Red Sonja: She-Devil with a Sword
February 20, 2009
Robert E. Howard (b. 22 Jan. 1906, d. 11. June 1936) created character Red Sonya of Rogatino to short story The Shadow of the Vulture which was published in The Magic Carpet pulp-magazine in January 1934. Scriptwriter Roy Thomas mixed together Russian swordslady Red Sonya and other Howard's character, Dark Agnes de Chastillon, who were a French swordslady from the 16th-century. The looks and outfit was created by artist Barry Windsor-Smith, and the first appearance of comic character Red Sonja was in Conan the Barbarian #23, February 1973. Other Howard's creations who has made comics has been King Kull and Solomon Kane.
Mostly Red Sonja has been minor character in Conan the Barbarian comic books (published by Marvel Comics in 1974-1991). Marvel Comics published Red Sonja comic books from January 1977 to May 1986. After that has come some one-shot publishings, but in 2005 Dynamite Entertainment started to publish Sword of Red Sonja series.
The origin of Red Sonja has presented many times. First in the story
The Day of the Sword in
Kull and the Barbarians #3 by Roy Thomas, Doug Moench, and Howard Chaykin. Same story has seen also in
The Savage Sword of Conan #78 by Dick Giordano and Terry Austin.
Red Sonja has fought with Spider-Man against Kulan Gath in the story Sword Of The She-Devil by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, published in Marvel Team-Up #79 in March 1979. Story is reprinted in Marvel Tales #208 and Mighty Marvel Team-Up Thrillers. Re-battle was in Spider-Man/Red Sonja 5 issue miniseries in 2007 by Mike Oeming and Mel Rubi.
In What if? #16 (1989) Red Sonja fights with Wolverine against Conan in the story What if Wolverine battled Conan the Barbarian. In 2006 Red Sonja adventures with Claw the Unconquered in Red Sonja/Claw four issue miniseries.
Red Sonja has also adventured in the books in 1982-1983. David C. Smith and Richard L. Tierney wrote six Red Sonja novels, covers was illustrated by Boris Vallejo. The first Red Sonja novel was titled The Ring of Ikribu.
In the film 1985 Red Sonja was starred Danish model Brigitte Nielsen and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Lord Kalidor). In 2000 Conan the Adventurer TV series Red Sonja was played Baywatch-star Angelica Bridges. Director Douglas Aarniokoski's Red Sonja movie premiere is in 2010. Rose McGowan plays Red Sonja. Posters is allready seen on internet.
Red Sonja DVD set available on eBay! Red Sonja video games, artbooks, original art, rare sketches, first prints, wallpapers, pin-up art, posters, PVC and resin statues, vinyl busts, figurine kits, toys, plush dolls, keychains, shirts, cosplay suits, steel bikini costumes, necklaces, rings, mugs, bags, buttons, wristbands, Red Sonja swords and other collectibles!
