"DEMONA," Part Three
The Rat Queens arrive at Mage University: the place where everything went wrong for Hannah not so long ago.
Finally, Betty explores the marketplace, comes across a tinkerer gnome and can't resist getting herself a modified sled. Violet sees her heading out on a snowbound adventure with the thing and invites herself along in the interest of having Betty's back after the assassin's visit. They hilarious sledding run down the steepest hill directly homages Calvin and Hobbes. What they run into at the bottom of the mountain gives Violet the issue's punchline: “AND THIS IS WHY WE DON'T GO SLEDDING!” Read Full Review
“Rat Queens” #13 isn't the most action packed issue of the series but the substance here is great. There are some very fun character moments and art team of Tess Fowler and Tamra Bonvillain continue to absolutely kill it. “Rat Queens' continues to be one of the very best that comics has to offer. Read Full Review
Rat Queens continues to deliver in this latest installment leaving us anxious for more as the Hannah-centric story plays out. The character interactions are as great as ever and despite everyone else doing their own thing the issue reads well without losing too much momentum. Read Full Review
Besides the exposition on Hannah's father this issue doesn't really move the story along as it's centered on the adjustment of the girls in the magical world of Mage U. Once again it is hinted that Hannah did something horrible in the past that possibly got her kicked out of Mage U. Also, although Gerard turns out to be Hannah's Stepfather, Wiebe emphasizes that their love is as real as if he were her biological father, and both go out of their way to correct others when they are addressed as stepfather/stepdaughter. Read Full Review
A much needed breather this issue which is solid and fun nevertheless and will leave readers with yet more reasons to eagerly await issue 14 and the continuation of this chapter. Read Full Review
Despite all this, Rat Queens #13 may not be as stellar as previous outings, simply because the characters seem to truly thrive when surrounded by chaos and action. But the beauty of Rat Queens is that the characters are so endearing, the writing so sharp and funny and the story arcs so compelling that even when things seem a little slow by previous standards, the reading experience is still hugely enjoyable. #13 serves to set up future storylines- Hannah's complex family drama in the long-term, Betty's sled-related mischief in the short-term- but entertains us enormously in the meantime. Hopefully the upcoming issues will feature the action and carnage Rat Queens readers have come to love so much. Read Full Review
There's enough intrigue to get me wondering what the big picture looks like, the characters are fun and if you're already reading this comic my review isn't worth a tin of home brand beans but if you've seen it on the shelf, heard good things about it and especially if you're fond of fantasy give it a whirl. Read Full Review
Overall, this is a solid, if not amazing, issue. It didn't feel like it was just passing time, but there is a sense that we're building up to something on the same level as the battle for Palisades. We just aren't there yet, so in the meantime, we get to enjoy the ride. Read Full Review
Regardless, issue 13 remains an expository issue, full of dialogue and minor character developments. It lacked the thrilling action and humor that keeps the series exciting for me. I know that plot has to be revealed somehow and it can't always be gobbo-slaying or drunken revelry, but this action is what made me love the series in the first place. Hopefully the next few issues will pick up and balance out the exposition with the action that Rat Queens always so gratuitously delivers. Read Full Review
It's unfortunate, but I really feel like Rat Queens has lost some of its magic. Part of the problem is that Tess Fowler's art just doesn't inspire the same sense of fantastical wonder as Upchurch or Šejić's did (or as her own art did in the Braga special). The story is interesting enough, but Fowler's art, which is much more conventional comics fare, is not well suited to the material. Also, under Fowler's hand, the women of Rat Queens, who once represented a fairly diverse range of body types, now all conform fairly rigidly to the comics norm. This is hugely disappointing, as I think Fowler is talented and capable of much more.
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