America, Vol. 1: The Life and Times of America Chavez

To be fair, I was warned about the book. I mean, just look at the average rating here at Goodreads. This comic anthology has not been well received. I willfully chose to ignore all the people that said this wasn't a very good book. Also, to be fair, the most commonly stated problem - the writing - was, probably, the least of my problems.

(Yeah, the writing is goofy and kind of stupid at times, but, as much as I love comics, that's kind of ... not unusual.)

Problem #1: The Art
The first four volumes have one artist, the next two have a different artist. I didn't like either. The first artist was okay, barely. The faces are often really off putting: the eyes are nothing but black circles for irises, the noses are...not quite right, and the artist has absolutely no idea how lipstick works. None at all. The second artist had a much more scribble-y art style that kind of reminds me of old Archie comics - only I think the hair in those comics look better than it does here, because here it's nothing more than a stringy, wet looking mess.

Problem #2: The Plot
For the first four volumes (I wonder if this had anything to do with the artist change...) the plot is on crack. Or LSD. Or something. Look, I don't like trippy sci-fi and this was trippy sci-fi. (If you liked the second Guardians of the Galaxy movie, you could probably disregard this.) The last two volumes ... were like a slice of life, girl gets blackmailed and possible (lesbian) love interest has to save the dad. I mean day. Also, I do not understand the college that America is going to. ... At all.

Problem #3: America Chavez.
(Interesting how the reason I read the book can be a major problem when not done... how I expected.) I was first introduced to America Chavez in A-force. (She didn't really stand out for me there, I was too busy being taken by Lady Loki. And She-Hulk. But mostly Lady Loki.) Then, in my quest for diverse comics, I really feel like I met her in Young Avengers. And sort of fell in love with her. She was badass and take no prisoners and would sooner kick you than hug you. ... That America is not this America. That's fine. People grow, develop, change. But when everything that made me love her is taken out and replaced to make her more weepy female hero (TM) ... I am not happy.

Which, kind of sums this whole thing up: I am not happy.