Graphic Novel/Comic Book Week - Review of The Wicked + the Divine Vol. 1: The Faust Act

I've decided to do an impromptu graphic novel/comic book week since I have been reading quite a few lately and thought it would be a good idea to dedicate a week to the stuff I've finished so far. And that's all the explanation you need really, since I pretty much came up with the idea ten minutes ago.

The Wicked + the Divine Vol. 1: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen (Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson and Clayton Cowles)
Publisher: Image Comics
Released: November 12th 2014
My Rating: 1.5 stars out of 5
Find it on Goodreads

Every ninety years, twelve gods incarnate as humans. They are loved. They are hated. In two years, they are dead. The team behind critical tongue-attractors like Young Avengers and PHONOGRAM reunite to create a world where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. But remember: just because you’re immortal, doesn’t mean you’re going to live forever. Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #1-5 (from Goodreads)

I don’t want to be overdramatic here…but this was literally one of the worst things I’ve ever read. I only bought The Wicked + the Divine because I had heard so many good things from so many different people…I don’t even understand how anyone could possibly have enjoyed it. Am I just not “with it”? Why is this popular?! I DON’T GET IT. 

First off, I will say the artwork was beautiful. That is the only reason this is getting 1.5 stars instead of nothing. I can’t fault it. The people, the backgrounds, the colours - everything was amazing. That, however, is the only positive thing I have to say.

The actual plot made no sense. I’m sorry, but I had no idea what was going on. Nothing was really explained. Like, why did these gods only exist for two years? Why did they come back every 90 years? Who was controlling this cycle? Why were they so immature when they were supposedly immortal? Wtf? How could anyone crave fame so much? And what was going on within the group? What was Luci even trying to do? What were the “villains” trying to do? I WAS SO CONFUSED. I mean, maybe I’m just an idiot and I’m the only one who didn’t get it. It’s entirely possible. And I know that a lot may be explained in future volumes - but at this point, I don’t care, and I don’t want to know. The characters were so underdeveloped (except maybe Luci) that I don’t have any interest in them, and the plot was too all over the place for me to have any reason to continue the series.

The most confusing (and annoying) thing though, was the main character, Laura. What the hell was wrong with her? Why was she so obsessed with these people? Why did she get SO involved in their affairs? She was risking her life for creepy strangers! She had not an ounce of common sense! I don’t understand what possessed her to do the things she did, I just don’t. I get being a fan of stuff, but this was beyond all reason. And such an obsession just seemed unhealthy. I feel like I am missing something, because it is just unfathomable to me why people have raved about this. 

Overall, I can’t in good conscience recommend this to anyone. Maybe that makes me an uncool person who doesn’t get how deep this was supposed to be, but whatever. The whole thing made no sense, and was a complete waste of money. I’m going to read something actually good now to take my mind off this nonsense.