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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
I remember seeing the hype for 'Faith, Vol. 1: Hollywood and Vine' a few months ago at Emerald City Comic Con. The imagery alone seemed like an intriguing idea. A larger figured super hero to appeal to those with body image issues.
The character is a spin-off character from another series, so there is some pre-history before this issue starts. What you need to know is that Faith was once part of a team of "psiots," or super powered beings. She was once romantically linked to one of the members of that team, but he is now an ex. My review copy was the first two full issues and some pencilled panels from the third issue. Faith works as a reporter for a website that tries to get click-throughs for ad dollars, and works for a boss that doesn't like her (probably because of how she looks). Faith investigates an attack on other psiots, but at the same time, her boss wants her to do a smear campaign on her ex and his reality television show.
I found it all about average. I get the appeal of the character, but I think I wanted more than what I saw in two issues. Maybe that happens in the later issues of this volume, but in two issues, there wasn't much to get me overly excited. Still, superheroes should come in all shapes and sizes (and everything else), so this is certainly a promising concept.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Valiant Entertainment LLC, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The character is a spin-off character from another series, so there is some pre-history before this issue starts. What you need to know is that Faith was once part of a team of "psiots," or super powered beings. She was once romantically linked to one of the members of that team, but he is now an ex. My review copy was the first two full issues and some pencilled panels from the third issue. Faith works as a reporter for a website that tries to get click-throughs for ad dollars, and works for a boss that doesn't like her (probably because of how she looks). Faith investigates an attack on other psiots, but at the same time, her boss wants her to do a smear campaign on her ex and his reality television show.
I found it all about average. I get the appeal of the character, but I think I wanted more than what I saw in two issues. Maybe that happens in the later issues of this volume, but in two issues, there wasn't much to get me overly excited. Still, superheroes should come in all shapes and sizes (and everything else), so this is certainly a promising concept.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Valiant Entertainment LLC, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
mishimonster's review against another edition
5.0
Truly stunning. I loved Faith from the beginning. Finally found a superhero I can relate to. She felt so real to me. I'm so excited to read the next installments.
thebooklender's review against another edition
4.0
Faith Herbert, also known as Zephyr (sometimes also known as Summer Smith) is a superhero in the Valiant universe. She's not a new character - she's been around since the early 1990s - but has just (well, about a year ago) gone solo in her own series. Here's the blurb from the first issue of Faith:
So Faith has moved to Los Angeles to start anew. She creates an alter-ego for herself (Summer Smith) and gets a job creating listicles and quizzes for Zipline (a thinly disguised Buzzfeed parody). Some evil force is kidnapping potential psiots, and it's up to Faith and her sidekicks (Archer - an archer, and @x - a hacker) to find out who and stop them. That's pretty much it, as far as the plot goes - enjoyable enough, but nothing to stretch the imagination too much.
However, where this title really shines is with Faith herself. She is a great character - a likeable, engaging, capable, optimistic, nerdy badass fangirl (her Summer Smith pseudonym comes from her love for Buffy and Dr Who). And did I mention that Faith is a fat person? Neither does the book. It is really refreshing to see a fat female superhero not apologising or worrying over her weight. There are no rude jokes, no teasing. Faith is fat, but is not defined by this.
From "Comic Love: Having FAITH" by Jessica Boyd, Feb 2016. comicosity.com
There have been several interesting articles in the mainstream media about Faith's fatness, including NPR, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. And while I'm dishing out links, here's an interview with Faith author ,a href="http://www.themarysue.com/interview-jody-houser-faith/">Jody Houser.
I like Faith, and I look forward to reading more of her adventures - a new series of Faith comics is underway (issue 9 will be coming in March).
When a car accident left her orphaned, Faith Herbert was raised by her loving grandmother and found comfort in comic books, science fiction movies, and other fantastic tales of superheroes. In her teens she would discover her fantasies were reality when it was revealed she was a psiot – a human being born with incredible abilities. Imbued with a telekinetic ability to fly and a companion field that allows her to physically move objects, Faith joined a group of fellow psiots called the Renegades to stand against the forces of evil. She’s since left her Renegade family behind to take on the world’s challenges on her own. She may have a lot to learn about the superhero game, but if there’s one thing she’s always had, it’s... Faith.
So Faith has moved to Los Angeles to start anew. She creates an alter-ego for herself (Summer Smith) and gets a job creating listicles and quizzes for Zipline (a thinly disguised Buzzfeed parody). Some evil force is kidnapping potential psiots, and it's up to Faith and her sidekicks (Archer - an archer, and @x - a hacker) to find out who and stop them. That's pretty much it, as far as the plot goes - enjoyable enough, but nothing to stretch the imagination too much.
