Red Sonja #12 Review – Voilà! She Is Clean!

Red Sonja #12 Cover by Jenny Frison

You ever read a comic that you knew was amazingly good, made you laugh out loud at least a couple of times, had some great action, but you knew there was one thing that kept it from being perfect? Well, that’s this comic in a nutshell. So what was it that kept it from being perfect? Well, basically that this issue is the end of the current story arc that’s been going on since #7. Why is that a problem? Well, it just feels like this could’ve been stretched out to two issues, would’ve lost nothing, and instead had a bunch of extra added on to help build to the conclusion of this story. Instead, it feels kinda rushed, but I’m almost certain I know why that is: The last arc was six issues long, as is this one. Chances are, Dynamite wants the arcs to each be six issues long specifically for the sake of the trade paperbacks sold later on. And I’m not even against that idea. I just think it kind of bit the ending of this particular arc a little bit.

Red Sonja #12 Variant by Joyce Chin and Ivan Nunes

But whatever. It’s still a great issue. Gail Simone’s interpretation of Red Sonja remains awesome, and while I feel it was rushed, the conclusion to the story was still alright, not only in how Sonja finally gets these six people to the Emperor’s party, and sees to his slaves’ release, but she FINALLY gets clean, and as we can tell from the ending, she FINALLY gets laid…THANK GOD. XD Lemme tell you something: Not the Anti-Monitor, not Galactus, not Heath Ledger’s Joker, not Freddy Krueger, NOTHING is as shit-your-pants terrifying as Red Sonja when she has not had sex in a LONG TIME, and has to be told everywhere she goes that she smells. As she said when she barges into a place in this comic, and this was what made me laugh out loud first…

…Honest to God, the day that Gail stops writing Red Sonja will be a SAD FRAKKING DAY, because I could read this Red Sonja for YEARS. But yeah, great issue if not a bit rushed to end this arc, can’t wait to see what they do with the next story. Ja né!

What I Bought Today – Red Sonja #6, Harley Quinn #1, Batman and Robin #26 (WARNING – SPOILERS)

Thank goodness Mom and Dad decided to go out tonight, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to tell you all about…

‘Cuz it was a freaking snow storm out today, the second one we’ve gotten in the past few days. Nonetheless, let’s talk about the three books I got this week (X-Men wasn’t there due to a mail order error of some sort), starting with Red Sonja #6.

The finale to Gail Simone‘s first arc on the book, this issue managed to wrap up all the plot points of the previous five issues pretty well. I don’t wanna spoil too much, since there’s one or two major twists. Suffice to say, Annisia won’t be a threat anymore, and I think the kingdom is left in decent hands. And when all was said and done, when the comic ended, and one of Red Sonja’s bodyguards asked if there was anything they could do to repay her, all that Sonja could say in response was “Re-open your taverns, dear one, because I’m going to get drunk in legendary fashion.”

Seriously, if you haven’t read this book yet, go and find it. If you can’t find all six issues of the initial run, it’s going to be collected in trade paperback in February as “Queen of Plagues”. Gail Simone and Walter Geovani more than earn your money with this one.

Harley Quinn #1 sadly did not have any fourth wall breaking, but it DID have a ton of dark humour and insanity from Harley, over-the-top violence and mayhem, roller derby (thus explaining the costume), a little stuffed beaver buddy that talks to Harley in her own mind (I’m so not kidding), and tons more. It’s still not quite Harley Quinn as I remember her, and it does go a bit too over-the-top at times, but it’s still a ton of fun. I will say this, though: If yer not a fan of dark comedy, this probably isn’t for you. Fortunately, I DO have a sick sense of humour, so I’m able to enjoy it thoroughly. ^_^ I will say that, for those complaining about the lack of plot in #0, you can relax. The plot here mostly revolves around Harley getting a new place in Coney Island, but learning that, to keep it, she needs to collect pay from the tenants in all of the other apartments, and get a job. To further complicate matters, it seems that someone has put a bounty on her head, meaning there’s gonna be assassins looking to take her out. And yet, for all her psychotic faults, Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Chad Hardin manage to capture Harley’s more vulnerable and loveable side, so you kinda want her to make it through all of this. A good read, and I think will probably stay on my pull list from here on out.

Batman and Two-Face (really Batman and Robin #26) was great, and I love how they’re telling the tale of Erin McKillen, her sister, and their history with Harvey Dent in reverse order, where they tell what happened, and then discuss WHY it happened. My one complaint, however, is that, as great as this arc has been, this entire book has suffered a lot from changes occurring in other books, tie-ins, crossovers, etc. Here, it’s clear that the book was originally gonna lead into a story where Carrie Kelley was gonna become Robin while also telling a story about Two-Face and Erin. I’m fairly certain of that, especially considering that, since the hints started popping up that Damian was coming back, Carrie just kinda faded into the background and hasn’t been seen since. Maybe she still will become Robin and the hints are just a fake-out, but even if that is the case, it’s clear this was supposed to happen earlier and it got forced back. Still, this IS a good story that Peter Tomasi is writing. However, I really hope this book gets back to being about Batman and Robin, fast.

Anyway, that’s all for this week. Next week, I get to tell you all about What I Got For Christmas, though I may wait until I can use whatever gift cards I obtain first. Ja né!

