Review: FCHS

At the Heroescon 2009 art auction I was lucky to win an adorable piece of the FCHS female characters as DC heroines.  I’m not sure who was more excited about the bidding on the piece, me or the artist, Rachel Freire.  Rachel is one of the sweetest artists that I have met at Heroescon and based on the overall friendly amtosphere of both fans and professionals, this is saying a lot.

I had missed Free Comic Book Day that year and did not yet have a copy of the AdHouse published FCHS prequel to the FCHS graphic novel .  Shawn (from Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find and the Dollar Bin) hooked me up with a copy after the con and I was introduced to the student body of Forest City High School. FCHS sold out at Heroescon and I was lucky enough to get the last copy at their booth.  I’m glad to see that so many were interested in this self-published novel. 

Vito Delsante, author of FCHS,  describes this series as “Archie Comics meets 90210”.   I’m not sure how many comic fans fall into the viewing audiences of both shows, but I do.  Archie was my original foray into comics and the first 90210 guided me through my high school years.  FCHS falls solidly into my wheelhouse of pop culture. 

If you missed the FCBD prequel never fear as it is the first “chapter” in the graphic novel.  FCHS introduces a group of friends as they are rising seniors.  We first meet them at the end of their junior year and follow them through the summer to the start of their senior year. 

The FCHS gang is a well rounded group including athletes, stoners, artists, nerds, and student leaders.  There’s someone for almost everyone to relate to their high school experience.  Delsante’s writing and Freire’s art create very likable, real characters.  These are not the glossy experiences of Hollywood teens, but teens dealing with issues like infidelity, sexual identities, abortion,  and blended families. 

One of my favorite things about FCHS, is Freire’s art style.  This is the same thing that drew me to her auction piece.  She draws real women.  Too many artists in comics cannot seem to draw a women with a bra size under double D.  As a female comic fan, I’m always excited to read a story in which I’m not worried that the woman in the panel isn’t going to topple over from the weigh on her chest.

Delsante tells a story that is relatable and engrossing.  In a short time, you care about the characters and want to know how their stories end.  Relationships are never easy and high school relationships (at the time) can be some of the most complex and miserable.  Delsante captures the ups and downs of friendships, young love and changing families.   

Delsante and Friere plan upcoming volumes to follow the FCHS gang and I’m looking forward to more stories as the students move through their senior year.

FCHS is a self published book and can be purchased through ComiXpress: