Review - Legenderry Red Sonja #1

If you're Red Sonja, you can handle your business. Whether it's helping others, enjoying a night of drinking and debauchery or fighting any and all comers, Red manages daily interactions with enthusiasm. How does she manage when she's in a new era though? One that's a little heavy on the steam and full of punk? In Legenderry Red Sonja #1 from Dynamite Entertainment, readers get a chance to check the scenario out. The issue is written by Marc Andreyko, illustrated by Aneke, colored by Impacto Studios and lettered by Dave Lanphear.

After sailing the high seas, Red Sonja returns to the Big City for some R&R, but when she tries to stop a simple kidnapping, she discovers that things ain't so simple! Red finds herself caught up in an adventure that will take her from the city to the sea to---- well, you'll find out! And who is that mysterious figure lurking in the shadows? All--- well, some anyway, will be revealed in a story that had to be called "The Body Electric"!

Andreyko's characterization of Red Sonja in Legenderry Red Sonja #1 is very cavalier and rife with a very relaxed approach to life. It's a refreshing take on her, as it manages to maintain her reputation as a warrior without sacrificing any of her ferocity. Her journey feels sufficiently epic enough though, traveling the seas as a pirate and making her way into another bar in another city. The real appeal of Legenderry Red Sonja #1 is the reveal on the last page, which pairs Red Sonja up with a very interesting companion. Their mission is still a little hazy, but the pairing on its surface is intriguing enough.

The illustrations by Aneke are somewhat whimsical and manage to infuse the work with an appropriate level of levity in some regards. It's not that Aneke presents Red Sonja as a clown per se; rather, her movements are somewhat relaxed and add to her confidence in her fighting abilities. Aneke also does a good job blending Red Sonja's trademark look with that of a pirate, yet there aren't many more steampunk references throughout the book that fit with the ideal theme of the Legenderry series. The colors by Impacto Studios is pretty vibrant, further giving the book a vibrant feel.

Legenderry Red Sonja #1 is a creative take on a character with a very established mythos and history behind her. Red Sonja doesn't shy away from combat or helping those who may need the help. Andreyko's script is pretty straightforward, but offers a very creative twist at the end in the way of a new partner for her to fight alongside. Aneke's illustrations are a good fit for the tone of the book, even if it's not very heavy on the steampunk references. Legenderry Red Sonja #1 is a pretty solid entry in both the Red Sonja and Legenderry series that takes a familiar character and throws them in an unfamiliar time and place.

Legenderry Red Sonja #1 is in stores now with interiors below.