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Conan/Red Sonja #1-4
Conan/Red Sonja
Gail Simone and Jim Zub team up to bring together two legendary warriors: Conan and Red Sonja! This volume collects issues #1–#4 of the smash-hit crossover! In a tale spanning three eras in the lives of these classic characters, Conan and Red Sonja become comrades to take down a sorcerer-priest hell bent on creating a new age in Hyborian warfare!
96 pages, Hardcover
First published July 29, 2015
About the author
Gail Simone
1,160 books1,260 followersGail Simone is a comic book writer well-known for her work on Birds of Prey (DC), Wonder Woman (DC), and Deadpool (Marvel), among others, and has also written humorous and critical commentary on comics and the comics industry such as the original "Women in Refrigerators" website and a regular column called "You'll All Be Sorry".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
November 5, 2015
I didn't like this one quite as much as I've been enjoying Gail Simone's Red Sonja series, but it's still pretty good. It's an ok story, but nothing terribly exciting. This may not be a good representation, but from this I don't think I like Conan nearly as much as I like Sonja. Still, their interactions are the highlight of the book. I just wish that the story had been more interesting.
March 8, 2019
Gail Simone brings us three stories of Conan and Red Sonja. The first shows how they met, the second one a few years later has them running into Toth-Amon and the third finishes up the Toth-Amon story.
The artwork is good throughout. The stories? They aren't bad by themselves, but it seemed a little short. Also the recurring deaths of Toth-Amon (he always seems to appear in a "major" story and then die) is annoying. Can't Conan fight some other sorcerer? But, those minor irritations aside, it was a good collection of three short stories that are somewhat linked.
It seems like a "hey lets throw these two together" kind of scenario and it likely was. But the end result is good. By no means amazing, but decent enough for what it is. If you enjoy Conan or Red Sonja then you will like this. But don't go in expecting anything deep-just a fan service for those who wanted to see these two characters together. Accept it for what it is and you will enjoy it. Anything more and you will likely be disappointed.
The artwork is good throughout. The stories? They aren't bad by themselves, but it seemed a little short. Also the recurring deaths of Toth-Amon (he always seems to appear in a "major" story and then die) is annoying. Can't Conan fight some other sorcerer? But, those minor irritations aside, it was a good collection of three short stories that are somewhat linked.
It seems like a "hey lets throw these two together" kind of scenario and it likely was. But the end result is good. By no means amazing, but decent enough for what it is. If you enjoy Conan or Red Sonja then you will like this. But don't go in expecting anything deep-just a fan service for those who wanted to see these two characters together. Accept it for what it is and you will enjoy it. Anything more and you will likely be disappointed.
October 10, 2016
5-stars for art, and realistic action physics.
3-stars for the plot and writing. Glorifying Conan as Simone does, is out of place with Robert E. Howard's storytelling style, and there were a couple of deus-ex-machina moments that could have been written better.
3-stars for the plot and writing. Glorifying Conan as Simone does, is out of place with Robert E. Howard's storytelling style, and there were a couple of deus-ex-machina moments that could have been written better.
February 12, 2021
Overall I enjoyed this. It's almost an "Elseworlds" style story as it seems to ignore all other stories where Conan and Red Sonja met. They meet "for the first time", and then six years later meet again, this time when Conan is a pirate traveling with Belit. Thoth Amon shows up as well.
I'm not that familiar with the Dynamite version of Red Sonja, but in the Marvel version she was always said to lose her fighting prowess if she ever lay with a man who didn't defeat her in fair combat. In this version, she seemed pretty willing to lay with Conan (even though they got interrupted before they could do the deed. Of course.) Conan's character seemed slightly off as well, and both he and Sonja were a little more bloodthirsty than usual, even for those two.
But this was still a good series with some nice art. If you're a fan of the characters at all, you'll probably get some enjoyment from this series.
I'm not that familiar with the Dynamite version of Red Sonja, but in the Marvel version she was always said to lose her fighting prowess if she ever lay with a man who didn't defeat her in fair combat. In this version, she seemed pretty willing to lay with Conan (even though they got interrupted before they could do the deed. Of course.) Conan's character seemed slightly off as well, and both he and Sonja were a little more bloodthirsty than usual, even for those two.
But this was still a good series with some nice art. If you're a fan of the characters at all, you'll probably get some enjoyment from this series.
February 13, 2016
This is a comic about my favorite Barbarian and Redhead from a world long gone.
I first encountered Conan the Barbarian in the black and white pages of The Savage Sword of Conan in which I actually met Red Sonja too, but she never had that much of an impression on me perhaps since I wasn't interested in women at that age.
This Conan and this Sonja are but a shadow of their black and white history and this tale has very little to offer and leaves you behind with a sense that the story had been done before and much better. The art in glorious colour is fine, the story just is not there. Any sense of awe when Conan and Red Sonja are doing their best is just not available in this story.
A wasted opportunity in my humble opinion. I will have to read some Savage Sword of Conan with Conan & Sonja to feel good about both characters.
I first encountered Conan the Barbarian in the black and white pages of The Savage Sword of Conan in which I actually met Red Sonja too, but she never had that much of an impression on me perhaps since I wasn't interested in women at that age.
This Conan and this Sonja are but a shadow of their black and white history and this tale has very little to offer and leaves you behind with a sense that the story had been done before and much better. The art in glorious colour is fine, the story just is not there. Any sense of awe when Conan and Red Sonja are doing their best is just not available in this story.
A wasted opportunity in my humble opinion. I will have to read some Savage Sword of Conan with Conan & Sonja to feel good about both characters.
December 9, 2015
Nice comic adaptation of Robert E. Howard's creations. good art and plot. Recommended
November 29, 2024
“Lo, Prince, see it in your soul! No clash of armies, no war of gods could be more fiercely fought. It is said that their blood boiled in their flesh. I believe it. I believe it all. And when their blades kissed it is said the mountains quaked in fear…”
Conan and Red Sonja first cross paths in their youth when they are both trying to steal a priceless gem from a hapless prince. Instead of riches, they learn of Thoth-amon’s plot to enslave humanity. He will destroy the planet with bloodroot and deliver it to the Elder Gods to feast upon…
This trade paperback collects all four issues of the 2015 crossover miniseries. It marks the first appearance of Red Sonja in the Dark Horse continuity. It is also Jim Zub’s first foray into writing Conan; he would go on to write more Conan adventures for both Marvel and Titan.
[Note: Most of the Conan material from the Dark Horse years 2004-2017 has been collected into the Epic Collection trade paperbacks, which runs to 10 volumes. However, some of the miniseries and one-shots are omitted, so I am delving into out-of-print collections to complete the series. This is second of four Conan crossovers for Dark Horse.]
The story, which spans many decades, depicts three eras in which Conan and Red Sonja team up. The highlight is a sword battle between Red Sonja and Bêlit on the deck of The Tigress during Conan’s pirating days off the Black Coast.
The art by Dan Panosian and Randy Green is vibrant and energetic. The story features evil wizards, loathsome beasts, and Lovecraftian horrors aplenty—everything you expect in a good Conan comic book.
4 ½ stars
Conan and Red Sonja first cross paths in their youth when they are both trying to steal a priceless gem from a hapless prince. Instead of riches, they learn of Thoth-amon’s plot to enslave humanity. He will destroy the planet with bloodroot and deliver it to the Elder Gods to feast upon…
This trade paperback collects all four issues of the 2015 crossover miniseries. It marks the first appearance of Red Sonja in the Dark Horse continuity. It is also Jim Zub’s first foray into writing Conan; he would go on to write more Conan adventures for both Marvel and Titan.
[Note: Most of the Conan material from the Dark Horse years 2004-2017 has been collected into the Epic Collection trade paperbacks, which runs to 10 volumes. However, some of the miniseries and one-shots are omitted, so I am delving into out-of-print collections to complete the series. This is second of four Conan crossovers for Dark Horse.]
The story, which spans many decades, depicts three eras in which Conan and Red Sonja team up. The highlight is a sword battle between Red Sonja and Bêlit on the deck of The Tigress during Conan’s pirating days off the Black Coast.
The art by Dan Panosian and Randy Green is vibrant and energetic. The story features evil wizards, loathsome beasts, and Lovecraftian horrors aplenty—everything you expect in a good Conan comic book.
