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Villainous #1-5
Villainous
Tilly, one of the newest super-powered people to join the Coalition of Heroes, is doing her best to navigate the dizzying world of superheroes. Working with her idols should be a dream come true, but when she learns the truth, Tilly's dream quickly becomes a nightmare. Now, Tilly has to make a choice - Get in line and stand with her heroes, or take a stand and risk becoming something more... Villainous
120 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
December 23, 2021
2.5 stars
Kind of blah.
There's nothing particularly wrong with the story but it's also just not very interesting. I didn't connect with any of these characters, so I didn't care what happened to them. It's very much geared towards a young audience who probably hasn't read this exact same story 100 times before.
You have a wide-eyed superhero intern who learns that the good guys are really the bad guys and vice versa. For whatever reason, our main character is a lizard-girl and I guess that means she has all the amazing abilities of a...lizard?
Anyway. We're told her parents have sacrificed a lot to put her through school and get her this shot at her dream of being a crime fighter, but all of that is off-page, so none of her backstory has any sort of impact.
Basically, everything you think is going to happen is what happens.
The End.
It's cute enough to give it to a younger kid who might be interested in a PG version of The Boys.
Kind of blah.
There's nothing particularly wrong with the story but it's also just not very interesting. I didn't connect with any of these characters, so I didn't care what happened to them. It's very much geared towards a young audience who probably hasn't read this exact same story 100 times before.
You have a wide-eyed superhero intern who learns that the good guys are really the bad guys and vice versa. For whatever reason, our main character is a lizard-girl and I guess that means she has all the amazing abilities of a...lizard?
Anyway. We're told her parents have sacrificed a lot to put her through school and get her this shot at her dream of being a crime fighter, but all of that is off-page, so none of her backstory has any sort of impact.
Basically, everything you think is going to happen is what happens.
The End.
It's cute enough to give it to a younger kid who might be interested in a PG version of The Boys.
February 21, 2021
Villainous reads like a PG-13 version of The Boys, where the supposed good heroes are actually the baddies, and vice versa.
I'm no fan of The Boys, which tends to drown in a pool of abrassive edgelordiness, but this book flips to the other extreme - being a bit bland and toothless. To be fair, this book is aimed at young teens, but that doesn't mean you can't tell a story with a bit more pep.
So a young teen superhero joins the good guys, and has to start as an intern to one of the heroes. She quickly finds out these people are rotten, by overhearing her assigned hero saying a visiting UK ambassador will be murdered. Now, it seems there are a lot of interns beside her, and supposedly new interns join every year or so, which should mean it's almost impossible to keep these nefarious intentions a secret, I'd think?
Follows another four issues of thwarting and being thwarted, and it's actually a bit surprising how slow the book feels, after that hyperpaced introduction.
The superhero characters are just a bit generic, and there is never a feeling of cameraderie between them. The book also suffers a bit from Umbrella Academy Syndrome, where pretty much all the unnamed heroes in the background look more interesting than the main cast.
The art follows in that blandness, although now and then the art takes on a goofy style for a frame or so, and I wish the whole book had been done in that style. Those glimmers look at least a bit more interesting and fun.
(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)
I'm no fan of The Boys, which tends to drown in a pool of abrassive edgelordiness, but this book flips to the other extreme - being a bit bland and toothless. To be fair, this book is aimed at young teens, but that doesn't mean you can't tell a story with a bit more pep.
So a young teen superhero joins the good guys, and has to start as an intern to one of the heroes. She quickly finds out these people are rotten, by overhearing her assigned hero saying a visiting UK ambassador will be murdered. Now, it seems there are a lot of interns beside her, and supposedly new interns join every year or so, which should mean it's almost impossible to keep these nefarious intentions a secret, I'd think?
Follows another four issues of thwarting and being thwarted, and it's actually a bit surprising how slow the book feels, after that hyperpaced introduction.
The superhero characters are just a bit generic, and there is never a feeling of cameraderie between them. The book also suffers a bit from Umbrella Academy Syndrome, where pretty much all the unnamed heroes in the background look more interesting than the main cast.
The art follows in that blandness, although now and then the art takes on a goofy style for a frame or so, and I wish the whole book had been done in that style. Those glimmers look at least a bit more interesting and fun.
(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)
February 27, 2021
A new intern joins the world's super hero team only to find out things are not what they seem. Now framed for her own murder, she joins the "villains" to take down the heroes. There's some good concepts here but it's not fleshed out enough or earned. It's like the outline of a story as opposed to the actual story.
The art is serviceable until it's gets to the action sequences. The art suddenly gets very cartoony and stretched out in those scenes, reducing the believability.
Received a review copy from Mad Cave Studios and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
The art is serviceable until it's gets to the action sequences. The art suddenly gets very cartoony and stretched out in those scenes, reducing the believability.
Received a review copy from Mad Cave Studios and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
April 5, 2021
Good premise but not the book for me. While the art was generally impressive , the cartoonish manga-esque reactions took me out of the story. And the story itself was tropey and tried to do too much in too little space, leading to plot holes and silly set pieces (an entire team of super heroes/villains is going to go undetected sitting continuously on a rooftop down the street from their enemies' HQ when those enemies AND the entire world's security apparatus are looking for them?). Seemed derivative of The Boys for a younger audience.
**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2021
I enjoy reading graphic novels, but am not one who follows world arcs or particular characters or has read everything that has come out, I read what appeals to me and to broaden my knowledge of comic books. I can have a discussion about comic books, but I am NOT claiming to be either well-read or an authority on comic books/graphic novels in general.
