Comics Roundup #4: A Blast Into the Past

I read four graphic novels when I participated in Bout of Books 14. To read my thoughts on the first two comics I read, click here. What follows are my thoughts on Rat Queens and Saga. I’m so hooked on these series, that I had to include the second volume of both when choosing books for the readathon. My thoughts in this post will be short since it’s on the second volumes and I don’t want to give away too much. (Plus, I don’t have much to say other than they’re both great comics. Go read them!)

Rat Queens, Vol.2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N’rygoth by Kurtis J. Wiebe, illus. by Roc Upchurch and Stjepan Sejic

Quick summary:

The latent threat from the first volume takes precedence in this one. Sawyer is kidnapped and the town is attacked by giant squids. It’s up to the Rat Queens to discover who’s behind it all and once again save the town and its people.

My thoughts: (minor spoiler)

I enjoyed this volume as well though not as much as the first one. The ladies and their stories are appealing and I appreciate that we get some backstory on a few of them in this volume (I really like Violet’s). I don’t read many graphic novels or comics so I’m not familiar with the structure but I appreciate that the story seamlessly continues in this volume. It’s as if the story never stopped. Maybe that’s something to be expected of comics but it stood out to me.

The action scenes are great as well. I enjoyed seeing them fight and the dialogue was good too with humor peppered throughout. What I liked most were the issues the story touches on. Tradition is a major theme in this volume. There is Violet, who, in the past, felt stifled by the constraints of her tradition, and Dee, who is shocked by the truth she learns about her religion. I like the conversation she has with her husband at the end that just because you break from your religion doesn’t mean that you can easily abandon its customs.

The only thing I didn’t like about this volume was the style change for the illustrations. The style switches about midway. I prefer Upchurch’s illustrations because he makes the characters attractive and the women, no matter their size, have curves. They rang true to me. Also, I prefer the colors that accompany Upchurch’s illustrations. They are bold. Though Sejic’s illustrations are good, they weren’t appealing to me.

Overall: ★★★☆☆

It’s a good installment and the story is still interesting. I’m looking forward to volume three and I hope the illustrations in that one are by Upchurch. By the way, Gary is my new favorite character. He pops up when everything’s done. And Sawyer is very attractive. We see all of him in this one. 😉

Gary

Violet

Different illustration style.

Saga, Vol. 2 by Brian K. Vaughan, illus. by Fiona Staples

Quick summary:

This, too, picks up where the first volume ends. Alana and Marko are joined by Marko’s parents, the freelance bounty hunter on their trail closes in, and Prince Robot IV has serious issues.

My thoughts:

I don’t have much to say. The story keeps getting better and better and more complex. I like the tender moments between Alana and Marko’s dad and I love how Alana and Marko bonded. We get a glimpse into the past to see how they met and we also get a peek at Marko’s childhood.

I love the illustrations, especially how Gwendolyn is drawn. Yes, Gwen pops up and I wonder what will happen when she catches up to Alana and Marko because I think eventually they will meet.

Overall: ★★★★★

Another great volume. The story is strong, the characters are intriguing, and I love the illustrations. Marko has a nice bod.

That’s it for this review. I usually include links to other review below but I’m skipping that this time since Lappy the Laptop is sick and threatens to give out on me soon.