*Marvel: Forget the Frank Thorne drawn daft ha’p’orth in the chainmail bikini – the proper Red Sonja, who, you know, wore clothes and had a brain, made her first appearance in issue #23 of Conan’s title (Marvel rather dropping the ball by not having her on the cover, but we promise you, she’s in there) and co-starring in #24’s epic ‘The Song of Red Sonja!’ – though our heroine does a great deal more than just sing, proving herself Conan’s equal, if not superior. Sadly, the popularity of Sonja’s appearances in these two issues led Marvel to produce a more sexualised and less competent version of the character for her solo series – but these two issues, by Roy Thomas and superbly drawn by Barry Smith, remain as good as ever! 
PICTURED: CONAN
#23 FN/VF p £90 1st Red Sonja. Very nice pence-printed copy with great gloss and colour. A few horizontal spine ticks do not break colour. Sharp corners, tight, firm staples, supple white to off-white pages. SOLD
#24 FN/VF p £70 1st Red Sonja cover. Very nice pence-printed copy with great gloss and colour. Very minor spine wear. Very soft, non colour-breaking crease across bottom right corner is barely discernable. Very tiny tear at right edge with no loss. Sharp corners, tight, firm staples, supple white to off-white pages.