My lack of a lot of experience in this genre is possibly why I don't understand the less than five star reviews, because I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK.
I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved that last line from the "villain" to the "hero", I liked the artwork, there were a few times I was slightly confused as to what was going on, but action IRL when you are experiencing it is never 100% clear, so I guess it's realistic in that way. It was pretty though, very colorful, so not hard on the eyes.
I would guess to age this at older middle reader on up, as the violence is often and at times graphic, and the MC isn't afraid to do spoilery things that makes sense. I was kind of bummed that one of my favorite characters died. I wanted to see more of them.
Definitely one I will be recommending at the store.
5, that last line was SO AWESOME, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors/Mad Cave Studios for an eARC copy of this to read and review.
My lack of a lot of experience in this genre is possibly why I don't understand the less than five star reviews, because I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK.
I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved that last line from the "villain" to the "hero", I liked the artwork, there were a few times I was slightly confused as to what was going on, but action IRL when you are experiencing it is never 100% clear, so I guess it's realistic in that way. It was pretty though, very colorful, so not hard on the eyes.
I would guess to age this at older middle reader on up, as the violence is often and at times graphic, and the MC isn't afraid to do spoilery things that makes sense. I was kind of bummed that one of my favorite characters died. I wanted to see more of them.
Definitely one I will be recommending at the store.
5, that last line was SO AWESOME, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors/Mad Cave Studios for an eARC copy of this to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Villainous in exchange for an honest review!
I'm obsessed with morally grey stories so I was really excited to read Villainous, but since it never takes the time to develop any of its characters, what could have been a really great, grey superhero story fell really, really flat. Because of that, nothing that happened here felt at all unique and there was nothing really left for me to connect to or latch onto. I also wasn't a super big fan of the art style so there just wasn't any appeal here for me.
I'm obsessed with morally grey stories so I was really excited to read Villainous, but since it never takes the time to develop any of its characters, what could have been a really great, grey superhero story fell really, really flat. Because of that, nothing that happened here felt at all unique and there was nothing really left for me to connect to or latch onto. I also wasn't a super big fan of the art style so there just wasn't any appeal here for me.
February 21, 2021
I really liked the story of this book. The introduction to the characters made is easy to understand where everything and everyone stands. The art style is really cool and the story is engaging. The plot shows perfectly that not everything is what it seems and not everyone is who we think they are.
February 28, 2021
3 stars.
This is a great graphic novel of the hero's really being the bad guys. Gives me real "the Boys" vibes. Since the book is aimed at teens, there's definitely less graphic violence than in the TV show, which I appreciated. I thought the plot was overall enjoyable, if a tad bit predictable. The rep in the book was good, but it could have been better. In a world full of superheros, I should be able to see all skin tones and genders represented.
I think part of the issue with this it that there's a lot going on in one novel. I feel like it could have been split into two issues to better flesh out the story. I didn't feel enough growth on Tilly's side, nor did I feel any real camaraderie between the "villains". They might have all been working together, but I felt like more could have been done to establish their friendship. Also this might be a small plot issue but in the final scene Tilly says that Pillar killed Two Spirit, but he's clearly seen later on in the issue alive and well.
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The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great graphic novel of the hero's really being the bad guys. Gives me real "the Boys" vibes. Since the book is aimed at teens, there's definitely less graphic violence than in the TV show, which I appreciated. I thought the plot was overall enjoyable, if a tad bit predictable. The rep in the book was good, but it could have been better. In a world full of superheros, I should be able to see all skin tones and genders represented.
I think part of the issue with this it that there's a lot going on in one novel. I feel like it could have been split into two issues to better flesh out the story. I didn't feel enough growth on Tilly's side, nor did I feel any real camaraderie between the "villains". They might have all been working together, but I felt like more could have been done to establish their friendship. Also this might be a small plot issue but in the final scene Tilly says that Pillar killed Two Spirit, but he's clearly seen later on in the issue alive and well.
Find me on: instagram
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2021
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a look at this superhero graphic novel! ^^
This graphic novel about a lizard girl Tilly joining the villains after being defamed by the heroes. Yeah it goes to show, you can’t always trust heroes as the good guys whether it be fictional or not! As much as the story was quick enough for 119 pages, at least it gives you a satisfying ending! I mean dang, Tilly is such a badass that you feel sorry for her that she was betrayed by the “heroes”, well it was their loss anyways!
It’s good to read something different and refreshing than your typical superhero stuff!
This graphic novel about a lizard girl Tilly joining the villains after being defamed by the heroes. Yeah it goes to show, you can’t always trust heroes as the good guys whether it be fictional or not! As much as the story was quick enough for 119 pages, at least it gives you a satisfying ending! I mean dang, Tilly is such a badass that you feel sorry for her that she was betrayed by the “heroes”, well it was their loss anyways!
It’s good to read something different and refreshing than your typical superhero stuff!
February 15, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tilly, a young reptilian superhero-in-training gets pulled into the twisted world of the Coalition of Heroes. She realizes quickly that those painted out to be Villains by the Coalition may not be as harmful as they seen, with the Coalition not as innocent. Will Tilly find he way in the Coalition, or see herself become something more....Villainous
This was a great read! I really enjoyed the characters and the story as it picked up steam. While this only compiles the first five issues, one could easily read this as a completed work if they so chose. I, personally, look forward to seeing how the story plays out for Tilly and how her family adapts to the new world. The artwork was stunning and the layout was very simple to follow.
I highly recommend this to anyone 12+ who is looking for something similar to Renegades by Marissa Meyer or a much toned down version of Amazon's The Boys. Five exploding stars from me, what a fun ride!
