NEW STORY ARC
"When Beards Collide" Part 1
The Rat Queens return to Palisade to find that the world has moved on without them. The tavern is infested with would be heroes, drinking all the ale and getting in all the fights. What's a warrior girl to do?
Also, I called it a few issues ago that Braga and Tizzie would make great additions to the Queens and this issue goes a ways to make that a reality. Incidentally, no Hannah in this issue and not even a mention from one of the Queens. I found that kind of strange. Seeing as how shes escaped her prison, its only a matter of time before she shows up again, but the question is whether itll be as friend or foe. Finally, I loved that with all the strange shit happening the one thing that gets Dee to finally exclaim whats going on? is Tizzy saying I even saw Gary running around with friends. Read Full Review
As one would expect, Rat Queens #16 mixes classic D&D tropes with humor, heart, and a good measure of bawdy lewdness. While Wiebe writes cracking one-liners and shockingly funny plot twists, Fowler delivers on the visual gags (favorite: Dee reads The Horniest Succubus on the boat home). The issue itself initially seems to return to form but then pulls tricks to relieve the reader of their comfort too. Read Full Review
For me this formula works because it reverse engineers popular fantasy tropes and by simply putting females in these traditionally male roles, turns them on there heads. The art is done with tongue firmly planted in cheek and serves the writing well . The cartoonish character designs is reminiscent of cult classic Elf Quest and allows you to enjoy the subject matter without seeming skanky. The writing was fairly clever and propelled the story with a swift, untangled pace. Read Full Review
'Rat Queens' was the fantasy title with attitude, humor, and badass maidens. Things fell apart along the way and Wiebe has been looking for his mojo back ever since. With Fowler and Bonvillain on board, the title seemed to be getting back on its feet like it does in this genial and entertaining issue. However, Wiebe has decided to put the book on hiatus but we hope for its return because the world needs a pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire. Read Full Review
The issue ends with a cliffhanger, of course, but one that could, if necessary only imply that the Queens are up to their old tricks. Their personalities are intact with sharp, funny lines. Their style reset has been completed, with a brighter color palette and more nudity. The team has been juggled just enough to give us something to speculate about. I do hope they all come back. As much as I disliked the last issues, the Rat Queens are still my girls and I don't want them to go. In the meantime, I'll be looking for a new dungeon crawl of a comic to enjoy. Recommendations anyone? Read Full Review
Kurtis Wiebe does a solid job of hitting the requisite beats to this return, the issue as always enlivened by his strong blend of sharply realized character and out-there antics. Read Full Review
How do you rank a comic that was so great, but seems to have had a fall from grace? Rat Queens #16 may be a must have simply for the fact that it is supposedly the beginning to a new story arc. Yet, it feels mostly like filler. Nothing significant seems to take place. The characters just get into their usual shenanigans that we've come to expect from them: drugs, sex, heavy drinking, and some violence. Read Full Review
Now this is more like it! The issue brings back the sense of humour, camaraderie and energy that the entire Demons storyline lacked, making for a very fun issue. Both Wiebe and Fowler are noticeably stronger in this issue with Wiebe delivering great quips and character interactions and Fowler giving clearer and more distinct art. It's a shame that the series is going on hiatus after this issue, leaving us with a cliffhanger that won't be resolved for a while since it really feels like it's finally back on track.
I think this comic went from a comic that had hit a rut, both story and art wise to being a comic that actively pisses you off -- sure, there are flashes of what made this book once great, at least when it comes to the writing, but not enough salvage it. Unless this becomes an invasion of the body snatchers type of story, this is just gonna piss you off.
Also, Dee's hair is inconsistently bad, in one scene taking almost a quarter of a page all by itself -- which really is a sign of the art still stuck on its rut.
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