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Red Sonja - Comic Number 1
First Issue Synopsis by Marc Mason
Sonja relaxes beneath the full moon, having killed an owl in order to cook dinner for herself and her horse, Thorne. She carries on a one-sided dialogue with the horse, demonstrating affection for the animal, and reminds him that the next time they make the inside of a city's walls, she has promised him a hot mare for companionship. Energized by either the thought or the meal, horse and rider race off into the night. However, as the duo reaches a dead section of the forest, screaming suddenly interrupts their journey.
A lone messenger from Gathia is under attack by strange-looking warrior men from the Zedda tribes called Hellkin. They have been ordered by their king to reject the messenger's carried peace entreaty, and to send the man's head back as a message of their own. From the shadows, Sonja begins using her bow to kill the Hellkin and emboldened by what he believes to be his countrymen, the messenger renews his own attack against his foes. After dispatching more of the Hellkin via her sword, Sonja finally makes her presence known as the messenger kills a Hellkin of his own. Correctly noting that this was the man's first kill, she offers her congratulations.
Curious about her skill and origins, the messenger tries to pry details from Sonja, but the warrior woman declines, and deflects his comments about her scant attire by noting how easily men are distracted by it, making them much easier to kill. The Gathian messenger offers thanks for saving his life, and explains his mission to the Zedda tribes. He is now returning to Gathia and offers to take Sonja along as a welcome for saving him. She concurs, quietly touching her sword while noting how much she has heard about the city and what happens there. Before arriving, though, they stop at nearby river.
The messenger explains that the water is dangerous because strange beasts once dwelled within, but were removed by his lord. Sonja inquires about the name of this lord, but the messenger demurs, telling Sonja that his saying it would be profane. Instead, he answers Sonja's questions about why Gathia doesn't allow outsiders; they would dilute the purity of the city's civilization. Before Sonja can respond, the man begins violently choking, and a living, demonic tree explodes from within him. It attacks Sonja, but she is able to sever the man's head from his body and kills the horrific growth. His head and body in tow as proof, she sets off to finish the journey to Gathia.
Sonja passes through a shantytown near the city, where her cargo is spotted. Arriving at the gates, she explains her reason for coming to Gathia, and when the watchmen are given the option of retrieving the messenger's body themselves or allowing her to bring it into the city, they let Sonja in. With eyes locked onto her from all sides, and archers with arrows at the ready, she dismounts and explains that the men have nothing to fear from her. They respond by telling her they have heard tales of a lone, redheaded woman warrior, but she lies to them and offers her sorrow about how much those legends have been a burden to her.
Uncovering the body, she describes to the Gathians what happened to the messenger, but the city's warriors do not believe her. To their minds, their lord had cleansed the land of such dark creatures and magicks. Instead, they believe that only one person could blaspheme in that fashion: the Red Sonja, and they know the Red Sonja's true purpose for coming to their city. An immediate attack is launched upon her by the city's archers, killing Thorne in the first strike. Her horse dead, Sonja takes up her blade and readies for the next wave of arrows. They are already in the air and drawing upon her as the issue concludes.
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Dynamite Entertainment
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