4 ½ stars
September 25, 2017
Estamos en una época en que eso de juntar personajes de diferentes orígenes —no solo narrativos, sino también editoriales— se ha puesto de moda: desde las Tortugas Ninja y Batman, o el Hombre Murciélago con la Sombra, pasando por Tarzán en el planeta de los simios, Conan con Wonder Woman, Conan y Groo, Hellboy y los innumerables crossovers dentro del Mignolaverso, hasta los incontables cruces dentro del cableado de Marvel. Si tiramos del carro, hasta Fafhrd y el Ratonero Gris se han pasado por Fábulas. Por esa misma razón, la idea de juntar a Conan con Red Sonja no era nueva, habida cuenta de que ambos personajes ya han coincidido en ocasiones anteriores, siempre dentro del marco de las viñetas porque, recordemos, Robert E. Howard creó al personaje de Sonia la Roja en un contexto totalmente diferente. Para más señas, Conan Red Sonja incluye los cuatro números de la miniserie original publicada por Dark Horse, y la edición española de Planeta es la misma que la americana, con buen papel y una sólida encuadernación en tapa dura.
Sigue leyendo...
Sigue leyendo...
July 5, 2025
Eu sou beeem chato em relação ao Conan. É beem difícil uma história dele me agradar. Seja ela da velha guarda ou com novos artífices fazendo elas. Tanto a escritora dessa minissérie, Gail Simone, quanto o escritor, Jim Zub, têm um background de RPG em suas bagagens. Talvez por isso eles tenham conseguido apresentar uma história do Conan que tenha me agradado. Além disso, a presença de Red Sonja, ousada como ela só, traz uma pimenta para a trama que só com o Conan seria só uga-buga neandertal. Achei legal que é uma trama que se passa em quarto momentos diferentes no tempo em que Conan e Sonja vão se reencontrando com a mesma ameaça de pano de fundo, a Raiz de Sangue. Os desenhos de Dan Panosian e seus emuladores também trazem uma dinâmica necessária para esse tipo de história aventuresca e de capa e espada - mais espada do que capa, diga-se de passagem. O fato é que diferente de uma batelada de histórias do Conan lidas, esta me agradou bastante.
July 20, 2016
Gail Simone continues to be my new favorite. This was excellent, and I really enjoyed Conan & Sonja's adventures together (). Overall, this was just a really fun sword & sorcerery GN.
My only complaint is that Sonja is a little too pinup-sexy in this. She's got big pouty lips and is constantly in her chain-mail bikini (UGH), and she's just drawn to be pretty, not powerful.
My only complaint is that Sonja is a little too pinup-sexy in this. She's got big pouty lips and is constantly in her chain-mail bikini (UGH), and she's just drawn to be pretty, not powerful.
September 1, 2019
One of my favourite people writing women in mainstream comics today, I've already talked about Gail Simone a couple of times. Follow her twitter, it's a fun time. Jim Zub on the other hand, I shall linger on for a moment for the novelty of it all. A writer, artist and art instructor Jim Zub is based in Toronto, Canada. Over the past fifteen years he’s worked for a diverse array of publishing, movie and video game clients including Disney, Warner Bros., Capcom, Hasbro, Bandai-Namco and Mattel.
The official description of this little romp is as follows: Gail Simone and Jim Zub team up to bring together two legendary warriors: Conan and Red Sonja! This volume collects issues #1–#4 of the smash-hit crossover! In a tale spanning three eras in the lives of these classic characters, Conan and Red Sonja become comrades to take down a sorcerer-priest hell bent on creating a new age in Hyborian warfare!
Diving into my own feelings a bit, I'll admit that the first time I read it a couple of years ago (mostly because I couldn't get my hands on her other Red Sonja series) I wasn't too sure. But after watching the Red Sonja movie and reading the other comic etc. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Conan and Red Sonja. Especially because the sexuality was so relaxed.
Comparing and contrasting the artwork between this and the stand alone Gail Simone, while I certainly don't take too much offense to the depiction of Sonja herself I still prefer the other series a bit more. The actual chainmail bikinini was minimal there, and her literally wearing said bikini all the time ended up looking extremely one note. That said, she owns it, and that goes a long way. If you can't even get a fictional character to believably consent to "sexy outfits" that speaks to something at least adjacent to rapy. That said, the way Sonja's body became more rugged in the second half - really subverting the whole bikini thing to begin with. That said, Conan's boss lady's outfit would not work in reality and isn't really all that attractive.
Other gender and sexuality notes hit. Sonja is impatient and ends up killing a lot more as a result, but it doesn't end up biting her in the butt either. She's bi or pan, and having casual - no strings attached - consensual sex with Conan the barbarian.
Class is a thing in as much as their are the haves and the have nots. There's a bit of singular genius going on in the initial narration, but ultimately the narration is a joke so that works out I suppose.
Race is once again washed away and none existent. Fun!
