Review: Okay by Kieron Gillen

Title: Okay

Author: Kieron Gillen

Contributor(s): Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 9)

Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"After five years, we reach the final volume. We go not gentle into that good night, but go driving a converted tank, covered in glitter and spangles, with a sound system audible from Mars blaring nothing but bangers. Gods, pop stars, an ending. We'll miss you."

My Rating: 5/5

What a fucking finale. Watching how this series came to a close was absolutely magnificent. I read this volume in one sitting and couldn't speed through it fast enough. Watching our characters grow and the rapid plot twists throughout the series has been so entertaining. If you're looking for an urban fantasy, alternative reality graphic novel series I would high recommend it. It doesn't always make a lot of sense, but we got there in the end. I would highly recommend it. Also, the art style is stunning throughout! Absolutely stunning.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Old Is the New New by Kieron Gillen

Title: Old Is the New New

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson, Stephanie Hans, Andre Likma Araujo, Kris Anka

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 8)

Genre: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy

Pages: 232

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2019

Format: Paperback Copy (Library Copy)

"Modernist poets trapped in an Agatha Christie Murder Mystery. The Romantics gathering in Lake Geneva to resurrect the dead. What really happened during the fall of Rome. The Lucifer who was a nun, hearing Ananke's Black Death confession. As we approach the end, we start to see the full picture...."

My Rating: 2/5

I just really feel that this volume was such filler. I really couldn't help but feel like this episode was dragging. I look forward to finishing the series and seeing where the final volume will take us, but I'm not sure how I feel about the series overall at this exact moment.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Mothering Invention by Kieron Gillen

Title: Mothering Invention

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie & Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 7)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 208

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"In the past: awful stuff. In the present: awful stuff. But, increasingly, answers."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This was a good instalment, just a bit long for my taste. I found that the history of the story was interesting, but some of the action scenes just didn't hit home for me. I also wasn't a fan of where the most recent plot twist in this volume is taking us. I am curious to see how this series wraps up and plan to read more graphic novels by Kieron Gillen.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Imperial Phase Part II by Kieron Gillen

Title: Imperial Phase, Part II

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 6)

Genre: Adult, Graphic Novel, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2018

Format: Paperback Copy

"When you're at the peak of your powers, there's only one way to go. The question becomes- how many people are you willing to drag down with you?"

My Rating: 4.5/5

Even though this volume took me a while to finish it was really an enjoyable read once I got into it. With plenty of plot twists, and once again amazing art this series is always keeping me on my toes. I love the twists, turns and horrors that this series really shows. I can't wait to see where the characters go from her. More graphic horrors no doubt. I hope to continue this series as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Rising Action by Kieron Gillen

Title: Rising Action

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Volume #4)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Mythology

Pages: 168

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2016

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"Every ninety years, twelve gods are reincarnated as young people. They are loved. They are hated. And sometimes- just sometimes- they fall into open Superstar wars. The fourth volume of the award-winning, best-selling series from acclaimed creators KIERON GILLEN, JAMIE McKelvie, and MATT Wilson is the most explosive yet."

My Rating: 5/5

This was such a great volume of this book. The plot twist in this series was amazing and watching the alliances beginning to form made me curious to see where the characters will be going. I hope to read a bit more into the characters and find out what causes them to die every four years. Will be continuing the series, as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Fandemonium by Kieron Gillen

Title: Fandemonium

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Volume 2)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Mythology

Pages: 200

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2015

Format: Paperback Copy (Library)

"The second volume of the award-winning urban fantasy series where gods are the ultimate pop stars and pop stars are the ultimate gods. Following the tragic and unjust death of Lucifer, it takes a revelation from Inanna to draw Laura back into the world of Gods and Superstardom to try and discover the truth behind a conspiracy to subvert divinity."

My Rating: 4/5

This was far more entertaining than the first book. I felt like I started to understand what was going on for the characters and the plot. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. The art style is phenomenal. I look forward to continuing the series and finishing it as soon as possible. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: The Faust Act by Kieron Gillen

Title: The Faust Act

Author: Kieron Gillen

Artist(s): Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson

Series/Standalone: The Wicked + The Divine (Vol. 1)

Genre: Graphic Novel, Adult, Urban Fantasy

Pages: 176

Publisher: Image Comics

Year Published: 2014

Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"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..."

My Rating: 3/5

This was a really solid start to the series, but I did feel like we as readers are thrown in rather quickly. I'm not sure how else the story would be told, but for some reason I thought that the gods were going to be based only on greek mythology, so I"m a little lost with some of the gods that are being introduced. I liked the brutal art style, as well as our main character so I'm hoping that I will enjoy the series as I continue forward. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Paper Girls Volume 4

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 4
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Artists: Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson, Jared K. Fletcher
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 128
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2018
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"The mind-bending, time-warping adventure from Brian K Vaughan and Cliff Chiang continues, as intrepid newspaper deliverer Tiffany is launched from the prehistoric past into the year 2000! In this harrowing version of our past, Y@K was even more of a cataclysm than experts feared, and the only person who can save the future is a 12-year-old girl from 1988." 

My Rating: 4/5

It was super interesting to see the early 2000s Y2K fiasco that happens in an alternate past. At least past for me, in my current present. This series is so hard to talk about and explain without messing up timelines. I liked the story and the way the authors handled coming out in the group. I can't wait to continue the series. Hard to believe just 2 more volumes.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Paper Girls 3

Title: Paper Girls 3
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson, Jared K. Fletcher
Series/Standalone: Paper Girls Volume 3
Genre: Science Fiction, Adult, Graphic Novel
Pages: 128
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published: 2017
Format: Hardcover (Library Copy)

"The multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning series from BRIAN K. VAUGHAN and CLIFF CHIANG continues, as newspaper deliverers, Erin, Mac and Tiffany finally reunite with their long-lost friend KJ in an unexpected new era, where the girls must uncover the secret origins of time travel... or risk never returning home to 1988."

My Rating: 3.5/5

I really hoped that I would understand something more about this storyline or be a little more intrigued at this point and I"m just not quite there. I'm enjoying myself. It's ok, it's just ok though, not as great as I want it to be. I have heard wonderful things about the last instalments and I can't wait to get to them. This one delves a little more into KJ's inner feelings and the changes she's going (aside from the crazy ones). I'm loving the cliff hangers and can't wait to see how the plot wraps up. I'm trying to prepare myself for not all my questions being answered. Not my favourite ending, but a potential ending for this series for sure.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Review: Paper Girls Vol. 2

Title: Paper Girls Vol. 2
Author: Brian K. Vaughan
Artists: Cliff Chiang, Matt Wilson, Jared K. Fletcher
Series/Standalone: Paper Girls (Vol. 2)
Genre; Science Fiction, Graphic Novel, Adult
Pages: 128
Publisher: Image Comics
Year Published:2016
Format: Paperback (Library Copy)

"After surviving the strangest night of their lives in the Cleveland suburb of Stony Stream, intrepid young newspaper delivers Erin, Mac, and Tiffany find themselves launched from 1988 to a distant and terrifying future... the year 2016. 

What would you do if you were suddenly confronted by your 12-year-old self? 40-year-old newspaper reporter Erin Tieng is about to find out in this action-packed story about identity, mortality, and growing older in the 21st century."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This one just didn't hit it as well as the first one did. I didn't find that the storyline was particularly interesting and I also thought that the plot dragged a bit in comparison. That being said I'm still interested in the storyline and where the plot is going. I do wonder what year we are currently in and I can only presume that it is more futuristic than 2016 based on the final panel. I also hope that we get to know the girls a bit more since they are depending so strongly on each other to make it through. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny