Growing up, Xena was my go-to TV show ever. It was THE show to watch every Sunday morning and I would watch it religiously. Now, I can honestly say it's still one of my favorite TV shows ever, so any chance I get to be reminded of those stories and characters I'll take it and see where it goes.

I really enjoyed the art in this comic book. The panels are very nice and not overly crowded with dialogue. The colors were also very vivid and the tones chosen matched the tone of the scenes they were depicting.

I also liked that the artist didn't try to create perfect portraits of the actresses from the show. Although I'd love nothing more than to see Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor back in their roles as Xena and Gabrielle, I do like the fact that the artist stayed true to their vision of the characters and not force a portrait-like drawing that likely would have taken me out of the story.

Sadly, it's the story that truly disappointed me. If you've watched the show, you probably remember a little bit about the details. If you've watched it countless times, you remember the smaller details. Well, Penance kind of felt like an alternate universe story, in which Gabrielle's costume looks like it did after she became an Amazon but without actually being an Amazon able to defend herself, in which she had never seen a cyclops, and Callisto was a villain capable of leading an army. I'm not mad about it, but I definitely wasn't a fan of where the author went with this story. I also wonder if the costume choice for Gabrielle was made by the author or by the artist, but either way that was the thing that bothered me the most. I feel like there was so much to explore with that title, and this story almost misses the point. I would have wanted to see Xena making the decision to change who she is, in the few moments before she hides her weapons and gives up her warrior clothes in the first few seconds of the pilot episodes. I would have wanted to see Gabrielle in the first few months after the end of the show, when Xena died. Why Ares started to hunt down Xena in the present time and how he once again became the amoral god of war that he was in the earlier seasons. A reimagining of how Xena and Gabrielle met and how Xena found out about Callisto was definitely not what I was imagining when I started reading this book.

That being said, if I look at the story on its own and try really hard to forget about the show, and imagine that this is the very first time Xena appeared in the world, then the story is pretty compelling and interesting. There's a woman who lost her soul and is trying to make up for her past mistakes, a young girl in search of a different life, and a cunning villain that is looking for revenge. You can see Xena is a woman tormented by her past, but I think this torment is still in the early stage, as she doesn't truly know what to do in order to make up for what she did in the past. Then you have the innocent Gabrielle, a bard who left home in order to escape the future that was awaiting her. Gabrielle was a little bit too annoying for my taste, and her clumsiness was not endearing, more like irritating. I did chuckle a few times, but all in all I can't say I can see Xena and Gabrielle be friends forever. Callisto was truly the most interesting point of the story in my opinion. Lately I've been very interested in seeing the villain's side of the story, so I was anxiously waiting to see a little bit more of Callisto's background, but it wasn't explored as much as I wanted it to be.

When I saw this book on Netgalley I truly was expecting something great, something new, an exploration of a hidden corner in Xena's mind, a new story within the universe. While the story was interesting, it wasn't what I had hoped for and the nerd in me was bothered by the misuse of some of the finer details of the universe.

I’m one of those who thoroughly enjoyed watching the tv series some years ago so jumped at the chance to read this comic . It takes readers back to the beginning when Zena met Gabrielle and I have to admit that the characters are written exactly as I remember them. Even more impressive is the way Zena literally jumps onto the page in all her fierce glory. 
The Zena we meet here is lost in many ways and yet one thing that remains true are her fighting skills and this woman can run rings round others. Gabrielle whilst essentially a good person is always going to be slightly annoying but I think that contrast is why so many have always loved Zena. I thought the illustrations really helped bring the story to life in glorious colour with a storyboard that was very easy to follow. I’m not someone who traditionally reads comic books but this whiled away an hour very pleasurably and left me actually wanting to read more about Zena and Gabrielles adventures.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This edition contains the first five volumes of Xena Warrior Princess and takes us back to when Xena meets Gabrielle.  As Gabby is being chased and robbed, so a certain Xena comes to her rescue.  Thus, Gabby wants to travel with her as they are both going to Athens.

Xena is trying to turn her life around from being the cruel leader to a more humane person, and here she finds a chance, as both women run into people from their past in the city.  As you would expect from anything with these two ladies in there is the action and adventure, as well as the humour of the TV series.

This makes for a good enough read, and the artwork is good to view, with included a section of alternate covers.  Overall enjoyable and amusing this should do okay probably more with fans, although it may introduce new people to the Xena world.

I was kindly provided with a review copy of this by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes.

Xena is a fierce warrior and a wonderful character! I really loved the series.... But I really HATE Gabrielle!  And that is why I only give this book two stars. Gabrielle is just the antithesis of Xena: the most obnoxious, annoying and stupid character I've found. 
Please, next time, put Gabrielle to sleep forever. Have mercy on your readers!

Love, love, love this!!! I usually don't read graphic novels but I'm a huge Xena fan so I had to give it a try. Really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

Xena!!! I saw this on Netgalley and before I knew it I had already downloaded it. I absolutely loved watching her show when I was a little kid--so little I probably didn't even know what I was watching besides a kick-ass woman being a badass :) 

Anyhow, onto the review of this comic. I really liked it. We meet Xena, understand her current motivations. I love how she is looking for redemption and even in this first volume has come to change slightly, for the better-- finding ways to forgive herself. She might never fully, but I think the more she helps people, the better she will feel. Her partner (OMG I literally just finished reading this, why can't I remember her name) is pretty darn awesome too.
My only eye rolling moments were from the outfits all the women worn. *sigh* Oh well.