Tilly, a young reptilian superhero-in-training gets pulled into the twisted world of the Coalition of Heroes. She realizes quickly that those painted out to be Villains by the Coalition may not be as harmful as they seen, with the Coalition not as innocent. Will Tilly find he way in the Coalition, or see herself become something more....Villainous
This was a great read! I really enjoyed the characters and the story as it picked up steam. While this only compiles the first five issues, one could easily read this as a completed work if they so chose. I, personally, look forward to seeing how the story plays out for Tilly and how her family adapts to the new world. The artwork was stunning and the layout was very simple to follow.
I highly recommend this to anyone 12+ who is looking for something similar to Renegades by Marissa Meyer or a much toned down version of Amazon's The Boys. Five exploding stars from me, what a fun ride!
February 7, 2021
Villainous was an enjoyable enough tale, if highly predictable since its plot line is one we've all seen many times before. But the illustration was okay and reading it was a pleasant way to pass an entertaining half an hour. This is not a book I'd rush to return to again and again, but it has something to offer fans of the superhero genre, so if you like superhero stories and graphic novels, it is worth checking out. It gets 3.5 stars from me. Good, just nothing new or surprising.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, Mad Cave Studios, Stonie Williams, and Jef Sadzinski for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I requested Villainous for its claim to being for fans of "The Boys," among other things. It certainly had that vibe. Tilly is a lizard-girl who has just been assigned as a sidekick to one of the top-ranking heroes of the Coalition of Heroes, or COH. When Tilly overhears that her lead hero plans on murdering someone, she questions everything the COH stands for. Going to the head hero only causes more problems, leading Tilly to join the side of the villains.
It turns out the ones seen as villains by society are actually the ones trying to do good, while those who society deems as heroes have dastardly villainous plans.
I enjoyed the premise and the art, though I would have liked the story to revolve around Tilly a bit more. She was very important and has a great amount to put forth, but there were some scenes that I just did not care about. The detectives seemed unnecessary and the use of media on heroes and villains could have kept the conflict between themselves. A decent read that comes to a wholesome conclusion, though there is certainly potential for more in this universe.
I requested Villainous for its claim to being for fans of "The Boys," among other things. It certainly had that vibe. Tilly is a lizard-girl who has just been assigned as a sidekick to one of the top-ranking heroes of the Coalition of Heroes, or COH. When Tilly overhears that her lead hero plans on murdering someone, she questions everything the COH stands for. Going to the head hero only causes more problems, leading Tilly to join the side of the villains.
It turns out the ones seen as villains by society are actually the ones trying to do good, while those who society deems as heroes have dastardly villainous plans.
I enjoyed the premise and the art, though I would have liked the story to revolve around Tilly a bit more. She was very important and has a great amount to put forth, but there were some scenes that I just did not care about. The detectives seemed unnecessary and the use of media on heroes and villains could have kept the conflict between themselves. A decent read that comes to a wholesome conclusion, though there is certainly potential for more in this universe.
March 5, 2021
English Review Below.
رواية مصورة تتبع نفس القصة الرئيسية للقصة المصورة الشهيرة "واتشمين"، لكن في حين أن "واتشمين" تمتعت بشخصيات عميقة وتطور للحبكة والشخصيات والدوافع وقصة منطقية، هذه القصة أخذت منها فكرة "الأبطال الخارقون أشرار" وللأسف لم تفعل بها شيئا. أعجبني أسلوب الرسم وتصميم بعض الشخصيات، لكنها للأسف كانت قصة خالية من التطور المنطقي للأحداث أو دوافع الشخصيات والشخصيات نفسها لم تتطور بمرور الأحداث. للأسف كانت مخيبة للآمال.
A graphic novel in the same vain of Watchmen, but while Watchmen has full fleshed out characters and deep story lines and actual character development, this only took the concept of "bad superheroes" and sadly did nothing with it.
It seems like it is the first volume, so they could've paced this volume a lot better, but there was no development, no convincing motives. I think the art was cool, and some of the characters' designs were good, but sadly, I thought it had a chance to do something with the whole "superheroes are bad but villains are good" idea, but they didn't.
I thank Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for the digital ARC.
رواية مصورة تتبع نفس القصة الرئيسية للقصة المصورة الشهيرة "واتشمين"، لكن في حين أن "واتشمين" تمتعت بشخصيات عميقة وتطور للحبكة والشخصيات والدوافع وقصة منطقية، هذه القصة أخذت منها فكرة "الأبطال الخارقون أشرار" وللأسف لم تفعل بها شيئا. أعجبني أسلوب الرسم وتصميم بعض الشخصيات، لكنها للأسف كانت قصة خالية من التطور المنطقي للأحداث أو دوافع الشخصيات والشخصيات نفسها لم تتطور بمرور الأحداث. للأسف كانت مخيبة للآمال.
A graphic novel in the same vain of Watchmen, but while Watchmen has full fleshed out characters and deep story lines and actual character development, this only took the concept of "bad superheroes" and sadly did nothing with it.
It seems like it is the first volume, so they could've paced this volume a lot better, but there was no development, no convincing motives. I think the art was cool, and some of the characters' designs were good, but sadly, I thought it had a chance to do something with the whole "superheroes are bad but villains are good" idea, but they didn't.
I thank Netgalley and Mad Cave Studios for the digital ARC.
March 9, 2021
I really liked this one. I've begun reading more graphic novels and I enjoy nearly every one I read. The illustrations in this one are beautiful, like the variety of the characters expressions. The story is unique too, to see the definition of a hero from a "villain" point of vue. I really liked it.
