In case you haven't heard, Noble Causes is Jay Faerber's super-hero soap opera, featuring the Nobles, a family of super-heroes that's just welcomed its first non-super member through marriage. The book combines the strengths of the two genres quite well, making for a light, entertaining read. This is an accessible introduction to the characters and subplots, which suits a first issue/pseudo relaunch like this, but it's really not much more than that.
Liz Donnelly-Noble does her first television interview since her husband Race's death, and Gaia's nervous about the rookie of the family representing the entire clan. She handles herself well, though, doing an excellent job of keeping the family's dirty little secrets. And in a flashback story, we learn of how Rusty's wife Celeste came to meet her husband's half-brother... and her future lover.
I'm guessing it's the title's focus on and critical look at celebrity that serves as its main appeal. Soap-opera melodrama is not my thing, so I think it's Faerber's toppling of the pedestal of fame that's really got me hooked. These characters aren't the victims of super-villains or paparazzi; they're victims of their own egos, their impulses and the inherent emptiness of their wondrous lives.
In a book full of colorful characters with powers and tempers without equal, I love that it's the sole human cast member who really shines. Her down-to-earth attitude and straightforward demeanor are a welcome change amid this bunch of extreme personalities. And though Liz is annoyed with her new family's dark side, she's still loyal to them and to the memory of her husband.
There are a couple of new revelations to keep those following the property interested, but not as many as I'd like. I applaud Faerber's efforts to make the book accessible to new readers; he's definitely succeeded in that goal. But it seemed to me the first story, for the most part, did a bit too much in the way of rehashing. Still, the juxtaposition of Liz's comments in the interview with the reality of the state of ... ahem ... affairs in the Noble clan was entertaining.
I have to admit that I didn't care for the backup story, as it portrayed Celeste in a one-dimensional, corrupt light, as opposed to simply being flawed or weak of spirit when it comes to her transgressions. She's painted too much as a villain here, as opposed to someone who just doesn't fit in around the Nobles.
I found the art didn't really grab my attention either. Though Richardson tells the main story clearly, there's nothing striking about the visuals. There weren't any qualities that struck me as being unique to this particular artist. It's capable work, but not much more. Meyers's McFarlane-meets-manga approach definitely stands out as more unique. Unfortunately, I'm not taken with the influences, so the visuals on the backup story, while telling the story clearly, aren't my cup o' tea either.
Note: Some of the comments in this review were reproduced from a previous feature on the website.
