Red Sonja
Template:Short description Template:Other uses Template:Infobox comics character Red Sonja is a sword-and-sorcery character created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith for Marvel Comics in 1973, partially inspired by Robert E. Howard's character Red Sonya of Rogatino. A warrior from the Hyborian Age of Earth-616, partnered with Conan the Barbarian, she is reborn in modern times when her descendant/reincarnation Mary Jane "MJ" Watson attains her sword.
Marvel Comics published stories featuring Red Sonja until 1986, and returned to the character for a one-shot story in 1995. In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing stories of the heroine, during which the original Sonja was killed and replaced by a "reincarnation"; in 2007, Dynamite teamed with Marvel to publish Spider-Man/Red Sonja, where Mary Jane became Red Sonja once more. The series was rebooted by writer Gail Simone in 2013, telling an altered version of Red Sonja's early life story via flashbacks. Subsequent writers of Red Sonja have included Amy Chu, Mark Russell, Luke Lieberman, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Amanda Conner, among others.
Red Sonja has appeared in numerous titles, both as a solo protagonist and together with Conan, as well as in crossovers with characters from Marvel Comics and Dynamite Comics. A total of six Red Sonja novels were published from 1981 to 1983 by David C. Smith and Richard L. Tierney. A feature film starring Brigitte Nielsen in the title role, Red Sonja, was released in 1985, while a reboot film starring Matilda Lutz in the title role, Red Sonja, will be released in 2025.
Sonja's signature clothing is her bikini armor, consisting typically of scale mail. In 2011, Red Sonja was ranked first in Comics Buyer's Guide's "100 Sexiest Women in Comics" list.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
History
[edit]Marvel Comics (1973–1995)
[edit]Red Sonja was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith for Marvel Comics in 1973, partially based on Red Sonya, a female swashbuckler from "The Shadow of the Vulture".<ref>Afterword by Roy Thomas, in The Chronicles of Conan Volume 4: The Song of Red Sonja and Other Stories (Dark Horse, 2004)</ref>
Red Sonja debuted in Marvel's Conan the Barbarian #23 (1973).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Thomas created a new origin story and transposed the timeline from the 16th century of Howard's original Red Sonya to the Hyborian Age, another Howard creation, to have Sonja interact with Conan the Barbarian. In 1975, Marvel Comics published the first issue of Red Sonja after the character headlined Marvel Feature for seven issues that same year.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Red Sonja's origin story was told in the story "The Day of the Sword" in the Marvel magazine Kull and the Barbarians #3 (1975), written by Roy Thomas and Doug Moench and illustrated by Howard Chaykin. The same story was later redrawn by Dick Giordano and Terry Austin and published in the magazine The Savage Sword of Conan #78 (July 1982). In this version, Red Sonja lives with her family in the Western Hyrkanian steppes. When she is 21, a group of mercenaries kills her family and burns down their house. Sonja attempts to defend herself, but cannot lift her brother's sword. She is raped by the leader of the group. Answering her cry for revenge, the red goddess Scáthach appears to her and gives her incredible fighting skills, on the condition that she never lie with a man unless he defeats her in fair combat. In the story "Sword of the She-Devil" Marvel Team-Up #79 (December 1979), Red Sonja is reborn in the present-day of Earth-616 when her sword is found by her descendant/reincarnation Mary Jane "MJ" Watson (love interest of Peter Parker / Spider-Man.
In 1983, Marvel Comics published a second Red Sonja series, a two-issue story written by Christy Marx and Roy Thomas, with art by Tony DeZuniga and Ernie Colón. The story also featured an appearance by the Robert E. Howard heroine Valeria.
That same year, Marvel launched a third series, running thirteen issues. Writers included Tom DeFalco, Bill Mantlo, and Louise Simonson, with art by Mary Wilshire, Pat Broderick, and Rudy Nebres, among others.
