Marvel Feature presents Red Sonja No. 3

Marvel Feature presents Red Sonja No. 3

Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description
Marvel Feature was created by Marvel Comics as an opportunity to test the popularity of new characters. The second volume of the title, running for seven issues between 1975-1976, featured the female warrior, Red Sonja, a character introduced within the publisher’s popular fantasy series featuring author Robert E. Howard’s Conan the Barbarian. The fiery haired heroine was a success with readers, leading to the introduction of a self-titled comic in 1977.
Red Sonja, Marvel’s “she-devil with a sword” was loosely inspired by “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a character introduced by Howard in his story The Shadow of the Vulture. Unlike Howard’s creation, Marvel’s Sonja resides in the same “sword and sorcery” milieu as Conan, living as a mercenary and adventurer. Over the years, the female sword-master has been the subject of numerous interpretations, including a 1985 film starring Bridgette Nielson.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
comic book
date made
1976
maker
Marvel Comics
place made
United States: New York, New York City
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 6 3/4 in x 10 1/4 in; x 17.145 cm x 26.035 cm
ID Number
2013.3039.278
nonaccession number
2013.3039
catalog number
2013.3039.278
Credit Line
Gift of George R. Zug
subject
Comics
Fantasy
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.