Faith #2 Review

In the second issue of Faith, we get a look at the organization kidnapping psiots and Faith confronting an old flame. Is it good?

Faith #2 (Valiant Entertainment)

In the aftermath of the explosion from the end of last month’s issue, Faith is struggling with guilt over not being able to stop the bomber and desperate to find the organization responsible. And things at work aren’t so hot either – her late night crime-fighting makes her fall asleep at work and for punishment, her editor assigns her to write a nasty review of her ex-boyfriend’s reality show.

Writing the piece gets Faith thinking, and she decides to visit Torque and see if he’ll help her investigate the mysterious organization. Unfortunately, the reunion doesn’t go as she imagined. Using her job as a cover, Faith goes to interview the mother of Sam, the most recent kidnapping victim. She learns that he’s a fan of Night Shifters, a sci-fi show Faith also loves, and has secret fan-meetups that she suspects Sam might have been attending the night he disappeared.

Just as Faith is getting some traction on the mystery, the mystery comes for her. And it’s armed.

Is It Good?

Now that the set up from the first issue is out of the way, this book is really moving. The pacing is excellent, and there’s a nice balance between the various parts of Faith’s life. I feel very comfortable in this story; Houser did a bang-up job in the first issue of covering just enough back story and now is just continuing in the new.

There isn’t a lot of original ground to cover in superhero stories, but what I love about this book is how fresh and contemporary the writing and art are. Faith’s nerdiness and optimism make her incredibly appealing and relatable. I’m so happy the fantasy sequences are a regular part of the series. Not only are they hilarious and beautifully illustrated, but it’s a creative way to show rather than tell Faith’s inner thoughts.

The art is getting better and better with each issue; Francis Portela draws each person with a unique shape and size. His standout in this issue was Sam’s mom. And I love the variant covers for each issue, getting to see the various interpretations of Faith. Sauvage’s is my favorite this week, the nod to pin up style is just perfect:

I’m intrigued by the glimpses we got into the evil organization, and I’m wondering if there is a connection between this group and Torque and his despicable new girlfriend. Her comments from the reality show make her seem like she’d fit in just fine with the ladies trying to tan by moonlight at the corporation mansion.

I like this book so much that it’s gotten me interested in Faith’s origins and her former superteam. Looks like I’m going to be hitting my LCS for some trades!