Graphic Novel Review: The Wicked + The Divine, Volume 1: The Faust Act

by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie (Illustrations), Matt Wilson (Colorist), Calyton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
Format: Paperback
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release Date: November 12th, 2014
Goodreads

Rating: 5/5 Stars

How have I not read this any earlier? I am the type of person who avoids looking too much into things before selecting something to read. I enjoy reading reviews, but when possible I go in with as little information as possible. Somehow I had managed to avoid anything about The Wicked + The Divine, and every page was a delightful surprise.

So we’ve had Supernatural and American Gods on TV (is American Gods even still going?), it’s about damn time someone adapted this beauty too. And it truly is beautiful. Each page is as solid as the last, the panels really coming to life. The images! The moments that sear themselves into your brain so you will never forget them.

Kllk.

Gods are real, apparently, and every ninety years, twelve of them come back – as humans. But there’s a catch: in two years, they’re dead. The rest of the population either loves or hates them, and Laura loves them. She’s a fangirl, attending their concerts, eyes shining when she sees them, giving them as much of her adoration as she can.

Some people don’t believe these folks are gods, and set out to disprove it. Others, like Laura, ‘buy in’ completely to the idea. She befriends Luci, aka Lucifer, who absolutely stood out as my favourite character. But Laura ends up wrapped in a situation out of her depth, of course, yet throughout she is determined to see it through to the end and help her new friend.

Immediately after reading this, I knew I needed volume two urgently. It’s now sitting on my shelf, and I’m so excited to carry on with this story. I can see why The Wicked + The Divine has the kind of following it does, and I can’t believe it took me this long to get to it. Seriously, can someone please pick this up to adapt? Especially after the mess we had with the Eternals film.

The Faust Act is beautiful in every way a graphic novel can be, and I am a complete convert. I’m excited to see what else is in store with this, and have definitely found a new series to fall in love with.