In 1985, Marvel published a two-issue adaptation of the Red Sonja film starring Brigitte Nielsen. The adaptation was written by Louise Simonson and Mary Wilshire, with art by Mary Wilshire and Vince Colletta.
In 1995, Marvel published the one-shot issue Red Sonja: Scavenger Hunt, written by Glenn Herdling and illustrated by Ken Lashley.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2007, Marvel teamed with Dynamite Comics to publish Spider-Man/Red Sonja, a five-issue series written by Michael Avon Oeming with art by Mel Rubi, in which Mary Jane "MJ" Watson again awakens as Red Sonja.
Dynamite Comics (2005–present)
[edit]In 2005, Dynamite Comics began publishing Red Sonja. The series debuted with an issue zero written by Michael Avon Oeming and Mike Carey and drawn by Mel Rubi.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It depicted the original Sonja's death in issue #34. A new character of the same name, described as a reincarnation, takes her place from issue #35 onward.<ref>Reed, Brian. Red Sonja: Born Again. Dynamite Comics, 2010.</ref>
At the 2013 Emerald City Comic Con, Dynamite announced that Gail Simone would be writing a new ongoing Red Sonja series with art from Walter Geovani.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Simone noted in interviews that her version was slightly "rebooted", showing the character's beginnings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Issue #1 of Simone's run was released in July 2013 to positive reviews.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The series lasted 18 issues.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After Simone's run, Dynamite launched a new Red Sonja series in January 2016. The book featured Marguerite Bennett as writer, and a redesign of the character by artist Nicola Scott.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That series lasted six issues.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In December 2017, a new Red Sonja comic series debuted with a zero issue priced at 25 cents by writer Amy Chu with art by Carlos Gomez.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The series ran for 25 issues, ending in 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2019, a new series by writer Mark Russell and art by Mirko Colak debuted to positive critical reception,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> leading into a spinoff series called Killing Red Sonja.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Russell left the series after issue 24 and was replaced with writer Luke Lieberman, with art by Drew Moss.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The series ran 28 issues.
In mid-2021, Dynamite released the anthology Red Sonja: Black, White, Red. Each issue presents stories by different teams of artists and writers, including Kurt Busiek, Benjamin Dewey, Amanda Deibert, Cat Staggs, Mark Russell, and Bob Q.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also announced was a crossover with Project superpower. A sequel to it will be released in November 2022 called Vampirella VS Red Sonja.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In February 2021, Dynamite released a series titled Sonjaversal, depicting Red Sonja meeting her multiversal counterparts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> That same month, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti co-wrote the series Invincible Red Sonja with artist Moritat.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In June 2021, the character appeared in Die!namite and Die!namite Lives.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same month, Dynamite Entertainment announced that a new series written by Mirka Andolfo and drawn by Giuseppe Cafaro would debut in September 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first issue sold out its initial run of 32,000 copies, prompting a second printing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In December 2021, it was announced that Red Sonja would appear in the sequel to Die!namite and Die!namite Lives called Die!namite Never Dies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Hell Sonja, a spinoff from Sonjaversal, was released in January 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> That same month, the Immortal Red Sonja series by writer Dan Abnett and artist Alessandro Miracolo was announced for April, which would depict Sonja in King Arthur's Camelot.