The official description of this little romp is as follows: Gail Simone and Jim Zub team up to bring together two legendary warriors: Conan and Red Sonja! This volume collects issues #1–#4 of the smash-hit crossover! In a tale spanning three eras in the lives of these classic characters, Conan and Red Sonja become comrades to take down a sorcerer-priest hell bent on creating a new age in Hyborian warfare!
Diving into my own feelings a bit, I'll admit that the first time I read it a couple of years ago (mostly because I couldn't get my hands on her other Red Sonja series) I wasn't too sure. But after watching the Red Sonja movie and reading the other comic etc. I really enjoyed the dynamics between Conan and Red Sonja. Especially because the sexuality was so relaxed.
Comparing and contrasting the artwork between this and the stand alone Gail Simone, while I certainly don't take too much offense to the depiction of Sonja herself I still prefer the other series a bit more. The actual chainmail bikinini was minimal there, and her literally wearing said bikini all the time ended up looking extremely one note. That said, she owns it, and that goes a long way. If you can't even get a fictional character to believably consent to "sexy outfits" that speaks to something at least adjacent to rapy. That said, the way Sonja's body became more rugged in the second half - really subverting the whole bikini thing to begin with. That said, Conan's boss lady's outfit would not work in reality and isn't really all that attractive.
Other gender and sexuality notes hit. Sonja is impatient and ends up killing a lot more as a result, but it doesn't end up biting her in the butt either. She's bi or pan, and having casual - no strings attached - consensual sex with Conan the barbarian.
Class is a thing in as much as their are the haves and the have nots. There's a bit of singular genius going on in the initial narration, but ultimately the narration is a joke so that works out I suppose.
Race is once again washed away and none existent. Fun!
May 30, 2018
I've been wanting to read some of Gail Simone's Red Sonja for a while now, and Conan is of course a classic in his own right. This isn't really my type of story, but I enjoyed it for what it was - simple sword and sorcery, unapologetically light.
July 3, 2023
Better than I was even hoping for. Four issue miniseries can sometimes be unsatisfying -- but not this one. The reader gets to spend plenty of time with the characters without things ever getting repetitive or dull.
November 17, 2016
Wow, I really feel like the author had no understanding of the characters. A very generic team-up comic that I can only recommend if you like Dan Panosian art (which I do sometimes).
June 23, 2017
Not as good as the others prior from Simone, but all in all, not bad either. I think the art in the previous volumes was more to my liking; a quick read.
September 4, 2017
Pulpy fun with some questionable art (women's bodies don't typically do... well, a lot of things drawn here).
October 26, 2017
A DELIGHT.
July 15, 2018
Artwork worth checking out, but this characterization of Conan seems far-removed from the beloved character.
February 18, 2019
Entertaining, but not great... just OK.
The previous ones by Gail Simone were better.
The previous ones by Gail Simone were better.
May 29, 2020
Roteiros muito fracos nesta HQ do cimério e da guerreira ruiva.
June 28, 2022
A solid Howard-esque story, well-illustrated.
March 12, 2024
Loved the story, but the artwork was terrible.
August 7, 2025
Good read but in the end I wanted more.
June 16, 2024
A masterful work by Gail Simone and Dan Panosian that glorifies both Conan and Red Sonja.
I was hooked the entire time by the story and was also glad to see Conan’s world so beatifully represented.
The illustrations by Dan Panosian are a sight to behold and I am now wanting to catch up with more of his work.
If you are fan of Conan and Red Sonja, this is a one-shot you cannot miss.
I was hooked the entire time by the story and was also glad to see Conan’s world so beatifully represented.
The illustrations by Dan Panosian are a sight to behold and I am now wanting to catch up with more of his work.
If you are fan of Conan and Red Sonja, this is a one-shot you cannot miss.
July 18, 2018
I'm a huge fan of Conan and I'm so glad I own this book. I give this five stars of excellence!
March 12, 2019
I wouldn't know how to judge the graphic novel only based on Red Sonja, for I know little of that character, but judging by Conan's portrayal I think this graphic novel is great. The story feels bitter-sweet, as something that is but it yet can't be. Nevertheless, the emotions and the situations at hand, and the passing of time gives flesh to the plot and characters. The art is great.
June 23, 2017
I loved this arc. I haven't read much about either of the characters, but I really enjoyed this journey throughout their lifetimes. It had a pretty simple premise but it was a very enjoyable introduction to the characters.
December 27, 2016
Conan Red Sonja collects issues 1 - 4 of the Conan Red Sonja limited series published by Dark Horse comics that teams Gail Simone and Jim Zub together. Being a big fan of both writers, I was definitely going to pick this up.
Conan and Red Sonja have crossed paths several times in their lifetimes. This book covers several of these meetings when they must deal with Thoth-Amon and the Bloodroot. While facing these threats, the series touches on the two heroes as they evolve in their own stories. Conan goes from an eager young pup searching for battle and adventure to a war weary veteran who had recently lost his pirate queen. Red Sonja goes from a young thief/warrior imposing her will on the world to an older thief warrior who is attempting to right the wrongs of the world. Seeing these changes in just a few issues makes this story worth the read.
Sharing the art duties are Dan Panosian (artist of issues 1 and 2) and the team of Randy Green and Rick Ketcham. Having what I consider similar art styles definitely helps this book. You can detect where the artists change, it still isn't overly different where its bothersome. All the artists did a wonderful job, and I will be looking for other books that these artists work on. Colorist Dave Stewart does a pretty good job as well, especially with the darker shadowy moments of the book.
A stand-alone series with almost no impact on the main stories of these two characters, I still enjoyed it fully and would recommend it. Especially if your a fan of either or both characters.
Conan and Red Sonja have crossed paths several times in their lifetimes. This book covers several of these meetings when they must deal with Thoth-Amon and the Bloodroot. While facing these threats, the series touches on the two heroes as they evolve in their own stories. Conan goes from an eager young pup searching for battle and adventure to a war weary veteran who had recently lost his pirate queen. Red Sonja goes from a young thief/warrior imposing her will on the world to an older thief warrior who is attempting to right the wrongs of the world. Seeing these changes in just a few issues makes this story worth the read.
Sharing the art duties are Dan Panosian (artist of issues 1 and 2) and the team of Randy Green and Rick Ketcham. Having what I consider similar art styles definitely helps this book. You can detect where the artists change, it still isn't overly different where its bothersome. All the artists did a wonderful job, and I will be looking for other books that these artists work on. Colorist Dave Stewart does a pretty good job as well, especially with the darker shadowy moments of the book.
A stand-alone series with almost no impact on the main stories of these two characters, I still enjoyed it fully and would recommend it. Especially if your a fan of either or both characters.
December 19, 2015
Public library copy.
This wasn't a pleasant Conan or Red Sonja adventure because the characters didn't seem like anything Robert Howard wrote. I much prefer the faithful adaptations from Kurt Busiek or someone like Joe Lansdale. The story seemed like it was plotted in a color by the numbers. The art in the beginning by Dan P was okay, better than what came after, I just wish the story was better. Are readers really supposed to accept Red Sonja would be an animal rights activist, given the type of world she lives in? I'm all for strong female characters, but does Sonja have to be the best fighter, better than Conan? Why is she a lowly citizen carrying a sword for social injustice if she's smarter than anyone else she talks down to and the voice of reason to anyone she comes into contact?
This wasn't a pleasant Conan or Red Sonja adventure because the characters didn't seem like anything Robert Howard wrote. I much prefer the faithful adaptations from Kurt Busiek or someone like Joe Lansdale. The story seemed like it was plotted in a color by the numbers. The art in the beginning by Dan P was okay, better than what came after, I just wish the story was better. Are readers really supposed to accept Red Sonja would be an animal rights activist, given the type of world she lives in? I'm all for strong female characters, but does Sonja have to be the best fighter, better than Conan? Why is she a lowly citizen carrying a sword for social injustice if she's smarter than anyone else she talks down to and the voice of reason to anyone she comes into contact?
June 8, 2016
Cracking good fun - a story spanning 3 different eras for the warriors. Artwork in the first half is slightly let down in the second half of the book but this is a minor complaint.
Simone lets both heroes have the space to show off how great they are, diplomatically letting them both be as tough as each other.
Conan is allowed a rare moment of sadness following the death of his one true love while Sonja always has an edge of sorrow - rarely do sword and sorcery romps let these hints of emotion to come through.
One issue - I know its the traditional costume, but surely a sword swinging warrior should be wearing more than Sonja does? Even Conan gets a pair of trousers here.
Simone lets both heroes have the space to show off how great they are, diplomatically letting them both be as tough as each other.
Conan is allowed a rare moment of sadness following the death of his one true love while Sonja always has an edge of sorrow - rarely do sword and sorcery romps let these hints of emotion to come through.
One issue - I know its the traditional costume, but surely a sword swinging warrior should be wearing more than Sonja does? Even Conan gets a pair of trousers here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews