Everybody’s favourite mercenaries are back for a second arc – and while “perfect jump-on point” isn’t a phrase I’d used to describe this issue, it’s still a fun read, throwing us right back into the raucous world of the Rat Queens.
Written by Kurtis J. Wiebe
Illustrated by Roc Upchurch“THE FAR REACHING TENTACLES OF N’RYGOTH,” Part One A brand new booze-soaked arc of Rat Queens reveals a growing menace within the very walls of Palisade. And while Dee may have run from her past, the bloated, blood-feasting sky god N’rygoth never really lets his children stray too far. FIRST ISSUE OF A NEW STORY ARC! PERFECT JUMP-ON POINT!
It’s the morning after a big party – and as Betty turns flapjacks, we’re treated to some inter-Rat-Queen sniping about the events of the previous night. And just like that, we’re immersed in the dynamic of this group, where camaraderie and argumentativeness seem to be co-dependent. It’s good to be back, and from the get-go, the banter between the characters is on point.
From there the issue goes a lot of places, and it’s clear some unresolved threads from the first arc are being weaved into something bigger. There’s a lot of information to re-introduce, and unfortunately, the pacing does feels a touch jagged. A joke about a statue’s penis gets a bit out of hand, taking up most of a page without offering much of a punch, while a moment between Hannah and Betty could use a bit more context. It would definitely be possible to piece together the events of the first arc from this issue alone, but with all the new information that’s being introduced at the same time, it’s hard going.
But the emotion always rings true, with some of the best moments belonging to Dee. Both Wiebe and Upchurch have definitely got a handle on this character, and in her dialogue and her expressions, we’re encouraged to wonder about what’s going on with her. When questioned about her lack of participation in the party, her outburst hits just the right note; and her rueful reaction to an unexpected visitor has us asking all kinds of questions about her past. This is definitely looking like Dee’s arc, and so far as interesting characters go, this introverted atheist cleric has a lot to offer.
Of course, Roc Upchurch’s work on this title has always been gorgeous, and this issue keeps to the usual high standard. Hungover, arguing, or trudging through the rain, the personalities and moods of the Rat Queens are accessible and recognizable. And even in panels where she’s not the focus, Dee steals our attention away with expressions that mingle frustration, worry, and introspection. This is a character with a lot on her mind, and the compositions keep a subtle emphasis on her over the course of the issue.
And while it’s hard to quantify, the overall flow and versatility of Upchurch’s art contributes quite a bit to this series’ addictive charm. Elements that seem like they would be hard to pull off – battling mushroom-people, say – look effortless, and the action scene they star in is all kinds of fun. Upchurch never leaves us in doubt about the quality or character of a movement, and in a series that relies so much on moments of action, having motion come across so clearly keeps the energy level high.
On the more sinister side of things, a horrific panel on the last page does exactly what it’s supposed to, provoking a visceral reaction and making it very clear that shit just got real. And if that solicit got you wondering about tentacles, don’t worry – there’s squickiness of the cephalopod variety here as well, with poor Sawyer’s reaction getting across all the horror required.
All in all, fans of the series won’t be disappointed; this is another great issue of “Rat Queens”, with all the swagger and nuance we’ve come to expect from the title. Newcomers might want to pick up the trade paperback, though; there’s a lot of backstory here that it wouldn’t hurt to catch up on.
Final Verdict: 8.5 – Buy
