Savage Sword of Conan is a series published by Marvel Comics (under the imprint Curtis Magazines) from 1974-1995 that starred Conan the Barbarian. Each issue featured multiple stories. Red Sonja appeared in 32 issues, typically in her own story.
The stories in Savage Sword of Conan take place throughout Red Sonja's Marvel chronology, with some in later issues taking place before stories in earlier issues.
Savage Sword of Conan issues featuring Red Sonja[]
Savage Sword of Conan #1, from 1974
Savage Sword of Conan #23, from 1977
"A New Song of Sonja" by Wendy Pini from Savage Sword of Conan #23
Issue #1[]
August 1974; cover painted by Boris Vallejo
"Curse of the Undead-Man" (first story)
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: John Buscema, Inks: Pablo Marcos
Conan encounters the warrior woman Red Sonja once again, and together they put an end to the undead sorcerer Costranno.
This is Red Sonja's second meeting with Conan. Freely adapted from the short story "Mistress of Death" by Robert E. Howard.
"Red Sonja" (second story)
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Esteban Maroto; Inks: Neal Adams, Ernie Chan (as Ernie Chua)
When Red Sonja returns with a tiara she was sent for by King Ghannif, she learns her "reward" is to be made a part of his harem
This story takes place before the preceding story in this issue. This story is reprinted in Marvel Feature #1 as well as issue #83 of this series.
Issue #23[]
"Wizards of the Black Sun" (third story), October 1977; cover painted by Earl Norem
Script: Roy Thomas, Clair Noto (as Clara Noto); Pencils & Inks: Frank Thorne
Sonja meets a three-legged talking goat, a card-reading crone, a lecherous living skeleton and a vanishing city.
This issue also contained a poem and illustration by Wendy Pini titled "A New Song of Sonja".
Issue #29[]
5 Sonjas & 1 Sonya
"The Wizard and Red Sonja Show" (second story), May 1978
Script, Pencils, Inks, Letters: Frank Thorne (based on his play of the same title)
“The Wizard and Red Sonja”, begins with a good summary of the creation by Roy Thomas, & the character from Robert Howard’s, Medieval Sonya of Rogatino.
“TEN THOUSAND YEARS BEFORE THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, AND AFTER THE FALL OF MIGHTY ATLANTIS, THERE BEGAN, O’ER THOSE ANTIQUE LANDSCAPES, THE AGE OF THE HYBORIAN GODS: CROM! MITRA! ERLIK! . . . FROM ELYSIUM THEN, MITRA PEERED WITH MOURNFUL EYE, INTO THE PRIMORDIAL MIST. HE SPOKE: "FORGE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF RETRIBUTION. I WISH TO PROPHESY THRU THE RAGE OF THE NAKED SWORD!" A SOLITARY VOICE ANSWERED. IT WAS THE THROATY RETORT OF ERLIK, THE DARK GOD, THE FALLEN ONE. HE SAID: "TWILL BE DONE." FROM BELOW,PURPLE FLAMES ETCHED THE FORM OF A WOMAN, A SINGULAR WOMAN, DOOMED TO ALONENESS, CURSED WITH BEAUTY ENOUGH TO DRIVE LEGIONS OF MEN TO MADNESS!”
The wizard, then conjures five figures very similar looking of Red Sonja. The first is from Red Sonja: The She-Devil #6. Mikal of Athos had a cordial relationship with Red Sonja and even invited her to be co-regent giving her a ring, which she discarded as they departed, It seems strange the wizard’s character is so vengeful and puny, but easily subdued as the original. Skipping the next one, to the Medieval character, that was the inspiration for Roy Thomas' character, Sonya and many of her quotes follow.
“I AM RED SONYA OF ROGATINO, IN WHAT YOU NOW CALL RUSSIA. LIKE MY ANCESTOR SONJA OF HYRKANIA, I TOO, SUFFERED AS A CHILD FROM THE SPORT OF A RAVAGING BAND OF SOLDIERS, THE TURKISH DOGS SWEPT THROUGH OUR VILLAGE. ONLY TWO OF OUR FAMILY SURVIVED. . .THAT NIGHT OF DEATH. I ESCAPED INTO THE FOREST, AND MY SISTER, ROXALANA, WAS CARRIED OFF TO THE HAREM OF SULEYMAN THE MAGNIFICENT.
