Rat Queens is an American fantasy comic book series created by Kurtis J. Wiebe and Roc Upchurch, published by Image Comics. The series was written by Wiebe until Ryan Ferrier took over in mid 2019. The original 2013–2016 run was drawn by Roc Upchurch, Stjepan Šejić, and Tess Fowler. The series was put on hiatus in April 2016 and returned in March 2017 with the new artist Owen Gieni. Currently, Moritat & Casey Silver are the ongoing artists.
Recounting the exploits of a party of four rowdy, foul-mouthed adventurers, the series has received critical praise, was nominated for the 2014 Eisner Award for Best New Series and won the 2015 GLAAD Media Award.
Publication history Writer Kurtis Wiebe described the series as a "love letter to my years of D&D (...) and fantasy" with a modern twist, and the concept as "Lord of the Rings meets Bridesmaids". Originally intended to be funded through Kickstarter, it was picked up by Jim Valentino at Image Comics a week before the funding campaign was to start. Rat Queens was intended to be published at a pace of ten issues per year, with two-month breaks between collections.
After artist Roc Upchurch was arrested on charges of domestic violence in November 2014, Wiebe announced that Upchurch would no longer be illustrating the series. Image Comics announced that Stjepan Šejić would continue the series as artist beginning with issue #9 in February 2015, preceded by a special issue about the orc warrior Braga by guest artist Tess Fowler in January 2015. After Šejić left the series in July 2015 for health reasons, Fowler continued the series as main artist, joined by colorist Tamra Bonvillain.
In April 2016, Fowler left the title, and Wiebe paused work on it. In May 2016, Fowler wrote that Wiebe pushed her out to make room for Upchurch's return after the fourth arc. Wiebe denied this and said that the collaboration not working out creatively was the reason for Fowler's departure and the comic's hiatus.
In July 2016, Wiebe announced that Rat Queens would continue as a webcomic. Early strips in this format would be drawn by Battlepug creators Mike Norton and Cecilia Dupuy.
In November 2016, Wiebe announced that Rat Queens would return to print with a new series artist, Owen Gieni.
On Reddit, Wiebe clarified that issue #16 (When Beards Collide, Part 1) would not be considered canon following the reboot. Apparently he found it too difficult to wrap that arc up and put the series back on track. He later found a way to reference #16 while writing #9 of the reboot series, but reiterated that #16 will not be collected. The reference is an Easter egg for those that read #16.
Wiebe and Gieni ended their work as the series' writer and artist in March 2019, with issue #15.Rat Queens #15 Brings an End to an Era of Fantasy Comics A new creative team of Ryan Ferrier (writer), Priscilla Petraites (artist), and Marco Lesko (colorist) resumed work on the series in June 2019.
The storyline The God Dilemma ended the regular serialization of the series, but original creators Wiebe and Upchurch have announced they will be producing a graphic novel finale for the series tying up all remaining loose ends, giving the characters a true final send-off. This finale, titled Rat Queens: Sisters, Warriors, Queens was published in late September 2023, with Upchurch returning as its artist.
Plot The eponymous "Rat Queens" are a rambunctious party of adventurers in a medieval fantasy setting. They comprise the rockabilly elven mage Hannah, the hipster dwarven warrior Violet who shaved her beard before it became cool, the atheist human cleric Dee, who hails from a family of Lovecraftian monster cultists, and the hippie halfling (here called "smidgen") thief Betty, whose idea of a hearty meal is a bag of drugs and candy. They were later joined by Braga, a transgender Orc warrior.
The first five issues follow the group's exploits as they try to defend themselves against assassins intent on killing them and other adventuring groups that have been roughing up their home town of Palisade. The second story arc sees the Rat Queens trying to prevent a vengeful businessman from summoning Dee's people's many-tentacled gods to lay waste to Palisade. The third arc has Hannah return to her sinister alma mater after her father is arrested for attempting a coup.
Characters Hannah Vizari A black-haired Elven necromancer who made a pact with a demon named HazirelRat Queens Vol.1 #12 and was cursed by the demonic Necrius magicRat Queens Vol.1 #7 he bestowed upon her, which among other things made her grow horns, which she tries to hide under her haircurls.Rat Queens Vol.1 #10 Later, the corruption causes her to be split into a good and evil half.Rat Queens Vol.2 #8-10 Violet ("Vi") Blackforge A redhaired Dwarven fighter of the Blackforge Clan who became tired of her father's adherence to old-fashioned traditions, which disallowed Dwarven females from becoming warriors even though Violet had the talent. After beating up a guest of her father's who made a slur at her, she banished herself from the clan, cutting off her beard as a sign of rebellion against tradition,Rat Queens Vol.1 #8 although she would let it grow back later. She has a relationship with Dave, an Orc healer,Rat Queens Vol.1 #5 whom she later marries.Rat Queens Vol.2 #15 Her twin brother Barrie, her rival for her father's approval even though he dearly loves his sister, later becomes the leader of a copycat imitation of Violet's team called "Cat Kings".Rat Queens Vol.2 #1 Dee (Delilah) A human ex-high priestess of a monster cult who left her faith and her family after she became disillusioned with the horrors they worshipped. She still continues to use her powers, especially for healing, despite her falling-out with her dark deity. She was once married with Mezikiah, another cult member.Rat Queens Vol.1 #6 At one point she is called into the realm of the gods and granted the powers of a dwindling deity.Rat Queens Vol.2 #12-15 Although shy in social situations and gloomy about her choices in life, she loves the company of her fellow Rat Queens and will do anything to keep them safe. Betty A fun-loving Smidgen thief whose major vices in life are candy, hallucinogens, and large servings of alcoholic drinks. She is also a lesbian, with a long-lasting relationship with a human woman named Faeyri.Rat Queens Vol.1 #3 Formerly called Petunia Harvestchild, she was the leader of a Robin Hood-type group called The Five Monkeys, who were framed for robbery and all - except Betty - thrown into prison; as a result, the other members of the Five Monkeys, unaware that Betty has been scapegoated, are out for revenge on her.Rat Queens Vol.2 #10 In combat she is a vicious fighter, using her small size and agility to fullest advantage. Braga A huge, one-eyed transgender Orc and former member of the Peaches, another adventuring team which was wiped out during the first Rat Queens story arc.Rat Queens Vol.1 #1-2 Born male and originally named Broog, Braga was the oldest child and heir to of her tribe's chieftain, but she didn't believe in her people's constant warring. Her ambitious younger brother Voon attempted a coup to eliminate her and take up the chieftainship; after her best friend and lover Kiruk was slain by Voon's minions, Braga crippled Voon in revenge and left her tribe,Rat Queens Special #1: Braga although Voon would later return, imbued with demonic powers, to plague Braga anew. Her transition is not shown in the books but appears to have happened in between when she left her family and when she arrived in Palisades as a mercenary. Already a good friend of the Rat Queens, she later joins them full-time in their exploits. Madeline The teenage daughter of a retired bard who works as a barmaid in her father's tavern. She has long admired the Rat Queens and wants to be a fighter.Rat Queens Vol.2 #6 After Violet's marriage and subsequent retirement, she takes over as the group's apprentice fighter.Rat Queens Vol.2 #16
Reception Rat Queens received critical praise. It was nominated for the 2014 Eisner Award for best new series, and won the 2015 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book for its portrayals of LGBT characters. The first compiled volume, Rat Queens: Sass and Sorcery, was nominated for the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story.
In Paste, Robert Tutton noted that the "rowdy, sarcastic and intensely loyal" personalities of the main characters drive the series, and praised its seamless transitions from "gore to humor, sprawling action to small personal moments", as well as artist Roc Upchurch's skill at portraying facial expressions. Augie De Blieck from Comic Book Resources appreciated the "dark, twisted, and hilarious" series for its fast pacing, Wiebe's witty (and foul-mouthed) writing, and the humanity and personality with which Upchurch infused his drawings. Writing for IGN, Benjamin Bailey described the "mix of D20 adventures and modern angst" as perfecting the formula of injecting humor and wit into sword and sorcery tropes, and praised Upchurch's "expressive and unique" character designs.
