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jesster642's review
4.0
A fun story of a trans hero finding herself in the chaos of a world of emerging powered people
crookedtreehouse's review
3.0
This is a tough book to review. It's an average quality superhero tale that focuses on a trans character, and it's written by a cis-white guy. It could be awful but it's not. Jenkins addresses who he worked with to get the proper tones in his afterword, and I think he ended up doing a really good job portraying a realistic trans superhero.
I also believe his overall concept, a world where many of the people getting superpowers can't really control them but a select few, like Chalice (the protagonist) and Matter Man (the antagonist), are ridiculously overpowered near gods.
I liked the family angle, where you have a conservative family with a disabled son and, unbeknownst to them, a trans daughter. The mother seems very open minded. The father has a drunk problematic rant about alters in the middle of the story but later shows a progressive view of a new alters spokesperson.
There is a lot I liked about this book. So why just three stars instead of four or five?
It was mostly a rote beginning of a superhero universe that happens to include a trans character, and will probably also feature a disabled superhero. Every time the stakes seemed high the villain was easily thwarted or defeated. There is no period of adjustment for the protagonist to adapt to their powers. I never questioned any character's actions or motivations because they were obviously about to do a thing that every character in every average superhero book does. It was a completely predictable superhero story at every turn.
If it were ridiculously wholesome, I think that would be fine. You could get away with not doing anything shocking or unexpected. But there are moments where this book tries to be edgy, and they fall flat. Never problematically. Never in a way that I'm disappointed with Jenkin's writing. They just didn't engage me.
I liked this enough that I"m going to read volume two but I didn't enjoy it enough that I know who I would recommend it to. Sure, if you're looking for more trans representation in comics, this is a decent story with a trans protagonist. And while the author isn't trans, some members of the creative team are. It never felt exploity or out of touch. It just wasn't as great or intriguing as I'd hope a trans superhero comic would be.
I also believe his overall concept, a world where many of the people getting superpowers can't really control them but a select few, like Chalice (the protagonist) and Matter Man (the antagonist), are ridiculously overpowered near gods.
I liked the family angle, where you have a conservative family with a disabled son and, unbeknownst to them, a trans daughter. The mother seems very open minded. The father has a drunk problematic rant about alters in the middle of the story but later shows a progressive view of a new alters spokesperson.
There is a lot I liked about this book. So why just three stars instead of four or five?
It was mostly a rote beginning of a superhero universe that happens to include a trans character, and will probably also feature a disabled superhero. Every time the stakes seemed high the villain was easily thwarted or defeated. There is no period of adjustment for the protagonist to adapt to their powers. I never questioned any character's actions or motivations because they were obviously about to do a thing that every character in every average superhero book does. It was a completely predictable superhero story at every turn.
If it were ridiculously wholesome, I think that would be fine. You could get away with not doing anything shocking or unexpected. But there are moments where this book tries to be edgy, and they fall flat. Never problematically. Never in a way that I'm disappointed with Jenkin's writing. They just didn't engage me.
I liked this enough that I"m going to read volume two but I didn't enjoy it enough that I know who I would recommend it to. Sure, if you're looking for more trans representation in comics, this is a decent story with a trans protagonist. And while the author isn't trans, some members of the creative team are. It never felt exploity or out of touch. It just wasn't as great or intriguing as I'd hope a trans superhero comic would be.
soulingual's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
theybedax's review
5.0
This book was phenomenal! I had no idea what it was about but grabbed it because I like dthe artwork. Having an amazing kickass trans superhero trying to figure out her new role in life is a privilege to see. While the author is cisgendered he speaks about the research and the counsel he keeps to make sure he is honoring Chalice's story and I think he does a damn fine job of it!
The editorials at the back are also informative and wonderful! Jenkins does this great thing where he talks about something significant he learned during the creation of that issue and I really appreciate them!!
