Captain Canuck #4
Writer: Kalman Andrasofszky
Artist: Leonard Kirk
Chapterhouse Comics
The return of Captain Canuck with the recent new #1 was a great thing, at least for a Canadian comic book fan like myself whose core interest has long been capes and tights, although I admit my tastes have matured somewhat of late.
Captain Canuck though will always fill a void.
In issue #4 writer Kalman Andrasofszky peels back another layer of what looks to be a multi-issue origin story for CC which is taking a ‘bigger picture’ approach.
There are elements here that hint at aliens (at least that’s what it seems), mixed with secret bases, some mysticism and still plenty of mystery.
Issue #4 is a bit lighter on CC action, leaving that to our hero in the pre-suit days, but the ongoing storyline is moving forward nicely.
The continuing bonus story remains interesting too, with its element of a CC out-of-time. The how, the why and even the when’s remain to be told, so there are lots to hold a reader there to.
Just enjoying this series lots, and want more, more, more.
Rat Queens #11
Writer: Kurtis J. Wiebe
Artist: Tess Fowler
Image Comics
I had seen Rat Queens on Goodreads.com several times, but had made the assumption that it was a title written more for the female gender.
Then one day the local Coles Bookstore here in Yorkton, SK. brought in the first trade paperback collecting the first five comics in the series. Since Image has a lower price on book ones of such a collection I took a chance.
As they old saying goes about assuming, I had Rat Queens pegged all wrong.
I suppose I should have expected something different having read on Goodreads a quick description of the four main characters; “Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Hobbit Thief.”
Yes this is a book that is indeed drawn from the wonderful world of role play games, in particular Dungeons & Dragons.
I played my first D&D campaign a couple of decade ago, and still have the player sheet from my first character, a farm boy turned fighter. He was a bit autobiographical as I grew up on a farm, although I have never learned to swing a bastard sword.
I still love the escapism an RPG offers, and love a fantasy medieval setting. Those two things go a long way to loving the Rat Queens.
Issue #11 starts a new story arc, so it’s a great jumping on spot for new readers, and hump on you should.
There’s sword play and sorcery here, handled wonderfully by the art of Tess Fowler.
There is a great storyline unfolding too. The Rat Queens all have shady pasts and secrets, even from each other, and those start to catch up to the quartet the further into the series you go. Kurtis J. Wiebe is weaving a fine tale of intrigue and mystery.
But Wiebe also tosses in lots of humour, some you will appreciate more if you have ever rolled a D20 at the D&D table, like Betty commenting about “Getting’ stabby with some gobbos.”
I’ve never read an issue where I didn’t laugh out loud. Not a lot of comics do that for me.
This is about as good as a comic gets when you want plain, old fashioned fun and mayhem.
