It's been a few weeks since I've written a blog, I was sick for a couple of weeks and when I'm sick I tend to do nothing, but sleep. And, if I'm honest, I'm not complaining about that. I do enjoy my sleep. But a few weeks ago I finished reading the second and third volumes of Rat Queens, a comedic comic that features a group of four women including Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief (Goodreads). You can find my review of the first volume, here.
These second volume picks up right where volume one ended. It continued the unfinished storyline of a disgruntled merchant seeking revenge on the denizens of Palisade for the death of his wife. In his search for vengeance, he unwittingly unleashes spawn of N'rygoth, the tentacled god worshipped by a cult that Dee was a former member of, upon the city, and it's up to the Rat Queens to set things straight.
I have to say I really enjoyed volume two. The first volume, well really well done, just wasn't my favourite introduction to a comic series. Rat Queens is set in a fantasy world, but it doesn't take itself too seriously, and that's something I wish it did more of. I had hoped to learn more about the world, about the girl's backstories, and volume two definitely gave me that. It delved deeper into each character's past, highlighting their fears and inner demons. Of all the girls, Dee's story is developed the most. In the first volume, we learn she's left her cult behind, and become an atheist, choosing not to believe in N'rygoth, but the events in this volume makes her question her atheist beliefs and everything that she's stood for, and that was an interesting twist on her character and her development.
Volume three sets up a new adventure entered around Hannah's past. Hannah's my favourite character, and one could argue that she's the "main" character of the four Rat Queens. After learning that her step-father was arrested by the heads of the Mage University she attended, she reluctantly returns home to find out what happened, facing old, stubborn demons, and getting into trouble, with, not just the school, but with her friends. It volume ends with Hannah tossing aside her friends, putting up her familiar walls to save herself from pain and hurt, before being arrested and imprisoned, just like her step-father.
I also enjoyed this volume... however, I felt the artwork was... lacking.
And that brings me to my main issue with Rat Queens. Half way through volume two the art changes. The original artwork was done by Roc Upchurch, and I really liked his character designs and his detail to background and setting. Then the art team shifted, first to Stjepan Å ejic, and then to Tess Fowler and Tamra Bonvillain. Each new artist has brought a new feel to the series, but it never seemed to match the whimsical detail of Upchurch.
However, upon researching the series and the change in artists I discovered something unsettling. Upchurch was removed from the project after he was charged with domestic abuse against his wife. After reading that, I completely understood why he was removed from Rat Queens. This is a comic series about four independent and unapologetic women, women who are capable to outmatching even the best man among them. It would've been wrong to keep Upchurch on the team. And even though, I still prefer his art to his successors, I don't believe he has any place in the Rat Queen's universe.
While I was reading about the changes in artists, I also discovered that the series was put on hiatus after volume three. This was something I did not know. I've enjoyed the series so far, I wouldn't say it's been my favourite comic series I've read (of the few that I have), but I have followed these women this far, and they left the series on SUCH a cliff-hanger that I NEED an ending. I need to know what happens to them. If there's anything I hate, it's an unfinished story. I don't care if the ending is crap, I just need things to come to a close.
EDIT:
I've JUST found out that Rat Queens has returned after all! On March 1st, a new issue was released with Owen Gieni taking over the artistic side of things. And from what I've seen so far, Gieni is definitely channeling an Upchurch feel with his artwork, and I've very happy to see that.
It'll be some time before the next volume is released. And, since I'm relatively new to comics, I don't tend to buy the single issues, I like the weight and feel of a volume. I will definitely be continuing with the Rat Queens, I think it's a great, empowering series, one that I would recommend getting in to. It may not be as serious as the fantasy epic The Autumnlands, or as dark and brooding as some superhero comics, but it's a crazy, fun adventure with strong female protagonists, something I think the world could always use more of.
