Faith #1 Discussion

[Keith]

So I went into reading this with a high degree of cautious optimism. I think I was worried that Valiant was looking to "batgirl" (i believe that is the term) Faith. What I mean by that is remove the character from the trappings of it's current story, slap on a hip writer and hip artist, and make the whole thing hip for the hip kids to be hip about.

Yuck. (and no offense intended to anyone who is hip to that scene.)

Whelp, I'm hear to say that has not happened, and I couldn't be more thrilled with how Faith #1 turned out. Any fan of the character and her past adventures in Harbinger and beyond will be really pleased with how this comic. Jody Houser is absolutely respectful to the character, has her mannerisms down pat, and absolutely acknowledges the Valiant Universe and how Faith has been part of it. Guest appearances, as well, and one I did not see coming.

Great job. More, please.

[DirtbagSailor]

Faith #1 is a very good book. Not disappointed one bit.

[Brapbrap]

nice start, i had low expectations and thought this would be a dead drop and actually got a good comic that moves the valiant universe forward.

we know what torque is doing now, we know what @x is doing, we know a bit more about what archer is doing.

my only complaint is the really bad coloring on the non-fantasy sections

[ChiptheRipper]

Like most people here I wasn't expecting much, but it was better than I thought it would be. There were a few cringeworthy moments where it seemed like Houser was really trying to force the 'nerd girl' thing ("Radioactive spiders hurrhurrhurr" ), but for the most part it was a pretty good characterization and she seems to understand what Faith is all about.

I'm interested in learning about these new aliens too, I like the space side of Valiant but I've been getting a little bit of Vine-fatigue lately , so it's nice to see a (hopefully) new alien species in the mix. Good to see what's up with Ax, Archer, and Torque too, and I like the concept of the general public being divided on their opinions of the Renegades (the Buzzfeed hipsters seemed to be arguing about it during the blahblahblah scene but I could be wrong).
Also, I chuckled at the (who I assumed to be) Chris Evans fantasies Faith had, as well as her Buzzfeed list title.

Overall a solid effort, and I'm assuming it will continue to get better once the story actually starts. My only concern is the usual one for mini-series and events for Valiant- 4 issues isn't enough time to wrap everything up, and the first issue was already wasted on barely any set-up.

[wwise03]

This is just a no for me (aside from the fact that I'm a dope that buys everything valiant puts out, including the crap). This was $4 wasted.

Faith is just such an annoyance my character to me. All I hear her say is "blah blah tumbler blah Twitter feed blah blah." She represents everything I find wrong about society and teenage culture today."

I'm glad this is only a mini. Hopefully Valiant drops this when they're done and move to more interesting characters (Livewire, Shadowman, even *shudders to say* Quantum and Woody).

[Phoenix8008]

This was a great first issue and it really set my mind at ease. I was worried that this could be another 'Dead Drop' situation with a new writer taking control of well known characters and totally scrambling up their basic character foundations. Jody Houser has done a great job of starting Faith on a new adventure, but keeping her true to the character that Dysart made so wonderful to begin with.

There are great callbacks and connections to friends and associates of Faith, while expanding her world with the beginnings of a new group of characters around her. Most importantly, Faith's 'voice' was true to the core of the character (for me at least). I'm hopeful that the 'hidden alien threat' isn't too silly or unrelated to the rest of the Valiant Universe as a whole. I hope this isn't just some throwaway 'new bad guy group of the mini-series' never to be seen again after Faith somehow defeats them.

[ChiptheRipper]

Faith is just such an annoyance my character to me. All I hear her say is "blah blah tumbler blah Twitter feed blah blah." She represents everything I find wrong about society and teenage culture today."

I'm hoping it was a conscious decision, like she's trying to stick to her cover or something, but only time will tell. I'm looking at it this way- she's a 20-something Millenial living in L.A working for Buzzfeed, she should be one of the most annoying people ever

[jeremycoe]

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this issue was. I'm hoping that all the attention it's receiving will translate into people discovering the rest of the line.

[Captain Craig]

Faith is just such an annoyance my character to me. All I hear her say is "blah blah tumbler blah Twitter feed blah blah." She represents everything I find wrong about society and teenage culture today."

