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geekwayne's review
3.0
'Villainous' by Stonie Williams with art by Jef Sadzinski is a graphic novel about a young woman who wants to join a group of superheroes.
Tilly, a lizard-girl, wants to use her powers to fight evil, so she joins the Coalition of Heroes. She gets assigned to be the sidekick of the big super, but finds out a big secret: maybe the good guys aren't so good after all. Now she has to decide to cover up what she knows or to become the thing she hates.
The idea seems hardly original in the era of hero deconstruction. I would have liked something different than the type. The art is pretty good, and Tilly is a pretty interesting character. I'd like to see more of her.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Mad Cave Studios, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Tilly, a lizard-girl, wants to use her powers to fight evil, so she joins the Coalition of Heroes. She gets assigned to be the sidekick of the big super, but finds out a big secret: maybe the good guys aren't so good after all. Now she has to decide to cover up what she knows or to become the thing she hates.
The idea seems hardly original in the era of hero deconstruction. I would have liked something different than the type. The art is pretty good, and Tilly is a pretty interesting character. I'd like to see more of her.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Mad Cave Studios, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
dame_samara's review
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot, mostly because Tilly is awesome, and sweet. I really appreciated watching her grow as I read this because we honestly could see her growth from beginning to end. I also enjoyed that the new and interesting super powers that some of the other characters had it didn't feel like the same old same old,
What I didn't feel like I enjoyed was how the idea of "fake news" ended up being tangled into the story. Maybe because it is already something touted as way to rebuke someone by the right. Seeing it even fictionalized makes me grit my teeth because it feels like there isn't an escape from it.
What I didn't feel like I enjoyed was how the idea of "fake news" ended up being tangled into the story. Maybe because it is already something touted as way to rebuke someone by the right. Seeing it even fictionalized makes me grit my teeth because it feels like there isn't an escape from it.
gingerbread_void's review
3.0
This was a very good comic. It definitely gave me some flashbacks to classic super hero comics from the 70s and 80s. The art work is very classic but the story is very current. I enjoyed this story a lot and can't wait for more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy.
thepiqht's review
3.0
Villainous definitely feels like a toned down, Marvel-ised version of ‘The Boys’.
I find that premises like this can work well by following three different paths. 1) No character but a lot of world building. If it’s superhero satire, then it’s interesting to a certain degree. 2) All character and a little world building. Character studies are always good. 3) Both.
Villainous didn’t have enough any of it. There are villains but the novel does not explain why the world thinks that they’re villains. There are mentions that Tilly’s parents sacrificed a lot to give her this opportunity, but there is no mention of anything that they sacrificed (in the one or two frames that they’re in, they look absolutely fine financially, physically and mentally). There are also hints of previous relationships that are not explained whatsoever.
I appreciate that there is only so much that one can fit into a short graphic novel, yet there was still not enough. It was a good premise though!
I find that premises like this can work well by following three different paths. 1) No character but a lot of world building. If it’s superhero satire, then it’s interesting to a certain degree. 2) All character and a little world building. Character studies are always good. 3) Both.
Villainous didn’t have enough any of it. There are villains but the novel does not explain why the world thinks that they’re villains. There are mentions that Tilly’s parents sacrificed a lot to give her this opportunity, but there is no mention of anything that they sacrificed (in the one or two frames that they’re in, they look absolutely fine financially, physically and mentally). There are also hints of previous relationships that are not explained whatsoever.
I appreciate that there is only so much that one can fit into a short graphic novel, yet there was still not enough. It was a good premise though!
marzipan9's review
4.0
Tilly is realizing her dream to become part of the Coalition of Heroes, and lands the coveted postion of the famous Showdown's sidekick! On her first day on the job she finds out that these heroes may not be as heroic as everyone says they are. On her first day on the job, she overhears Showdown plotting to kill an ambassador...and telling the head of the COH only gets her...framed for her own murder.
This was an entertaining story, but it almost felt too rushed--we don't really get to know any of the characters beyond the surface. I did enjoy reading it, but it left me wanting a lot more detail!
*I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
This was an entertaining story, but it almost felt too rushed--we don't really get to know any of the characters beyond the surface. I did enjoy reading it, but it left me wanting a lot more detail!
*I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
lilbookdreamer's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy of Villainous in exchange for an honest review.
Villainous is a graphic novel that turns the classic hero and villain tropes on their heads. Our main character Tilly is a sidekick in training and thinks the best news she's ever received is when she's told she's been assigned to the Coalitions big hero Showdown. On her first day as his sidekick, however, Tilly learns of a sinister plot and discovers that maybe her heroes aren't exactly the saviors that the world thinks they are.
Making the choice to do what her heart was telling her was the right thing, Tilly joins up with the stories villains who call themselves The Shadow Order. Together, the story's so called 'Villains' must try to save the world even if that means being the bad guy in the eyes of the people that they're trying to save.
