T
he gut-punch title sets the reader up for violent fantasy adventure, and the book lives up to the promise in a very entertaining way. Starting right out with outrageous-looking characters acting belligerently, the title princess leads bounty hunters who resemble a skeleton child and Hellboy. It all begins when a mad scientist and his twin robot girls kill the king in an attempt to take over the kingdom. During the princess’s escape, she knocks heads with a female bounty hunter, which somehow causes them to swap spirits into each other’s bodies. Most readers will know whether they’re interested from the premise. If it sounds like a great excuse for action comedy, it is. Full pages keep events moving at a good clip as the two girls figure out their situation, fight giant monsters and the killer twins, and struggle to keep the kingdom together. There’s a fun “Buffy the Vampire Slayer in frilly dress” feel, especially during the well-staged splash pages (and if you’re willing to overlook the occasional panty shot). Fight scenes are dynamic, and there’s humor in the conflict between the princess’s looks and her rough-and-tumble behavior. (May)