Many thanks to Diamond Book Distributors and Mad Cave Studios for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Many thanks to Diamond Book Distributors and Mad Cave Studios for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 5, 2021
This was a quick, fun read, it kept me entertained. The story and the premise was good however it has the potential to be so much more, especially the characters and their relationships who I thought were really interesting but I wish they were more complex. I feel like this would be a five star read if the plot was properly developed. I like the art style, it fits the story well despite the action scenes being confusing at times.
February 19, 2021
"Villainous" is an action-packed, intriguing, fun-to-read comic. I could barely put it down after starting and when I reached the end, I kept going back to stare at some of my favorite panels and to re-read some of my favorite moments.
The deconstruction of what makes a hero and what makes a villain is a solid plot without becoming too bogged down with hitting readers over the head with the message. While the story is plot-driven more than character-driven, which leads to the reading feeling like a well-oiled machine, the story was never boring. If I had to give it one flaw, it's that the story's trajectory is quite obvious from the beginning and there were few other surprises to be found in the narrative.
Speaking of the characters (and their designs), they have to be one of the best parts of this comic. Tilly, the main character, is a lizard-girl who made me smile every time she moved lizard-like and slipped deeper into her villainous/heroic lifestyle. Pillar, a hero, is a great juxtaposition to her as she appears human and dressed in white. Looking at them, with Tilly dressed in dark colors, it's easy to see how there could be a stereotyped view of which is the villain and which is the hero. The other villains and heroes are also eye-candy to look at with a mix of modern and more classic superhero designs, which makes them all look like their starring in different superhero flicks. They all look cool and I could see cosplays from this series being a real, exciting possibility at post-COVID conventions.
I highly encourage you add this to your TBR list if you like superheroes, villains, and anti-heroes. You won't be disappointed with this excellent comic book.
The deconstruction of what makes a hero and what makes a villain is a solid plot without becoming too bogged down with hitting readers over the head with the message. While the story is plot-driven more than character-driven, which leads to the reading feeling like a well-oiled machine, the story was never boring. If I had to give it one flaw, it's that the story's trajectory is quite obvious from the beginning and there were few other surprises to be found in the narrative.
Speaking of the characters (and their designs), they have to be one of the best parts of this comic. Tilly, the main character, is a lizard-girl who made me smile every time she moved lizard-like and slipped deeper into her villainous/heroic lifestyle. Pillar, a hero, is a great juxtaposition to her as she appears human and dressed in white. Looking at them, with Tilly dressed in dark colors, it's easy to see how there could be a stereotyped view of which is the villain and which is the hero. The other villains and heroes are also eye-candy to look at with a mix of modern and more classic superhero designs, which makes them all look like their starring in different superhero flicks. They all look cool and I could see cosplays from this series being a real, exciting possibility at post-COVID conventions.
I highly encourage you add this to your TBR list if you like superheroes, villains, and anti-heroes. You won't be disappointed with this excellent comic book.
March 26, 2023
7.5
I like how this series appears in a time when the powers that be aren't that trustworthy. Corporations buy their way into power because they believe only they can manage the world. Politicians that are supposed to be public servants would rather turn the other way with bribes. Superheroes in this case are just a way for left and right problems to coalesce given their reactionary nature.
Problem is, I'm probably not going to remember everything about this. The presentations and the people who made it maybe; but not character personalities, just their quirks.
I have seen a lot of capepunk series like The Boys, Ironhead & Blackhand, and a few others. What made them stand out is how they were based on character. This is more about the concept and world more than the characters.
It's not a bad thing to talk about these kind of things, especially when the creators try to stay on point. Characters in this case might be more of a distraction. It's a very take it or leave it kind of deal.
I like how this series appears in a time when the powers that be aren't that trustworthy. Corporations buy their way into power because they believe only they can manage the world. Politicians that are supposed to be public servants would rather turn the other way with bribes. Superheroes in this case are just a way for left and right problems to coalesce given their reactionary nature.
Problem is, I'm probably not going to remember everything about this. The presentations and the people who made it maybe; but not character personalities, just their quirks.
I have seen a lot of capepunk series like The Boys, Ironhead & Blackhand, and a few others. What made them stand out is how they were based on character. This is more about the concept and world more than the characters.
It's not a bad thing to talk about these kind of things, especially when the creators try to stay on point. Characters in this case might be more of a distraction. It's a very take it or leave it kind of deal.
March 3, 2021
*Thank you to NetGalley, and the publishers for this advance copy*
This comic bind-up has the first 5 volumes of Villainous, a story about superheroes and one girl's desire to be a hero. It reads like a more toned-down version of The Boys, and brings up twists and turns to keep you guessing while reading.
Villainous follows Tilly, a reptile-like human who joins the heroes, but she quickly learns things are not all as they seem. The people she once looked up to are awful, no better than assassins for hire. They even force Tilly to make a choice between being a hero and going against what she stands for, or don't. But going against the heroes has consequences, one that Tilly will learn soon enough.
This comic was fun, albeit a little bland. If you like The Boys, but aren't a fan of the gore or language, or want to get someone younger into comics this is probably a perfect story. The art style has beautiful colors and is very straight forward so it won't be distracting and you don't have to search for hidden secrets, and the characters are interesting. The star of the first 5 volumes of these comics is definitely the character designs. Each character has such interesting designs, and I honestly want to know why specifically the guy with the mouth cover.
