Red Sonja #17 sees the Red Devil’s orgy interrupted by a group of nuns. The eldest tartly tells her “Cover your various apertures and shake that steam out of your teapot” and listen to what she is being asked to do. The nuns then offer her a reward, but refuse to tell her what rare treasure needs guarding before she sees it. Perhaps they guess, rightly, that it is not a treasure Red Sonja will be terribly enthusiastic about.
Apparently, someone told Simone that Sonja was now “vulgar.” Simone, of course, responded in her usual manner:
A long-time Red Sonja aficionado sniffed snootily recently that my Red Sonja was 'vulgar.'
My response is, 'fuck yes, she is.'
— GAIL SIMONE (@GailSimone) July 28, 2015
The opening of Red Sonja #17 might indeed be described as vulgar. It is also accurate to describe it as funny. Neither should be at all unexpected to anyone who has been reading the last sixteen issues of Red Sonja (or indeed, any of the issues Simone wrote before that). Whatever Sonja does is done with abandon. What may surprise readers is that, at this point, Sonja is evidently not in need of a bath.
As with previous issues, Simone quickly establishes a group dynamic, presenting a group of nuns who are devoted to their work without all being shoved into a single category of “characterless fanatic.” These are individuals, and each responds to Sonja and to the dilemma in her own way. The interdependence of individuals and the many shades of being Simone describes is one of the book’s greatest delights.
After the first few pages, Sonja actually eschews her metal bikini in favor of full armor. Perhaps Death’s comments at the beginning got her attention after all? Artist Walter Geovani continues his noteworthy work on the book, moving Sonja between angry, vulnerable, and simply tired in both facial expression and body language.
Red Sonja #17 marks the beginning of a new arc, making it a good stepping on point for people who enjoy reading about a swordswoman who lives life with all-out abandon.
Writer: Gail Simone
Art: Walter Geovani
Cover A Main: Jenny Frison
Cover B Variant: Rebecca Isaacs
Also, it’s Gail Simone’s birthday today. Stop by @GailSimone and wish the “Professional Vulgarian” a happy birthday!
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- Cover B: Rebecca Isaacs
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- Cover C by Buscema
