Comic Review: Rat Queens vol 1

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As I've written about before, I'm a big fan of fantasy comics, and recently I had a chance to read the first Rat Queens collection: Rat Queens Volume 1: Sass & Sorcery.

First let me state the obvious. This is not a book for young kids. The characters use "rough" language, there are references to drug use, and there might be more graphic violence than you would expect. It's a sword and sorcery comic, so I expect a certain level of violence, and being a comic, I expect it to be graphic. That said, if you think seeing one of the heroes covered in the blood spray of a slain enemy is a bit too much, this might not be the book for you.
  
All that said, I loved this book. It reads like an adapted D&D game in graphic form. The characters get their mission from the town guard as pardon for past minor crimes. This setup feels like the start of a game session, with the town guard serving as the DM and the mission objective seems like just the kind of assignment a low-level party might get. 

Not surprisingly, the mission goes sideways and there's more going on than appears at first glance; again, like a good D&D session.

The book features a great collection of female lead characters, all of whom are empowered, self-sufficient, if a bit flawed, people. Likewise, we're introduced to a number of interesting side characters, like the Four Daves and Sawyer.

While Rat Queens is an ongoing series, this first arc does a good job of setting the stage, introducing the characters, and providing a fun, exciting opening adventure, with just enough loose ends to keep the book going.

I look forward to reading the further adventures of the Rat Queens.

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