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geekwayne's review
5.0
'Red Sonja Volume 3: The Forging of Monsters' end the run by Gail Simone. I've been able to read most of it, and it's been some of the better comics I've read, and certainly the best I've read of this character.
When a village hires Sonja to do a job, she ends up with a strange curse. She is cursed never to forgive. She doesn't believe in curses, but when she sees the results of such a life, it frightens her. This is also complicated by someone from her past that she runs into. She sees a man who helped kill her family. Sonja has hunted all of the people responsible for her family's death down except this man. She can't forgive him, curse or no. He evades her again as the village is threatened. Will Sonja pursue her revenge or save the village.
There is a back up story in which Sonja has to help a religious order save their library. She thinks this is a stupid job because they are just books, but when one of the stories speaks to her, it gives her the courage to fight back.
I will miss this writer with thsi character. I feel like the character got taken to a new level under Gail Simone and I hope whoever takes over next builds on that. The writing is smart and the art is also good.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dynamite, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
When a village hires Sonja to do a job, she ends up with a strange curse. She is cursed never to forgive. She doesn't believe in curses, but when she sees the results of such a life, it frightens her. This is also complicated by someone from her past that she runs into. She sees a man who helped kill her family. Sonja has hunted all of the people responsible for her family's death down except this man. She can't forgive him, curse or no. He evades her again as the village is threatened. Will Sonja pursue her revenge or save the village.
There is a back up story in which Sonja has to help a religious order save their library. She thinks this is a stupid job because they are just books, but when one of the stories speaks to her, it gives her the courage to fight back.
I will miss this writer with thsi character. I feel like the character got taken to a new level under Gail Simone and I hope whoever takes over next builds on that. The writing is smart and the art is also good.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dynamite, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
unladylike's review
4.0
Although there were several years between my reading of Gail Simone's first two volumes of Red Sonja, this final arc was satisfying in a way that stood apart from the majority of comics/graphic novels I've consumed. The only thing that I *really* don't like is Sonja's seeming disregard for consent from those she fucks. It falls under the double-standard in our culture that approves of cis women being sexually aggressive to anyone they choose without asking or gauging mutual desire, whereas if she were either a man or a trans person with a penis, the same actions would be deemed unacceptable and rapacious.
jacob_books_corneryt's review
3.0
The fact that this is the last red sonja apart of this run is ashame. I wanted more. Even if this one wasn't the best.
arisia's review
4.0
Not quite as strong as the second in the series, but still a more solid tale than you'll find in most any adventure comics. It does a good job of rounding out the two preceding volumes, without being preoccupied with them--and certainly benefits from not being concerned with what comes after.
old_tim's review
5.0
A very satisfying run to Simone's run on the character.
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2016/01/such-sweet-sorrow.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2016/01/such-sweet-sorrow.html
elturko64's review
4.0
This is the end of Gail Simone's run of Red Sonja. It was still great to see Gail Simone keep up the pace with the character and story. Also this volume has one of the most grizzly/gnarly scenes I've seen in a comic book for quite some time. So props to Simone for making this book go metal, which it does a handful of times. I think the biggest compliant I have with this book is that the story essentially ends midway through the book and Gail decides to tack on another story that is two or three issues. But that's okay, because this still was a great book.
carroq's review
4.0
This book is a great ode to Sonja, a badass barbarian babe. The story starts similarly to the previous two arcs, but goes in a different direction.
Sonja is in a great place after her work for the emperor in the previous arc. But her fortune quickly changes when she encounters a sorcerer that puts a curse on her. There are a lot more supernatural/fantasy elements in this volume, and this kicks them off.
Once Sonja believes the curse is real, she takes matters into her own hands to put an end to it. This leads her to a confrontation with Death, who bears a striking resemblance to Sonja. We see reappearances of those she has saved in her travels, as well as the appearance of the final man responsible for the destruction of her home and family. Sonja's sacrifice and redemption are a great conclusion for this run. They really showcase the hero that she is, even when she doesn't want to shoulder the burden.
Once again, the alternate cover art is fantastic.
Sonja is in a great place after her work for the emperor in the previous arc. But her fortune quickly changes when she encounters a sorcerer that puts a curse on her. There are a lot more supernatural/fantasy elements in this volume, and this kicks them off.
Once Sonja believes the curse is real, she takes matters into her own hands to put an end to it. This leads her to a confrontation with Death, who bears a striking resemblance to Sonja. We see reappearances of those she has saved in her travels, as well as the appearance of the final man responsible for the destruction of her home and family. Sonja's sacrifice and redemption are a great conclusion for this run. They really showcase the hero that she is, even when she doesn't want to shoulder the burden.
Once again, the alternate cover art is fantastic.
thetarantulalounge's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This third volume of Gail Simone’s stories about the Hyrkanian warrior wraps up the author’s fantastic run on Red Sonja series. Simone brings adventure, heart, and humor to a character that could easily be one dimensional in the wrong hands. She is kind of like Gronk in a chainmail bikini. (Thankfully, a hardcover collection of Simone’s run recently came out. I think all three volumes are of equal quality, so if you read the first one and enjoy it, just get the hardcover.)
Volume three is not a stand-alone collection. (Emmalita can fill you in with this review.) Sonja is dealing with the consequences of the first two volumes, both good and bad. You can follow the stories in this collection well enough without context, but you will be scratching your head wondering about some characters from previous stories occasionally popping up. Certain twists and turns in the plot won’t carry the same weight. Without revealing any spoilers, one of the most interesting part of this run is Sonja considering whether or not her avenging warrior lifestyle is how she wants to spend the rest of her days. I mean this not in a cliched angsty way, but in the way a barbarian very into fighting and passion would occasionally wonder about things in between bouts of ale and ravishing.
That being said, there are plenty of fun action sequences and quips. I believe volume one contains some notes from Gail Simone explaining that she has loved this character for decades. That comes through here.
This is a nice, open-ended finish to Simone’s great work with this character
Volume three is not a stand-alone collection. (Emmalita can fill you in with this review.) Sonja is dealing with the consequences of the first two volumes, both good and bad. You can follow the stories in this collection well enough without context, but you will be scratching your head wondering about some characters from previous stories occasionally popping up. Certain twists and turns in the plot won’t carry the same weight. Without revealing any spoilers, one of the most interesting part of this run is Sonja considering whether or not her avenging warrior lifestyle is how she wants to spend the rest of her days. I mean this not in a cliched angsty way, but in the way a barbarian very into fighting and passion would occasionally wonder about things in between bouts of ale and ravishing.
That being said, there are plenty of fun action sequences and quips. I believe volume one contains some notes from Gail Simone explaining that she has loved this character for decades. That comes through here.
This is a nice, open-ended finish to Simone’s great work with this character
sans's review
4.0
Gail needs to write everything, all the time. I don't think I've ever read a "bad" story by her. She really shines here with the over the top fantasy tropes and I'm sad that her run in this series was only 19 issues.