Rat Queens, volumes 1 & 2 (Reviews)

Rat Queens: Sass & Sorcery | Kurtis J. Wiebe, Roc Upchurch

Published by: Image Comics, April 8th 2014

Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Magic

Pages: 128

Format: Ebook

Source: Purchased

Who are the Rat Queens? 

A pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire, and they're in the business of killing all god's creatures for profit. 

It's also a darkly comedic sass-and-sorcery series starring Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief. This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack! 

Collecting Rat Queens #1-5!

Fast and fun and fierce and FEMINIST? These ladies are my absolute faves ever, and Violet is LITERALLY ME. This comic is so empowering and honest and everything I ever wanted from a fantasy girl gang. Need vol 2 right the damn now.

Side note: POC, queer ladies, and girls with average and plus size bodies. Also no boob-displaying armour - REAL armour. Heeeeeell. Give this thing all the awards.

Characters ★★★★★

Art ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Rat Queens: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth | Kurtis J. Wiebe, Roc Upchurch

Published by: Image Comics, May 19th 2015

Genre: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Magic

Pages: 128

Format: Ebook

Source: Image Comics, via Netgalley

This booze-soaked second volume 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.

Collects RAT QUEENS #6-10

Just as clever and fun as the first volume, although I think this is my favourite because cute relationships are my weakness (and Hannah/Sawyer are pretty cute and hot, and Violet/OrcDave are just ADORABLE.) This series continues to be original and relatable (even if it does involve fighting giant squid monsters) and I really enjoyed the character back stories we got. The art is faultless (and I love that the ladies have differing body types), the characters are wholly genuine and witty and endearing, and the story itself is packed full of fun and action. I can't get enough of this series! 

If you haven't started Rat Queens yet, what in the heck are you waiting for?

Characters ★★★★★

Art ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

Nimona (ARC Review)

Nimona | Noelle Stevenson

Published by: Harper Collins, May 19th 2015

Genre: YA, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Superheroes

Pages: 272

Format: Ebook

Source: Preview from Harper Collins, via Edelweiss; the rest read online

The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it "a deadpan epic."

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to win Noelle many new ones.

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

AHHHH, YOU GUYS. How do I begin to review this? Nimona is a masterpiece. A literal, hilarious, heartwarming masterpiece. I fell super hard for this story.

Nimona is the perfect combination of rascal, reckless, competant villain, and traumatising back story. I love her so damn much. I loved her from page 1,. Or maybe page 2. Basically from 'I'M A SHARK'. She's a fricken shape shifter, and she questions all the dumb typical villain stuff, and she kicks Ballister into gear, and she gets shit done. Boy I love her.

The other characters were crazy cool too. Ballister is a do-gooder villain who won't kill anyone and has morals. He's a terrible villain but a genuine sweetheart. I loved the relationship he developed with Nimona, and I adored his arch-nemesis thing with Goldenloin (what a name, folks! what a name). Goldenloin is another terribly moral do-gooder, but I liked his selflessness and his undying love for Ballister. (Nemesis is code for boyfriend)

This is just a super good comic. It's fun and witty and serious when it needs to be. There's plenty of action and things blowing up (and doors getting charged through,) The story itself is thoroughly original and the art iconic and recognisable. I love this book so so much. Can't wait to own it and read the epilogue!!

Sidenote: I love that Nimona is a fat girl and is never shamed for it, never feels insecure for it & how her story never revolves around her weight. It's not an obstacle for her to overcome. Hell yes to positive fat girl role models!!

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world building ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★
Art ★★★★★