Runner Up!: Demo #3

13Apr/100

It's like a super adorable Memento

Why it didn't win:
Cool concept but lacks a complete story
The dude's invasive craziness is somehow mistaken for romance.
Marlo's story could have been meatier.

I missed the first go around of Demo Vol 1. Now, Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan are returning to publish their second volume of six brand new issues. I decided to avoid the jeers and hatred of Demo fans this time and started reading from the first issue. Issues 1 and 2 did not “WOW!” me. I wanted “WOW!”. I was expecting “WOW!”. That's probably not fair to the book, expecting “WOW!” from it, but so many fans of the first volume had implied “WOW!” would be included in Demo.

The lack of “WOW!” aside, Demo #3 is still my runner up for this week, so how'dey'do'dat? Well, since this is the week of good issues fixing mediocre comics (check out my previous review of Doom Patrol) Demo #3 is continuing that very trend.

The most obvious thing to talk about for Demo: the art. Becky Cloonan's manga inspired art style makes this series feel like nothing else all on its own . And when I say “manga inspired” I mean the real deal stuff. Bold black lines dashed with purpose across white paper. Intricate backgrounds. Small moments taking up big panels. This isn't just hastily drawn exaggerated characters with big eyes, this is craft.

Respeckt th' craft.

As for Brain Wood's writing, this issue is a pretty big departure for his normal fair. His work on DMZ is super cynical and bleak while this issue is pretty dang cutesy and about <3<3<3 BOYS <3<3<3 (at least it is by the end). Which is my biggest qualm with this issue. Main character Marlo, has this compulsion to leave sticky notes everywhere during her morning routine, reminding her what she needs to do. She has notes reminding her to wake up, where to find her bus, she even has notes on the bus itself and along her walk to her job. This is the interesting stuff I really dug about this issue. But then some romantic interest muscles his way into her life in the creepiest way possible.

Yup, he starts leaving his own notes.

Well, I suppose there are creepier things he could have been doing. Maybe we can just assume he was doing those as well while stalking Marlo during her morning commute. Yucko.

At first, the notes appear along her walk to the bus stop, which is fine. Creepy, but fine. Then the dude breaks into her dang house and leaves a note. How is this charming? Ironically the note he leaves says “What to trust me?”

Anyway, without spoiling this comic further I'll just say the issue ends without much of a conclusion. This is a problem I've felt with all the Demo issues, so I guess the lack of a conclusion is something I can look forward to for the rest of this series. This makes me feel like these issues are more writing exercises by Wood instead of actual, produced entertainment. It's nice to be able to read these exercises but maybe he could have used these ideas and themes for a more complete narrative later on?

Or am I just being too picky and should just enjoy the ride? Probably.

Either way, Becky Cloonan's art alone is worth the price of this issue. So pony up those three buckos.