Every month, I'm going to sign off by describing something significant I have learned during the research or writing of ALTERS. One of the most important things I've learned so far is the specific damage done when we mis-gender someone who has gone to the trouble of telling us who they really are. Mis-gendering is more than just rude, it can also be dangerous: it suggests that the person in question is merely "dressing up," and it can lead to direct attacks, both emotional and physical."
The editorials at the back are also informative and wonderful! Jenkins does this great thing where he talks about something significant he learned during the creation of that issue and I really appreciate them!!
Every month, I'm going to sign off by describing something significant I have learned during the research or writing of ALTERS. One of the most important things I've learned so far is the specific damage done when we mis-gender someone who has gone to the trouble of telling us who they really are. Mis-gendering is more than just rude, it can also be dangerous: it suggests that the person in question is merely "dressing up," and it can lead to direct attacks, both emotional and physical."
josb's review
3.0
This was not a redefining of the superheo genre as I hoped it would be. The pacing felt like any DC or Marvel superhero origin story and followed a similar formula.
I liked some of the different rep that was thrown in but it wasn't enough to stay memorable with some of the amazing LGBTQ+ graphic novels out there.
This might be more appreciated by readers who have some love and nostalgia for superhero stories. It would be a great way to introduce these readers to another trans experience in a way they are comfortable and familiar with.
I liked some of the different rep that was thrown in but it wasn't enough to stay memorable with some of the amazing LGBTQ+ graphic novels out there.
This might be more appreciated by readers who have some love and nostalgia for superhero stories. It would be a great way to introduce these readers to another trans experience in a way they are comfortable and familiar with.
amyjoy's review
3.0
This is not the first trans superhero story I've read (see [b:Dreadnought|30279514|Dreadnought (Nemesis, #1)|April Daniels|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466970667s/30279514.jpg|50755147]), so it doesn't feel entirely original, but it was enjoyable. And I liked that Charlie's powers didn't magically give her the body that she wants (again, see Dreadnought).
I didn't love the art, but I liked the story. I could read the next volume, but this one is a self-contained story arc.
I didn't love the art, but I liked the story. I could read the next volume, but this one is a self-contained story arc.
indigo_han's review
4.0
Wow, growing into your super powers in a world that hates and fears "alterations" is difficult enough. Transitioning into your true self as a woman who just happened to be born with XY genes at the same time? Jeepers.
This is a beautiful story that how difficult is is to be your true self, in all of the ways.
This is a beautiful story that how difficult is is to be your true self, in all of the ways.
sparky_young_upstart's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this comic. I'd never heard of it before, and I love finding little queer gems to sink my teeth into. But this one was just...painfully average.
In a world where it's basically the X-Men (I'm sorry, "Alters", but you could swap out almost every character with a Marvel Mutant and be in the same story), Charlie is Chalice - a trans woman who's discovered her own reality-warping powers and is trying to become a superhero. The problem is that another alter - Matter Man - has been terrorizing the world and demanding that all Alters either submit to him, or risk them and their families being murdered by him and his cronies.
The comic is poised to say interesting things about gender and identity and the masks one wears, but never seems to commit. It's weirdly paradoxical - it shines a huge light on the protagonist being trans, but never enough to make the character feel real. In fact, none of the characters felt that real and I completely failed to connect to them.
There are also a lot of weird and concerning creative choices. Matter Man is your standard queer-coded villain from soooo many other stories. I thought it was an interesting choice at first, but as I went on I felt like it wasn't meant to symbolize anything and was just sort of there. Also, Chalice's brother has Cerebral Palsy, and I do have to question how some of that stuff is handled. Terms like cr*p and sp*s are thrown around easily, and do the creators really have the authority to use them? Not to mention Chalice chooses not to come out yet because her parents are still dealing with Ted being "stricken" by it. Huh? I'm sure others ave pointed out that CP doesn't just happen; it's from birth. Not to mention we need to stop pitting disability issues and queer issues against each other. This review started as three stars, but reflecting on this (I'm sure accidental, but still) ablism brought it down to two.
