Rat Queens Volume 4: High Fantasies

An incredibly large disappointment.First, let me explain that the disappointment isn’t really with the story as a standalone issue. The story in the volume is basic, not up to the other ones, but we all sometimes don’t get a home run.My problems are the changes since Volume 3 and how it hurts not only this story, but the universe.1. The art… I realize that they have a new artist with all the circumstances around the original artist. However, the art style itself is not something I like, too busy, too rough, and in my opinion not able to portray the story as well. I completely realize that art is subjective, so that means it wouldn’t stop me from enjoying it. Just not my favorite.The rest is slightly spoilery, not of the story but of everything else.Edit Note: The author is now posting that Volume 3 and 4 are connected, however until I see that the review below still stands.2. The soft reboot of the universe. What this means is they totally gloss over volume 3. Hannah going bad… didn’t happen. Hannah’s father being dead, didn’t happen. Violet shaving off her beard (or not even acknowledging having had it. Hannah hating the Queens, didn’t happen.I normally don’t tell too many spoilers, unfortunately I wish someone had told me this before I bought the book. Not that I wouldn’t have bought the book, rather at least I would be prepared. Fortunately my husband read it before me so I had some warning, but not enough.My problem is the erasure of all the investment that readers had put into the story. I realize the author might have written himself into a corner, or perhaps he wanted to veer back, but to basically erase the third volume (and elements of the first two) is frustrating. In addition the story wasn’t as good this time, so it wasn’t even that it was soft rebooted for a better story.That being said, the author has gotten so much good will from me that I will buy the next one and see how I feel. Either way though, I can’t give this comic more than 2 stars.

This series started out so well but has clearly gone downhill with each volume. Loved the first two. I didn't like volume 3 but decided to give it one more shot. No more.Vol 4 doesn't connect to the previous volume very well. Somewhat disjointed, and seems like just a watered-down story.

Kurtis Wiebe's wonderful fantasy/comedy mashup bounces back after the rocky third volume. The events of Rat Queens issue 16 are no longer canon and the depressing ending of the previous volume (that saw Hannah leave the group, embrace her demonic side, and also saw her father being executed) have all seemingly been undone with a soft reboot. While Wiebe promises that the previous volume's events are still canon, how they fit in to the story now will be revealed slowly from now on with the focus for this volume getting the series back to its fun and funny roots. With Hannah back in the fold and the group expanded to give more time in the spotlight to scene-stealing orc Braga, the group ventures out to quest once more back in their home of Palisades. The artwork is stronger this time thanks to new creative team member Owen Gieni (hopefully there will be no more behind the scenes drama). All in all this is a rather simple volume that, again, is all about getting back to the basics that made this series such a smash hit: adventuring, humor, and banter between characters. We get to see more of Palisades in the wake of the Cthulhu-demon attacks and there is a new role for Violet's brother as he starts his own rival band of mercenaries. The final arc of the book was laugh out loud funny in my opinion (the Queens discovering a magical treasure trove features numerous great scenes). All in all, a welcome return to form for this series.

