Comic book fans were deeply saddened by the recent news that Rat Queens, the Eisner Award-nominated comic book series, was going on hiatus. As fans likely know, Rat Queens has had a tough run since the series launched in 2013. In 2014, artist/co-creator Roc Upchurch was removed from the series after being arrested on charges of domestic violence. His departure made room for Tess Fowler, who was a natural fit artistically – but also seemed to some a symbolic choice, given her history of speaking up for women in comics. Unfortunately, it seems that is at an end. Fowler announced she would be leaving the series a few weeks ago, with creator Kurtis Wiebe making the news of a hiatus official:
https://twitter.com/kurtisjwiebe/status/721772129356656640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/kurtisjwiebe/status/721772202685652992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
This morning, Fowler started answering questions about her departure, and indicated that Upchurch may be returning to the series:
I think I'm going to start offering a buy one get one free deal on all this RQ art. I'd really like to not have to live with it anymore.
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016
It's on break but no I'm not returning to it. Circumstances don't allow it.
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016
Minus gory details: He was never *out* of the mix. I just wasn't allowed the truth, despite asking for fair warning.
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016
I found out I was being pushed out to bring in the original artist. The one thing I asked to be warned about.
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016
They're the creators. I was always respectful of that. It was never mine. Peace be with them both.
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 14, 2016
Damn.
Rat Queens’ subversive brand of feminism was a breath of fresh air for many readers. If news of Upchurch’s return is true, this could be a disappointment to fans who are too used to seeing acts against women go unpunished. Fowler, for her part, isn’t calling for a boycott:
I dont believe in/condone boycotts or forcing one's will on others. They can do anything they like. That's their's to deal with.–
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016
But don't come at me with tweets about forgiving abusers. That's YOUR business. You do you. I know his ex wife & I have a rep I value–
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016
In the meantime, Fowler is selling off some of the original artwork from her time on Rat Queens, and is offering a pretty great Buy 1, Get 1 deal:
Buy 1 pc of art get 1 of equal or lesser value free. Just let me know the 2nd one u want. https://t.co/NMV0a1vIzt pic.twitter.com/6D3P2T3tlU
— Tess Fowler (@TessFowler) May 15, 2016
Featured Image by Tess Fowler.