BETTER TO DIE THAN TO MAKE LOVE TO A PERSIAN DOG.
BUT NO.' ROXALANA THRIVED IN THE CARE OF THE DESPOT. SHE BECAME HIS FAVORITE. ROXALANA DISHONORED THE MEMORY OF HER SLAUGHTERED FAMILY.
“VENGEANCE WAS MINE, AT LAST. DURING THE SIEGE OF VIENNA, I PERSONALLY SENT SULEYMAN THE SEVERED HEAD OF ONE OF HIS MOST DREADED HENCHMEN."
“I HAVE YET TO FIND THE WRETCH WHO SOLD MY SISTER INTO THE COURTESAN'S CHAMBER OF SULEYMAN THE CARRION-EATER! . . . BUT, I SWEAR MY SWORD SHALL TASTE THE SWINE'S BLOOD WHEN I DO!”
A darkened skin character wearing a cross appears with a sword threating Sonya. He states he renounced his faith and swears.
Sonya retorts “RETLAW THE MONK! PREPARE TO TASTE DEATH,-- YOU TREACHEROUS DOG! “ . . . “HELL TO YOU, DOG SOUL! DIE, HERETIC!”
The Wizard is impressed with this one too. In fact all five impressed him as part of the essence of Red Sonja. The other two are variations of the character of Sonja as she played a part in the harem of Gannif, which appeared in the series of Marvel Feature & Savage Sword #1. Another has chain mail that covers her belly button, and this was also to Frank Thorne’s humor about Sonja mentioning one of her foes, and how scantily clad she was and that additional armor might be good for herself as well. The wizard realizes he has conjured and brought forth 5 aspects of Red Sonja: “I HAVE, IN FACT, CONJURED THE ASPECTS OF SONJA: THE BODY, HUMOR, SPIRIT, MIND, AND SOUL OF THE GREAT HYRKANIAN SWORDSWOMAN EACH OF YOU IS A PART OF THE UNASSEMBLED TOTAL.
The five then call the wizard names and the Wizard himself disappears while Sonjas and Sonya remain.
Issue #45[]
"Master of Shadows" (second story), October 1979
Script: Christy Marx; Pencils: John Buscema; Inks: Tony DeZuniga
Issue #78[]
"The Day of the Sword" (second story), July 1982
Script: Roy Thomas, Doug Moench; Pencils: Howard Chaykin, Dick Giordano; Inks: Terry Austin; Letters: Janice Chiang
When Sonja was a young girl, her entire family was killed by a band of mercenaries. Their nameless leader then raped her and left her to die. Sonja was given the power and will to survive and avenge her family by a goddess that appeared before her. Five years later, she finds the nameless leader, but by then he has been tortured by robbers and left in a catatonic state. Sonja leaves him at the mercy of the wolves and is finally able to go on with her life.
This is a redrawn version of Red Sonja's origin from 1975's "The Day of the Sword" in Kull and the Barbarians #3.
Issue #82[]
"The Song of Red Sonja" (second story), November 1982
This is a reprint of 1973's Conan the Barbarian #24, Red Sonja's first Marvel appearance.
Issue #83[]
"Red Sonja" (third story), December 1982
This is a reprint of the story from issue #1.
Issue #144[]
"The Waiting Doom", January 1988
Script: Chuck Dixon (as Charles Dixon); Pencils: Gary Kwapisz; Inks: Ernie Chan; Letters: Diana Albers
Conan and Red Sonja travel the frozen Graaskals wasteland. Sonja is searching for a pair of missing children stolen from her care. Conan is searching for an alien idol.
This 50-page story is the only one in the issue.
Issue #145[]
"Feast of the Stag" (first story), February 1988
Script: Chuck Dixon (as Charles Dixon); Pencils: Gary Kwapisz; Inks: Geof Isherwood; Letters: Diana Albers
In Brythunia, Conan parts ways with Red Sonja and encounters a forgotten cult working to return their Stag god to power.