I found this to be such a refreshing twist on what one would usually expect when picking up a comic or graphic novel that centers around the stereotypical superhero. Villainous forces you to consider whether or not the people in power are the ones that should be in power and if everyone who is labeled a 'villain' is truly the bad guy.
Full of art that you could expect from any big name comic publisher, it's hard not to enjoy the atmosphere that you find yourself in while reading. From likable characters to ones you just can't stand, you'll find yourself utterly enthralled by this creative and refreshing take.
My only complaint is that things do happen quite quickly and it's sometimes a bit hard to follow along with all of the characters being introduced. With so many names and people and faces, it's quite difficult to get attached to many of the characters including the main protagonist, Tilly. With this being said, the plot was enjoyable enough that I almost didn't mind the lack of characterization.
Villainous is a graphic novel that turns the classic hero and villain tropes on their heads. Our main character Tilly is a sidekick in training and thinks the best news she's ever received is when she's told she's been assigned to the Coalitions big hero Showdown. On her first day as his sidekick, however, Tilly learns of a sinister plot and discovers that maybe her heroes aren't exactly the saviors that the world thinks they are.
Making the choice to do what her heart was telling her was the right thing, Tilly joins up with the stories villains who call themselves The Shadow Order. Together, the story's so called 'Villains' must try to save the world even if that means being the bad guy in the eyes of the people that they're trying to save.
I found this to be such a refreshing twist on what one would usually expect when picking up a comic or graphic novel that centers around the stereotypical superhero. Villainous forces you to consider whether or not the people in power are the ones that should be in power and if everyone who is labeled a 'villain' is truly the bad guy.
Full of art that you could expect from any big name comic publisher, it's hard not to enjoy the atmosphere that you find yourself in while reading. From likable characters to ones you just can't stand, you'll find yourself utterly enthralled by this creative and refreshing take.
My only complaint is that things do happen quite quickly and it's sometimes a bit hard to follow along with all of the characters being introduced. With so many names and people and faces, it's quite difficult to get attached to many of the characters including the main protagonist, Tilly. With this being said, the plot was enjoyable enough that I almost didn't mind the lack of characterization.
ellelainey's review
3.0
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Villainous (Villainous, Issues 1-5)
by Stonie Williams, Jef Sadzinski, Giovanna T Orozco, and Chris Fernandez
★★★☆☆
112 Pages
Villainous was an intriguing story of a young girl entering into the Hero Program at the most prestigious Coalition of Heroes (sometimes referred to a COH) only to discover corruption runs deep.
The artwork was about 90% gorgeous and lovely to look at, but there were times when it drifted into the cartoonish-grotesque, especially when people were supposed to look angry, displaying over-the-top psychotic features.
The characters were really diverse in style, race, belief, and how far they were willing to push the boundaries, which was great to see. There were all kinds of personalities and varying degrees of good/bad, as well as motivations for what they did.
I liked that the world of superheroes seemed quite open, in this world. The police knew they existed, knew their superhero identities and trusted them to keep the streets clean. However, there wasn't much worldbuilding beyond that. What made these people superheroes? How did they come by their powers? There was a hint that Tilly's parents were both “normal” white people, but somehow she was born reptilian, and that was never explained, which felt like a huge world-building gap.
There was a lot of exploration of corruption, justice, and good vs bad, as well as whether or not heroes should have the power/capacity to kill within their remit. However, as the old saying goes – one person's freedom fighter is another's terrorist – and that's definitely a strong theme here.
Sadly, I feel the title is misleading, as the “villains” of the story aren't the true villains, but they embrace the title instead of fighting to clear their names. There were back stories to the villains, that explains they've been separate from the COH for about 10 years, but no one has ever bothered to fight against the status quo until Tilly comes along. Which doesn't really makes sense, to me, as a main plot point. Surely the old, but cliché, concept of recording the bad guy admitting to their crimes – of which they bragged a lot, here – and leaking that, would have solved their problem 10 years ago.
The name of the organization, Coalition of Heroes is also known as COH, which was really hard to decipher, in the chosen text font, and sometimes looked more like an awkwardly slanted 'con' or 'can'.
~
Overall, I liked the main story, and how it was executed, but there were a few niggled for me that just limited my enjoyment. The cartoonish faces, the somewhat inept bad guys, and the lack of effort put in by the good guys, just didn't feel realistic to the situation. I also had a problem with the final page, where two people who had supposedly died (and one was a bad guy) are standing behind Tilly, ready to take the next step in taking down the Big Bad. Yet, this is never explained in the story. How are two people, who were dead pages ago, suddenly alive? Why is the villain part of their crew?
Because of these unanswered questions, I had to lower my rating, because it feels like I've either missed something, or the story is incomplete.
