Comics: Demo #1

Demo Vol 2, #1
The first maxi-series titled Demo, brainchild of indy superstars Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan, was a fantastic collection of one shots, detailing the trials of "real life" characters having some sort of paranormal power. Basically, an indy take on mutants. And, for the most part, it was great. There were perhaps one or two issues that didn't really capture me the way the rest of the series did. Sadly, with the inaugural story of this second volume, this issue is one of those. Becky Cloonan's artwork is, as always, engaging and dynamic..but Wood's story hinges on the ending; the answer that the main character is seeking. Which, from the beginning, seemed obvious and, if I may, a bit "been there, done that".

And an argument might be made that it's not the destination, it's the journey. Not in this case, I'm afraid. It's a one-shot and therefore the story isn't really given any room to breathe. Joan's recurring nightmare, her increasing obsession over that nightmare, the fact that she's been up for 9 days straight. None of that is really FELT, it's just SAID. So, while this story is too quick to really get involved, it also would have been a shame to give it any more definition since the ending was obvious from the beginning.

However, I'm still very optimistic about the rest of the series, I just wish this issue had been placed somewhere in the middle of the series, as it wasn't the best one to start off with.

PopTards and Comic Panels: Joe The Barbarian Review

KEN-u-DIG-it Reviews:

Joe the Barbarian

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Sean Murphy

Colorist: Dave Stewart

Publisher: Vertigo (DC)

***Spoilers!!! Spoilers!!! Spoilers!!!*** Though, in my opinion, I’m not sure if anything is really a big reveal, but better to be safe!

Finally! Grant Morrison doing a Grant Morrison type story in a Grant Morrison type comic. “Joe the Barbarian” gets Morrison back doing what I like best about him. Taking characters that I don’t really know, and just messing shit up. So far it’s just the one issue, but already Joe (and the reader) is thrown into a new and confusing world. That means I’m on board.

The story starts off with a rather overused character; the outcast teen. But hey, it’s probably one of my favorites, so bonus points right off the bat. It’s your basic set-up issue. We learn a little bit about Joe’s life. Meet a possible supporting cast. Find out he can teleport himself into a fictional world made up of his toys. Wait… what?!?! This is where I know I’m reading Morrison. I’m confused already. In a good way, of course. Joe doesn’t seem to be too shocked that he’s magically whisked to another world, as if this isn’t quite new to him. Whether this is all real, or some sort of side effect, I’m not quite sure.

Joe could be passing out from what I’m guessing is diabetes, as his mom, earlier in the issue, reminds him to eat his candy, and at one point, Joe seems to be fumbling for an insulin pen. Or he could be a bit not all there in the head as we see him holding down a one sided conversation with his pet rat (mouse?). My initial thought was that of the movie, “The Butterfly Effect,” when the main character was able to time travel to certain parts in his life by reading his old journal entries. Joe had been in the middle of sketching, and after an initial jolt of teleportation, he tried to calm himself by writing a few words on a piece of paper to read. 

Either way, I’m very intrigued to see what the explanation is, and where it all leads. Especially with the 2-page spread near the end involving Joe’s come-to-life toys surrounding him. I geek-gasmed in my pants a little seeing favorites like Batman and Robin, Transformers, G.I.Joe, He-Man, Santa, and so many more. If only there was a lightsaber thrown in too, this would’ve been my childhood dream.

And of course, this spread couldn’t have been more perfectly done. That’s all thanks to artist, Sean Murphy. I remembered seeing his name on books before, but I know now, I’ll never forget his art again. I love your more “realistic” looking art of say, Jim Lee, David Finch, Ethan Van Sciver, but my heart belongs to the more stylistic of say, Gabriel Ba, Rob Guillory, Paul Duffield. Sean Murphy is now high on this list. And it works so well in this book. His depiction of Joe’s attic room alone deserves some kind of award. It’s a child’s dream! Rope ladder, bunk bed, hanging electric train set, and toys, toys, toys!

Also, I have to give colorist Dave Stewart much love on his drab, 70’s looking color spread. No matter what, when I see his name attached to a comic, I know I’m at least getting something good to look at.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for diehard Morrison fans, or just indie lovers in general. A good solid start off, with plenty of mysteries and questions.