Red Sonja / Claw: Devils Hands is a four issue mini-series co-published by Wildstorm (DC Comics) and Dynamite Entertainment. This comic book series is written by John Layman and illustrated by John Andy. The first issue has covers by Alex Ross and Jim Lee.
Product History
With the successful revivals of Conan by Dark Horse and Red Sonja by Dynamite Entertainment, DC Comics decided to bring back their own homegrown fantasy warrior: Claw the Unconquered. He first appeared in 1975 as a part of push by DC Comics to find their own viable Sword & Sorcery properties and was one of many titles. From what I have gathered, as I have not read the original comic books, Claw was a direct copy of Conan and his adventures were set in a pseudo historical period similar to the Hyborian Age. The one thing that made him different from the brawny barbarian was that Claw was cursed with a monstrous, clawed right-hand. The grotesque appendage would compel Claw to engage in evil acts of bloodlust but it also made him very powerful as well. Thematically, he was Conan crossed with Elric, but with a demon hand rather than a demon sword. The series ran for 12 issues before being cancelled in 1978 and then Claw’s exploits were continued for a while as a backup feature in the popular Warlord comic, which, incidentally, has recently been revived as well. After this miniseries ends, a regular Claw the Unconquered series will pick up in June 2006.
Red Sonja is the iconic female sword & sorcery warrior with flaming red hair and chain mail bikini. She was created by Roy Thomas when he adapted a non-Conan, Robert E. Howard story, Shadow of the Vulture, for Marvel’s Conan the Barbarian comic book (check out Chronicles of Conan #4 for the reprint). Sonja is a mercenary that hails from Hyrkania in the Hyborian world. When she was young, bandits violated her and slaughtered her family. She sought revenge with the help of a goddess that empowered Sonja with great fighting ability and the redhead has been a warrior/mercenary ever since. She was spun off into her own series several times and had cult status in the 1970s and the early 1980s. Red Sonja was considered a joke for a long time because of the horrible Brigitte Nielsen movie but Dynamite Entertainment has brought her back to her comic book roots with a new Red Sonja series. She has returned as the tough character fans know but with an adult edge. I am really enjoying the redhead’s new adventures so I thought I would pick up Red Sonja / Claw: Devils Hands #1 hoping to find something similar in terms of quality and storytelling.
Layout
Red Sonja / Claw: Devils Hands #1 is a standard color comic book with 22 pages of art and story. The narrative follows the typical “chance meeting” of two heroes that decide to travel together and end up fighting against a common foe, or rather start fighting a common foe by the end of the first issue. The villain in question has ties to the pasts of both Claw and Red Sonja.
Like many other company crossovers, it appears that both characters’ “universes” are mixed into one shared universe. Some of the place names are not part of the Hyborian world and since there is no traveling across dimensions, it must be that the characters do exist in a joint merged reality. Again, I have not read the original Claw, but this appears to be what is going on here. John Layman’s script has Sonja in a Conan-like role by having her help the darkly troubled Claw both with her blade and by her companionship. Red Sonja’s origin is not discussed as it’s assumed that fans already know her background, as she is the more popular and established character. In contrast, Claw’s background is told and the series seems to be more his story since the reader is inside Claw’s head more, although Red Sonja is certainly given equal time. Layman provides a nice balance between exposition and action in his story. A good example is the shocking opening sequence as it reveals how dangerous Claw can be even to Sonja, while at the same time setting up the dramatic thrust for the whole issue. It’s a fine example of “show… don’t tell” storytelling.
John Andy’s well-crafted art is drawn with very tight pencils and is then scanned and colored without inks. This gives the images a painterly look similar to the current Dark Horse Conan series, but Devils Hands has more naturalistic tones. Claw is depicted as a typical über-buff barbarian in mini-furs while Red Sonja is rendered with a refreshingly, near-realistic female body, although she has the “mandatory” comic book boobs. Andy’s biggest strength is the bloody fight scenes, which are well choreographed; heads roll and limbs are severed in several panels. It is also interesting to see Claw occasionally fight with his evil, clawed hand as well as with his sword. This series shows that John Andy and John Layman seem to be well matched as storytellers just as Sonja and Claw seem well matched as warriors.
The painted cover by Alex Ross deserves special mention as it captures what could be a movie poster moment. Here we see Sonja crouched on the ground staring at the reader with grim determination and Claw is standing behind her with his ungloved, demon hand raised to sky as eldritch energy flows down on them. It is very reminiscent of many sword & sorcery illustrations we’ve seen over the years but with Ross’ attention to detail. I get the feeling that it was fun for him to paint something other than superheroes for change.
Impressions
There can be big risks with a crossover. Is Devils Hands just a gimmick like the endless parade of comic book publicity stunts we’ve seen? Thankfully, it is not. While I feel that DC (Wildstorm) is using savvy marketing to jumpstart the dead career of Claw by attaching him to Red Sonja, the storytelling in issue #1 is first-rate. In fact, Andy’s illustrations are excellent and this may be the beginning of a famous run for an artist on a series like Buscema on Conan or Byrne on the X-men. I think his Red Sonja is one of the best I’ve seen. She is not too muscular yet she still appears to have strength. Unfortunately, the pencil work makes it hard to see her green eyes sometimes.
So, it wasn’t hard to like this first issue. Seeing Sonja team-up with Claw reminds me of the good old days with of her and Conan except that Claw really needs her help, as opposed to Conan who was always trying to get into her drawers. In fact, Red Sonja assumes the worst about Claw’s intentions when he recognizes her from a nightmare he had but she quickly realizes he has other things to worry about. Claw has to use all his willpower to keep his hand from driving him insane. Intrigued by Claw, Sonja decides to help him. It’s her steadfastness that allows Claw to calm down long enough for him to accept her company and possible solution for his demon claw. After they team-up, the two of them travel to a supposedly friendly kingdom, which Red Sonja helped liberate years before. She hopes the wizard, Baxla, might help heal Claw. It is interesting to note that Devils Hands, thankfully, does not have the routine misunderstanding battle between the heroes, but it does set up the plot for the inevitable showdown between Claw and Sonja that is sure to come in a later issue.
Pros
Red Sonja / Claw: Devils Hands #1 is well illustrated and is a well written comic. Most of the exposition fits into the storyline nicely with out being dull so it doesn’t feel gimmicky. It is nice to get more Red Sonja, who is a strong, confident female character. Claw has interesting personality problem. The two heroes make a good team. DC’s Wildstorm imprint allows for more adult storytelling. If you like sword & sorcery you will like this.
Cons
Of course this is sword & sorcery, so many standards of the genre creep in, the near naked heroes, gratuitous violence, steroid muscles, and did I mention the comic book boobs yet? If you don’t like sword & sorcery you won’t like this.
Who would find it useful?
Red Sonja, Conan, or Claw fans, people interested in non-superhero comics, those looking for ideas for their fantasy role-playing campaigns, Red Sonja collectors, Sword & Sorcery fans, Women looking for a strong character like Xena and folks interested in Sword & Sorcery art.
Conclusion
Red Sonja / Claw: Devils Hands #1 is a solid addition to the new Sword & Sorcery phenomenon which is sweeping comic books. The story is well written, superbly illustrated, and very entertaining. Red Sonja is just as engaging as in her own comic at Dynamite Entertainment and Claw just might be on the verge of an important run of issues at DC / Wildstorm. So, it’s great to see the two of them swinging swords together. This issue is a great skull-splitting yarn for a new age in comics.
NOTE: After this mini-series finishes up a Claw the Unconquered regular comic book series begins. The illustrator will still be John Andy but Chuck Dixon will handle the writing duties.
