Rat Queens Vol 1. Sass & Sorcery TP
Whether you have actually played one or not, odds are that you are aware of role-playing games. From Dungeons & Dragons to the Elder Scrolls, the role playing game is a cultural zeitgeist. Some of you have gone on epic quests, battled dragons and saved the princess, all from the comfort of your living room, or your parents basement. There’s something freeing about the escaping into a treacherous land of make believe. Even if you’ve never collected a quest from the local tavern, or can’t tell the difference between a grumpkin and night elf, there is no reason to not check-out Image Comic’s criminally entertaining Rat Queens, collected here in its inaugural trade.
Created by Peter Panzerfaust’s Kurtis J. Wiebe and Artist Roc Upchurch, Rat Queens tells the tale of four booze-guzzling, foul mouthed, adventurers. Our heroes, Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Hobbit Thief are running out a loot and the town their sword to protect is running out of patience. After almost being assassinated on their last quest by an unknown assailant, the four heroines must sober up long enough to find out who exactly wants them dead.
Right from the cover, this humble reviewer fell head over heels with this book. Every time I turned the page I couldn’t help but snap a pic and send it to my lady friend insisting that “she just has to read this”. So what make Rat Queens so gall darned good? One word; Wiebe. He has crafted a perfect parody world of role-playing wonder. But if its the role-playing aspect that has you hesitant, bear in mind that it’s only one of the many selling points this book has to offer.
Wiebe’s heroes are the greatest aspect of this book, as they should be. They are real, breathing, flesh and blood characters rounded out with foul mouths and unique quirks. From Hannah’s snark, to Betty’s unlucky love life, these guys have hearts and souls that set them worlds apart from many other books on the shelves. Wiebe’s ability to make you care so deeply for the team helps elevate the action and the humour as well. And yes, this book is funny. Like, spit-take funny. I don’t know how someone would even think of conjuring a thorn bush up someones butt hole, but brother, I’m not going to hesitate to use that line.
In the art department, Roc Upchurch has certainly made a name for himself with this series. The book is drawn with a confidence and swagger of someone far more experienced. It’s hard to believe that this is Upchurch's first mainstream project, this guy will be a legend, mark my words. His ability to craft not only a beautiful fantasy realm but to have such a mastery hold on character design is an impressive feat. There is not a mis-used line in this entire book.
It has been awhile since I have felt so passionately about a book. I simply can not wait to buy copy after copy as gifts to ensure my close ones and I are on the same page. Rat Queens Vol. 1 Sass & Sorcery is everything you could want in a comic book. Packed with action, adventure, humour and heart, Wiebe and Co. have created a modern classic in every sense of the word.
Rat Queens Vol. 1 Sass & Sorcery TP
Writer: Kurtis J. Wiebe
Art: Roc Upchurch
Publisher: Image Comics
Purchase: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/rat-queens-vol.-1-sass-and-sorcery-tp
Created by Peter Panzerfaust’s Kurtis J. Wiebe and Artist Roc Upchurch, Rat Queens tells the tale of four booze-guzzling, foul mouthed, adventurers. Our heroes, Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Hobbit Thief are running out a loot and the town their sword to protect is running out of patience. After almost being assassinated on their last quest by an unknown assailant, the four heroines must sober up long enough to find out who exactly wants them dead.
Right from the cover, this humble reviewer fell head over heels with this book. Every time I turned the page I couldn’t help but snap a pic and send it to my lady friend insisting that “she just has to read this”. So what make Rat Queens so gall darned good? One word; Wiebe. He has crafted a perfect parody world of role-playing wonder. But if its the role-playing aspect that has you hesitant, bear in mind that it’s only one of the many selling points this book has to offer.
Wiebe’s heroes are the greatest aspect of this book, as they should be. They are real, breathing, flesh and blood characters rounded out with foul mouths and unique quirks. From Hannah’s snark, to Betty’s unlucky love life, these guys have hearts and souls that set them worlds apart from many other books on the shelves. Wiebe’s ability to make you care so deeply for the team helps elevate the action and the humour as well. And yes, this book is funny. Like, spit-take funny. I don’t know how someone would even think of conjuring a thorn bush up someones butt hole, but brother, I’m not going to hesitate to use that line.
In the art department, Roc Upchurch has certainly made a name for himself with this series. The book is drawn with a confidence and swagger of someone far more experienced. It’s hard to believe that this is Upchurch's first mainstream project, this guy will be a legend, mark my words. His ability to craft not only a beautiful fantasy realm but to have such a mastery hold on character design is an impressive feat. There is not a mis-used line in this entire book.
It has been awhile since I have felt so passionately about a book. I simply can not wait to buy copy after copy as gifts to ensure my close ones and I are on the same page. Rat Queens Vol. 1 Sass & Sorcery is everything you could want in a comic book. Packed with action, adventure, humour and heart, Wiebe and Co. have created a modern classic in every sense of the word.
Rat Queens Vol. 1 Sass & Sorcery TP
Writer: Kurtis J. Wiebe
Art: Roc Upchurch
Publisher: Image Comics
Purchase: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/rat-queens-vol.-1-sass-and-sorcery-tp
A Look Inside
