Scan barcode
A review by thepiqht
Villainous by Stonie Williams
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!