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2022, Dynamite announced that it would debut Red Sitha in May, set ten years after Andolfo's storyline, following Red Sonja's adopted daughter, Sitha.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In March 2022, Dynamite announced another spinoff titled from Sonjaversal, Samurai Sonja, written by Jordan Clark with art by Pasquale Qualano.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August, a one-shot fairy tale reimagining Red Sonja as Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk was released.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Unbreakable Red Sonja was released in October 2022,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the crossover series Hell Sonja/Red Sonja was released in December the same year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In April 2023, Dynamite announced that it would debut the next ongoing Red Sonja series by writer Torunn Grønbekk and artist Walter Geovani in celebration of the character's 50th anniversary.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first issue, released in July, featured dozens of variant covers by artists including Jim Cheung, Bryan Hitch, Mike Mignola, Joseph Michael Linsner, Jenny Frison, Frank Cho, and Kevin Eastman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Savage Red Sonja by Dan Panosian and Alessio Petillo was released in November 2023,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> followed by Red Sonja: Empire of the Damned by Steve Niles and Alessandro Amoruso in April 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The sequel to Red Sonja: Birth of the She-devil called Red Sonja: Death and the Devil was released in September 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Depiction of sexuality
[edit]Bikini armor
[edit]Template:More citations needed section Most artists depict Red Sonja wearing a very brief "chainmail bikini" costume of scale armor, usually with boots and gauntlets. As originally drawn by Barry Windsor-Smith for "The Shadow of the Vulture" and "The Song of Red Sonja" in Conan the Barbarian issues 23 and 24 (1972), she wore a long-sleeved mail shirt and short pants of red silk.<ref>Conan the Barbarian #23 - 24 (November - December 1972). Marvel Comics.</ref>
As told by Roy Thomas in the introduction of Red Sonja Adventures Volume 1 (Dynamite Entertainment), Spanish artist Esteban Maroto submitted an uncommissioned illustration to him while Thomas was editing the magazine Savage Sword of Conan. The illustration featured a redesigned silver "metal bikini", which resembled fantasy costumes that other Maroto heroines sported in the 1970s. This illustration was printed for the first time in Jim Steranko's magazine Comixscene #5 in black and white. It was reprinted in Savage Sword of Conan #1, then in Marvel Treasury Edition #15 in color, and later restored and colored by José Villarrubia as an alternative cover for the Dynamite Entertainment edition of Red Sonja #2. Maroto drew her in this costume for a double page spread illustration in Savage Tales #3 and then for her first solo adventure in Savage Sword of Conan #1. John Buscema drew her in this costume in the same magazine and in issues 43, 44, and 48 of Conan the Barbarian (1974). Dick Giordano portrayed Sonja in the bikini for the first issue of Marvel Feature vol. 2 (Nov. 1975) before Frank Thorne took over from issue #2 (Jan. 1976).
Bisexuality
