2015, 2015 Comics, Books, graphic novels, Image Comics, Paperback

GothamGal on Kicking Tush &Taking Names (Rat Queen’s Vol 1: Sass & Sorcery)

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GothamGal is a devoted comic fan. Reading comics from an early age (TinTin, Archie, Katie Keene and much more), she has recently revisited her old interest and is branching out into the streets of unread comics and graphic novels! While she favors DC Comics, Marvel is slowly winning her over—but Vertigo, Image and IDW have so many new things to offer, she might just say she’s a comic fan—with no labels. She fights for literature, education and the right for ALL to read comics!

I’ve made no secret of my love of Image Comics—they’re great value. The first issue is never more than $10.00, so it is a great way to try a series before spending the money on either a monthly subscription or more trade paperbacks. Image is also bringing in some of the best and brightest in regards to stories and art, and the all important talent.  Rat Queens is one of those stories that, if at a major comic label, may have succumbed to being cancelled—and it THRIVES at Image Comics.

20150524_201840Betty, Hannah, Dee and Violet are the Rat Queens, a ragtag bunch of women who make their way through the world by the skin of their teeth. Called to the town of Palisade, they are assigned a mission—in order to pay back the town for results of their latest ‘adventure.’ However, the mission quickly goes south, and the team soon realizes the whole thing is a trap. But, will the Rat Queens be able to solve the mystery and save the town? Or, will they fall victim to the same enemy that others called to help have fallen victim to? Will this be the end of our favorite fantasy fighting team?

I’m not a lover of the fantasy genre. However, the talented storytelling aspects, coupled with the art made me interested in Rat Queens. There are really great, witty lines and a hint of sarcasm that makes me feel very close to the characters (I can be too snarky for my own good). I also like the jokes and jabs and things like Dungeons and Dragons.

It was hard to pick one favorite character—each of the Queens has her own multicultural background. They are all different, and yet they work together and accomplish things that no other people or species are able to do—and they do it with teamwork and their own brand of whooping tushie!

The storyline is well-written, without being dumbed down. And I love the fact that, while each of the main characters is true and honest to herself, there is no convenient option to take that would make the story less entertaining.

Rat Queens is NOT for your average twelve-year old—it is most definitely a mature comic that deals with mature topics. However, it also depicts strong, dimensional women and alternative lifestyles and religions, as well as violence, a bit of crass humor and sarcasm. While this came out in 2014, I think that if I were a teenager now, I would be totally down for reading Rat Queens. I would hope that friends I might meet in high school or college would either be familiar or open to Rat Queens—I do know that, as an adult, I have a great group of friends who are as in love (if not more) as I am with this quartet of warriors!

Pick it up from your favorite retailer in paperback today, for UNDER $10!

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1 Comment

  1. Thiago

    June 1, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    This is on my TBR and I really hope I can read it soon.

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