But while the character designs thrived, I think there are some aspects that could have been better. The first being, the pacing. I know comics go fast, I grew up on them, but this felt too fast. Too much stuff happened in one day for it to be believable, or even entertaining. It felt like the timeline was so short to bring about big reactions, but all I could think is there's no way. I also found it weird that the other apprentices/interns were only present for two strips, and there are so many of them. It felt like we needed a few more sections or at least more fight scenes to even understand how there are so many interns when we've really only seen 4 heroes.
I also think the biggest downfall to this comic series, is that it is not just LIKE The Boys, but it is almost the same. The main characters gets disgusted by the "good guys" after finding out they're not so good, the big hero is the worst with an ego, the main character gets sucked into helping "the villains" and tries to take down "the good guys" the big hero hotshot disappears after a confrontation. Yeah, it was all too similar that wasn't as enjoyable.
I am interested, however, in continuing on with the next couple of entries to see if it evolves from a younger The Boys or not. As I said above, I think if you are really passionate about The Boys, or have someone younger that you think would like the show but are too young to watch it, this is the perfect starting point.
This comic bind-up has the first 5 volumes of Villainous, a story about superheroes and one girl's desire to be a hero. It reads like a more toned-down version of The Boys, and brings up twists and turns to keep you guessing while reading.
Villainous follows Tilly, a reptile-like human who joins the heroes, but she quickly learns things are not all as they seem. The people she once looked up to are awful, no better than assassins for hire. They even force Tilly to make a choice between being a hero and going against what she stands for, or don't. But going against the heroes has consequences, one that Tilly will learn soon enough.
This comic was fun, albeit a little bland. If you like The Boys, but aren't a fan of the gore or language, or want to get someone younger into comics this is probably a perfect story. The art style has beautiful colors and is very straight forward so it won't be distracting and you don't have to search for hidden secrets, and the characters are interesting. The star of the first 5 volumes of these comics is definitely the character designs. Each character has such interesting designs, and I honestly want to know why specifically the guy with the mouth cover.
But while the character designs thrived, I think there are some aspects that could have been better. The first being, the pacing. I know comics go fast, I grew up on them, but this felt too fast. Too much stuff happened in one day for it to be believable, or even entertaining. It felt like the timeline was so short to bring about big reactions, but all I could think is there's no way. I also found it weird that the other apprentices/interns were only present for two strips, and there are so many of them. It felt like we needed a few more sections or at least more fight scenes to even understand how there are so many interns when we've really only seen 4 heroes.
I also think the biggest downfall to this comic series, is that it is not just LIKE The Boys, but it is almost the same. The main characters gets disgusted by the "good guys" after finding out they're not so good, the big hero is the worst with an ego, the main character gets sucked into helping "the villains" and tries to take down "the good guys" the big hero hotshot disappears after a confrontation. Yeah, it was all too similar that wasn't as enjoyable.
I am interested, however, in continuing on with the next couple of entries to see if it evolves from a younger The Boys or not. As I said above, I think if you are really passionate about The Boys, or have someone younger that you think would like the show but are too young to watch it, this is the perfect starting point.
March 18, 2021
Villainous is the start of an all-new and utterly quirky series, one that promises to have heroes, villains, and anti-heroes galore. How could I possibly resist picking it up and giving it a go?
Tilly is the newest in a long line of new recruits for the Coalition of Heroes. Only, it didn't take long before she realized that the entire company is a farce. These are not heroes she's working for. Worse, her realization came at a cost, and now she's on the run.
Or rather, she would be if she hadn't gotten caught up with the 'villains' of the world. Said villains have been keeping busy trying to save the lives of those that get in the path of the Coalition of Heroes. Ironic.
Villainous is published by Mad Cave Studios, with a creative team that includes Stonie Williams (writer), Jef Sadziski (art), Joana Lafuente (colors), and Justin Birch (letters.)
Villainous is one of those series with so much potential! Look at that cover! It's stunning. I fell in love with it the second I saw it, and overall I absolutely adored all of the artwork inside as well. However, I will be the first to admit that the series as a whole seemed to lack...bite.
Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed the story enough, especially Tilly's perspective on this whole warped world. It just felt like nothing real was at stake. Honestly, the series could have used a bit more character development before throwing us to the wolves.
Still, it's an entertaining idea, having the whole hero/villain trope flipped upon its head, and that alone makes it worth reading. Actually, so does the artwork, which I've already mentioned a bit. I'm especially fond of Lafuente's vibrant colors (seriously, look at that pink). It sets the series apart from the rest and also gives Tilly a fantastic look, if I may say so.
Thanks to Mad Cave Studios and #Edelweiss for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks (of Books)
Tilly is the newest in a long line of new recruits for the Coalition of Heroes. Only, it didn't take long before she realized that the entire company is a farce. These are not heroes she's working for. Worse, her realization came at a cost, and now she's on the run.
Or rather, she would be if she hadn't gotten caught up with the 'villains' of the world. Said villains have been keeping busy trying to save the lives of those that get in the path of the Coalition of Heroes. Ironic.
Villainous is published by Mad Cave Studios, with a creative team that includes Stonie Williams (writer), Jef Sadziski (art), Joana Lafuente (colors), and Justin Birch (letters.)
Villainous is one of those series with so much potential! Look at that cover! It's stunning. I fell in love with it the second I saw it, and overall I absolutely adored all of the artwork inside as well. However, I will be the first to admit that the series as a whole seemed to lack...bite.
Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed the story enough, especially Tilly's perspective on this whole warped world. It just felt like nothing real was at stake. Honestly, the series could have used a bit more character development before throwing us to the wolves.
