Comics
Review: ‘Rat Queens’ #5
With each issue of “Rat Queens” we get closer and closer to the heart of these four raucous chicks, showcasing the brilliance of this series. It doesn’t shove emotions down your throat all at once—it slowly builds up to the moment when you realize you truly care. It’s not just a blood-soaked, drug-hazed, comically-penned fantasy anymore… it’s got real guts.
WRITTEN BY: Kurtis J. Wiebe
ART BY: Roc Upchurch
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: February 26, 2014
This issue is a roller coaster ride through a series of elements that seamlessly move together. It starts with ferocious violence, setting up a flawless transition into an emotional bit that is pertinent but short—as not to ruin the attitude of the series—going into a light reprieve filled with signature personality and wit, finishing off with a nice dose of intrigue.
Old Lady Bernadette comes back in her own storyline that has you reeling from beginning to end while the Rat Queens continue their face off with the Trolls. During the course of this issue some crucial secrets are borne and a shit-ton of blood is shed, with on of the Queens shedding more than others…
Something that really struck me in this issue are the vast differences in personalities, physical abilities, emotional responses, and societal backgrounds of each Rat Queen. They really stand on their own, completely individualized, yet fit together like a perfect puzzle. And because each one has such a relatable story, there is something for all of us to connect with. This is where the heart seeps into the story. This is how Wiebe teaches us to care.
Slow clap for the cliffhanger ending. Extremely severe cliffhangers like this tend to feel cliché, like a cheap ploy to get us to pick up the next issue. But this one was pulled off so effortlessly. In fact, it’s not just a single cliffhanger but rather a series of cliffhangers, one right after the other, that leads to an ending chock-full of heaping questions. But everyone is in the dark. Not just the readers but the characters as well. This causes the reader to interact with the cliffhanger out of concern, rather than selfish motives. It’s really effective. It lingers with you. And I’ll say it again: It makes you care.
The brute force of Wiebe’s signature wit combined with Upchurch’s flawless art and inexorable paneling make for a quick pace and tremendously entertaining read. Though I’ve never found the fantasy world of dragons, ogres, and wizardry to hold much appeal, the way this comic is presented is universally palatable. I lapped it up and seriously cannot wait to continue my feast.
4.5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Bree Ogden
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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