A wonderful return to form for Rat Queens, that raises an insane amount of questions in the process. Volume 3 ended with estrangement and cliffhangers, but in Volume 4 everything is resolved with little explanation. I know the point of the new, post-hiatus story was to try to return the series to what it was at the beginning, but as someone who actually liked the more complicated and serious stories that Volume 3 got into, it feels like a major piece of the puzzle is missing. Especially considering it all officially shares a continuity.On that subject, I realized most of the way through this graphic novel that neither Volume 3 nor Volume 4 contain issue #16 of the original series. I purchased the comic digitally to discover that it's not actually canon. Granted, it was halted in the middle of telling a new story by an unforeseen hiatus, but it's just odd to see an alternate universe that may have started to answer some of the questions that weren't answered in the new series. Furthermore, issue #16 was the one that had the Vox Machina cameo, hearing of which was what had caused me to finally pick up the series in the first place. Just, weirdness all around.With that said, Rat Queens, Vol. 4: High Fantasies is an amazingly entertaining read. It's hilarious; it's vulgar; it's full of adventure. I love seeing the original team back together and bantering; I like the various little arcs this new volume tells. The dungeon crawl at the end is just brilliant writing from beginning to end, and I found myself stifling laughter multiple times while the rest of my house was asleep. Kurtis Wiebe wanted a return to form, and he succeeded. This stuff's great.However, I did get a slight Thor: Ragnarok vibe (not in a good way), in how heavy the humor was in contrast it its immediate story predecessor. I always loved the serious elements of the Rat Queens world and the various characters, and it almost felt like serious issues of the past were being treated simply as jokes. The most prominent example of this, I would say, is the role of Violet's brother in the story. However, without spoiling too much, I'll say that by the end this felt redeemed.Overall, yeah. The Rat Queens are back. There was a bit of a time skip and the details are confusing, but the story we get here is amazing and definitely worth the read. If you're new to Rat Queens, be warned: This is a comic for adults. Do not read if you're offended by strong language, graphic violence, adult humor, and sexuality. If that doesn't bother you and you love humor-based, character-focused stories inspired by adventuring parties in fantasy RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, you should definitely check it out.P.S. So, Hannah has clearly cast Modify Memory on the entire party, right? Right!? Kurtis Wiebe please give us answers!

Book four in the series of paperbacks that collect issues of the comic 'Rat Queens.' The story of a group of female adventurers in a fantasy setting. With enough strong language and adult moments to make this a comic strictly for mature readers.This collects issues one to five of the latest run of the comic. It might actually work as a jumping on point, but new readers would still be better off starting with volume one.Previously in Rat Queens:The original artist vanished during volume two. Due to legal reasons [an internet search will tell you more]. There were some fill ins. A new artist took over from volume three on. That finished with issue fifteen of the first run of the comic.But after issue sixteen - which has never been collected and most likely will never be - the writer put the comic on hiatus. This, as mentioned as being issues one to five of the latest run, is it's return. With another new artist. And it's something a reboot story wise. The main characters are now back in the town of Palisade. With a couple of minor changes. And trying to get back to business as usual. With no mention of what happened in between.It's Rat Queens: the reboot.It tries hard writing wise to get back to the style of volume one. As does the art. The quality of that will be a matter of opinion, but by and large it is pretty good and does suit the story well. If perhaps a little too cartoony at points. It does focus on the main characters, adding one to the group as well, trying as before to make them strong and capable people who just happen to be ladies. But as before, Violet just remains a bit dull and Hannah is still not that nice a person. Thank goodness for the likeable Dee and the entertaining Betty.Some original characters are briefly glimpsed. Others briefly mentioned. Some new characters show up and do have their moments.The main plot though just seems to be a way to restart the series, by putting them into a quest situation. Which is all done and dusted by the end. there is fun and entertainment to be had along the way, but in the end it feels a bit slight.Not a bad volume, but you are left feeling that still needs to do a bit more to get totally back on track. Hopefully the next volume will.There are various original and variant covers as chapter pages, and a few bits of art at the end.

I'd been absolutely loving this series, up to this volume. Admittedly the story stalled slightly in book 3 - a tad too much backstory in the form of just speech bubbles, but it didn't destroy my enthusiasm.And I'm not opposed to a change of artists in a series, per se... It's just that I prefer artists who can... well... DRAW.As I read this, I was torn between annoyance and genuine embarrassment on behalf of the artist who now has this as part of their CV. Several times I was reminded of the (very very bad) attempts I made at creating my own comic during my schooldays.Bottom line? I'll be sticking with the series (for now, anyway). The first couple of volumes were so good that I still feel a sense of loyalty. But the artwork in this one stretched that loyalty severely.

So glad I stuck it out and kept reading after the abysmal volume three (worst art ever made) the illustrations in this are fantastic, it threw me off at first but stylistically I felt it worked alot better and looked beautiful after I had adjusted to the style change from the secondary book, it was funny and great to read from page one, brilliant series.

great anti-hero graphic fantasy.

Good read