Still, it's an entertaining idea, having the whole hero/villain trope flipped upon its head, and that alone makes it worth reading. Actually, so does the artwork, which I've already mentioned a bit. I'm especially fond of Lafuente's vibrant colors (seriously, look at that pink). It sets the series apart from the rest and also gives Tilly a fantastic look, if I may say so.
Thanks to Mad Cave Studios and #Edelweiss for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks (of Books)
February 8, 2021
Villainous (Issues 1-5) - Stonie Williams - 4/5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
An exciting twist on what is becoming a classic trope of the superheroes not always being the heroes the world needs or deserves. This take on the trope had many elements I hadn't seen done before. I definitely suggest giving this comic a read.
I want to start off by saying I loved this book. I hadn't heard about this comic before getting the opportunity to read this collection of the first 5 volumes. I now can't wait to get my hands on the 6th issue. There were 2 things that stood out to me that made this book one of the best takes on the bad heroes trope that I've seen.
Firstly is the perspectives that we get to see. In the past, I've seen the hero organization that has a dark secret and the villains that are actually trying to do good, but this book brings in other perspectives as well. We see a newscast, both when the only reliable source of info is the Coalition of Heroes, and later when the public is confused about who is telling the truth. We see a pair of detectives throughout the story as they wrestle with more and more information suggesting the heroes might not be all they say they are. And we also get social media feeds, which are a wonderful way to quickly inform on multiple public opinions. In 2 panels, I knew how the public felt whether they were on the side of the heroes, the villains, or on the fence, not sure what to think.
Secondly, one thing I loved about this take was that the villains didn't have to stay super virtuous to "prove" they were the good guys. As a result, as the series progresses, the villains won't continue to beat their heads against the Coalition in the same form. The Coalition will have to change drastically before issue 6 and I am incredibly excited to see that development take place.
If superhero comics are your thing, definitely give this a read. The art style and text density remind me of a mainline superhero comic a la Marvel or DC. But the subject matter is that of one of a story that started on the fringes and is becoming mainstream, and for a good reason. The heroes secretly being the bad guys isn't new at this point, but I love these stories and every time I read them they're something different.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
An exciting twist on what is becoming a classic trope of the superheroes not always being the heroes the world needs or deserves. This take on the trope had many elements I hadn't seen done before. I definitely suggest giving this comic a read.
I want to start off by saying I loved this book. I hadn't heard about this comic before getting the opportunity to read this collection of the first 5 volumes. I now can't wait to get my hands on the 6th issue. There were 2 things that stood out to me that made this book one of the best takes on the bad heroes trope that I've seen.
Firstly is the perspectives that we get to see. In the past, I've seen the hero organization that has a dark secret and the villains that are actually trying to do good, but this book brings in other perspectives as well. We see a newscast, both when the only reliable source of info is the Coalition of Heroes, and later when the public is confused about who is telling the truth. We see a pair of detectives throughout the story as they wrestle with more and more information suggesting the heroes might not be all they say they are. And we also get social media feeds, which are a wonderful way to quickly inform on multiple public opinions. In 2 panels, I knew how the public felt whether they were on the side of the heroes, the villains, or on the fence, not sure what to think.
Secondly, one thing I loved about this take was that the villains didn't have to stay super virtuous to "prove" they were the good guys. As a result, as the series progresses, the villains won't continue to beat their heads against the Coalition in the same form. The Coalition will have to change drastically before issue 6 and I am incredibly excited to see that development take place.
If superhero comics are your thing, definitely give this a read. The art style and text density remind me of a mainline superhero comic a la Marvel or DC. But the subject matter is that of one of a story that started on the fringes and is becoming mainstream, and for a good reason. The heroes secretly being the bad guys isn't new at this point, but I love these stories and every time I read them they're something different.
February 19, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this eARC in exchange for a honest review.
'Villainous' is a graphic novel about Matilda, or Tilly as people call her. She is a reptilian and a superhero. We follow her when she is going to start a new job, with the rolemodels that she's had since she was a child, called the coalition of heroes. But she starts ro realize that her heroes arent so innocent....
I likes this book! at first it was kind off predictable but i really liked how fast things escalated! Other than that I wished to have more of Tilly's backstory like who is she? and the other characters, who are they? hopefully that will be discussed in other novels. The reason i gave this 3/5 star is because i simply felt that it wasnt really there for me to rate it 4/5 stars.
I think that people who like morally grey heroes and the book ' renegades ' by marissa meyer will like this one, since its a very quick read and it wasnt boring.
'Villainous' is a graphic novel about Matilda, or Tilly as people call her. She is a reptilian and a superhero. We follow her when she is going to start a new job, with the rolemodels that she's had since she was a child, called the coalition of heroes. But she starts ro realize that her heroes arent so innocent....
I likes this book! at first it was kind off predictable but i really liked how fast things escalated! Other than that I wished to have more of Tilly's backstory like who is she? and the other characters, who are they? hopefully that will be discussed in other novels. The reason i gave this 3/5 star is because i simply felt that it wasnt really there for me to rate it 4/5 stars.
I think that people who like morally grey heroes and the book ' renegades ' by marissa meyer will like this one, since its a very quick read and it wasnt boring.
February 12, 2021
Spoiler free review:
First off I want to thank Netgalley for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to rate this graphic novel in 2 different categories: art and story.
The art was was very unique. I found myself drawn to the cover of the novel and I knew I had to read it. When I got into it, I was completely surprised. I didn't expect the style to be so dark, and grungy, and creepy. If your into art styles like that I think you'll really like Villainous. At times it became somewhat confusing though. I would have to do a double take to see what just happened.
The story was kind of cliche but original at the same time. I liked how the villains were the heroes and vice versa. The plot of the story could have been expanded on more. It felt very rushed and I think that if some areas were talked about less and others talked about more, it would have been much better.
