Rat Queens: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'Rygoth (Volume 2)

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Rat Queens:  The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'Rygoth (Volume 2)
Kurtis J. Wiebe
Roc Upchurch
Stiepan Sejic
2015

The Summary
"This booze-soaked second volume of Rat Queens reveals a growing menace within the very walls of Palisade.  And while Dee may have run from her past, the bloated, blood-feasting sky god N'rygoth never really lets his children stray too far."

The Good
Like it's first volume, Rat Queens is an irreverent romp through a blood-soaked fantasy world.  It has all the usual good qualities:  strong, female protagonists, adventure, danger and humor.  However, it adds a dose of seriousness which it's predecessor did not have.

In The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'Rygoth, the Rat Queens are given deeper background stories.  Readers have the opportunity to catch glimpses into their past, a chance to see what brought there where they are today.  Like Dee who left her family's religious community to forge her own path, to seek her own faith; or Hannah who has a rather dubious heritage, who has a darker past than anyone would ever guess; or Violet who wants to separate herself from the suffocating traditions of the dwarves, who set out on a journey of self-discovery.

Oddly enough, I don't recall seeing anything about Betty's past.  She's still the same odd-ball, happy-go-lucky Smidgen she was in the previous volume.  I'm sure there's more to her than meets the eye, but I haven't had the chance to see it.

The art is a little different this time around with Stiepan Sejic contributing to Rat Queens, but I found I still enjoyed the way Sejic and Upchurch's art interacts with the overall story.  It manages to give the Rat Queens an added vibrancy, it conveys their attitudes and their characters without compromising any of the quirky qualities.  Moreover, it conveys the more serious tone of the second volume.

And, yes, Rat Queens is much more serious.  Whereas before readers found a hint of intrigue, a small plot that endangered the lives of Hannah, Betty, Dee, and Violet, readers later discover the plot stretches farther--and, more importantly, delves deep into some of the darker corners of Dee's past.  It involves a complicated web of revenge, bloodshed, and dark magic that brings violence and terror to Palisade.

It's really very good.

The Bad
No complaints.

Volume Two builds more on the lore of Palisade, as well as develops the back story of the characters.  It offers more insight into the world--and the Rat Queens--and provides readers with a deeper understanding of what they're reading.

The Ugly
Alcohol and drug abuse, violence, gore, bloodshed, explicit language, graphic content, sexual misconduct.

And, as an added bonus, nudity.

It's still not for younger readers, I'm afraid.