From the imagination of Robert E. Howard, creator of the Hyborian hero Conan the Barbarian, came the warrior Red Sonja in the early '30s, though she wouldn't start appearing as we know her today until 1973 in Conan the Barbarian #23. Oddly enough, though she's known for being a heroine of the Hyborian Age, she was originally intended by Howard to be a swashbuckler from the 16th century, as in his short story "The Shadow of the Vulture." Her self-titled stand-alone comic series arrived in 1975, written by Roy Thomas with illustrations by Howard Chaykin.
When Red Sonja first appeared in illustrations for Howard's short story, she appeared in a long chainmail shirt and red silk pants, but the comic series altered her appearance to the one more well-known today, consisting of a silver chainmail bikini of scale armor. Though her outfit alone may not seem very complex, it's surprisingly difficult to make it look accurate. Each cosplayer on this list has truly brought Red Sonja to life in their own unique way.
10 FORGED IN ADVERSITY
A warrior renowned for her strength and fortitude in battle, Red Sonja came by her reputable skills by having a difficult childhood. She was forced to suffer a traumatic upbringing filled with marauders, familial loss, and in some origin stories, things far worse. But like a blade forged in the smithy fires, her will was tempered by adversity.
This incredible cosplay composition, a collaboration between Tabitha Lyon and Creative Edge Studios, highlights Red Sonja's grit and determination, as well as her prowess with her two preferred weapons; a sword and a battle axe. The use of Photoshop with the cosplay, props, and lighting effects properly show not only how powerful Red Sonja's physique is, but her spirit as well.
9 PLEDGED TO SCATHACH
In a common version of Red Sonja's origin story, she is visited by the Goddess Scathach after her family is killed by marauders. The goddess grants her unbelievable combat skills, under the stipulation that she never lay with a man until he has beaten her in battle (this concept was included in the '80s fantasy film Red Sonja).
This cosplay by Tatiana DeKhtyar sees Red Sonja on bended knee, her crimson hair flowing behind her as she gazes off in the distance, perhaps imagining all the different, painful ways she's going to make the mercenaries pay for her family's death. Her lithe build is similar to Bridgett Neilson, who portrayed Red Sonja in the film.
8 ALL THAT GLITTERS
While Red Sonja has worn a silver scaled bikini for most of her adventures, different artists like to change up her appearance every now and again. Most of her Marvel comics feature her normal attire, while Dynamite comics will occasionally give her armor upgrades, such as those seen here.
Cosplayer Katy Decobray has used the popular EVA foam, as well as craft foam and silver paint, to create her silver boot and shin plates, as well as shoulder plate and forearm guard. Her carving, sculpting, and painting skills manage to make it look like real metal at a fraction of the weight.
7 RELAXING AFTER A LONG BATTLE
Red Sonja was blessed with fortitude, stamina, and Herculean strength by the Red Goddess, but even heroes get weary from war. Seen here, in repose on the cold snow, in her normal silver scaled bikini, weaponry, with nothing but a wolf pelt to keep her warm. In Gail Simone's most recent Red Sonja comics, she wore furs when exiled to the mountains after contracting the plague.
Cosplayer Octokuro has opted to give a little more utility to Red Sonja's ubiquitous bikini, adding some pouches, as well as forearm braces. Red Sonja's hair is also shorter than usual, but it gives her appearance a fresh look and seems more versatile for battle. While she looks every bit the competent warrior, it's her leveled icy stare that truly evokes Red Sonja.
6 COMRADES IN ARMS
Red Sonja may have first been introduced in Conan the Barbarian #23, but she was never in danger of being overshadowed by the hulking hero. She proved to be just as capable a warrior, and he enlisted her help on many a quest. Oddly enough, though Arnold Schwarzenegger portrayed Conan the Barbarian in his own feature film, he played a different (but very similar) barbarian in the Red Sonja film named Kalidor.
In this team cosplay, we have Conan the Barbarian and Red Sonja, both appearing regal and capable as they scan their surroundings for signs of danger. Cosplayer Evejo is portraying Red Sonja in an ensemble similar to what Bridgett Neilson wore in the film - a leather corset-like top and leather skirt, with a metal circlet holding back her red hair.
5 GUARDIAN OF THE PASSAGE
Even when Robert E. Howard developed Red Sonja in 1934, he depicted her as a powerfully built warrior who had more in common with the Amazon Wonder Woman than a typical woman of the era. She was meant to be able to take on grown men in battle, and best them with her blade.
Cosplayer AnnaMarx depicts Red Sonja in one of her many Dynamite comic variants, where her silver scaled chainmail bikini was often altered with a longer top or bottom as the elements dictated. Often a dramatic fur-lined cape was added to protect Red Sonja in harsher environments. She stands regal and proud, ready to take on any challenge, with flaming red hair that looks surprisingly natural for a Red Sonja cosplay.
4 BATTLE READY
Occasionally it's necessary for Red Sonja to encompass her form in more layers than her usual metal bikini, but in her opinion it would only hinder her movements. Whenever supporting characters in her comics have brought it up, she has a ready response; "Men are easily distracted. Most of them never even notice my sword... until their heads roll off their necks."
This voluminous cosplay by Crystal Wolf is a fantastic example of Red Sonja requiring a little bit more protection, whether from an enemy or the harsh elements of her environment. Not only does she have a significant amount of armor protecting her right side, but her trusty battle axe as well.
3 ANCIENT WARRIOR
Red Sonja's adventures took her to a variety of different places, including the ruins of lost civilizations such as the one depicted with this cosplay. The Hyborian Age in which she thrived alongside Conan the Barbarian was a time before recorded human history, but after the sinking of Atlantis, and Earth was peppered with all sorts of relics of an ancient time.
This cosplay by Rosanna Rocha features a classic, timeless depiction of Red Sonja in her silver chainmail bikini, with the addition of a pair of gloves that she often wore in her earliest incarnations in the '70s. She looks defiant and unimpressed, as Red Sonja often did when faced with a particularly unchallenging enemy.
2 PROTECTOR OF THE REALM
Red Sonja has often become a protector for the weak throughout her comic series, such as when she became Queen Sonja after liberating Sogaria, a kingdom gripped by war, and finally Empress Sonja of the Emora Empire. During her reign, she waged battles against evil warlords, wizards, and freed hundreds of slaves.
Here cosplayer Atai shows off the noble side of Red Sonja, dressed in her silver bikini along with a sweeping crimson cloak that almost puts her iconic red hair to shame. The location shot, which doesn't appear to be Photoshop magic, gives the composition a fitting moodiness.
1 THE ART OF WAR
Red Sonja is never as beautiful as when she's in motion, as her warrior strength, intelligence, and gracefulness are on full display in the heat of battle. This dramatic cosplay certainly captures the dynamic appeal of the character, with a grittiness that wouldn't look out of place in an episode of Game of Thrones.
Cosplayer It's Raining Neon infuses her ensemble with utility and attention to detail, never letting the viewer forget that as Red Sonja, she is as beautiful as she is deadly. We particularly appreciate the dirt and snow on the bottom of her tattered cape.