I'm glad this is only a mini. Hopefully Valiant drops this when they're done and move to more interesting characters (Livewire, Shadowman, even *shudders to say* Quantum and Woody).

Yes to the first part. Faith does seem to represent a bit too much of the Millennials I've come to know through my part-time job. A bit self absorbed and easily distracted while so in love with all things media. In Millennials defense, they aren't all like this, I've also met a few that are more level headed. Clearly up bringing has something to do with things regardless of when you were born and Faith has her background in that area as being a bit questionable. Loving grandma and all.

You had me right up until...Q&W on that last part, although I feel it was a tongue-in-cheek remark perhaps. *shudder*
So instead of Q&W how about HARD Corps or Generation Zero as acceptable alternatives. Heck even Spylocke!!

[agent_graves]

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this issue was. I'm hoping that all the attention it's receiving will translate into people discovering the rest of the line.

+ 1 Great 1st issue...

[jmatt]

Jody Houser has done a great job of starting Faith on a new adventure, but keeping her true to the character that Dysart made so wonderful to begin with.

There are great callbacks and connections to friends and associates of Faith, while expanding her world with the beginnings of a new group of characters around her. Most importantly, Faith's 'voice' was true to the core of the character (for me at least).

This.

And I think it's appropriate that such an underpowered character's first solo encounter involves saving puppies. While not of her choosing, it plays right to her girlish innocence.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I was pleasantly surprised by how good this issue was. I'm hoping that all the attention it's receiving will translate into people discovering the rest of the line.

+ 1 Great 1st issue...

+2 this was an excellent, consistent characterisation of an interesting character. I was worried early when she could hear her neighbours talking about criminal activity but relieved when it turns out they were just actors rehearsing, I thiughts things were gonna get Quantum and Woody goofy (which I dont want).

Unlike Dead Drop (which other people have referenced), this writer has clearly done her homework and knows about the Valiant universe!

Solid art too, good all round package 4/5

[jmatt]

I was worried early when she could hear her neighbours talking about criminal activity but relieved when it turns out they were just actors rehearsing...

I smell a set up, here. That's not there by accident. It will turn out that they weren't acting.

Like the weird kid in the first few pages of Bloodshot Reborn turned out to be the villain in the end.

There are precious few pages and panels in a comic; there is no room for inconsequential innocent misunderstandings.

[Dallow Spicer1]

I was worried early when she could hear her neighbours talking about criminal activity but relieved when it turns out they were just actors rehearsing...

I smell a set up, here. That's not there by accident. It will turn out that they weren't acting.

Like the weird kid in the first few pages of Bloodshot Reborn turned out to be the villain in the end.

There are precious few pages and panels in a comic; there is no room for inconsequential innocent misunderstandings.

Hmmm interesting...

[greg]

I was worried early when she could hear her neighbours talking about criminal activity but relieved when it turns out they were just actors rehearsing...

I smell a set up, here. That's not there by accident. It will turn out that they weren't acting.

Like the weird kid in the first few pages of Bloodshot Reborn turned out to be the villain in the end.

There are precious few pages and panels in a comic; there is no room for inconsequential innocent misunderstandings.

Hmmm interesting...

... that is a good point.

The quick answer and not worrying about being overheard could also indicate they have (so far) had nothing to fear from society. (Bad psiots?)

Lots of panels devoted to her co-workers at Spam-Media Inc, too. Some of them could be important if there's a Jimmy Olsen or Lois Lane style character in the group.

[jmatt]

Lots of panels devoted to her co-workers at Spam-Media Inc, too. Some of them could be important if there's a Jimmy Olsen or Lois Lane style character in the group.

Well that's the other artful technique employed here. That neighbors encounter is butted nearly right up against the "Let's meet the cast of co-workers!" scene, such that it blends right into it without arousing too much suspicion.

I could be wrong, maybe Faith will employ them as actors that help her stage a trap or something. But they are there for a reason.

Oh, and I'm with you, one or more of the co-workers will probably play the role of her foil.

[jeremycoe]

I found a pretty big continuity problem. On page 8 (the first page she's in her office) Faith's thought reads :

All my fandom blogs over the years? Under a screenname. So it was easy for Summer Smith to put them on her resume.

