2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Red Sonja, the iconic She-Devil With a Sword. As part of the celebrations, a new ongoing comic book series will be released by Dynamite Comics, with the first issue - written by Torunn Grønbekk - set to arrive in time for this year's San Diego Comic-Con on July 19.
It's also been revealed that the story will initially be teased in a special Free Comic Book Day issue #0 that will be available at no cost on May 6. Featuring a show-stopping, ultra-detailed, and action-packed cover by Nick Bradshaw, orders of around 95,000 copies of Red Sonja #0 are going to be stocked by retailers, a sign the publisher is looking to put this character back on the map.
Issue #0 finds Red Sonja on the run, framed for a heinous crime she did not commit and with an unseen force tugging at the back of her mind. Yet even as Sonja deals with the terrors of war and mysterious magic, the true danger will be threatened from the most unexpected of sources. Big surprises await, as the creative team pays tribute to the golden anniversary legend, all while challenging her and the audience's expectations along the journey.
"Growing up in Norway, I was raised on mythology and stories, and it sometimes feels like it has all led up to the work I’m doing now," Grønbekk says. "Badass, complex women are a pillar of our lore, and there are few things I enjoy as much as writing them. Red Sonja is a legend. She is the sword-wielding menace I dreamt about growing up, not only because she is capable but because she is allowed to be vulnerable."
Artist Walter Geovani joins Grønbekk as the interior artist for the series, while he'll be accompanied by colourist Omi Remalante Jr. and letterer Simon Bowland.
There's also a whole host of variant covers on the way, including one particularly eye-catching effort featuring cosplayer Joanie Brosas. Artists lending their talents to Red Sonja #1 include Shannon Maer, Jim Cheung, Alan Quah, Bryan Hitch, Jenny Frison, Kevin Eastman, Mike Mignola, Lucio Parrillo, Joseph Michael Linsner, and Bjorn Barends, and you can see some of those below as well.
All this comes in time for a new Red Sonja movie that will be directed by M. J. Bassett and star Matilda Lutz as the title character. We still have no news on a release date for that, unfortunately.
Check out some of these Red Sonja covers below.