Orc Babe, Babe Dave.
This comic is a spin off focussing on a fan favourite character from a series named Rat Queens. I haven’t reviewed Rat Queens separately yet, and I don’t think ill be jumping on the series any time soon. That isn’t to say it doesn’t deserve anybody’s attention, because it most certainly does. I mean, if you love; Fantasy, crude humour, excessive (but obviously great) violence with moments of heart, then its definitely for you. Its just that it’s a few issues in and would be best reviewed in a retrospective after I’ve caught up.
Orc Dave is an Orc named Dave (obviously) with the skill set of a druid, and this issue opens up with him and his father on what seems to be a half bonding, half pilgrimage through the forest that they are charged with protecting. This responsibility has been given to his family by some very sassy trees and Orc Dave is reluctant as he acts like he is fighting his heritage and apparent destiny. Even though the setting is fantastical and the universe is otherworldly, the themes that are presented are not. This story is heavy in what I have be known to call “Dad Stuff”; anything with a troubled father/son dynamic or increasing development of relationship within that dynamic has been dubbed affectionally as such. It could be one of the many reasons why I enjoyed this book as much as I did, as I find that “Dad Stuff” hits me hard and the more I thought about it, the more I realised nearly every comic I enjoy or that is popular has some sort of family issue (Be sure to read my Thesis: “All they need is a hug: An in-depth analysis of detrimental paternal issues within superhero society”).
Anyway, back on track. Kurtis. J. Wiebe wrote this, as he writes all the Rat Queens stuff and its consistent with the tone and universe that he’s put in place and shines through when he isn’t spreading his story through multiple character and can develop a singular person. With this, Max Dunbar shine with incredible art that extenuates beauty through the incredible setting he is given to create and design.
All in all, this is a great one shot from a very talented team. My only negative feeling I have towards or even about this comic is that there won’t be more of it, as far as I’m aware. But I will be reading more Rat Queens, as I suggest you do, as ill take what I can get from this fun and entertaining universe.