Publisher: Valiant Comics
Writer: Jody Houser
Artist: Francis Portela and Marguerite Sauvage
Editor: Tom Brennan
Release Date: OUT NOW!
Price: $3.99

In Faith #3 the intrepid BBW (Big Beautiful Woman) psiot (psionically gifted), has decided to go it alone in the superhero biz, becoming an intrepid reporter by day and an alien conspiracy hunting super hero by night. I think the intrepid reporter bit may have been done before but if it worked once why not give it another go?

For Faith #3 the flying, telekinetic heroine, Faith Herbert aka Zephyr (is this the only book that has the main character’s secret identity as its title? Or should that be ‘real’ identity because she’s currently going under the pseudonym Summer Smith. Do I see a touch of schizophrenia in Faith/Summer/Zephyr’s future?) is hot on the trail of kidnapped Sam Bradshaw whilst also being hunted herself by the mysterious Director and his cronies. We know the Director is evil personified because he has a nasty habit of blowing up his underlings rather than risk them giving up any information. Having had her secret identity blown (all three of them) when she’s attacked at her day job Faith/Summer/Zephyr is no closer to finding out what’s really going on than she was at the start. We are though because we get to eavesdrop on the Director and the mystic shenanigans of The Vine. I could tell you more, but why spoil the fun.

Not your usual superhero fair, and that is certainly no bad thing, Faith #3, has strong appeal and an unsuspecting energy; plus lots of topical references and guest spots from other Valiant characters. If you ever wondered what it would really be like to be a beginner superhero, juggling a career, secret identities and learning just how your powers work, this is as good a representation as there is.

And there is something to be said for a writer like Jody Houser going against the grain of the usual depiction of female superheroes. Readers looking for stick insects with gravity defying chests, and porno poses need to look elsewhere (which, sadly, will not be far). As a BBW once said to me: ‘Once you’ve had fat, you never go back.’ And that’s a point worth considering.

Faith #4 here we come, non-stereotyping all the way; so have faith, oh true believer.

 

Reviewer: Gary Orchard
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker