Review: Red Sonja: Monster Isle
Red Sonja: Monster Isle
Written by: Roy Thomas
Drawn by: Pablo Marcos
Published by: Dynamite Entertainment
Because of Dark Horse's successful relauch of Conan awhile ago, which I've been reading in their hardback releases, and Wildstorm's Skye Runner series, I've become interested in the sword and sorcery genre. So when a new series comes out, I have to at lest consider giving it a shot. I did so with DC's Warlock, though I was greatly disappointed in it, and Wildstorm's other fantasty, Claw the Unconquered.
I finally gave Red Sonja a shot with the Savage Red Sonja: Queen of the Frozen Wastes series because of Frank Cho's involvement. Although he's not the artist, he does do one of the covers for each issue, and he helps with the writing chores. Here's a rule of thumb for you...Never pass up the chance to see some Cho women. NEVER!
Anyway, that's the long version of how I came to pick up Red Sonja: Monster Isle. Conan to Skye Runner to Frank Cho to Red Sonja to Roy Thomas. I was sold when I saw Rascally Roy Thomas was the writer. I'm a big Rascally Roy fan. Would comics still exist in their current form if it wasn't for the All-Star Squadron or Captain Carrot? I think not!
Rascally Roy gives a buxom swordstress adventure with a slive of HG Wells's The Island of Dr. Moreau. Sonja gets passage from a reluctant ship's captain, only for her trip to be cut short by a storm which capsizes the ship. Sonja and a few of the ship's crew, including the captain, get washed up on a strange island. The survivors find themselves in more peril as they get attacked by a beast which appears part human part animal.
Sonja and Captain Todo soon meet the master of the strange island, Zarkovo. He explains to his two guests the history of the island, how it was a penal island where he was sent to be the warden. He discovered some old tomes of ancient wisdom which taught him how to magically combine a human with an animal. Sonja and Todo soon learn that he intends to do the same to them.
The story is a little too much like Wells's original narrative, and Zarkovo doesn't make a very impressive villain with his main motivation in creating his monstrosities out of boredom. The action is exciting however, especially the climactic battle with the most powerful beast-man who was part man and part bull. Also, I appreciate the tone Thomas creates using a comic technique falling into disfavor in the big time comics...narration boxes. In this case, it slows the reader down increasing the feeling of tension and mystery.
Marcos's art is pretty good. Some angles appear awkward, and Sonja does appear as alluring as when someone like Cho draws her...but Marcos's version is probably more realistic. Cho's Sonja is buxom and supple...a beautiful piece of art to look at, while Marcos's is more muscular.
Rating: 3 1/2 Worms...pretty good overall, but some room for improvement.
Written by: Roy Thomas
Drawn by: Pablo Marcos
Published by: Dynamite Entertainment
Because of Dark Horse's successful relauch of Conan awhile ago, which I've been reading in their hardback releases, and Wildstorm's Skye Runner series, I've become interested in the sword and sorcery genre. So when a new series comes out, I have to at lest consider giving it a shot. I did so with DC's Warlock, though I was greatly disappointed in it, and Wildstorm's other fantasty, Claw the Unconquered.
I finally gave Red Sonja a shot with the Savage Red Sonja: Queen of the Frozen Wastes series because of Frank Cho's involvement. Although he's not the artist, he does do one of the covers for each issue, and he helps with the writing chores. Here's a rule of thumb for you...Never pass up the chance to see some Cho women. NEVER!
Anyway, that's the long version of how I came to pick up Red Sonja: Monster Isle. Conan to Skye Runner to Frank Cho to Red Sonja to Roy Thomas. I was sold when I saw Rascally Roy Thomas was the writer. I'm a big Rascally Roy fan. Would comics still exist in their current form if it wasn't for the All-Star Squadron or Captain Carrot? I think not!
Rascally Roy gives a buxom swordstress adventure with a slive of HG Wells's The Island of Dr. Moreau. Sonja gets passage from a reluctant ship's captain, only for her trip to be cut short by a storm which capsizes the ship. Sonja and a few of the ship's crew, including the captain, get washed up on a strange island. The survivors find themselves in more peril as they get attacked by a beast which appears part human part animal.
Sonja and Captain Todo soon meet the master of the strange island, Zarkovo. He explains to his two guests the history of the island, how it was a penal island where he was sent to be the warden. He discovered some old tomes of ancient wisdom which taught him how to magically combine a human with an animal. Sonja and Todo soon learn that he intends to do the same to them.
The story is a little too much like Wells's original narrative, and Zarkovo doesn't make a very impressive villain with his main motivation in creating his monstrosities out of boredom. The action is exciting however, especially the climactic battle with the most powerful beast-man who was part man and part bull. Also, I appreciate the tone Thomas creates using a comic technique falling into disfavor in the big time comics...narration boxes. In this case, it slows the reader down increasing the feeling of tension and mystery.
Marcos's art is pretty good. Some angles appear awkward, and Sonja does appear as alluring as when someone like Cho draws her...but Marcos's version is probably more realistic. Cho's Sonja is buxom and supple...a beautiful piece of art to look at, while Marcos's is more muscular.
Rating: 3 1/2 Worms...pretty good overall, but some room for improvement.
posted by Bodog at 3:33 PM
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