Issue #153[]
"Phantasm" (second story), October 1988
Script: Christopher Priest (as Jim Owsley); Pencils: Luke McDonnell; Inks: Armando Gil; Letters: Diana Albers
Conan imagines what it would be like to make love to Red Sonja.
Issue #157[]
"Infant Terrible" (second story), February 1989
Script, Pencils, Inks: Bruce Jones; Letters: Michael Heisler
Red Sonja saves an infant from being sacrificed.
Issue #169[]
"The Endless Stair" (second story), January 1990
Script: Peter B Gillis; Pencils: Steve Carr; Inks: Armando Gil; Letters: Gary Fields
Seeking wealth in a Bossonian village, Red Sonja finds a treasure she is unwilling to accept.
Issue #170[]
"Emerald Lust", February 1990
Script: Chuck Dixon (as Charles Dixon); Pencils & Inks: Gary Kwapisz; Letters: Diana Albers
Conan and Valeria search the icy northern waters for an emerald mountain. Red Sonja searches for Conan, as bounty
Issue #172[]
"The Waif and the Warrior" (fourth story), April 1990
Script: Jim Valentino; Pencils: Steve Carr; Inks: Joe Rubinstein; Letters: Diane Albers
Red Sonja sees reflections of her childhood.
Issue #178[]
"Chains" (second story), October 1990
Script: Sue Flaxman; Pencils: Gavin Curtis; Inks: Keith Williams; Letters: Diana Albers
Red Sonja tries to free a woman who is held against her will, or is she?
Issue #179[]
"Fury of the Iron Damsels", November 1990
Script: Chuck Dixon (as Charles Dixon); Pencils & Inks: Gary Kwapisz; Letters: Diane Albers
When Valeria (working with the Iron Damsels) steals the sacred idol of the Nain people, Conan and Red Sonja vow to get it back.
Issue #187[]
"Red Sonja Quells the Song of the Siren" (second story), July 1991
Script: Marie Javins; Pencils: Steve Buccellato; Inks: Alfredo Alcala; Letters: Jean Simek
Red Sonja is hired to protect a princess from sailors, but it is the sailors who need protection.
Issue #194[]
"The Road to Zamboula" (second story), February 1992
This continues the story told in Conan the Barbarian #249
Issue #195[]
"Swordless in Zamboula" (second story), March 1992
Continues the story from the previous issue and Conan the Barbarian #249.
Issue #207[]
"Diverging Paths (Road to Zanadu - part 1)" (second story), March 1993
Script: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas; Pencils: Del Barras; Inks: Del Barras; Letters: Jean Simek
Red Sonja and Zula get involved in the usual bar brawls in Yukkub where Sonja is hired to lead an exploration. Sonja and Zula go their separate ways.
Follows the events from the stories in issues 194-195.
Issue #208[]
"All in the Game (Road to Zanadu - part 2)" (second story), April 1993
Script: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas; Pencils: Del Barras; Inks: Del Barras; Letters: Jean Simek
Red Sonja agrees to help Lineus search for lost Zanadu.
Issue #209[]
"Battles Lost and Won (Road to Zanadu - part 3)" (second story), May 1993
Script: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas; Pencils: R Jones; Inks: R Jones; Letters: Jean Simek
Red Sonja is falling in love with Linneus, so she must figure out a way for him to defeat her in battle.
Issue #210[]
"The End of the Road (Road to Zanadu - part 4)" (second story), June 1993
Script: Roy Thomas,Dann Thomas; Pencils: Kirk Etienne; Inks: Kirk Etienne; Letters: Jean Simek
Sonja and friends find Zanadu in ruins and unleash the local demon.
Issue #223[]
"The Many Mirrors of Tuzun Thune",
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Mike Docherty; Inks: E R Cruz; Letters: John Costanza
Conan, Red Sonja and Gonar are lured to a cave which contains the Mirrors of the wizard Tuzun Thune, who still lives within them.
Sequel to "Ravagers Out of Time" from 1992's Marvel Graphic Novel #73
Issue #224[]
"Dragons of the World's Dawn" (second story), August 1994
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Mike Docherty; Inks: E R Cruz; Letters: John Costanza
Conan and Red Sonja travel into the past to battle prehistoric monsters.