All in all, it was a quick read with a super cool art style.
First off I want to thank Netgalley for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to rate this graphic novel in 2 different categories: art and story.
The art was was very unique. I found myself drawn to the cover of the novel and I knew I had to read it. When I got into it, I was completely surprised. I didn't expect the style to be so dark, and grungy, and creepy. If your into art styles like that I think you'll really like Villainous. At times it became somewhat confusing though. I would have to do a double take to see what just happened.
The story was kind of cliche but original at the same time. I liked how the villains were the heroes and vice versa. The plot of the story could have been expanded on more. It felt very rushed and I think that if some areas were talked about less and others talked about more, it would have been much better.
All in all, it was a quick read with a super cool art style.
February 18, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Diamond Book Distributors - Mad Cave Studios in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I loved this book from beginning to end. Everything from the characters, plot, theme, climax and color scheme was brilliantly done. It brought the story to life and it just made it that much easier to follow along and be invested from beginning to end. I know what it is like to "meet your heroes" and have them not be who you thought they were and then on top of all of that, you were part of a scheme that seals your fate and everyone else's and the courage and bravery Tilly showed through the whole book. I know this book will have a cult following at our library and we can't wait to share it with them.
We will consider adding this title to our Graphic Novel collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
I loved this book from beginning to end. Everything from the characters, plot, theme, climax and color scheme was brilliantly done. It brought the story to life and it just made it that much easier to follow along and be invested from beginning to end. I know what it is like to "meet your heroes" and have them not be who you thought they were and then on top of all of that, you were part of a scheme that seals your fate and everyone else's and the courage and bravery Tilly showed through the whole book. I know this book will have a cult following at our library and we can't wait to share it with them.
We will consider adding this title to our Graphic Novel collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
February 22, 2021
I enjoyed this a lot, mostly because Tilly is awesome, and sweet. I really appreciated watching her grow as I read this because we honestly could see her growth from beginning to end. I also enjoyed that the new and interesting super powers that some of the other characters had it didn't feel like the same old same old,
What I didn't feel like I enjoyed was how the idea of "fake news" ended up being tangled into the story. Maybe because it is already something touted as way to rebuke someone by the right. Seeing it even fictionalized makes me grit my teeth because it feels like there isn't an escape from it.
What I didn't feel like I enjoyed was how the idea of "fake news" ended up being tangled into the story. Maybe because it is already something touted as way to rebuke someone by the right. Seeing it even fictionalized makes me grit my teeth because it feels like there isn't an escape from it.
March 2, 2021
56% ★★★☆☆
I was given the change of making an honest review about this comic by NetGalley. I know, the percentage make it seems that I didn't liked, but I actually did. The idea of the fight of villains, the concept of "nothing is an absolute true", "we don't know who are the good guys" is really nice, I liked it. But the execution wasn't the best, everything was too much fast in a way that things stopped making sense. Maybe if we had more pages, this could be easily fixed.
I can see the metaphor of the USA government also. The concept of the terrorists, the bad guys, all of this I think is a metaphor, and a really great one.
It was a nice read, for the ones who likes comics, it might be a great read!
Thanks NetGalley for the oportunity!
I was given the change of making an honest review about this comic by NetGalley. I know, the percentage make it seems that I didn't liked, but I actually did. The idea of the fight of villains, the concept of "nothing is an absolute true", "we don't know who are the good guys" is really nice, I liked it. But the execution wasn't the best, everything was too much fast in a way that things stopped making sense. Maybe if we had more pages, this could be easily fixed.
I can see the metaphor of the USA government also. The concept of the terrorists, the bad guys, all of this I think is a metaphor, and a really great one.
It was a nice read, for the ones who likes comics, it might be a great read!
Thanks NetGalley for the oportunity!
February 16, 2021
Villainous follows Tilly, who is starting her internship at the Coalition of Heroes. Tilly is incredibly excited, and can't wait to start training and become one of their sidekicks. However, Tilly finds out that the heroes she's been looking up to her entire life, might not be as good as they pretend to be. Does that mean that the villains aren't as bad as they're made out to be?
This is a PERFECT graphic novel if you're just starting reading them. I don't often read graphic novels, but when I do, I often struggle with following the story. This was most definitely not the case with Villainous. The story was easy to follow, and some facial expressions of characters are EXQUISITE (not to mention the art itself, which is stunning).
I do wish that the story was a bit longer, so more attention could be given to the backstory of the 'villains'. I'm not sure if there will be other graphic novels about these characters. If that's the case, I'd love a little more character development! But maybe that's the novel reader in me. ;)
This is a PERFECT graphic novel if you're just starting reading them. I don't often read graphic novels, but when I do, I often struggle with following the story. This was most definitely not the case with Villainous. The story was easy to follow, and some facial expressions of characters are EXQUISITE (not to mention the art itself, which is stunning).
I do wish that the story was a bit longer, so more attention could be given to the backstory of the 'villains'. I'm not sure if there will be other graphic novels about these characters. If that's the case, I'd love a little more character development! But maybe that's the novel reader in me. ;)
February 12, 2021
A breath of fresh air into superhero comics! A fantastic mix between Justice League and X-Men with a main character that I for one, felt an attachment towards. She was a junior hero that aspired to be everything her personal hero was, or so she thought…
My first steps into a Mad Cave Studios story was a joyous one. I loved the setting, the theming and the style of writing. Stonie Williams has served up a delectable buffet or twists, turns, mystery, emotion and conflict. Testament to his writing was my hatred for the villain, love for the ‘goodies’ and my ‘just one more page’ attitude when reading.
