed “jumping-on point” might mean a fresh start and new direction.

I was wrong.

Instead, we’re still mired in the same old “intrigue”, with a child’s revenge fetish coming to the fore, propelled there by the mini-series Killing Red Sonja. A comic I found dull and lifeless as well.

Without spoilers, let me add that this was the most clichéd installment in the series thus far.

Miracolo’s artwork was fine, but again, it’s the same style we’ve seen from the start. Sort of a dark-Disney cartoon, which isn’t awful, but neither is it inspiring. This comic has never strayed near the word “epic”, which is a shame.

And don’t get me started on the cover art. My comic shop usually has a healthy array of covers to choose from, but this week I was saddled with Jae Lee’s as my only option, which I found to be an uninspired mess.

Can we get Patch Zircher on this book, please?

Look, I’m not going to waste anymore breath on this. If you like it, I’m happy for you. As for me, I think I’m done…

I’ll spare 4 skulls of my enemies for this. No more.

—Bob Freeman
Alba Gu Brath