Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Altered States, Brandon Jerwa, Comics, dynamite, entertainment, red sonja

"Possessed In The Most Positive Way…" – Brandon Jerwa Talks Altered States: Red Sonja

Dynamite's new Elseworld style series Altered States continues with a Red Sonja one-shot. Nancy Collins, writer of Vampirella #10, talks with Brandon Jerwa about the Altered States: Red Sonja one-shot, both on sale now. Cover art by Billy Tan, interior art by Juanan Ramirez. 

NANCY COLLINS: Brandon, with the Altered States stories this month we're being treated to 'alternative' takes on Dynamite's major characters. What makes this version of Red Sonja different from the original? 

BRANDON JERWA: In this story, we're seeing a young woman in present-day New York City who is … let's say "possessed" in the most positive way … by the spirit of Red Sonja, but our lead character retains her own consciousness. So, there's a mix of the modern and the classic, hopefully.

NC: Your story has the She-Devil with a Sword in New York City—can you elaborate on that scenario?

BJ: The villainous wizard Kulan Gath is found in a mummified state after thousands of years, and his corpse winds up at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, along with some other key artifacts from the Hyborian Age … including Red Sonja's sword. After an ancient spell awakens Gath, he works some magic of his own, and starts "overwriting" the ancient times unto New York City. A young woman named Sonja Majeure discovers that great villains aren't the only ones who can survive death, and she finds herself bearing the mantle of Red Sonja … because of MAGIC.

NC: How closely did you collaborate on the story with your artist, Juanan Ramirez?

BJ: Not too closely, but I think he did a fine job. There's just enough "fun" in his art to balance out the seriousness of all the sword fighting business.

NC: It's been some time since we've seen Kulan Gath. Why did you to pick him as Red Sonja's foe? 

BJ: You don't do a Spider-Man "What If" story with Leap Frog and White Rabbit; you haul out the big guns. Sonja is no different.

NC: Did you have any other potential alternatives for Red Sonja? If so, what were they? 

BJ: Nope! This was the plan from the word go.

For more information on Altered States: Red Sonja, click here.

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