Issue #225[]
"Valeria of the Red Brotherhood" (second story), September 1994
Script: Roy Thomas, Dann Thomas; Pencils: Esteban Maroto; Inks: Esteban Maroto; Letters: John Costanza
This is a tale of Valeria's beginnings as a pirate thief.
This story follows on events depicted in the story "Day of the Red Judgment" from Marvel Comics Super Special #9 (1978) and Red Sonja Volume 2 (1983).
Issue #226[]
"Of Kings and Cataclysms", October 1994
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Mike Docherty; Inks: E R Cruz; Letters: John Costanza
Part 1
Conan and Red Sonja find that Gonar has once again transported them to another era. This time it is Valusia, home of King Kull. However, Kull is missing in time and Conan is chosen to wear Kull's crown.
Part 2 - Days of Worlds Ending
Red Sonja travels through time in search of Kull, and finds herself among the chaos of the last days of Atlantis.
Part 3 - Back From the Abyss
Conan and Brule battle the demonic black shadow of Thuronolos while Red Sonja and King Kull struggle against the violent upheaval of the earthquakes which swallowed Atlantis.
This storyline continues in issue #229, "Assault on Acheron".
Issue #229[]
January 1995
"Assault on Acheron" (first story)
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Mike Docherty; Inks: E R Cruz; Letters: John Costanza
Time-tossed Conan and Red Sonja face the deadly sorcerer, Xaltotun in the city of Python, capital of Acheron.
"A Lady for the Burning" (second story)
Red Sonja encounters a city where they ritually burn a man's belongings upon his death, including his wife.
This story occurs not long after the events of issues 207-210.
Issue #230[]
February 1995
"Shall Python Fall?" (first story)
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils & Inks: E R Cruz; Letters: John Costanza
Conan and Red Sonja time travel to find revolution in the city of Python, capital of Acheron.
"Ring of Ikribu - part 1" (second story)
Script: Roy Thomas (adapted from the novel of the same name by David C. Smith and Richard L. Tierney); Pencils & Inks: Esteban Maroto; Letters: Janice Chiang
Red Sonja volunteers for battle.
Issue #231[]
March 1995
"A Remembrance of Fires Past" (first story)
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Mike Docherty; Inks: E R Cruz; Letters: John Costanza
Conan returns to his band of Kozak brigands with an ally, the fierce Red Sonja. However Fafnir suspects that all is not as it seems.
"Ring of Ikribu - part 2 - Burrowers From Below!" (second story)
Script: Roy Thomas (adapted); Pencils & Inks: Esteban Maroto; Letters: Janice Chiang
Red Sonja and the army of Lord Olin return to the city of Suthad in an attempt to liberate it from the wizard Asroth.
Issue #232[]
April 1995
"Reflections of Evil" (first story)
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Mike Docherty; Inks: E R Cruz; Letters: John Costanza
While Conan and Red Sonja are riding south, wizard Tuzun Thune, in the guise of pictish shaman Gonar, brings his evil mirror-doubles of Conan and Sonja north to the steppes to command the Kozaks for him.
"Ring of Ikribu - part 3 - Road to Sorcery" (second story)
Script: Roy Thomas (adapted); Pencils & Inks: Esteban Maroto; Letters: Janice Chiang
Red Sonja and friends battle sorcery. Olin dies.
Issue #233[]
May 1995
"Here Be Monsters" (first story)
Script: Roy Thomas; Pencils: Mike Docherty; Inks: Geof Isherwood; Letters: John Costanza
Juma convinces Conan to go to Kherdpur to visit Yolinda.
"Ring of Ikribu - part 4 - Assault on Asroth" (second story)
Script: Roy Thomas (adapted); Pencils & Inks: Esteban Maroto; Letters: Janice Chiang
Red Sonja and the priests of Ikribu battle the spirit of Asroth.
Trivia[]
- The Red Sonja stories from Kull and the Barbarians #2-3, Conan the Barbarian #48 and Savage Sword of Conan issues 23, 29, 45, 157, 169, 187, 192, 194, 195, 230-233 are collected in the trade paperback The Further Adventures of Red Sonja, Vol 1.