“Red Sonja Noir: The Plunder & The Princess #1” Review – A Strong Addition to Avallone’s Work

This particular addition to the Red Sonja mixture is one I’ve had my sights on for a hot minute now. Announced back in April and following up last year’s one shot also by David Avallone, this installment doesn’t disappoint. Pick up your copy today and follow me on this wild ride as we look at the new issue of “Red Sonja: Noir”!

Writer: David Avallone
Artist: Edson Enn
Colorist: Adriano Augusto

The Writing

If you know David Avallone and his work, then you know how truly underrated he is. Here, in one single issue, he managed to tell a complete story full of several twists and turns with might and magic mixed in. Needless to say, the story itself was riveting from start to finish. With every twist, it kept me spinning on my heels, keeping things interesting and my eyes glued to the page.

Not only did Avallone pack a full intriguing story in forty pages, but he worked the magic to show the full depth of Sonja’s character. Everything from her battle sense to her wit and intuition were there. Something I was very happy to see though was that her queerness remained as well. With some writers, a character’s queer identity can be lost or forgotten, but not with Avallone. Those small moments littered throughout were enough to make me smile from ear-to-ear, the story and action being massive bonuses.

The Art

If you’ve never heard of Edson Enn, then this book will most certainly put you on. For me, just one page alone was enough to make me follow his Instagram. There was one shot in particular that sold me, looking ripped straight from a metal album cover. He and Avallone also sprinkled in moments of humor where, if you’re a meme lover like me, you’ll pick up on them immediately.

Blending perfectly with Enn’s incredible artwork are the colors of the great Adriano Augusto. Anyone whose read my reviews for “Vampirella: Armageddon” knows how much praise I give this man. Here, he and Enn are like a match made in Hyboria. At so many instances, his colors with Enn’s shading created awe inspiring shots. The colors were this perfect blend of dark and lighting, giving character to this intense fantasy world in an eye-catching way.

Final Thoughts

Avallone truly shines in leading “Red Sonja Noir”, proving that he’s more than deserving of a Red Sonja on-going. In one issue, he perfectly captured the noir vibes while nailing all layers of the character and her world. Rounding this issue out are the jaw-dropping art and colors from Enn and Augusto. If you need something refreshing for your pull list, then consider this the mint it needs.

Overall Grade: 10/10

Read more from me here and check out my socials!

Comments

Were you like me and looking forward to “Red Sonja Noir”? Are you a fan of the character and Avallone’s writing? Let’s discuss in the comments below!