Issues IssueTitleRelease dateStoryArtColorsCoverSpecialRat Queens Free PreviewSep. 9, 2013Kurtis J. WiebeMeg DejmalRoc Upchurch#1Sass and SorcerySep. 25, 2013Kurtis J. WiebeRoc UpchurchRoc UpchurchFiona Staples (variant)#2Oct. 23, 2013Roc Upchurch#3Nov. 27, 2013#4Jan. 15, 2014#5Feb. 26, 2014#6The Far ReachingTentacles of N’RygothMay 7, 2014Roc Upchurch#7Jul. 16, 2014#8Oct. 1, 2014Roc UpchurchTyler JenkinsMichael Avon Oeming (v.)SpecialBraga: The Once Prince, Now BastardJan. 14, 2015Tess FowlerKelly FitzpatrickTess FowlerRoc Upchurch (v.)#9The Far ReachingTentacles of N’RygothMar. 4, 2015Stjepan ŠejićJenny Frison#10Apr. 8, 2015Stjepan Šejić#11DemonsAug. 19, 2015Tess FowlerTamra BonvillainStjepan Šejić#12Sep. 16, 2015#13Nov. 18, 2015#14Dec. 30, 2015 The Image Comics web pages for Rat Queens are frequently out of date and incorrect before release (Stjepan Šejić was listed as sole artist for this issue until early December), but in this case the claimed release date is reasonable.#15Mar. 16, 2016#16When Beards CollideMay 4, 2016Tess Fowlerand Tamra Bonvillain“SOFT REBOOT”#1Cat Kings and Other GarysMar. 1, 2017Kurtis J. WiebeOwen Gieni#2Apr. 12, 2017#3May 24, 2017#4Jul. 5, 2017#5Aug. 16, 2017SpecialOrc DaveSept. 27, 2017Max DunbarTamra BonvillainFiona Staples#6The Colossal Magic NothingNov. 22, 2017Owen GieniOwen GieniSweeney Boo (v.)#7Jan. 3, 2018Owen GieniJim Valentino (v.)#8Feb. 28, 2018Owen GieniMindy Lee (v.)#9May 16, 2018Owen GieniLeila Del Duca (v.)#10Jul. 11, 2018Owen GieniJoseph Michael Linsner (v.)SpecialNeon StaticJul. 18, 2018Will Kirkby#11The Infernal PathSep. 12, 2018Owen Gieni#12Oct. 24, 2018#13Dec. 19, 2018#14Feb. 13, 2019#15Mar. 13, 2019SpecialSwamp RompApr. 10, 2019Ryan FerrierPriscilla PetraitesMarco LeskoPriscilla Petraites#16The Once and Future KingJun. 19, 2019#17Jul. 31, 2019#18Sep. 11, 2019#19Oct. 23, 2019#20Dec. 11, 2019#21The God DilemmaMar. 25, 2020#22Oct. 21, 2020Moritat & Casey SilverPriscilla Petraites & Marco Lesko#23Nov. 25, 2020#24Jan. 6, 2021#25Feb. 3, 2021Roc UpchurchSpecialSisters, Warriors, QueensSep. 27, 2023Kurtis J. WiebeRoc Upchurch
Webcomics To promote the return of Rat Queens, Kurtis Wiebe ran a series of webcomics on his blog. The first 10 comics were later released as a digital comic issue.
#TitleRelease dateStoryArtColors#1"Magesitting"Nov. 23, 2016Kurtis WiebeMike NortonSweeney Boo#2"Goodbye"Nov. 30, 2016Isaac Goodhart#3"Trippin’"Dec. 7, 2016Sweeney Boo#4"Social Warrior"Dec. 14, 2016Justin Osterling#5"Whackball"Dec. 21, 2016Max DunbarSweeney Boo#6"The Absent King"Jan. 11, 2017Ben Rankel#7"Rat Queens Inc."Jan. 18, 2017Kyle CharlesSweeney Boo#8"Bedtime Stories with Braga"Jan. 25, 2017Will Kirkby#9"Girls’ Night Out"Feb. 1, 2017Stjepan Šejić#10"Bad Omen"Feb. 10, 2017Sedona Parnham#11"Identity"Mar. 22, 2017Linda Šejić
Collected editions