This issue starts off with our fierce queen Violet practicing lines in front of a mirror. Wait…this looks like something I would do for cosplay. Oh, because it basically is, it’s actually tavern worker Maddie in a Violet costume. Maddie looks to be very young and it’s obvious she yearns for adventure and really admires the Rat Queens. Maddie’s dad owns the tavern and used to be a bard, but has long since retired. The Rat Queens are day drinking and Maddie is their server.
Maddie approaches the table nervously and Violet asks Madeline to help end a dispute between Hannah and Braga. She asks “what’s better? Magic or swords?” It’s no surprise to me that she tells Violet that she thinks swords are the better option. Betty then announces that she has a mission for the Rat Queens. Well, she describes it more as charity work.
Betty explains that she was hanging out with her friend Jason and he told her about this place in the forest where crazy things happen. Keep in mind they’re high while talking about this, and he explains this part of the forest to be magical. Well, Betty ends up oversleeping and not going on this adventure with Jason. And, now Jason hasn’t been seen for quite some time. She’s a little concerned about her friend.
The Rat Queens decide to check out the forest and see if they can locate Jason together. As they get deeper into the forest there appears to be pink floating foot step stairs to a mystical realm. As the Queens reach the top they are hanging out in a cloud and everything looks like a 1940’s propaganda cartoon that had relations with a 1930’s Betty Boop cartoon. It’s an adorable sight guys. Also a trippy one…
As the queens get deeper in Braga realizes that her axe has a personality of its’ own. Her axe is actually a living creature that’s talking to her, Violet has a mighty beard. It’s throwing punches like Popeye would. Betty’s head is a mushroom, Dee’s legs have become powerful tentacles, and Hannah has no feet. The girls use these strange abnormalities to their advantage as huge rainbow colored toad makes its grand entrance.
The toad has the upper hand as many decoy Jason’s pop out of the toads back with razor sharp hands. Of course I don’t want to spoil how our queens slay this toad. Of course if you’ve ready any issue in the past you know the queens always slay. After they rescue the real Jason Betty decides she’s going to lick the toad. And, while Betty trips balls the girls return back home for a drink to the local tavern.
On the way back into town they greet Madeline, the tavern owner’s daughter in the street. She’s dressed like she’s ready to go on an adventure, and she asks the Queens if they have any advice for her. Violet does, don’t become an adventurer. As they enter the tavern they speak with Maestro (AKA Tavern owner) and bring up Madeline. He looks confused…he tells them he has no idea who they’re talking about and he has no daughter.
Obviously you need to pick up this issue. The Rat Queens always have the strangest luck on their adventures and things never quite go as planned. So, that being said you can look forward to a hilariously awesome and weird battle with a giant rainbow toad. Also you will learn why Maestro has no clue his daughter ever existed. I couldn’t spoil huge plot point’s guys. You’ll also want to see Dee’s new look for the issue and of course that trippy propaganda style cartoon artistry. Buy this comic today at your local comic shop.
Rating: 8.5/10