Superb art from Jeferson Sadzinski compliments Stonies’ writing brilliantly, I especially enjoyed the way a characters facial expressions pop with a degree of over exaggeration, it really was a shock at first as I haven’t really encountered this style before but i soon got used to and loved forward to seeing it again.
If you're looking for an alternative to the ‘big 2’ superhero comics then you don’t have to look any further than this gem. Villainous will provide sustenance to any appetite for good ol’ fashioned good vs evil stories. I am extremely happy to have come across this comic, I look forward to potential future continuations of Tilly’s villain story.
"You wanted to play rough, so let's play rough!" - Sedition
My first steps into a Mad Cave Studios story was a joyous one. I loved the setting, the theming and the style of writing. Stonie Williams has served up a delectable buffet or twists, turns, mystery, emotion and conflict. Testament to his writing was my hatred for the villain, love for the ‘goodies’ and my ‘just one more page’ attitude when reading.
Superb art from Jeferson Sadzinski compliments Stonies’ writing brilliantly, I especially enjoyed the way a characters facial expressions pop with a degree of over exaggeration, it really was a shock at first as I haven’t really encountered this style before but i soon got used to and loved forward to seeing it again.
If you're looking for an alternative to the ‘big 2’ superhero comics then you don’t have to look any further than this gem. Villainous will provide sustenance to any appetite for good ol’ fashioned good vs evil stories. I am extremely happy to have come across this comic, I look forward to potential future continuations of Tilly’s villain story.
"You wanted to play rough, so let's play rough!" - Sedition
February 26, 2021
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a look at this superhero graphic novel eARC!
This graphic novel is about a lizard girl Tilly joining the villains after being framed by the "heroes" for her own murder. Yeah, we've seen this plot twist in The Boys but this is less edgelord. It goes to show, you can’t always trust heroes as the good guys whether it be fictional or not! The story was a quick read at 119 pages but at least it gives you a satisfying ending! Tilly is such a badass that you root for her throughout the book!
This graphic novel is about a lizard girl Tilly joining the villains after being framed by the "heroes" for her own murder. Yeah, we've seen this plot twist in The Boys but this is less edgelord. It goes to show, you can’t always trust heroes as the good guys whether it be fictional or not! The story was a quick read at 119 pages but at least it gives you a satisfying ending! Tilly is such a badass that you root for her throughout the book!
February 27, 2021
This was fun!!! I loved the art style and how engaging the story was. I really liked the "villains" and tilly was such a fantastic character to read about.
I really like the gray morality here though I admit this reminded me of "The Boys" a little bit, but with its own spin. This was overall a super fun comic book to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I really like the gray morality here though I admit this reminded me of "The Boys" a little bit, but with its own spin. This was overall a super fun comic book to read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy of Villainous in exchange for an honest review.
Villainous is a graphic novel that turns the classic hero and villain tropes on their heads. Our main character Tilly is a sidekick in training and thinks the best news she's ever received is when she's told she's been assigned to the Coalitions big hero Showdown. On her first day as his sidekick, however, Tilly learns of a sinister plot and discovers that maybe her heroes aren't exactly the saviors that the world thinks they are.
Making the choice to do what her heart was telling her was the right thing, Tilly joins up with the stories villains who call themselves The Shadow Order. Together, the story's so called 'Villains' must try to save the world even if that means being the bad guy in the eyes of the people that they're trying to save.
I found this to be such a refreshing twist on what one would usually expect when picking up a comic or graphic novel that centers around the stereotypical superhero. Villainous forces you to consider whether or not the people in power are the ones that should be in power and if everyone who is labeled a 'villain' is truly the bad guy.
Full of art that you could expect from any big name comic publisher, it's hard not to enjoy the atmosphere that you find yourself in while reading. From likable characters to ones you just can't stand, you'll find yourself utterly enthralled by this creative and refreshing take.
My only complaint is that things do happen quite quickly and it's sometimes a bit hard to follow along with all of the characters being introduced. With so many names and people and faces, it's quite difficult to get attached to many of the characters including the main protagonist, Tilly. With this being said, the plot was enjoyable enough that I almost didn't mind the lack of characterization.
Villainous is a graphic novel that turns the classic hero and villain tropes on their heads. Our main character Tilly is a sidekick in training and thinks the best news she's ever received is when she's told she's been assigned to the Coalitions big hero Showdown. On her first day as his sidekick, however, Tilly learns of a sinister plot and discovers that maybe her heroes aren't exactly the saviors that the world thinks they are.
Making the choice to do what her heart was telling her was the right thing, Tilly joins up with the stories villains who call themselves The Shadow Order. Together, the story's so called 'Villains' must try to save the world even if that means being the bad guy in the eyes of the people that they're trying to save.
I found this to be such a refreshing twist on what one would usually expect when picking up a comic or graphic novel that centers around the stereotypical superhero. Villainous forces you to consider whether or not the people in power are the ones that should be in power and if everyone who is labeled a 'villain' is truly the bad guy.
Full of art that you could expect from any big name comic publisher, it's hard not to enjoy the atmosphere that you find yourself in while reading. From likable characters to ones you just can't stand, you'll find yourself utterly enthralled by this creative and refreshing take.
My only complaint is that things do happen quite quickly and it's sometimes a bit hard to follow along with all of the characters being introduced. With so many names and people and faces, it's quite difficult to get attached to many of the characters including the main protagonist, Tilly. With this being said, the plot was enjoyable enough that I almost didn't mind the lack of characterization.
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