Rat Queens. Vol. 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth

Award-winning writer Wiebe (Peter Panzerfaust) continues to produce unique characters in this newest endeavor. Nominated for an Eisner Award in 2014 for best new series and recipient of a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding comic book for its portrayals of LGBT characters, the story is for those who enjoy their fantasy with a host of personae, tons of action, and entertaining dialog. The Rat Queens are a group of four friends (Betty, a thief; Dee, a magician; Hannah, an elf mage; and Violet, a dwarf warrior) who are also hired mercenaries called upon to battle various evil entities. The series started with the work of artist Upchurch and continues in the capable hands of Sejic. Despite the change of illustrators, the art is vivid, painterly, and consistent. Also, the battle-ready females are drawn more realistically than in many other comics. New readers should start with the first volume, Sass & Sorcery, for character backstory and continuing plot elements.