joshgauthier's review
4.0
Alright, so I'm really tempted to knock off a star because the start of this volume confused me, and I'm still upset about how this transition was handled.
With a little digging--which shouldn't be a requirement when picking up volume 4 in a series--I learned that Rat Queens underwent a bit of a chance in the creative team, leading to a soft reboot of the series. The previous volumes remain unchanged, but volume 4 jumps us forward in time, leaving all the cliffhangers from volume 3 unresolved. My greatest complaint is that this time jump is barely addressed in this volume and--despite Wiebe's promise that we will get more information about the gap between 3 and 4--I am left seriously wanting in the meantime.
Also as a result of the restart, the series looses some of its momentum, returning more or less to where the series started in order to kick of the run of this new creative team. Compared against everything that was happening in volume 3, this switch is rather jarring.
In similar fashion, I find myself regretting the change in art style--which I might not have minded had I not gotten used to the previous style.
So, those are my complaints. This volume struggles from the changes, and I don't think that the transition was handled as well as it could have been.
That being said, this volume had some of my personally favorite moments in the series thus far--from the unexpected merchant to the dungeon crawl, Wiebe and the team continue to capitalize on story elements that are notable familiar within the fantasy genre while twisting them in delightfully humorous ways. There were some missteps here, but ultimately, the series continues to go strong. I just hope that they fill in the gaps sooner rather than later.
With a little digging--which shouldn't be a requirement when picking up volume 4 in a series--I learned that Rat Queens underwent a bit of a chance in the creative team, leading to a soft reboot of the series. The previous volumes remain unchanged, but volume 4 jumps us forward in time, leaving all the cliffhangers from volume 3 unresolved. My greatest complaint is that this time jump is barely addressed in this volume and--despite Wiebe's promise that we will get more information about the gap between 3 and 4--I am left seriously wanting in the meantime.
Also as a result of the restart, the series looses some of its momentum, returning more or less to where the series started in order to kick of the run of this new creative team. Compared against everything that was happening in volume 3, this switch is rather jarring.
In similar fashion, I find myself regretting the change in art style--which I might not have minded had I not gotten used to the previous style.
So, those are my complaints. This volume struggles from the changes, and I don't think that the transition was handled as well as it could have been.
That being said, this volume had some of my personally favorite moments in the series thus far--from the unexpected merchant to the dungeon crawl, Wiebe and the team continue to capitalize on story elements that are notable familiar within the fantasy genre while twisting them in delightfully humorous ways. There were some missteps here, but ultimately, the series continues to go strong. I just hope that they fill in the gaps sooner rather than later.
pastel_princess's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
vickiegarcia's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Way better than Vol 3, but not as good as Vol 1 & 2, but I understand. No one wants Upchurch back, so I'll learn to love this new flow.
rkstumblingbear's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kristikiwi's review
4.0
Hilarious series. I hope they continue creating these comics. This was definitely my favorite collection, I can't wait to read #4.
sneakyawe's review
4.0
Artwork is different (obviously) but the story stays along the same path. Things seem to be focused on Vi’s story, but very lightly. I think out of all the Rat Queens I’m the least interested in her background so I’m a little bummed they kept the focus on her. Happy to see where things go though!
dessa's review
4.0
This one starts a little choppy, because the massive unexplained cliffhangers of the previous volume are just sort of... ignored. That said, the spirit of this volume gets back to OG Rat Queens - more fun, more adventure, same old charismatic irreverence for everything that isn’t a Rat Queen.
smthuriot's review
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
See my series review here:
https://sarahoverbooked.wordpress.com/2023/07/06/rat-queens/
https://sarahoverbooked.wordpress.com/2023/07/06/rat-queens/
lelex's review
3.0
I'm not quite sure how vol 3. with demon Hannah got to this one, but also I'm not gonna think that hard about it.
"This is why you always bring a dwarf to a tower build. Basic, basic engineering!"
"Aw, you've got nothing to worry about, B, Hannah's 0 for 8 on raising the dead."
"Teleporting is for cowards and bards!"
"She always said the rarest of knowledge is found in the darkest of places. Probably why she fucked a demon."
"Fuck, Braga, don't make me cry in front of my friends in the belly of an ancient evil temple already."
"This is why you always bring a dwarf to a tower build. Basic, basic engineering!"
"Aw, you've got nothing to worry about, B, Hannah's 0 for 8 on raising the dead."
"Teleporting is for cowards and bards!"
"She always said the rarest of knowledge is found in the darkest of places. Probably why she fucked a demon."
"Fuck, Braga, don't make me cry in front of my friends in the belly of an ancient evil temple already."