2023 EDIT:
Reread: Nothing has changed - everything I said in my original review still stands - except maybe 'Rat Queens, Vol 1: Sass & Sorcery' is even more awesome than I remember it. If you want a quick comic book read about four strong, powerful, three-dimensional, individual, badass, violent, stabby, sweary, battling, partying, sex-and-boozy, high-chasing, and funny as fucking hell women, then this is for you.
Read it, you won't regret it.
I'm still waiting for an animated TV adaptation to be made.
Final Score: 4/5
Original Review:
Gosh golly gumdrops - what fun!
A fantasy comic book about four powerful women - who could not be more different from each other but are the best of bosom buds - fighting monsters and assassins while making brilliantly funny quips? It must be the Yuletide season!
The Graphic Novel world would proudly like us to meet: Betty, Dee, Hannah, and Violet. Together they are the titular Rat Queens!
It really is hard for me to pick a favourite character. Throughout 128 pages, little by little, the Rat Queens are each given their own panel time and space to establish personalities and backgrounds, and to develop towards the climactic battle. But if pressured, I think I'd go with Hannah.
In the mainstream media, you do not get to see a lot of badass, foulmouthed women who are confident with their sexuality and are not shamed or punished for it. Hannah the Elven Mage is a hoot; she is sexy but not sexualised, as she clearly has her own leisure and agency to be and act however the hell she wants. She can swear up a storm and no fucks would be given. In these aspects she reminds me pleasantly of Revy from the anime 'Black Lagoon'.
Hannah’s relationship with Captain Sawyer Silver (a hunky, non-white male lead) is very interesting. They have a long history together, yet their connection develops at a steady pace so as not to detract from their lone individual character arcs.
Each of the Rat Queens could be called an antiheroine in her own right. The only thing they seem to share in common is that they view sex and violence like a party to get drunk and high at (except maybe Dee, who is the most responsible). But Hannah expresses and embraces this term to the fullest, and loves it. Women come in all shapes and sizes, just like men; and Hannah - and indeed 'Rat Queens, Vol 1' as a whole - illustrates this sadly overlooked fact. It’s for this reason also that Braga is my favourite secondary character.
I love the artwork - I can already picture the comic as a direct-to-DVD adult cartoon film. Be warned, as well as featuring strong language, 'Rat Queens, Vol 1' is exceedingly violent and gory. Not all of the time, but the blood is there, gushing from mutilations and disembowelments. So for newcomers into this graphic novel experience, be prepared if you are in any way squeamish. Other than that it's all oddly adorable, with a great fantasy setting – abundant in trolls, dwarves, orcs, elves, smidgens, bankers, shop owners and priests.
The only downsides in my opinion are: the huge monster on the cover is not in this volume; the Rat Queens don't actually loot anything except bank details; and while I liked all the characters, Dee needed alone time dedicated to fleshing her out more, which is hinted to come in the next issue.
'Rat Queens, Vol 1: Sass & Sorcery' is awesome, with an explicit same-sex romantic relationship thrown into the magical mix. Hilarious, action-packed, engaging, and not a single rape-as-plot-device in sight. I do believe I might read the next volume, just to see these wonderful, three-dimensional characters again, plus the colourful artistry.
Final Score: 4/5
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