I do respect the creators for what they're trying to do. Jenkins spends a lot of time ensuring us that he's not pulling the story out of no where; he has gone to other trans creators to ensure everything is presented respectfully. And I truly believe that he highlights these continuously not as any kind of posturing, but because he really wants to reassure trans readers that they are being represented. I don't have a squad of trans women to back me up in this review. I like to say that I know enough to know that I don't know much about these things; still, as a story I feel like it was so milquetoaste and boring that it's hard to see anyone being represented.
Ultimately I'd like to see Chalice's story continued. Maybe from another creator, maybe from Jenkins again - failings aside, I'm sure he means well and can learn. But this first outing was lacking the nuance and the simple entertainment value that I want to see from a comic. If you want good trans rep in comics, go to Kim & Kim or Lumberjanes. Chalice and Alters as a whole is still, in my opinion, a work in progress.
In a world where it's basically the X-Men (I'm sorry, "Alters", but you could swap out almost every character with a Marvel Mutant and be in the same story), Charlie is Chalice - a trans woman who's discovered her own reality-warping powers and is trying to become a superhero. The problem is that another alter - Matter Man - has been terrorizing the world and demanding that all Alters either submit to him, or risk them and their families being murdered by him and his cronies.
The comic is poised to say interesting things about gender and identity and the masks one wears, but never seems to commit. It's weirdly paradoxical - it shines a huge light on the protagonist being trans, but never enough to make the character feel real. In fact, none of the characters felt that real and I completely failed to connect to them.
There are also a lot of weird and concerning creative choices. Matter Man is your standard queer-coded villain from soooo many other stories. I thought it was an interesting choice at first, but as I went on I felt like it wasn't meant to symbolize anything and was just sort of there. Also, Chalice's brother has Cerebral Palsy, and I do have to question how some of that stuff is handled. Terms like cr*p and sp*s are thrown around easily, and do the creators really have the authority to use them? Not to mention Chalice chooses not to come out yet because her parents are still dealing with Ted being "stricken" by it. Huh? I'm sure others ave pointed out that CP doesn't just happen; it's from birth. Not to mention we need to stop pitting disability issues and queer issues against each other. This review started as three stars, but reflecting on this (I'm sure accidental, but still) ablism brought it down to two.
I do respect the creators for what they're trying to do. Jenkins spends a lot of time ensuring us that he's not pulling the story out of no where; he has gone to other trans creators to ensure everything is presented respectfully. And I truly believe that he highlights these continuously not as any kind of posturing, but because he really wants to reassure trans readers that they are being represented. I don't have a squad of trans women to back me up in this review. I like to say that I know enough to know that I don't know much about these things; still, as a story I feel like it was so milquetoaste and boring that it's hard to see anyone being represented.
Ultimately I'd like to see Chalice's story continued. Maybe from another creator, maybe from Jenkins again - failings aside, I'm sure he means well and can learn. But this first outing was lacking the nuance and the simple entertainment value that I want to see from a comic. If you want good trans rep in comics, go to Kim & Kim or Lumberjanes. Chalice and Alters as a whole is still, in my opinion, a work in progress.
simsbrarian's review
4.0
I struggled with the disco-ball-esque pacing in this but otherwise really enjoyed this complete-arc of a story telling us the origins of the trans superhero: Chalice. It's a world very similar to ours. Except the terrorist du-jour is an "Alteration" or; as they call them more frequently, an "Alter". Matter Man seeks to add any newly powered up Alter to his gang and oh yeah, also wants to destroy the world. Chalice is a trans woman who has not yet come out to her family, who loves baseball and her family (mother, father, younger brother, and older brother with cerebral palsy), and who finds out she's also an Alter who can see it as new Alters are coming into their powers. It covers a lot of ground in this arc but it doesn't feel like "A book about coming out; and also there's super powers". Instead; it nicely reads like "A super hero book where, about damn time, the lead hero is trans". So it balanced really well between being just a fun action comic without hiding OR over-emphasizing the issues Chalice is dealing with as a transitioning trans woman. Highly recommend.
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