Her connection to her father, her unresolved feelings around his passing, losing almost all of her clan, all of those emotions are pouring out during this battle.Ī Gashadokuro cannot be defeated through brute force. We go back and forth between all the things that made Sonja and her anger in the present. Luckily, Sonja is looking for a fight.Īnother favorite page of mine. This village has been ravaged by the war as well as our dragon friend from earlier. Usually unburied soldiers or villagers who died from famine, their anger turns into a grudge against the living and when it combines, into the Gashadokuro. Meet this issue’s yokai! The Gashadokuro is a towering skeleton composed of pained and angry dead. The understanding of what was lost and what duties lie ahead. And finally, one last look at the armor worn by her uncle. We also get a look at Sonja’s new weapons, blessed by the goddess herself. Love this page! First we get a look at Sonja’s armor, designed by the amazing Pasquale Qualano. Amaterasu is look to Sonja for just that, to help bring order to the warring states and purify the lands from the evil of Shuten-Doji. In the Shinto religion, the sun represents order and purity. Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun and highest amongst all gods in the Shinto religion. Symmetry at work!Īs Sonja sinks closer to her doom, she calls on Amaterasu. This particular dragon is based on Yofune Nushi, who was defeated by a girl named Tokoyo looking for her exiled samurai father. One of the inspirations for Sonja is Tomoe Gozen, arguably one of the best and most feared warriors of her era.Ī sea dragon! Our first yokai here and we may just see them again. Many acted as defenders of their clan’s homestead, but many others fought side by side with the men. Women samurai, or Onna-Bugeisha have been around since the beginning. We get a glimpse of Sonja’s standing in her clan. Given to her by her father, it’s one of her most prized possessions. Each one contains a prayer, and the one Sonja has in particular is the yakuyoke amulet, meant to ward away evil. The omamori act as both protection and good luck. Samurai were devout followers of both Buddhism and Shintoism, the main religions of Japan. Not only will it come up later, but they’re just pretty interesting in general. Isn’t that dragon boat neat? One thing I wanted to point out here is the shinto charm, or omamori, Sonja is holding. Our narrator is fairly benevolent, but I wouldn’t want to get on its bad side. Kitsune can represent many things, from messengers and protectors, to tricksters and demons. I thought it would be a neat way of giving a glimpse of things to come as well as in future issues, recapping Sonja’s previous adventures. Where better to start than page one? I wanted to set up a little motif here that we’ll use throughout the series, by having a Kitsune Fox do a narration over a version of a Kakejiku, or a hanging scroll. Lots of research went into this one, so let’s take a look at #1 together shall we. The swords and armor are there, the monsters and magic are there, but through a different lens which hopefully makes things fresh for long-time Sonja fans, and enticing for new readers. What exactly is Samurai Sonja, you ask? It’s a mix of the swords and sandals western fantasy of the beloved “She-Devil with a Sword”™ with Japanese history and folklore. I’m – – hold on I’m Jordan Clark, writer of the new multiversal…ahem… Sonjaversal ™ take on Red Sonja, entitled Samurai Sonja. Faster game-play and full-screen graphics.Oh hello there, I didn’t see you come in. New moves including 'win the crowd' and 'psyche up'. 19 tournaments featuring multiple fights and some of the nastiest bosses ever to grace a Colosseum. Build your magic ability and utilize spells and potions. Greater range of weapons, including ranged weapons. Swords and Sandals 2: Emperor's Reign features: The ability to save up to 10 characters. Pick up your weapon and fight for your life. Swords and Sandals 2 lets you design your gladiator and then assign him the attributes you think he will need to survive and triumph on his way to the very top. With a wealth of weapons, magic, armour and skill the fate of your gladiator rests in your mighty hands. Thus begins the story of Swords and Sandals 2: Emperor's Reign. Much is different since you took to the arena in the original Swords and Sandals, yet the basics are the same: Create your character Buy weapons and armour Enter the arena and defeat your opponents Earn gold and experience Then do it all again! From humble beginnings it is your time to rise from the dirt of poverty and shame. If it is your destiny you will vanquish hundreds of rivals and become champion of all around you. Released from your chains in a dark cell and thrust into the arena you must fight for your life, fame and fortune.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |