Way of the Rat #12
Review by Doc Ezra
Story:
Art:

Written by Chuck Dixon
Pencils by Jeff Johnson
Inks by Tom Ryder
Colors by Chris Garcia
Lettered by Dave Lanphear

Published by CrossGen
Price: $2.95

My Verdict: Own it.

Way of the Rat #12 brings us to the close of the "Hungry Dragons" story arc, as Po Po and Boon are rescued from their impending doom by the fortuitous arrival of the mysterious Silken Ghost. Snatching up the scroll, she completes the incantation to banish the dragons back to the hell from which they came, but at a terrible price. Princess Zheng is drawn down into the Hell of Hungry Dragons accidentally, trapped in that dimension by the power of the scroll.

More surprising than the Princess's disappearance (and the revelation that she is not, in fact, the Silken Ghost) is the Ghost's demand for the Ring of Blades. Claiming that she alone is fated to wear the powerful artifact, she threatens Boon, who protests that it cannot be removed (except that suddenly it can). Yielding at spear-point, Boon hands over the powerful ring, and then he and Po Po have to flee from a cheering crowd of admirers (or "idiots," as Po Po describes them).

Boon seeks solace and sanctuary with his former employer Boss Tiger. Now, Tiger isn't exactly happy to see Boon, but must yield to the most powerful force in the universe -- his mother. Mother Mah recognizes that Boon is central to events unfolding that will shape the world, and recognizes his importance. After sharing some crucial information that may lead to an attempted rescue of the Princess from Hell, she wishes Boon luck and sends him on his way.

This issue wraps up the aftermath of the dragon rampage across Zhumar, and hurls a whole new host of complications into a story that's never exactly been simple and straightforward. It looks like Boon may be on his way to trying something more reckless and daring than any of his exploits to date -- a venture into Hell to rescue the lost princess. With the Emperor certainly growing annoyed about the endless problems in Zhumar, Boon may have a pretty tight timeline to rescue her before Zheng starts clamping down on the city. The art is as excellent as it has been from the get-go with this book (surprising, given multiple pencilers).

This issue is a must-read for fans of the series, as it closes out a story arc and sets up the next one. Its development of a few key characters is obviously going to have ramifications that play out for many issues to come, and you wouldn't want to get left out, would you?