Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues
An animated adaptation of Red Sonja's Queen of Plagues comic arc.
Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues is a 2016 animated sword and sorcery film centered on the character Red Sonja. It adapts issues #1–6 of Dynamite Entertainment's *Red Sonja* volume 2 (2013), which were collected as *Red Sonja Volume 1: Queen of Plagues*. The motion comic was created by Shout! Factory in collaboration with Dynamite Entertainment and Red Sonja LLC, based on the original work by Gail Simone and Walter Geovani. Misty Lee voiced the red-haired barbarian.
The story follows Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, as she seeks to repay a blood debt to the only man who has earned her respect, even if it means leading a doomed army to certain death. The plot explores the identity of Dark Annisia and how this warrior managed to force Sonja to her knees—something neither god nor demon has achieved. The tale spans from Sonja’s grave to battlefield glory, involving blood, lust, and vengeance.
The cast includes Misty Lee as Red Sonja, Shannon Kingston as Ayla and Nias, Becca Strom as Dark Annisia and several other roles, Scott McNeil as Tiath and Bazrat, Tyler Nicol as King Dimat and multiple characters, Mark Wheeler as Apos, Brian Ward as Sonja’s Father and others, Dan Zachary as Ryshack and others, JJ Webb as Verdes and others, Sean Patrick O'Reilly as Tevius and Thief 2, Brendan Hansell as Trident and others, Joshua Larson as Puffer and Droop, Kiefer O'Reilly as Arrick and Brother 2, and Julie Shields as Female Patron.
Production involved Dynamite Entertainment collaborating with animation studio Shout! Factory. The film was first announced on July 22, 2016, at San Diego Comic-Con, where the first trailer was also released. It was released in the United States on August 2, 2016, as a DVD/Blu-Ray combo pack.
Reception was mixed. DVD Talk gave a mildly positive review, noting that the film won’t win over those who dislike motion comics but is a good example of the format. High-def Digest awarded it three out of five stars, criticizing it as a motion comic that loses the epic feel and comes across as a cheap cash-in on comic book popularity.
- Release date
- August 2, 2016 (DVD/Blu-ray combo pack in the United States)
- Format
- Motion comic / animated film
- Director
- Not specified in source
- Studio
- Shout! Factory (in partnership with Dynamite Entertainment and Red Sonja LLC)
- Voice of Red Sonja
- Misty Lee
- Based on
- Red Sonja volume 2 (2013) comics #1–6 by Gail Simone and Walter Geovani
Lore & Background
The film follows Red Sonja, the She-Devil with a Sword, as she intends to pay back a blood debt owed to the one man who has gained her respect, even if it means leading a doomed army to their certain deaths. The story explores how the fearsome warrior Dark Annisia has accomplished what neither god nor demon has been able to do: force Sonja to her knees in surrender. The plot is described as an epic tale of blood, lust, and vengeance, taking Red Sonja from the depths of her own grave to the heights of battlefield glory.
Reader's Guide
Red Sonja: Queen of Plagues represents a direct adaptation of a modern comic book storyline into motion comic format. Originally produced by Gail Simone and Walter Geovani, the film was first announced on July 22, 2016 at San Diego Comic-Con, accompanied by the first trailer. Reception was mixed: DVD Talk gave a mildly positive review, noting that fans of motion comics would enjoy it, while High-def Digest awarded it three out of five stars, criticizing the motion comic format for draining the epic feel and making it seem like a cheap cash-in on comic book popularity. The film's significance lies in its attempt to bring a popular comic arc to screen, though its legacy is limited by the niche appeal of motion comics.
Did You Know?
- The film was first announced on July 22, 2016 at San Diego Comic-Con.
- Misty Lee voiced the red-haired barbarian Red Sonja.
- The adaptation was produced by Shout! Factory in partnership with Dynamite Entertainment and Red Sonja LLC.
- High-def Digest awarded it three out of five stars, calling it a 'cheaply made cash-in'.
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