Red Sonja #16 The Final Forgiving of Monsters

Red Sonja #16 ends an arc that has been one of the She-Devil’s hardest. The person she has had to battle the most in “Forgiving of Monsters” has been herself. Sure, there was an evil sorcerer or two involved, but thanks to the initial curse, she has had to deal with the results of being unable to forgive. This battle has left her exhausted and near death.

Gail Simone loves writing teams in her work; Red Sonja has almost never faced anything without a friend or two to come alongside. Although this final battle with death is one she has to face alone, Simone makes it clear that she is a hero and a friend to many people as they gather to watch over her. Simone also enjoys Red Sonja’s sarcastic, insolent side, and it is in full-swing in this issue.

Walter Geovani is at showing the emotions of the bystanders and those of Sonja herself. Varying panel shapes allows him to vary the focus of different areas. Much of this issue is quiet, particularly for Red Sonja, so the varied views and colors have to supply the action. Not that Sonja never fights. She wouldn’t be Red Sonja if she quit without a fight.

This whole arc has been unexpectedly profound, dealing with the importance and nature of forgiveness. I do love Red Sonja, but I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting this thoughtfulness from the red-haired She-Devil. If you have not been following this arc all along, I strongly recommend picking up The Forgiving of Monsters when it comes out in Trade Paperback.

Red Sonja #16 comes out on May 27, 2015 from Dynamite Comics. The trade paperback is listed on Amazon and Powell’s as coming out July 7, 2015.

Writer: Gail Simone
Art: Walter Geovani
Main Cover: Jenny Frison, Variant Cover: Cat Staggs
Colors: Adriano Lucas, Alex Guimaraes, Marco Lesko
Letters: Simon Bowland