Related articles

• Village Comics in Bedford, NH Reviews Harley Quinn #1 (villagecomics.net)
• Red Sonja #6 Brings the Queen of Plagues to a Close (whatchareading.com)
• New Comics Day: Our December 18 Pull List (theimprobablechuck.wordpress.com)
• 15/12/13 Batman (toddalevel3media.wordpress.com)
• Batman, Harley Quinn top November comics chart (digitalspy.co.uk)
• Controversial ‘suicide’ scene doesn’t appear in ‘Harley Quinn’ #0 (robot6.comicbookresources.com)
• Harley Quinn #1 (comicvine.com)
• Gail Simone Continues Red Sonja’s Rollicking Rampage [Interview] (comicsbeat.com)
• Preview: Red Sonja #6 (graphicpolicy.com)
• THE BAT SIGNAL: Palmiotti Talks “Harley Quinn,” Gothopia & Jonah Hex in the Modern DCU (comicbookresources.com)

What I Bought Today – Batman and Robin #22, Supergirl #22, Red Sonja #1(WARNING – SPOILERS AHEAD)

Well, I’ve chilled out a bit. Think I’m hitting burn-out with my stories. Plus, bothered by their lack of success, trying too hard to make them be successful instead of having fun with them, and I’m just baffled by my posters doing better when I put less effort into them…Also, kinda confused as to why I seem to get the most responses from people when I’m having my freak-out moments. lol But regardless, I calmed a bit, hung out with N. Harmonik, and went to the nearby comic book store, which I’m guessing is why you’re REALLY reading, to find out all about…

…That was a really shitty segway. lol Anyway, let’s start with Batman and Robin #22, AKA Batman and Catwoman.

Okay, I know this is going to shock people to their cores, but believe it or not, Catwoman is actually accurately presented here, this book references JLA, AND it makes up for a really dumb moment that occurred recently in Catwoman. But best of all, Bruce isn’t a COMPLETE asshole in this book. Now, he’s kind of a dick to Carrie Kelley, but you can kinda understand it a bit, and he at least is willing to deal with her. Hell, him and Catwoman save a little girl from some baddies and Batman comes off as kinda nice to both of them. If I had to pick on anything, it’s that the teaser to the upcoming Two Face arc seems EXTREMELY tacked on, and…well, you know how this arc in Batman and Robin is supposed to reference the five stages of grief? This one is supposed to be depression, and…honestly, while I get a little bit of depression from Bruce, he already feels like he’s closing in on the acceptance stage. It’s like we skipped some stuff or something. Otherwise, though, WAY better than the past couple of issues, and if you wanna see Catwoman done right in the New 52, this is one comic to look to, so kudos to Peter Tomasi for bringing back the one true Catwoman in this book, and without pulling her zipper down too.

So I may have been making a mistake the past few issues of Supergirl, as Mike Johnson actually tagged out for Michael Alan Nelson. My bad, though I will admit to being amazed at how I didn’t notice AT ALL. Clearly Mike #3 was watching what Mikes 1 & 2 were doing with Supergirl prior…Yes, every person to write Supergirl in the reboot was named Mike or Michael. I’m not kidding. But anyway, Supergirl #22 was good, but I have two sort-of complaints about it. The first is that Cyborg Superman‘s actual plans for Supergirl are revealed pretty quick, but considering we already knew he was evil and he only lets it slip because someone’s threatening to mess with said plans (spoilers, it’s Brainiac), it’s not too big a deal. The other complaint is that…well, Supergirl pwns Cyborg Superman pretty easily here. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s great to see Supergirl kick serious ass, but I was under the impression that Cyborg Superman was kinda supposed to be a big deal in the Superman books, and he gets pretty convincingly beaten by Supergirl, who I must remind is currently dying from Kryptonite poisoning. Unless he gets some kind of upgrade in the near future, his threat level is pretty low after this. But otherwise, still a good comic.

Red Sonja #1 was definitely a different experience. It was fun, no doubt, but I was lost at times concerning the cast of characters. Still, enough back-story is given that you have at least a general idea of who these people are, specifically that Red Sonja is the female barbarian badass to end all female barbarian badasses. ^_^ Also, clearly Dynamite is letting Gail Simone do whatever she wants, which actually works REALLY well here. Best line in the book, one of the two women sent to summon her to a castle refers to her as “She of the Excellent Cleavage”. XD Great read. Also, love the various covers for the book. I personally got the Stephanie Buscema cover, although I’m not sure how that happened since the back page suggests it was supposed to be a subscription exclusive cover.

Just in case anybody thought I was kidding. XD

Anyway, that’s all for this week. Next week, we see if Talon can possibly succeed in his mission to assassinate Bane and Sebastian Clark. Ja né!

Related articles

• At long last: Gail Simone’s Red Sonja, Issue 1 (whatchareading.com)
• Gail Simone Wastes No Time Making Red Sonja the Best Book EVER. (whatchareading.com)
• Red Sonja #1 sells out before release (comicsheatingup.wordpress.com)
• Comic Preview: Batman and Catwoman #22 (thelazygeeks.com)
• The Mary Sue Exclusive Preview: Supergirl #22 (themarysue.com)
• Red Sonja #1 First Printing by Gail Simone Sells Out (graphicpolicy.com)
• Gail Simone. Red Sonja #1 Review: The She-Devil Rises Anew (comichype.com)
• SDCC 2013: Dynamite Taps Top Female Talent for Legends of Red Sonja (graphicpolicy.com)
• Comic book picks of the week for 7/17/13 (comicsheatingup.wordpress.com)
• Who’s Getting What This Week? 2013 San Diego Comic Con Edition! (inveteratemediajunkies.com)