Red Sonja #9 (Marvel Comics, 1978)
Red Sonja #9 (May 1978), published by Marvel Comics, titled "Chariot of the Fire-Stallions!" A strange wizard sends Red Sonja into an alternate realm where she battles a two-faced monster in a chariot race over a lava pit.
Red Sonja #9 Story Summary
Freed by the Warrior-Chieftan, Suumaro, after the events in Red Sonja #8, Sonja lounges around with the handsome man in the Mountains of Argos. He has his eyes on her voluptuous form, but of course, she has eyes for no man and dismisses his advances. She climbs into a tree to avoid him, but he continues to press his luck until she eventually gets angry and starts screaming at him. She draws her sword, which sets strange events in motion.
A mysterious woman materializes from the wooded mist and shouts back that no woman should raise a sword against her son! Her name is Apah Alah, and she is mistress of the forest. Sonja, defiant as always, is ready to fight anywhere, anytime, even if it is against a weird vapor woman in the woods. Apah Alah laughs and puts Sonja into a trance, and then teleports her away. Suumaro throws a temper tantrum.
When Sonja comes to, she finds herself standing in a strange land in front of giant doors. The loud woman continues to shout about a monster called Amparo that Sonja must battle. A strange green multi-armed man with a two-sided head emerges and tosses Sonja around like a rag doll. This upsets Apah Alah, who seeks a more refined challenge, such as chariot racing.
Chariots appear from out of nowhere, and Sonja must race the ghastly Amparo around an arena made out of lava and fire.
Meanwhile, Suumaro uses his magical powers gained from his birth by mortal and supernatural parents to enchant a golden robe and send it to Sonja in a very Clash of the Titans-inspired scene.
While Sonja races Aparo in the other world in the chariots of fire, hacking and slashing at his green form, the horses appear to veer off course and lead her to a fiery doom. Then, as if by magic (because it is magic), the golden robe appears and flies her chariot and horses away from the lava pit. The robe wraps itself around Sonja and teleports her back to her world and the shirtless, muscular Suumaro, who continues to flirt.
Does he win her heart? It seems unlikely. Readers will learn more about Suumaro's bizarre past in Red Sonja #10!
Red Sonja #9 Creative Team
- Writers: Roy Thomas and Clair Noto
- Art and Colors and Letters: Frank Thorne
- Editors: Roy Thomas and Archie Goodwin
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Red Sonja #9 FAQ
Q. Who is the artist of Red Sonja #9 from Marvel Comics?
A. The artist of Red Sonja #9, published by Marvel Comics in 1978, is Frank Thorne.
Q. Is Conan in Red Sonja #9?
A. No. Conan is not in Red Sonja #9.
Q. Who is the enemy in Red Sonja #9?
A. Suumaro's wizard mom, Apah Alah, is indirectly the enemy after Sonja threatens her son. The main enemy is the two-faced monster called Amparo, who engages in chariot races against Sonja to the death.
Q. Is Red Sonja #9 a good issue of Red Sonja?
A. Red Sonja #9 is a bizarre issue of Red Sonja. The art and storyboarding are excellent, but the story seems like a half-baked excuse to work a Ben-Hur-style chariot race over lava into the book at all costs.
