
Conan Red Sonja #1
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The good
Entertaining characters and story connecting to a bigger, and more terrifying plot.
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The bad
Doesn't explain origin of seed. Villain revealing entire plan to hired warriors
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The ugly
- Total score
Conan Red Sonja #1 is a new 4-part series co-written by Gail Simone and Jim Zub as a crossover between Dynamite and Dark Horse comics. It features the two warriors as they face a threat unlike anything they’ve experienced to this point in their lives. This is long before they became well-known warriors, and it opens up in the city of Enshophur where Red Sonja is a spectator at a bloody sporting event pitting man against beast in the prince’s honor. The king plans on giving him a rare jewel at the end of the night, or rather that’s the rumor, and it has attracted Red Sonja’s attention. So she curries favor with the one who organized the spectator event in hopes of infiltrating the castle later to make her move. And she does but not without warning the organizer that if he doesn’t stop killing animals for fun as part of his events she’ll be back to find and kill him. But she’s not the only one with her eyes set on that prize as Conan, the Cimmerian, intends on claiming it for himself. Maybe one thief could do it and sneak out without alerting the garrison but if they cross paths before taking the jewel will they end up fighting to the death or form a shaky alliance? Meanwhile, Manus Drath, a mysterious traveler arrives on the Barachan Isles bearing a strange seed that he claims will change the world for his master. The farmers on this remote island are being well compensated so they prepare to plant the seed with no objections. What is this mysterious seed, and how is it connected to Conan and Red Sonja’s respective rise to notoriety?

SUMMARY
Conan Red Sonja #1 is an excellent start to the crossover series with its entertaining portrayal of classic characters, and a story that brings them together in an organic way. The differing styles were established early on to introduce the characters so even if you’re completely unfamiliar with them you’ll still be able to fully enjoy this issue. The initial theft of the “jewel” is enjoyable but the connection to a larger story and threat leading into next issue is even more engrossing, and I’m looking forward to seeing the two of them working together to confront this. The artwork captures the tone of the series wonderfully, especially the twisted nature of the threat, although some panels from a distance could lack the finer details. However, if you’re looking for an entertaining read or ever enjoyed either of these characters, then you should definitely check out this issue.
Release Date: 1/14/15
Writers: Gail Simone, Jim Zub
Artist: Dan Panosian
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