In its short two and half year lifespan, Rat Queens has been plagued with artist arrests, artist injuries, and subsequently, artist changes. But for all the turmoil, things have worked out well: a 2014 Eisner nomination, a 2015 Hugo nomination, and a 2015 GLAAD media award nomination.
First came current artist Tess Fowler's tweets.
Dear RQ fans: Sadly 16 was my last issue. Sometimes despite the best maps, you just can't foresee every hurdle thrown in your path (1/2)
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) April 17, 2016
(2/2) Look for "official" word soon. There is no ill will. I wish the creators well in all they do. RQ fans, I love u forever & always.
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) April 17, 2016
Then Kurtis Wiebe made it official.
After long consideration, I've decided to put Rat Queens on hiatus. (1/2)
— Kurtis Wiebe (@kurtisjwiebe) April 17, 2016
A huge thank you to @TessFowler and @TBonvillain for their incredible work and patience through everything. Hire the hell out of them. (2/2)
— Kurtis Wiebe (@kurtisjwiebe) April 17, 2016
As strong as the series was, it's had a troublesome last year and half. It is difficult for a series to keep momentum with two artist changes over 16 issues. Issues 17 and 18 were both solicited and it's unusual for an artist to announce their leaving in the middle of an arc. Two months ago, Wiebe took to Reddit to discuss some changes to Rat Queens, but what stands out the most is his claim that Fowler saved Rat Queens by becoming the new artist. Fowler's tweets leave the reasoning a bit vague, but apparently Fowler notes there's no ill will with the "creators."
While you're waiting for Rat Queens to return, you can always find Wiebe every Monday on his Twitch stream, d20 Babes.
Update 3:51 PST from Tess Fowler.
"The Rat Queens hiatus was a decision made by the writer/co-creator, and was in the works before I knew. It was entirely outside my realm of control. It is not MY book and therefore I must respect the decisions made by those who control it. Whatever happens with RQ moving forward, I am not involved. But I wish them well."
