Still on the Shelf #82 - Demo
by special guest Brandon Schatz

Okay, kids, the first step, is to breathe into a paper bag. It'll stop you from hyperventilating now that you've realized that Craig "Hero to the Indy Comics" Reade is not on his column duty again this week, and the only way I can tell you why, is if you stop freaking out. You calm down yet? No? Well, I don't have time to wait. Obviously, I've nearly blown this deadline (surprise!) and I got a comic to tell you about.

And for future reference, you can find Craig in the meat-locker behind Floyd's Barber Shop down in Mayberry. Don't tell sheriff Taylor.

Demo

You know the drill kiddies. I pick a comic you should be reading, and spend the better part of a column going over the its merits and its faults, and then afterwards, we all go out for a few beers, and if we're all lucky, a little action. Such is the power of a comic geek, drunk of his nut and high off of rambling of Indy comics. So, let's get things rolling, shall we?

Demo is the poison of choice for this round, and like all of the titles I have enjoyed to the point that it’s the first thing I read when it comes to the comic shop... its ending with its twelfth issue, coming out this Wednesday. Bad, right? Well, normally, yes, an ending at issue twelve is painfully tragic. However, this time around, its reason to applaud.

It all started about a year-and-a-half ago(ish) when series author and co-creator Brian Wood was "fired" from writing Marvel's NYX title before it had a chance to even be solictied. He was none too impressed with the way Marvel had handled the pitch he had put forth, and so he decided to wash his hands clean of the big publisher and move on. To what project, was unclear, but to something else, for sure.

After this departure, a mix of catalysts put Wood on the scent of Demo. One of these catalysts, was Warren Ellis' Global Frequency, a series of self contained stories, told in a 12 issue mini-series to which Brian Wood provided the covers. After getting the basic idea and storyline to each issue to build a cover off of, Wood thought it would be neat to put together a series of one-shot stories himself. The format of Demo was born.

After that point, Wood began to gather his thoughts. He came up with 12 issues that took little slices of young people struggling through life, and contacted soon-to-be- series artist Becky Cloonan and comic book publisher AiT/PlanetLar. The rest, as they say, is history, as in November of last year, the series began.

Since that time, NYX has had only 5 issues come out, and an artist change, and Demo is nearing its twelfth and final issue. This, kids, is called karma.

The Book


Like you've probably deduced from above, Demo is a twelve issue mini series, and no more than that. Both Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan have set out to tell 12 good, original stories, Becky's art style changing in each one, and they are doing just that. They aren't going to dilute the project by adding more issues or anything of that ilk. They do have their convictions, after all, and I, for one, commend them on this decision. Each issue of Demo has been like opening a Christmas present on Christmas day (secret subliminal message there: Demo makes a good Christmas present!), rife with surprise and glee. And unlike getting that box with (shudder) clothes in it instead of toys, Demo always delivers an entertaining tale.

Here are some of the highlights of the series from my point of view.

Issue 01 – NYC

Generally, the first issue will make or break a series. This is especially true in the Indy circles, as if the first issue sucks, orders aren't generally very stellar in the first place, and the second issue will flounder profusely. So, issue one has to be amazing and awe inspiring, and in this case, it was.

The story, entitled NYC, begins with some words that X-Men readers would be very familiar with. If you will indulge me:

"You know, like that you have something special, an ability or physical trait of some kind that sets you apart from everyone else? But, like, you don't wanna tell anyone, in case your family and the rest of society gets freaked out and treats you weird, all prejudiced and sh**?"

Now, granted, an X-Men will probably never say the "sh-word", but the general idea is still there. The first words in Demo #1 are reminiscent of the introductory question to the X-Men, and so right off the bat, on page one, you expect a certain story.

Just like that, Brian Wood has sucked you into a false pretence.

Through out the following story, the story of a young girl with powers is presented, which goes nicely along with her speech at the beginning. However, in the end, we learn that she isn't referring to her innate abilities, but really, she's referring to anyone trying to grow up in the world and survive. Artist Becky Cloonan vicariously illustrates this point by literally shattering an entire page of the comic book. There is no other way to describe that page. It's truly a site to behold.

Issue 05 – Girl You Want

This issue revolves around a girl whose appearances change based on how others want to see her, and how she falls in love with the one person who sees her for who she really is.

The story telling here is really ingenious, as Wood takes the reader through the obvious emotions that one would feel if someone took the time and didn't try to make you out to be someone you aren't. This feeling is naturally amplified by the girls powers, and the twist at the end of the issue is more than worth the price of admission.

Issue 06 – What You Wish For

In what is by far the creepiest issue of Demo to date, a tale of a boy who returns to his old hometown is played out.

Now as a boy, the town didn't much are for him because of his ethnic origin. They even go so far as to "accidentally" killing his pet dog. And that's when things get hairy, and the boy gives the town an experience they won't soon forget.

Flash forward a few years, and the man is back in town with his new wife, remembering what he did. The story is chilling and thought provoking, taking themes of hatred and turning them into something to learn from and grow off of.

Both this story and issue #5 have sold out of their initial print runs, and second printings are on their way and should be check out post hast.

Issue 08 – Mixtape

This issue, is by far my favorite, but I chalk that up to my estrogen soaked testosterone. Not to say that you won't enjoy this tale, no. It's just that this particular issue is directed more towards the female audience, even down to Cloonan's "art style of the month" approach, give more of a "manga" feel to the art here, and... I know, you can't count the generalizations in this sentence on your fingers and toes, but let's face it. There is a larger quantity of young girls reading manga then thee are any other group (in North America, anyway), and most of the people who venture onto this site are males.

However, like I said before, this issue is my favorite, and for good reason. Nick's girlfriend Jess has just killed herself, and left him a mix tape as an explanation. When Nick starts listening to the tape, he sees his ex-girlfriend. They begin to spend their last moments together, trying to figure out what had happened to the two of them, and end up exploring a plethora of emotions and progressions, before... uh oh... the tape has ended.

It's a story about having to say good-bye and letting go of people and things that you'd never ever want to let go of, and it's made more ambitious by the fact that you are left with many questions at the end, the least of which being... who really had the power in this case? Did Jess come alive once again through the tape, or was Nick the one trying to deal with his girlfriend's death?

It'll make you think, and it'll make you feel. It's the best kind of story.


And The Rest...

Naturally, if I listed everything I liked about every issue here, this little column would be running an access of 12+ pages, and while I would love to continue preaching the grandure of Demo to you until the cows come home, as always, it is best if you experience the comic for yourself.

Issue #12 is coming out this Wednesday. If you see it in your shop, pick it up. It includes the final story, as well as a back-up in which the artist and writer exchange rolls, Becky Cloonan writing, and Brian Wood illustrating. It should be a treat.

And if you like that issue, or would like to try any of the others, ask your comic shop guy to re-order them. They won't be in trade any time soon (what's the point? They are just 12 good mini-graphic novels after all...), and AiT/PlanetLar will be keeping them in print for ages to come (they're that good).

Credit Where Credit is Due
Demo is
Written by Brian Wood, with
Art and Covers by Becky Cloonan,
Lettered by Ryan Yount
Published by Larry Young and Mimi Rosenheim – AiT/PlanetLar