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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
'Xena: Penance' by Meredith Finch with art by Vicente Cifuentes is a graphic novel based on the hit television show.
In short, this is the story (or a story) of when Xena met Gabrielle. In this version, Gabrielle is a country girl travelling to the big city of Athens when she gets harassed by some soldiers. Xena steps in to help and then it's reciprocated back. A familiar villain of the show makes an appearance.
There is a version of Xena here that I wished had been explored just a bit more: the world-weary mercenary who now wants peace and forgiveness. Maybe that gets touched on more in the next volume. The art is really very good and I enjoyed reading it for the art more than the story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Dynamite Entertainment, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
In short, this is the story (or a story) of when Xena met Gabrielle. In this version, Gabrielle is a country girl travelling to the big city of Athens when she gets harassed by some soldiers. Xena steps in to help and then it's reciprocated back. A familiar villain of the show makes an appearance.
There is a version of Xena here that I wished had been explored just a bit more: the world-weary mercenary who now wants peace and forgiveness. Maybe that gets touched on more in the next volume. The art is really very good and I enjoyed reading it for the art more than the story.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Dynamite Entertainment, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
nuffy375's review against another edition
2.0
A re-imagining of the Xena pilot if the audience already knew the characters, so no build up or development needed, and the biggest villain shows up immediately to just…have a show-down (again, no build up or tension).
Overall, not impressed. Although, seriously, the plot had its work cut out for it anyway. Those costumes! Yuck!!! Gabrielle’s too-small shirt that doesn’t fully close over her ample bosom, and the weird skirt that consisted of flaps over bicycle shorts? Xena’s 4-inch heels???!! Geez, I know sex sells, and even the show was kind of skimpy, but yikes! That was atrocious!!!
It does do a good job capturing the characters of Gabrielle and Xena though…lack of room for development notwithstanding.
Overall, not impressed. Although, seriously, the plot had its work cut out for it anyway. Those costumes! Yuck!!! Gabrielle’s too-small shirt that doesn’t fully close over her ample bosom, and the weird skirt that consisted of flaps over bicycle shorts? Xena’s 4-inch heels???!! Geez, I know sex sells, and even the show was kind of skimpy, but yikes! That was atrocious!!!
It does do a good job capturing the characters of Gabrielle and Xena though…lack of room for development notwithstanding.
xpressionless's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cheermio's review against another edition
4.0
Liked the art and the story of Xena and Gabriella first meeting.
bookmarked642's review against another edition
4.0
Another ARC I received from Edelweiss+.
Xena, the Warrior Princess, has left her life of war and violence behind. She has dismissed her army, and seeks forgiveness for the destruction and death she caused in the path. She comes across a villager in need, Gabrielle, being attacked by a former member of her own army. The ex-warrior, Jax, makes it clear that he has not forgiven Xena for dropping the army.
Gabrielle joins Xena on her journey, determined to 'help'. However, she turns out to be far more trouble than she's worth, especially when someone wants to show Xena how it feels to lose someone.
Yet again, this novel is led by some fanatastically strong women. Their relationship with one another is comical yet sweet, and I could see Xena beginning to care for Gabrielle throughout the stories.
The writing was great, and the art was classic and clear. I am intrigued about Xena's past, and would definitely be interested in more of this series. 4 stars.
Xena, the Warrior Princess, has left her life of war and violence behind. She has dismissed her army, and seeks forgiveness for the destruction and death she caused in the path. She comes across a villager in need, Gabrielle, being attacked by a former member of her own army. The ex-warrior, Jax, makes it clear that he has not forgiven Xena for dropping the army.
Gabrielle joins Xena on her journey, determined to 'help'. However, she turns out to be far more trouble than she's worth, especially when someone wants to show Xena how it feels to lose someone.
Yet again, this novel is led by some fanatastically strong women. Their relationship with one another is comical yet sweet, and I could see Xena beginning to care for Gabrielle throughout the stories.
The writing was great, and the art was classic and clear. I am intrigued about Xena's past, and would definitely be interested in more of this series. 4 stars.
sionna's review against another edition
4.0
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
Xena!!! I saw this on Netgalley and before I knew it I had already downloaded it. I absolutely loved watching her show when I was a little kid--so little I probably didn't even know what I was watching besides a kick-ass woman being a badass :)
Anyhow, onto the review of this comic. I really liked it. We meet Xena, understand her current motivations. I love how she is looking for redemption and even in this first volume has come to change slightly, for the better-- finding ways to forgive herself. She might never fully, but I think the more she helps people, the better she will feel. Her partner (OMG I literally just finished reading this, why can't I remember her name) is pretty darn awesome too.
My only eye rolling moments were from the outfits all the women worn. *sigh* Oh well.
Xena!!! I saw this on Netgalley and before I knew it I had already downloaded it. I absolutely loved watching her show when I was a little kid--so little I probably didn't even know what I was watching besides a kick-ass woman being a badass :)
Anyhow, onto the review of this comic. I really liked it. We meet Xena, understand her current motivations. I love how she is looking for redemption and even in this first volume has come to change slightly, for the better-- finding ways to forgive herself. She might never fully, but I think the more she helps people, the better she will feel. Her partner (OMG I literally just finished reading this, why can't I remember her name) is pretty darn awesome too.
My only eye rolling moments were from the outfits all the women worn. *sigh* Oh well.
karentje's review against another edition
4.0
Great comic! Lovely trip down memory lane in which the reader gets to reconnect with the best Warrior Princess of them all, Xena, and her ever so chatty and perky sidekick, Gabrielle.
The stories were short, but entertaining and stayed true to the spirit of the original tv-series, which I loved. I would have hated it if the author had tampered too much with these fan-favorite characters. Xena and Gabrielle especially were wonderfully drawn and their "voices" were spot on as well! I swear I could almost hear Lucy Lawless and Reneé O'Connor bickering in my ear while I was reading.
Gabrielle is a wonderful character. She's resourceful, maybe a tad too impulsive, doesn't know when to shut up and has a really big heart. She makes the perfect companion for a strong-willed, aloof and tortured heroine like Xena, who is so desperately looking for ways to make amends for her violent past.
I was just a teensy little bit disappointed by the way Callisto was depicted, because I remember her as being really pretty and charismatic in the series, even while being evil and hell-bent on revenge, and that is not entirely how she appears here.
The stories were short, but entertaining and stayed true to the spirit of the original tv-series, which I loved. I would have hated it if the author had tampered too much with these fan-favorite characters. Xena and Gabrielle especially were wonderfully drawn and their "voices" were spot on as well! I swear I could almost hear Lucy Lawless and Reneé O'Connor bickering in my ear while I was reading.
Gabrielle is a wonderful character. She's resourceful, maybe a tad too impulsive, doesn't know when to shut up and has a really big heart. She makes the perfect companion for a strong-willed, aloof and tortured heroine like Xena, who is so desperately looking for ways to make amends for her violent past.
I was just a teensy little bit disappointed by the way Callisto was depicted, because I remember her as being really pretty and charismatic in the series, even while being evil and hell-bent on revenge, and that is not entirely how she appears here.
etienne02's review against another edition
3.0
This is a fair adaptation of the Xena universe. I didn't particularly enjoy it, but it doesn't have big flaws. It just an average book. Nothing bad, nothing great. Average in every aspect! I would recommend only if you are a very big fan of the character.
theinstantreader's review
4.0
A thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy. As a thank you I would like to provide an honest review of this graphic novel. As a fan of the original series, I was excited to find this series of comics to be released within the Xenaverse. Meredith Finch stayed true to the story of Xena and used a lot of elements found within the first season in these issues. I liked that the story was rebooted and made new again. Along with illustrations by Vicente Cifuentes made the Warrior Princess and the battling bard new for an all-new generation to find them and look up to them as those within my generation had done. I look forward to the next issues of this series and shall recommend it to fans of Xena and Hercules as well as those into Wonder Woman and more. I give the issues four out of five stars.