Copy received through Netgalley
~
Villainous (Villainous, Issues 1-5)
by Stonie Williams, Jef Sadzinski, Giovanna T Orozco, and Chris Fernandez
★★★☆☆
112 Pages
Villainous was an intriguing story of a young girl entering into the Hero Program at the most prestigious Coalition of Heroes (sometimes referred to a COH) only to discover corruption runs deep.
The artwork was about 90% gorgeous and lovely to look at, but there were times when it drifted into the cartoonish-grotesque, especially when people were supposed to look angry, displaying over-the-top psychotic features.
The characters were really diverse in style, race, belief, and how far they were willing to push the boundaries, which was great to see. There were all kinds of personalities and varying degrees of good/bad, as well as motivations for what they did.
I liked that the world of superheroes seemed quite open, in this world. The police knew they existed, knew their superhero identities and trusted them to keep the streets clean. However, there wasn't much worldbuilding beyond that. What made these people superheroes? How did they come by their powers? There was a hint that Tilly's parents were both “normal” white people, but somehow she was born reptilian, and that was never explained, which felt like a huge world-building gap.
There was a lot of exploration of corruption, justice, and good vs bad, as well as whether or not heroes should have the power/capacity to kill within their remit. However, as the old saying goes – one person's freedom fighter is another's terrorist – and that's definitely a strong theme here.
Sadly, I feel the title is misleading, as the “villains” of the story aren't the true villains, but they embrace the title instead of fighting to clear their names. There were back stories to the villains, that explains they've been separate from the COH for about 10 years, but no one has ever bothered to fight against the status quo until Tilly comes along. Which doesn't really makes sense, to me, as a main plot point. Surely the old, but cliché, concept of recording the bad guy admitting to their crimes – of which they bragged a lot, here – and leaking that, would have solved their problem 10 years ago.
The name of the organization, Coalition of Heroes is also known as COH, which was really hard to decipher, in the chosen text font, and sometimes looked more like an awkwardly slanted 'con' or 'can'.
~
Overall, I liked the main story, and how it was executed, but there were a few niggled for me that just limited my enjoyment. The cartoonish faces, the somewhat inept bad guys, and the lack of effort put in by the good guys, just didn't feel realistic to the situation. I also had a problem with the final page, where two people who had supposedly died (and one was a bad guy) are standing behind Tilly, ready to take the next step in taking down the Big Bad. Yet, this is never explained in the story. How are two people, who were dead pages ago, suddenly alive? Why is the villain part of their crew?
Because of these unanswered questions, I had to lower my rating, because it feels like I've either missed something, or the story is incomplete.
precious_reads's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc .
This was so enjoyable and the perfect anti hero graphic novel.
Tilly is a new hero recruit with the Coalition of Heroes ( COH ) ready to protect the innocent from the shadow order , an evil organization running rampant through the city . As the cream of the crop Tilly gets to work with the legendary ShowDown, one of the COH highest ranked hero's. This new position does not work out as planned , what do they say" never meet your hero's ", this could not be more true with ShowDown , who basically expects her to become his personal assistant instead of saving lives and being an actual hero.
Fist day on the job Tilly realises that her favourite hero is not who she expected him to be and uncovers the real villains wreaking havoc across the globe . Her world is torn apart by the leader of the real evil entity in the city , however Tilly was not the top of her class for nothing finding a new team letting go of labels opens her world up to a new way of life an inner strength and direction she would have never had been taught at in the COH.
This was fun and would be a great addition for a young readers graphic novel collection.
This was so enjoyable and the perfect anti hero graphic novel.
Tilly is a new hero recruit with the Coalition of Heroes ( COH ) ready to protect the innocent from the shadow order , an evil organization running rampant through the city . As the cream of the crop Tilly gets to work with the legendary ShowDown, one of the COH highest ranked hero's. This new position does not work out as planned , what do they say" never meet your hero's ", this could not be more true with ShowDown , who basically expects her to become his personal assistant instead of saving lives and being an actual hero.
Fist day on the job Tilly realises that her favourite hero is not who she expected him to be and uncovers the real villains wreaking havoc across the globe . Her world is torn apart by the leader of the real evil entity in the city , however Tilly was not the top of her class for nothing finding a new team letting go of labels opens her world up to a new way of life an inner strength and direction she would have never had been taught at in the COH.
This was fun and would be a great addition for a young readers graphic novel collection.
emmamorden's review
3.0
I would like to see more of this story. I had a good start to it, and I think it will only progress as the story goes on.
mahaliathenerd's review
3.0
I wish it were longer! And I enjoyed the action and the art of this graphic novel. It reminded me of “We the Boys” TV show, but characters and and story line made it stand on its own. This has potential to be an amazing graphic novel series.