The Final Stand Of The She-Devil In Red Sonja #11
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
Dragan and his army prepare for their return to Zamora. He is leaving Foghor in charge of Hyrkania. Zamoran supplies are low, but the trip home is as simple as crossing the bridge the army built. However, Red Sonja and her remaining allies are at the bridge and are preparing to hold it against the Zamoran army. They ambushed the supply convoy, but one soldier survives and makes it back to Shadizar. He informs the royal advisor of the ambush awaiting Dragan at the bridge, but the advisor and the queen do nothing. Meanwhile, Minnas prepares to send a message back to Aquilonia for aid against Sonja’s forces.
Red Sonja #11 finds the red she-devil and the remaining Hyrkanian resistance fighters making their final stand against Dragan and Zamora. Sonja and Hyrkania have no allies to call upon, no reinforcements to access, and no plan beyond stopping Dragan at the bridge.
Most of this issue is dedicated to showing how Dragan’s empire is fragile. Numerous moving pieces are needed to keep his behemoth moving forward, and those pieces are starting to move against Dragan. By contrast, Sonja’s forces are lean, and each soldier is fighting for freedom and survival.
It’s an idealistic message, but it’s coherent in the comic’s world. Each part of this issue supports that theme, and the book is tight, compelling, and easy to follow as a result.
Mirko Colak continues to be a brilliant choice of artist for Red Sonja. The Hyrkania he crafts is brutal, gritty, and dirty. It’s contrasted by the decadent opulence of Dragan and Zamora that nonetheless is showing signs of falling into ruin. Dearbhla Kelly’s color art is a nice mix of lights and darks to keep the book visually lively.
Red Sonja #11 brings us closer to Hyrkania’s final stand against the Zamoran Empire. Sonja is enacting her final plan, and the walls begin to close in on Dragan. It’s a smart, tight, and engaging read, and it earns a recommendation. Check it out.
Red Sonja #11 comes to us from writer Mark Russell, artist Mirko Colak, color artist Dearbhla Kelly, letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, cover artist Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts, and variant cover artists Joseph Michael Linsner; Khoi Pham; Mirko Colak with Dearbhla Kelly; Andrew Pepoy; and Roberto Castro with Mike Spicer.
Final Score: 8.5/10
