âThe Wicked and The Divine Vol. 1: The Faust Actâ review
By Brittney MacDonald, Life & Style Editor
2/5
Ever hear the term âidol worship?â The Wicked and The Divine by Kieron Gillen brings that idea to a whole new level.
The plot is rather simple, yet complex at the same time. In a fantastical modern world, 12 people claim their place as reincarnated gods, granting them limitless fame and power. But there is always a catch. In this case, all that esteem comes at the cost of their lives, as the reincarnated gods only live for two years. Machinations come into play as each of the gods compete for power with one another and the world. Some believe their very existence is a hoax. Throw in a murder mystery and the ultimate fangirl, and the stage is set for an all-out war.
The idea for the narrative is compelling, but the execution is a little lacklustre. Things move too quickly, so nothing really stands out as a key moment. As you read through it you constantly feel like youâre missing something because elements blend together. As such, the end of the novel doesnât really feel justified. Instead, it becomes a convenient plot device to explain everything that preceded it.
Art-wise, this book is beautiful. Gifted to us by the hands of Jamie McKelvie, the art actually left me wanting to read the next installation of this series. To put it very bluntly, it is perfect. Both epic and intimate, it conveys emotion for the plot when the plot itself fails to pause and acknowledge its own characters.
I, for one, will probably read the next volume with the hope that the current narrative issues will be fixed. As for my recommendation, I would encourage people to read this if they want something a little different and appreciate beautiful art in their comics off the wall.