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BLOOD OF THE DEMON # 1

By Koppy McFad & Leroy Douresseaux
Apr 11, 2005 - 20:31

BLOOD OF THE DEMON # 1

Byrne takes a shot at reviving the Demon, Etrigan. Reportedly he will return the character to his roots established in Jack Kirby's short-lived series in the 1970s. In the first issue however, Byrne seems to be trying new things. Etrigan barely shows his yellow face until the last page and most of the story is devoted to Jason Blood and his struggles against a mysterious warlock with plans for Etrigan. But don't expect a tale with too many flashbacks and deconstructed storytelling. Byrne and co. bring a lot of action early on to ensure that this first issue sets a tone for menace and action. The art tells the story well even though it has been darkened somewhat in an apparent attempt to make the comic seem more frightening. In fact the creative team appear to be trying to show that they can be as graphic and brutal as Ennis or Millar. A scene of Jason hitting his enemies with a severed head is intended to be shocking but actually come off as a little comedic. Perhaps Byrne and company shouldn't stray too far from what they know best.

BLOOD OF THE DEMON # 1

BLOOD OF THE DEMON #1
DC COMICS
WRITERS: John Byrne and Will Pfeifer
PENCILS: John Byrne
INKS: Nekros
COVER: John Byrne
32 pp., color, $2.50

John Byrne’s latest stab at reviving a Jack Kirby creation is BLOOD OF THE DEMON, featuring Kirby’s popular demon, Etrigan, whom Merlin cursed into being the man, Jason Blood. So many comics creators have played with Jason Blood and Etrigan that it’s confusing to know where one begins and the other ends, but Byrne promises to do keep the characters true to their Kirby origins – whatever that means. Simply put, I’d like a really good comic book, and the early indicators are that if I make myself believe that pigs can fly, I will also think that this is a really good comic.

Byrne plots while popular new DC writer Will Pfeifer scripts the series. I don’t know what Pfeifer is supposed to add because issue one reads as if Byrne scripted it himself. The tale, which pits Etrigan and Blood against a “demony” (not really demonic) looking fellow who wants Etrigan for some unknown, but certainly, nefarious purpose, is mildly entertaining, much in the way that strip of paper in a fortune cookie can bring a smile to your face. Unless Byrne is going to do something special with this character, which he is certainly capable of doing, then the book is just one more thing to be ignored in a crowded market.

The art is no better or worse than anything else Byrne is currently drawing. The inker, someone named Nekros, doesn’t improve upon Byrne and actually misfires on some pages. There’s some energy in the fight pages, so the hope in this is that Byrne more or less turns this into The Demon wrestling comic with lots of monsters, which will make it fun to read. I may keep buying this because I generally buy Byrne comic books, but anyone who isn’t a fan of The Demon or Byrne can keep his money. C+

Last Updated: May 16, 2012 - 6:56
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