Of course, Faith #1 ultimately lives and, well, flies on Houser’s portrayal of Faith herself. It’s good then that her characterization is easily the book’s strongest hook, Houser presenting her in a manner that’s as endearing as it is assured. Faith has always been an oddball, but here she’s very much comfortable in her own skin, both as a woman looking to make a new start and as a hero looking to find her own way. Given her presentation as a woman outside of the usual comic book aesthetic, Faith’s size is often used as way of presenting, if not quite defining, her. It’s very much refreshing then that Houser takes a completely different tack, Faith’s clear assurance and overall belief in herself rising beyond any limiting physical characteristics. She’s not cool, but she is confident, as a bumbling Archer can surely attest. If anything, given the somewhat cookie cutter stereotypes presented by her coworkers, she’s the one fully formed character in the book.
It also helps that the book’s art team appears to have a clear handle on the character. Portela’s art is almost giddy in its rendering, particularly so in the moments when Faith takes flight. He captures her overall exuberance and general plucky air with comfortable ease, so much so that we take her eventual stab at sternness about as seriously as those in which it’s directed. Faith’s civilian scenes don’t carry quite the same energy, but he does a solid job of ensuring that even beneath her oversized wig and frumpy clothes, Faith’s personality is never far from the surface. Sauvage lends her own flair to the book’s daydream sequences, punctuating Faith’s obsession with romance and pop culture in a way that’s wholly entertaining, if not a bit telling.
As a launching point for a new mini, Faith #1 gets a lot right. Its lead is imminently likeable, its conflict is obvious, if undercooked, and its investment value ends on a high note. Faith Herbert is a unique individual, even amongst a cluttered hero landscape, and the team of Houser, Portela and Sauvage do fine work in ensuring that that remains the case. Welcome to the big leagues, Faith. You’ve made it.