The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act
by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson, Clayton CowlesSetting: England
Published on November 12th 2014
Pages: 144
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. Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #1-5
I’m not a big graphic novel reader but I was intrigued by this story.
Every 90 years twelve gods take over the bodies of people. This is a well known phenomenon. People study it. For two years these gods are superstars. People flock to them. By the time two years are finished, they are all dead.
The art in the books is beautiful.
This is Luci. She is the incarnation of Lucifer. You see the story through the eyes of Laura, a mixed race English girl who goes to all the gods’ concerts against her parents’ will. She ends up befriending Luci and that brings her in contact with the all schemes of the gods.
The first book was my favorite. You are drawn into Luci’s world. You see the glamor and the pain of knowing that you are going to die soon.
SPOILERS in the next descriptions
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 worlds of Gods and Superstardom to try and discover the truth behind a conspiracy to subvert divinity. Includes issues 6-11 of the series, plus supplementary material.
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 2: Fandemonium
by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson, Clayton Cowles
Published on July 1st 2015
Pages: 168
Laura starts to investigate why Luci was framed for murder and then killed. It draws her deeper and deeper into the world of gods. Not all of the gods are friendly.
After the detonation of FANDEMONIUM the gods-as-pop-stars of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE try living in the long dark shadow.
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 3: Commercial Suicide
by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie
Published on February 9th 2016
Pages: 200
Team WicDiv are joined by a stellar cast of guest artists to put the spotlight on each of the gods. The multiple Eisner Award nominated series continues in the only way it knows how: darker, weirder, faster. Don't worry. It's going to be okay.
Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #12-17
There were guest artists for this book and I wasn’t a huge fan. I did like seeing more back story on some of the gods that have been bit players up to now.
I must admit that I’m a bit lost on the overall story right now. I thought it was me but then I started looking at other reviews and I’m not alone in feeling this way. It seems like the story is starting to lag.
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.
The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 4: Rising Action
by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, Matt Wilson
Published on October 5th 2016
Pages: 144
Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #18-22
This book was back to the amazing art. That’s good. Now all the gods are fighting against their mentor/controller/I don’t know what she is. I feel like the story is murky at best but I kept flipping through for the art.
This is the incarnation of Amatersu, the Japanese sun goddess in the first book. She is one of the few that is mostly trying to do good with her new body and powers.
Bottom line – Look at it for the art and maybe read the first two volumes. Then wonder why the covers are so blah when the art inside is so colorful.
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The goddesses are stunning. I love learning about Amatersu.
You are correct, the art is lovely.