WOTN Review: Rat Queens #22 (Image Comic)

A Romping Time in Rat Queens #22

After a brief break, the chaotic crew, the Rat Queens, are back! Rat Queens #22 comes bearing a new plot arc and a new creative team. Moritat and Casey Silver have stepped up to provide the artwork for this latest adventure.

What follows is a blend of hilarious chaos and heavy foreshadowing. It’s the combination that can only be found with a crew such as the Rat Queens, and with good reason. At least they can have some fun before things get too serious.

Writing

As mentioned above, Rat Queens #22 is funny, entertaining, and a bit concerning. While the plot’s core is focused on the chaos of a new creature running amok, there’s an undertone that cannot be ignored.

Ryan Ferrier has finely crafted the balance here. It gives the impression that this is a moment he has been waiting for and so much more to come. So, I would advise enjoying this little jaunt for what it is before the world gets dark once again.

While this is the new arc, it’s good to see that elements developed beforehand have not been dropped. Maddie is still wonderfully present, Betty is still sober (and not always happy about it), Dee is still afraid of her powers, and Hannah is well…she’s still Hannah, which means she’s still keeping secrets.

That is merely the framework for this issue, as a lot is happening. It’s one of those issues that is probably worth a second read-through to ensure all the details are picked up on.

Art

The new artistic team for Rat Queens #22 is already having some fun; that much is as clear as day. Casey Silver and Moritat have teamed up, and the result is an issue that dives into the humor while relishing in all of the world’s secrets.

The characters may have changed slightly, but only because of the style change. Overall, said style change is well suited to the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing more adventures from it. What is brilliant about the current style is that it lends well to both the humorous side of the Rat Queens and the more serious side. That can sometimes be a tough balance, but it has been struck here.

The colors are bold and fun, but use earthy tones to help make it all pop. Though have no doubt, some scenes are full to the brim of colors (and lots of other details as well).

Conclusion

Rat Queens #22 quickly provided two plots, one lighter and more entertaining and the other carrying heavy implications. The combination is more than a little bit concerning and leaves at least this reader hoping for only a month-long wait for the next issue in the series.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how things go from here, both on the lighter and the darker side of things. Is anybody betting on how much chaos will ensue before everything comes out into the open?

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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