Except in Harbinger #4 Faith's blog is clearly shown to be at http://www.faithherbert.com/wp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Not exactly a screenname.

[greg]

I found a pretty big continuity problem. On page 8 (the first page she's in her office) Faith's thought reads :

All my fandom blogs over the years? Under a screenname. So it was easy for Summer Smith to put them on her resume.

Except in Harbinger #4 Faith's blog is clearly shown to be at http://www.faithherbert.com/wp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Not exactly a screenname.

That's her personal blog, which she assumes no one reads (according to that main screen).

She said "fandom blogs" (popular sites) for which she would have been a member but not the owner, and she's saying she used a screenname on those.

[jeremycoe]

I found a pretty big continuity problem. On page 8 (the first page she's in her office) Faith's thought reads :

All my fandom blogs over the years? Under a screenname. So it was easy for Summer Smith to put them on her resume.

Except in Harbinger #4 Faith's blog is clearly shown to be at http://www.faithherbert.com/wp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Not exactly a screenname.

That's her personal blog, which she assumes no one reads.

She said "fandom blogs" (popular sites) for which she would have been a member but not the owner, and she's saying she used a screenname on those.

True, but I would be really surprised if her personal blog never mentioned or reposted posts she made on those "fandom blogs".

Also, would a company really hire someone based on anonymous posts they claim they wrote?

[greg]

I found a pretty big continuity problem. On page 8 (the first page she's in her office) Faith's thought reads :

All my fandom blogs over the years? Under a screenname. So it was easy for Summer Smith to put them on her resume.

Except in Harbinger #4 Faith's blog is clearly shown to be at http://www.faithherbert.com/wp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Not exactly a screenname.

That's her personal blog, which she assumes no one reads.

She said "fandom blogs" (popular sites) for which she would have been a member but not the owner, and she's saying she used a screenname on those.

True, but I would be really surprised if her personal blog never mentioned or reposted posts she made on those "fandom blogs".
Also, would a company really hire someone based on anonymous posts they claim they wrote?

That's a good point that her personal blog would likely mention her posts elsewhere, but it wouldn't if she was truly being "anonymous" everywhere else. It might be the reason her personal blog had no followers.

That particular company appears to go after the online personas they want to hire. She could have been contacted because of all her posts, and she could have responded with fake credentials. They want the person who wrote all those fandom blog posts, and that's her. She can prove she wrote them by replying to private messages from that account.

(Some of the guys in our Top 25 posters on this message board don't use their real names.)

[jeremycoe]

I found a pretty big continuity problem. On page 8 (the first page she's in her office) Faith's thought reads :

All my fandom blogs over the years? Under a screenname. So it was easy for Summer Smith to put them on her resume.

Except in Harbinger #4 Faith's blog is clearly shown to be at http://www.faithherbert.com/wp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Not exactly a screenname.

That's her personal blog, which she assumes no one reads.

She said "fandom blogs" (popular sites) for which she would have been a member but not the owner, and she's saying she used a screenname on those.

True, but I would be really surprised if her personal blog never mentioned or reposted posts she made on those "fandom blogs".
Also, would a company really hire someone based on anonymous posts they claim they wrote?

That's a good point that her personal blog would likely mention her posts elsewhere, but it wouldn't if she was truly being "anonymous" everywhere else. It might be the reason her personal blog had no followers.

That particular company appears to go after the online personas they want to hire. She could have been contacted because of all her posts, and she could have responded with fake credentials. They want the person who wrote all those fandom blog posts, and that's her. She can prove she wrote them by replying to private messages from that account.

(Some of the guys in our Top 25 posters on this message board don't use their real names.)

Possible, but if they recruited her she wouldn't have needed to put those blog posts on a resume. I just think it would have been easier not to mention her previous blog posts at all. Maybe she totally thinks her new identity is "secret", when really it would be pretty easy to deduce. She does seem fairly naive.

[jeremycoe]

At least she has a wig, all Clark Kent has (or had I guess) going for him is glasses

[BugsySig]

I found a pretty big continuity problem. On page 8 (the first page she's in her office) Faith's thought reads :

All my fandom blogs over the years? Under a screenname. So it was easy for Summer Smith to put them on her resume.