[edit]In 2016, author Gail Simone indicated that Sonja was bisexual during her run.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2020, the series Red Sonja: The Price of Blood by writer Luke Lieberman and artist Walter Geovani corroborated this, depicting Sonja as having slept with a woman.<ref>Red Sonja - The Price of Blood #1 (2020). Dynamite Entertainment.</ref> In 2024, Simone's novel Red Sonja: Consumed portrays the character as having both male and female lovers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Comics bibliography
[edit]Marvel Comics
[edit]| Publication | Issue | Writer | Artist | Collected edition
*=not collected | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics Feature (1975) | 1–7 | Roy Thomas, Bruce Jones | Frank Thorne, Esteban Maroto, Neal Adams, Dick Giordano | Adventures of Red Sonja Volume 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 1) (1977) | 1–15 | Roy Thomas, Clair Noto | Frank Thorne, John Buscema | Adventures of Red Sonja Volume 2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Adventures of Red Sonja Volume 3<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 2) (1983) | 1–2 | Christy Marx, Roy Thomas | Tony DeZuniga, Ernie Colon, Alan Kupperberg | * | |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 3) (1983) | 1–8 | Tom DeFalco, Bill Mantlo, Louise Simonson | Dave Simons, May Wilshire, Pat Broderick, Rudy Nebres | * | |
| 9–13 | Louise Simonson, Mary Wilshire | Mary Wilshire | * | ||
| Red Sonja: The Movie (1985) | 1–2 | Louise Simonson, Mary Wilshire | Mary Wilshire, Vince Coletta | * | |
| Red Sonja: Scavenger Hunt | 1 | Glenn Herdling | Ken Lashley | * | |
Other Publishers
[edit]| Title | Publisher | ISSUE | WRITER | ARTIST | COLLECTED EDITION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sonja 3-D (1998) | Blackthorne | 1 | David Cody Weiss, Bobbi JG Weiss | Aaron Lopresti | * |
| Red Sonja: Death in Scarlet (1999) | Cross Plains | 1 | Roy Thomas | Steve Lightle | * |
Dynamite Entertainment
[edit]Ongoing series
[edit]| Title | Issue | Writer | Artist | Collected edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sonja: She Devil With a Sword (2005) | 0–80 | Mike Carey, Michael Avon Oeming | Mel Rubi | Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 2: Arrowsmith<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 3: The Rise of Kulan Gath<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 4: Animals & More<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 5: World on Fire<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 6: Death<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 7: Born Again<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 8: Blood Dynasty<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 9: War Season Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 10: Machines of Empire<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 11: Echoes of War<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 12: Swords Against the Jade Kingdom Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword, Vol. 13: The Long March Home Red Sonja: She-devil with a Sword Omnibus Volume 1 Red Sonja: She-devil with a Sword Omnibus Volume 2 Red Sonja: She-devil with a Sword Omnibus Volume 3 Red Sonja: She-devil with a Sword Omnibus Volume 4 Red Sonja: She-devil with a Sword Omnibus Volume 5 |
| Queen Sonja (2009) | 1–35 | Joshua Ortega, Arvid Nelson, Luke Lieberman | Mel Rubi, Jackson Herbert, Edgar Salazar, Fritz Casas, Milton Estevam | Queen Sonja Volume 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Queen Sonja Volume 2: The Red Queen<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Queen Sonja Volume 3: Coming of Age<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Queen Sonja Volume 4: Son of Set<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Queen Sonja Volume 5: Ascendency<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Queen Sonja Volume 6: Heavy is the Crown<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Queen Sonja Omnibus Volume 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 2) (2013) | 0–18 | Gail Simone | Walter Geovani | Red Sonja Volume 1: Queen of Plagues
Red Sonja Volume 2: The Art of Blood and Fire Red Sonja Volume 3: The Forgiving of Monsters The Complete Gail Simone Red Sonja Omnibus |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 3) (2016) | 1–6 | Marguerite Bennett | Aneke | Red Sonja: The Falcon Throne<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 4) (2016) | 0–25 | Amy Chu | Carlos Gomez | Red Sonja: Worlds Away Volume 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Red Sonja: Worlds Away Volume 2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: Worlds Away Volume 3<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: Worlds Away Volume 4<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja: Worlds Away Volume 5<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 5) (2019-2022) | 1–28 | Mark Russell, Luke Lieberman | Bob Quinn, Alessandro Miracolo, Drew Moss | Red Sonja Vol. 1: Scorched Earth<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Red Sonja Vol. 2: The Queen's Gambit<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja Vol. 3: Children's Crusade<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Red Sonja Vol. 4: Angel of Death<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja (Vol. 6) (2021) | 1–12 | Mirka Andolfo | Giuseppe Cafaro | Red Sonja Vol.1: Mother |
| Red Sonja (Vol.7) (2023) | 1–18 | Torunn Gronbekk | Walter Geovani | Red Sonja Vol. 1: His Master's Voice
Red Sonja Vol. 2: The Master's Return |
Limited Series
[edit]| Title | Issue | Writer | Artist | Collected edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sonja vs. Thulsa Doom (2005) | 1–4 | Luke Lieberman, Peter David | Will Conrad | Red Sonja vs. Thulsa Doom<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja: She Devil With a Sword Annual (2005) | 1–4 | Michael Avon Oeming, Christos N. Gage, Daniel Brereton, Scott Beatty | Stephen Sadowski, Pablo Marcos, Adriano Batista, Daniel Brereton, Joseph Menna | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja/Claw (2006) | 1–4 | John Layman | Andy Smith | Red Sonja/Claw: Devil's Hands<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Savage Red Sonja: Queen of the Frozen Wastes (2006) | 1–4 | Frank Cho, Doug Murray | Homs | Savage Red Sonja: Queen of the Frozen Wastes<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Sword of Red Sonja: Doom of the Gods (2007) | 1–4 | Luke Lieberman | Lui Antonio | Sword of Red Sonja: Doom of the Gods<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Giant Size Red Sonja (2007) | 1–2 | Michael Avon Oeming, Roy Thomas | Ron Adrian, John Buscema, Howard Chaykin, Wendy Pini, Frank Thorne | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2
Savage Tales Of Red Sonja |
| Savage Tales (2007) | 1–5
7–8,10 |
Ron Marz, Michael Avon Oemin, Christos Gage, Joshua Ortega, Vito Delsante, Mike Leib | Adriano Batista, Ron Adrian, Joyce Chin, Stephen Sadowski, Walter Geovani, Adriano Batista, Lui Antonio, Pablo Marcos, Diego Bernard | Savage Tales Of Red Sonja<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja: Wrath of the Gods (2010) | 1–5 | Luke Lieberman, Ethan Ryker | Walter Geovani | Red Sonja: Wrath of the Gods<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja: Revenge of the Gods (2011) | 1–5 | Luke Lieberman | Daniel Sampere | Red Sonja: Revenge of the Gods<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Prophecy (2012) 1-7 | 1–7 | Ron Marz | Walter Geovani | Prophecy |
| Red Sonja: Atlantis Rises (2012) | 1–4 | Luke Lieberman | Max Dunbar | Red Sonja: Atlantis Rises |
| Legends of Red Sonja (2013) | 1–5 | Gail Simone, various | Various | Legends of Red Sonja |
| Red Sonja: Unchained (2013) | 1–4 | Peter V. Brett | Jack Jadson | Red Sonja: Unchained |
| Red Sonja: Vulture's Circle (2014) | 1–5 | Nancy A. Collins, Luke Lieberman | Fritz Casas | Red Sonja: Vulture's Circle<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Swords of Sorrow (2015) | 1–5 | Gail Simone | Sergio Davila | Swords of Sorrow |
