Faith #1 Review: Gotta Have Faith

Review by Nolan P. Smith

(Victor Valley)—When Valiant Entertainment announced that the psiot Faith Herbet, also known as the superhero Zephyr, would be getting her own series- I think a lot of fans saw this as a great opportunity. One of the standout characters from the critically acclaimed Harbinger series, Faith is upbeat, positive and a wealth of pop culture knowledge- seems like a perfect fit for a solo series, wouldn’t you say.

With her days as a member of Peter Stancheck’s Renegades behind her, Faith is now on the West Coast and living the ode to the super hero secret identity cliché. A red haired blogger by day, and the blonde crime fighting Zephyr after work, she is living the dream- or so it seems. Writer Jody Houser (Orphan Black), along with artists Francis Portela (Legion of Super-Heroes) and Marguerite Sauvage (DC Comics Bombshells) bring Faith to the center stage, and in true form. With humor, nods to pop culture, and roots planted firmly in the Valiant Universe, this is great way to start Faith’s solo run.

We see some familiar faces from across the Valiant landscape- from an old Renegade comrade to one half of the duo Archer and Armstrong, Faith blazes a path all her own while still remaining part of this rich universe. The contrast in art: from the regular store by Portela to Faith’s fantasy daydreams by Sauvage, is a perfect blend of reality and “reality”. I am used to the darker books from Valiant: Book of Death, Ninjak, Shadowman, Dr. Mirage- so Faith is a great flip side to the darker side of Valiant.

The book is bright, funny, and all in all, a feel good read, with a dark ending to leave readers hanging on until next month. It is a book that speaks to the pop culture nerd in us all, without crossing that line of being a corny, failed attempt to be cool. I am on board for Faith’s debut flight- and I really believe the sky’s the limit.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10.

This review was created in conjunction with QBC Toys and More, a local comic book and collectible shop located in Victorville, CA. Featuring new comic books every week, collectibles, action figures, original artwork, and more, QBC has something for the pop culture lover in us all. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/QBCToysandMore/.