Except in Harbinger #4 Faith's blog is clearly shown to be at http://www.faithherbert.com/wp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Not exactly a screenname.

That's her personal blog, which she assumes no one reads.

She said "fandom blogs" (popular sites) for which she would have been a member but not the owner, and she's saying she used a screenname on those.

True, but I would be really surprised if her personal blog never mentioned or reposted posts she made on those "fandom blogs".
Also, would a company really hire someone based on anonymous posts they claim they wrote?

That's a good point that her personal blog would likely mention her posts elsewhere, but it wouldn't if she was truly being "anonymous" everywhere else. It might be the reason her personal blog had no followers.

That particular company appears to go after the online personas they want to hire. She could have been contacted because of all her posts, and she could have responded with fake credentials. They want the person who wrote all those fandom blog posts, and that's her. She can prove she wrote them by replying to private messages from that account.

(Some of the guys in our Top 25 posters on this message board don't use their real names.)

Possible, but if they recruited her she wouldn't have needed to put those blog posts on a resume. I just think it would have been easier not to mention her previous blog posts at all. Maybe she totally thinks her new identity is "secret", when really it would be pretty easy to deduce. She does seem fairly naive.

I think we're forgetting that @x set up her alter ego. Easy enough to link those blogs to that ID.

[grendeljd]

This was a really great, positive start to the series - loved the way Faith was handled as a character throughout. Had a fantastic street level Spider-Man-ish feel good element. And I love me some Portella art! Glad this book is getting press for VEI, it's ridiculous that there is any backlash against Faith as a plus-sized character and whether or not this is just being done as a publicity stunt.

...



If anyone would like to hear our OTV:VCR podcast discussing/reviewing this issue (& Bloodshot Reborn #10), please follow the link to our 50th!! episode;

http://onlythevaliant.com/episodes/vcr50/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks to any who listen in

[Shadowman99]

Faith is just such an annoyance my character to me. All I hear her say is "blah blah tumbler blah Twitter feed blah blah." She represents everything I find wrong about society and teenage culture today."

I'm glad this is only a mini. Hopefully Valiant drops this when they're done and move to more interesting characters (Livewire, Shadowman, even *shudders to say* Quantum and Woody).

Yes to the first part. Faith does seem to represent a bit too much of the Millennials I've come to know through my part-time job. A bit self absorbed and easily distracted while so in love with all things media. In Millennials defense, they aren't all like this, I've also met a few that are more level headed. Clearly up bringing has something to do with things regardless of when you were born and Faith has her background in that area as being a bit questionable. Loving grandma and all.

You had me right up until...Q&W on that last part, although I feel it was a tongue-in-cheek remark perhaps. *shudder*
So instead of Q&W how about HARD Corps or Generation Zero as acceptable alternatives. Heck even Spylocke!!

To be honest, all the texting, twitter and tumblr or whatever gets mentioned in the comic annoys me too, but I think it just has to be accepted that all that media-crap is simply a MASSIVE part of today's culture in certain regions/countries. Also, I don't think it's necessarily fair to blame this entirely on millenials: trust me, I spend 5/7 days a week at a university where you can see exactly how this age group interacts with the rest of society through media and utilises it for a myriad of alternative purposes, but I know guys in their 40s who're just as 'hip' with the tech as the kids are. Just look at all the Valiant guys, Dinesh, Hunter, Atom, etc: Those guys are way up on it all. I swear Neil Gaimen has developed a symbiotic relationship with his phone... These days I don't believe that media interaction is generational: level of engagement with tech media is simply a choice that people of all ages make.

Anyway, that aside I enjoyed the issue mostly. I've never really been that interested in Faith and found a lot of the comic to be a bit infantile with the fantasy sections and 'disguise' parallel with Superman, but I guess in another way that's also part of the charm of the character, in that she's clearly fairly naieve at times and this seems to be her way of coping with a world that doesn't live up to her ideals.

Having said that I didn't hate the comic and will no doubt read the rest, so I'll be interested to see where the story goes next, especially where these 'new'(?) aliens are concerned.