| Legenderry: A Steampunk Adventure | 1–7 | Bill Willingham | Sergio Davila | Legenderry: A Steampunk Adventure<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Legenderry Red Sonja (2015) | 1–5 | Marc Andreyko | Aneke | Legenderry Red Sonja: A Steampunk Adventure Vol. 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Legenderry Red Sonja (Vol. 2) (2018) | 1–5 | Marc Andreyko | Igor Lima | Legenderry Red Sonja: A Steampunk Adventure Vol. 2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja: Birth of the She-Devil (2019) | 1–4 | Luke Lieberman | Sergio Fernandez Davila | Red Sonja: Birth of the She-Devil<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Killing Red Sonja (2020) | 1–5 | Mark Russell, Bryce Ingman | Craig Rousseau | Killing Red Sonja<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja: The Price of Blood (2020) | 1–3 | Luke Lieberman | Walter Geovani | Red Sonja: The Price of Blood<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Sonjaversal (2021) 1-10 | 1–10 | Christopher Hastings | Pasquale Qualano | Sonjaversal Vol.1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Sonjaversal Vol.2 |
| The Invincible Red Sonja (2021) | 1–10 | Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner | Moritat | Invincible Red Sonja |
| Red Sonja: Black, White, Red (2021) | 1–8 | Various | Various | Red Sonja: Black, White, Red Vol. 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>Red Sonja: Black, White, Red Vol. 2 |
| Immortal Red Sonja (2022) | 1–10 | Dan Abnett | Alessandro Miracolo, Alessandro Ranaldi | Immortal Red Sonja Vol. 1
Immortal Red Sonja Vol. 2 |
| Unbreakable Red Sonja (2022) | 1–5 | Jim Zub | Giovanni Valletta | * |
| Savage Red Sonja (2023) | 1–5 | Dan Panosian | Alessio Petillo | * |
| Red Sonja: Death and the Devil (2024) | 1–present | Luke Lieberman | Alberto Locatelli |
One Shots
[edit]| Title | Issue | Writer | Artist | Collected edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Sonja: One More Day (2006) | Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray | Liam Sharp | Red Sonja Travels Volume 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Red Sonja: Monster Isle (2006) | Roy Thomas | Pablo Marcos | Red Sonja Travels Volume 1 | |
| Red Sonja Goes East (2006) | Ron Marz | Joe Ng | Red Sonja Travels Volume 1 | |
| Red Sonja: Vacant Shell (2007) | Rick Remender | Paul Renaud | Red Sonja Travels Volume 1 | |
| Red Sonja: Deluge (2010) | Dan Brereton | Cris Bolson | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2 | |
| Red Sonja: Break the Skin (2011) | Jen Van Meter | Caesar Rodriguez | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2 | |
| Red Sonja: Blue (2011) | Peter Brett | Walter Geovani | Red Sonja: Unchained | |
| Red Sonja: Raven (2012) | Marc Mason | Lui Antonio | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2 | |
| Red Sonja: Black Tower (2014) | Frank Tieri | Cezar Razek | Red Sonja: Black Tower | |
| Red Sonja: Sanctuary (2014) | Marc Mason | Noah Solanga | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2 | |
| Red Sonja and Cub (2014) | Jim Zub | Jonathan Lau | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2 | |
| Red Sonja: Berserker (2014) | Nancy Collin | Fritz Casas | Red Sonja Travels Volume 2 | |
| Li'l Sonja (2014) | Jim Zub | Joel Carroll | * | |
| Red Sonja #100 (2015) | Gail Simone, Roy Thomas, Luke Lieberman, Eric Trautmann, Michael Avon Oeming | Sergio Davila, Pablo Marcos, Dave Acosta, Taki Soma, Noah Salonga | * | |
| Red Sonja: 1973 (2015) | Cullen Bunn, Eric Trautmann, Roy Thomas, Luke Lieberman, Gail Simone | Dave Acosta, Rich Buckler | * | |
| Altered States: Red Sonja (2015) | Brandon Jerwa | Juanan Ramirez | * | |
| Red Sonja: The Long Walk to Oblivion (2017) | Amy Chu, Erik Burnham | Carlos Gomez, Tom Mandrake | Red Sonja: Worlds Away Volume 2 | |
| Red Sonja: Holiday Special (2018) | Amy Chu, Roy Thomas | Ricardo Jamie, Frank Thorne | * | |
| Red Sonja: Halloween Special (2018) | Various | Various | * | |
| Red Sonja: The Ballad of the Red Goddess (2018) | Roy Thomas | Esteban Maroto, Santi Casas | * | |
| Red Sonja: Lord of Fools (2019) | Mark Russell | Bob Q, Katie O'Meara | * | |
| Savage Tales: Red Sonja Halloween Special (2019) | Mark Russell | Jacob Edgar | * | |
| Red Sonja 1982 (2021) | Amy Chu | Eric Blake | * | |
| Red Sonja: Valentine's Special (2021) | Bill Willingham | Giuseppe Cafaro | * | |
