Comics
Review: ‘Rat Queens’ #2
Kurtis J. Wiebe’s “Rat Queens” is an invigorating reminder that fresh, female-driven, fantasy content is still alive and kicking ass. Expect an effortless blend of bloody violence and gratifying comedy in “Gold, Guts and Grog” Part Two.
WRITTEN BY: Kurtis J. Wiebe
ART BY: Roc Upchurch
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: Wednesday 23, 2013
Whether they’re defying death and severing limbs, or hurling quips and getting belligerently drunk, the Rat Queens do it with a charming intensity — and just the right amount of boorish style. The second installment follows Palisade’s boisterous battle maidens on their action-packed monster hunting quest assigned by Mayor Atticus Kane. With the realization that the ragtag adventuring party has been set up, tensions are running high and weapons are drawn; but it’s the hilariously relentless warring of minds that really forms the core of this issue.
Part Two opens with some awfully entertaining back and forth between Violet the bohemian dwarven fighter and Hannah the contentious elven mage. The dynamic between these two characters is as ridiculous as it is comical, but their fierce personalities play off each other really well. The same can be said for Hannah’s verbally — and physically — combative relationship with Tizzie, the leader of Palisade’s Peaches gang. Their fiery character interaction is an easy highlight from issue #2, but Wiebe and Upchurch’s ability to demonstrate the fragility in these strong warriors is what’s most impressive.
There will always be casualties and unavoidable injuries in battle, and Wiebe and Upchurch work seamlessly together to present these moments as effectively as they can in both script and art. This installment sees the Rat Queens fighting against a giant troll while nailing a few standard high fantasy tropes in the process. From staple asskicking poses, to calling the attacks out before launching their assaults, they’ve got it covered. With that said, anticipate the awesome “Betty Climber” because Upchurch illustrates something so viscerally badass, and mortifyingly adorable with Wiebe’s hippy smidgen. It took two issues, but she’s wormed her way onto the top of my Rat Queens list.
The artwork delivers a thrilling visual atmosphere as Upchurch brings Wiebe’s universe to life. How he manages to maintain a subtly light tone to compliment the script, while also incorporating spectacular illustrations of bloody violence, is beyond me. There’s an increase in blood splatter and injuries this time around, and he’s nailed the imagery perfectly. In this issue readers will get to see Dee’s cleric healing powers in action as she tends to one fantastically gnarly battle wound, courtesy of Upchurch’s pencils. He continues to demonstrate his knack for illustrating smooth and effortlessly fluid narrative drawings when the scenes call for wild action. Personally, besides the fantastic explosions of blood and violence, his facial expression work is exceptionally good, especially when the Rat Queens are angry, indignant, or ready to kick ass. It’s a sight to see.
“Rat Queens” #2 delivers just as hard as the series opener. Wiebe and Upchurch give readers a better sense of the character dynamics, and offer a great portrayal of the natural, unforced chemistry the battle maidens have as a unit.
Starting with “Rat Queens” #3, the creative team will be incorporating a letters column into the books, so direct your love and affection to this email address: theratqueens@gmail.com
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – ShadowJayd
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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