However, where this title really shines is with Faith herself. She is a great character - a likeable, engaging, capable, optimistic, nerdy badass fangirl (her Summer Smith pseudonym comes from her love for Buffy and Dr Who). And did I mention that Faith is a fat person? Neither does the book. It is really refreshing to see a fat female superhero not apologising or worrying over her weight. There are no rude jokes, no teasing. Faith is fat, but is not defined by this.
Weight and body type are not Faith’s story.
・Being young and dealing with the unexpected
・Dealing with loss
・Finding a guy who seems like the perfect dream, but then isn’t willing to compromise for fame
・Loving comics and science fiction
・Wanting to help others and save the people who can be saved, as the hero Zephyr
These are the elements that make-up Faith’s story.
From "Comic Love: Having FAITH" by Jessica Boyd, Feb 2016. comicosity.com
There have been several interesting articles in the mainstream media about Faith's fatness, including NPR, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. And while I'm dishing out links, here's an interview with Faith author ,a href="http://www.themarysue.com/interview-jody-houser-faith/">Jody Houser.
I like Faith, and I look forward to reading more of her adventures - a new series of Faith comics is underway (issue 9 will be coming in March).
xsleepyshadows's review against another edition
3.0
This has an amazing representation in this entire novel, an instantly likeable daydreaming hero, and just meh writing. Seriously, this would be easily 5 stars if the writing was put together a tad bit better.
I'm interested in reading the next one. This debut of Faith is a decent read and I'd like to continue to see this great character around. ~Ashley
I'm interested in reading the next one. This debut of Faith is a decent read and I'd like to continue to see this great character around. ~Ashley
johnnymacaroni's review against another edition
4.0
Faith is awesome! Great character, awesome artwork- I especially like the daydream artwork.
ruxandra_grr's review against another edition
3.0
Uuuugh, this was tough. I loved the storyline, the character, it's just super great. All of the pop culture references worked. Faith is adorable.
The one thing is... I hated the art by Francis Portella. The cover art is splendid, but Portella's pages I did not respond to, aesthetically, at all. And if you add that I loved all of Marguerite Sauvage's art on her pages (it's pretty clear which are hers and they have a list at the end), I'm a bit confused about the choices made here. I won't stop reading it, though. It's just a shame and the art takes me out of it.
The one thing is... I hated the art by Francis Portella. The cover art is splendid, but Portella's pages I did not respond to, aesthetically, at all. And if you add that I loved all of Marguerite Sauvage's art on her pages (it's pretty clear which are hers and they have a list at the end), I'm a bit confused about the choices made here. I won't stop reading it, though. It's just a shame and the art takes me out of it.
hc21's review against another edition
4.0
5 stars for the second half, three stars for the first half. I honestly almost didn't keep reading after the first issue. Faith's voice seemed too self-aware and I wasn't that invested. For some reason I kept going, and I got more and more into this snarky superhero and her cast of companions. She's an incredibly relatable geek, and I love that. Push through the awkward first steps - this series has potential!
balletbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Originally read in floppies, but a quick re-read for our graphic novel group.
I really love this arc. Faith steps out on her own as a superhero (and unassuming buzzfeed-like journalist) only to discover a secret plot to kidnap psiots! I really love the combination of the two artists' work - one to draw "real life" panels and one to draw Faith's "fantasy" panels. Great to see Archer pop up here (really need to read Armstrong & Archer along with about a 100 other things, haha). Glad to see that Faith is continuing as an ongoing series :)
I really love this arc. Faith steps out on her own as a superhero (and unassuming buzzfeed-like journalist) only to discover a secret plot to kidnap psiots! I really love the combination of the two artists' work - one to draw "real life" panels and one to draw Faith's "fantasy" panels. Great to see Archer pop up here (really need to read Armstrong & Archer along with about a 100 other things, haha). Glad to see that Faith is continuing as an ongoing series :)
misterkait's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun quick and nerdy romp about a super hero who just broke up with her boyfriend and broke away from her group. Houser's writing is witty and sharp. Plus, anyone who can flawlessly implement a Joss Whedon reference is okay in my book. It was interesting that Faith is overweight but that's it. No panels were wasted with her "explaining" her condition or addressing it in any way. It was really quite refreshing.
I came at this not knowing that Faith was a character that has previously existed in comics, but I never felt lost or out of the loop because of that. I will definitely check out the next trade when it comes out.
I came at this not knowing that Faith was a character that has previously existed in comics, but I never felt lost or out of the loop because of that. I will definitely check out the next trade when it comes out.