| Red Sonja: 2021 Holiday Special | Mirka Andolfo, Luca Blengino | Zulema Lavina | * | |
| Red Sonja: Valentine's Day Special (2022) | Chuck Brown | Lee Ferguson | * | |
| Red Sonja Fairy Tales (2022) | Jordan Clark | Andres Labrada | * | |
| Red Sonja: Noir (2025) | David Avallone | Edu Menna | * | |
Crossovers
[edit]| Title | Issue | Writer | Artist | Collected edition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossovers | ||||
| Witchblade/Red Sonja (2012) | 1–5 | Doug Wagner | Cezar Razek | Witchblade/Red Sonja |
| Conan/Red Sonja (2014) | 1–4 | Gail Simone, Jim Zub | Dan Panosian | Conan/Red Sonja |
| Red Sonja/Conan (2015) | 1–4 | Victor Gischler | Roberto Castro | Red Sonja/Conan |
| Swords of Sorrow: Red Sonja/Jungle Girl (2015) | 1–3 | Marguerite Bennett | Mirka Andolfo | Swords of Sorrow: Red Sonja/Jungle Girl |
| Pathfinder: Worldscape (2016) | 1–6 | Erik Mona | Jonathan Lau | Pathfinder: Worldscape Volume 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Pathfinder: Worldscape: Red Sonja (2017) | Erik Mona | Tom Mandrake, Matt Gaudio | Pathfinder: Worldscape Volume 2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> | |
| Red Sonja/Tarzan (2018) | 1–6 | Gail Simone | Walter Geovani | Red Sonja/Tarzan<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja and Vampirella meet Betty and Veronica (2019) | 1–12 | Amy Chu | Maria Sanapo | Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty and Veronica Vol. 1<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Red Sonja and Vampirella Meet Betty and Veronica Vol. 2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Vampirella/Red Sonja (2019) | 1–12 | Jordie Bellaire | Drew Moss | Vampirella/Red Sonja Vol.1: These Dark Synchronicities<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Vampirella/Red Sonja Vol.2<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja: Age of Chaos (2020) | 1–6 | Erik Burnham | Jonathan Lau | Red Sonja: Age of Chaos <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Mars Attacks: Red Sonja (2020) | 1–5 | John Layman | Fran Strukan | Mars Attacks: Red Sonja<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Red Sonja: The Super Powers (2021) | 1–5 | Dan Abnett | Jonathan Lau | Red Sonja: The Super Powers<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Vampirella vs. Red Sonja (2022) | 1–5 | Dan Abnett | Alessandro Ranaldi | Vampirella vs. Red Sonja |
| Red Sonja Attacks Mars (2025) | 1–4 | Jay Stephens | Fran Strukan | * |
Spin-off bibliography
[edit]| Publication | Publisher | Writer | Artist | Collected edition
*=not collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hell Sonja (2022) 1–6 | Dynamite Entertainment | Christopher Hastings | Pasquale Qualano | * |
| Samurai Sonja (2022) 1–4 | Dynamite Entertainment | Jordan Clark | Pasquale Qualano | * |
| Red Sitha (2022) 1–4 | Dynamite Entertainment | Mirka Andolfo | Valentina Pinti | * |
In solo stories in anthologies
[edit]Team-ups
[edit]- With Spider-Man in Marvel Team-Up #79 (Marvel Comics) writer: Chris Claremont; artist: John Byrne
- With Spider-Man in Spider-Man/Red Sonja mini-series co-published by Dynamite Entertainment. The Spider-Man/Red Sonja TPB (Template:ISBN) collects Spider-Man/Red Sonja (2007) #1–5 (Oct. 2007 – Feb. 2008) and Marvel Team-Up (1972–1985 first series) #79 (March 1979).
- Wolverine in What if? Vol. 2, #16 (Marvel Comics) (Sonja is defeated by Wolverine and becomes his mate).
- Official Handbook of the Conan Universe #1 (Marvel Comics) (1986).
- Marvel Feature #4 was reprinted in the book The Superhero Women edited by Stan Lee. Red Sonja was featured among many of Marvel's female characters on the cover painted by John Romita, Sr.
Team-ups with Conan
[edit]In other media
[edit]Novels
[edit]Sonja has been featured in several novels by David C. Smith and Richard L. Tierney with covers by Boris Vallejo:
- #1 The Ring of Ikribu (Ace 1981) (Adapted to comics by Roy Thomas and Esteban Maroto in The Savage Sword of Conan issues 230–3). Smith has written an unproduced screenplay based on this novel.
