Sure. I'm happy to reply. Let me take each of your points . . .
"not one single decent photo"
I just released Viva two days ago, and I'm still building the website. My first priority was to get the help documentation finished and ready for users first. It is true that the website doesn't have a lot promotional images, but give me some time and I'll certainly get some pretty promotional photos on there.
You may have also misinterpreted the purpose of the photos on the website. At this stage of the game, the photos are not promotional, but rather instructional in nature.
In that regard, I have to gently and respectfully disagree with your "not one single decent photo" comment. From an instructional standpoint, the photos are very useful and helpful. You've looked at the website and explored some of the PDF's. Can you name one other mesh avatar maker that provides as much illustrated instructional information than I do?
"wireframe is identical"
Along with your comments, you included an image of the website banner. First, some background: the Viva website, along with several PDF's tutorials, contains dozens of pages of illustrations and information for Viva users. I tried to concentrate my efforts on providing really good help information. That was my emphasis. I needed some sort of banner to go along, and I quickly threw something together, grabbing a generic wireframe out of Blender. It was never my intention for the banner to serve as an accurate representation the wireframe of the Viva avatar. When I get time, I re-look at the banner, but it will have suffice for the time being.
"body and head look awfully lot like SL default avatar"
I understand that you were doing a quick review based on the website, but if you have a chance, check out the free version or try one of the demos. I think you find that there's a clear difference between the Viva body and the default avatar.
But I have something even better for you - or anyone that is interested. You can go right to the Blender source file. You'll find a link for it on the "Creator's Kit" page on the Viva website. You don't have to go through an application process to have access to the Blender file. It's there, free for anyone to view it. Take a look, and I think you'll find that it has some distinctive areas of topology, unlike any other mesh avatar in Second Life.
I know you may be pressed for time, so I'm also including images of the wireframes of the Body and Bento head. The Bento head comes with the Level 3 version. You'll see there's no comparison with the default avatar.
I know you didn't intend this in your comments, but I would never take the default avatar - or copy anyone's mesh avatar - and try to pan it off as my own. That is an anathema to me. Viva is an original work, the result of nearly three years of painstaking work - and it's my hope that she can be source of enjoyment to some.
Thanks for having a look at Viva, and I hope the above answers your questions.