Rat Queens #17 Is Bringing on the Changes
The Rat Queens have been facing a lot of changes of late. If you’ve been following the reboot of the series, then you’ve already seen what they’ve gone through. But it would seem that their journey isn’t over just yet.
Rat Queens #17 changes many facts we had taken for granted. It challenges our perspective of each main character while also putting them on a course for character growth. It’s an intense issue, with lots of light banter to carry us through.
Writing
It’s been interesting seeing what Ryan Ferrier has been doing with the series now that he’s taken over for Kurtis J. Wiebe. The latter’s influence is still showing through in the series…but it’s changing at the same time.
Ferrier has been taking some risks with the cast, especially recently. On the whole I think these risks have been paying off. Though I’ll be honest, I don’t know the long-term plan or where our queens will end up.
Rat Queens #17 builds up on the plot introduced in the last issue while weaving in many subplots. Some were started earlier, which I’m happy to see come up again. Others are new and, dare I say, unexpected? Though the twists are appreciated.
I’m still not sure how I feel about this new antagonist. On the bright side, this issue addressed that a little by having our queens comment on his abilities and strength. By comparing it to the Rat Queens they were versus the Rat Queens they are now. So, at least, they’re rather self-aware at the moment.
Art
The artwork for Rat Queens #17 was brilliant. Priscilla Petraites was the lead artist, while Marco Lesko provided the colors. They brought us a bright and dynamic artwork set to support the plot.
There were some panels and designs I loved in particular. Most of these moments involved character designs (either new or altered) or the color palette itself. For the sake of spoilers, I won’t say much more than that. But if you’re curious, a hint can be spotted on the cover of this issue. A rather pink hint.
I also think they did an excellent job rendering expressions. There was more than one moment in this issue where a Rat Queen was expected to show a lot of emotion, and they nailed it.
Conclusion
Rat Queens #17 was an interesting issue, on the whole. I’m enjoying some of the risks they’ve been taking with storytelling. Even though I’m still not sure how permanent some of these changes and risks will be. I think many fans out there feel the same way.
This issue is setting up for a longer and more involved plot. Much like the last dangerous plot the Rat Queens faced, I’m sure there will be long-lasting effects from everything they see and do. And I’m looking forward to seeing that journey.
This review was originally written for Word of the Nerd, but has been ported over to Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks now that the site has shut down.
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