- #2 Demon Night (Ace 1982)
- #3 When Hell Laughs (Ace 1982)
- #4 Endithor's Daughter (Ace 1982)
- #5 Against the Prince of Hell (Ace 1983)
- #6 Star of Doom (Ace 1983)
In April 2023, Red Sonja, LLC, announced that an original Red Sonja novel written by Gail Simone would be published by Orbit Books in mid-2024 titled Red Sonja: Consumed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Television
[edit]Red Sonja appears in a self-titled episode of Conan the Adventurer in 1998, portrayed by Angelica Bridges. Additionally, pro wrestler Sable had announced plans to portray the character in a solo series which was never produced.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Animation
[edit]Red Sonja appears in the 2016 animated comic book adaptation Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues, voiced by Misty Lee.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Film
[edit]- Red Sonja appears in a self-titled film in 1985, portrayed by Brigitte Nielsen.
- Rose McGowan was intended to portray Sonja in a 2010 film, but these plans were abandoned after McGowan suffered injuries that permanently damaged her right arm.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a February 2011 interview, film producer Avi Lerner stated that Simon West was hired to direct the film and also mentioned Amber Heard as McGowan's replacement.<ref>Williams, Owen. "Amber Heard For Red Sonja? With Simon West directing?". Empire. February 10, 2011</ref> On February 26, 2015, Christopher Cosmos was hired to write the film's script.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Filmmaker Mike Lè Han has made a video for his pitch of him directing Red Sonja.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- In 2017, Millennium Films announced a new Red Sonja film, with Avi Lerner and Joe Gatta producing along with Cinelou Films' Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon and writing by Ashley Miller.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2018, Bryan Singer was confirmed to direct the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2019, following allegations against Singer of sexual assault, Millennium stated Red Sonja was no longer on their slate of films,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Singer was fired from the production the next month.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 21, 2019, three months after Singer was removed as director, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Joey Soloway had been hired to write and direct the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 26, 2021, the same publication announced that Tasha Huo was selected to write the film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film was scheduled to begin filming in 2022,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but in March of that year it was reported that Soloway had exited the project and M. J. Bassett was hired as director.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On August 23, 2022, Millennium Media confirmed that the film had begun production in Bulgaria, with Italian actress Matilda Lutz playing the title role.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The film is planned for release in the US and UK in late 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Role-playing games
[edit]Red Sonja is featured in the Dungeons & Dragons module Red Sonja Unconquered.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In 2018, Dynamite Entertainment released the Red Sonja: Hyrkania's Legacy board game,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> followed by an expansion module in 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The games allowed players to play as Red Sonja and various supporting characters in adventures set in Hyrkania.
Awards
[edit]1973 Academy of Comic Book Arts Awards: Best Individual Story (Dramatic). The Song of Red Sonja. Written by Roy Thomas and pencilled, inked and colored by Barry Smith. The story first appeared in Conan the Barbarian issue 24 (March 1972), in which two panels were censored by John Romita, Sr.Template:Citation needed The uncensored story was reprinted in Marvel Treasury Edition, Volume 1, No. 15, 1977, where it was recolored by Glynis Wein and the artwork was slightly cropped to fit the page format.
Legal issues
[edit]On June 6, 2006, the comic news site Newsarama reported that Red Sonja, LLC (which holds rights to the Roy Thomas version of the character, created in 1973)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> filed a lawsuit on four counts against Paradox Entertainment (which claims rights to Red Sonya as part of the Howard library) in US Federal Court in April 2006. The four counts were claims of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and unfair competition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The lawsuit was settled in January 2008, on the second day of the hearing, for a sum of $1 each. Red Sonja LLC paid $1 to Paradox for the rights to Howard's Red Sonya and permission for the Red Sonja stories to continue being set in Conan's Hyborian Age. Paradox simultaneously paid $1 to Red Sonja LLC for the exclusive print-publication rights for "The Shadow of the Vulture" now that one of the characters belongs to Red Sonja LLC.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Template:Official website
- A bibliography of Marvel Feature Presents and all the solo Red Sonja series published by Marvel Comics
- Red Sonja at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017.
- Template:Marveldatabase
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