Review: Red Sonja / Tarzan #1
Dynamite Entertainment seem to have a marketing scheme that is built on the classic team-up model. We have had Batman ’66 matched against a raft of characters, one of which was the ’77 Wonder Woman who herself has spent time with The Bionic Woman. More recently, Sonja’s Hyborian Age partner-in-melee Conan has shared the spotlight with the Princess of Themiscyra. Now, its publishing stable mates, Red Sonja and Tarzan’s time to get to know one another.
The forest of Australia of 1921 is the starting point for this tales. As with most things involving a jungle, be it Tarzan’s or Sheena’s, it is the intrusion of man this time in the shape of super poacher Eson Duul that starts the ball rolling. With his victory assured against the defenceless, he sends his proxy out to locate a more feminine conquest. Moving forward, Lord Greystoke is invited to see Duul’s collection and what he sees pretty much sets the table for the tale. It is the inclusion of Sonja, who has had a couple of things taken from her from Duul, that gives this well-worn idea a little pep.
Gail Simone is no stranger to Sonja, having spent some time with her on more than a few books. Therefore, I am surprised to see Sonja bested so easily. In my mind she is, regardless of beer, a formidable fighter. To see her at a loss is disconcerting to say the least. I understand that her loss needs to mirror Tarzan, who is in the middle of quagmire of sorts. As Lord Greystoke, he has spent time away from his precious Jungle to the detriment of it’s inhabitants. Together the pair have lost so much and Simone, who in the past has put Barbara Gordon through the emotional wringer, is the person to give the story some gravitas.
Also along for the ride is another Sonja alumni, Walter Geovani. Fans of his work will no doubt love it. Under a more critical eye, his Sonja is great as his a lot of the supporting cast. His Tarzan on the other hand is a little odd; not bad, just dd. Looking at him, I am reminded of the old Filmation version of the Lord of the Jungle, at least facially and the shaggy hair look. Surely anything is better than Christopher Lambert, right? Geovani’s art is blocky at times which gives the big bad an actual presence. Geovani’s art is helped by the colors of Adriano Augusto whose colors are evocative of the heat of both the jungle and Sonja’s homeland. With this being Dynamite, there are a number of variant covers to choose from. Pick your favorite.
When I first heard of this book, I thought there were two characters that sound like that they should be paired together. On reading the book, I am having second thoughts. The mix is odd; one takes animals for granted and the other doesn’t. The fact that the Duul has impacted both of their lives, doesn’t necessarily mean that the two will get on. Still, Simone’s writing is nearly always enjoyable, and by now, she has earned the benefit of the doubt as this series as begins.
Writing -Â 4 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Colors – 4 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Written by; Gail Simone
Art by; Walter Geovani
Colors by; Adriano Augusto
Published by; Dynamite Entertainment
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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