Comics
Review: Kirkman, Silvestri’s DEMONIC Is One Hell Of A Good Read
Robert Kirkman’s (“WALKING DEAD”, “MARVEL ZOMBIES”) newest installment into Top Cow’s “PILOT SEASON” has been plagued with release date issues, being pushed back twice in the span of one month alone. It was getting so bad that it left readers wondering if the story was even going to happen at all, and if it did then the next question became whether or not it was going to be the comic equivalent of the forthcoming “WOLFMAN” remake and get pushed from this month entirely. But thankfully all is well, and for whatever creative or political reasoning that kept “DEMONIC” from readers hands for the past couple weeks, allow me to be the one to
assure you that it was not to ill effect. Read on for the full review.
“DEMONIC” is at it’s heart the story of a man (Scott) who is fighting off his own inner demon. In this case a completely naked, hot pink, witch of a specter that wants just one thing: for Scott to kill his wife and daughter. It will not subside from his vision until it is fed souls, and that leaves Scott few options. And so is Scott’s plight as he is forced into vigilantism as the cloaked crusader the police call, Demonic.
Being that this is a potential one-and-done story, Kirkman does all he can to pack as much action, blood, gore, character introduction, and relationship development as he can into the 32 pages he has to work with. No easy task for any writer, and if it weren’t for the fact that he is such a seasoned vet to the genre now he might have failed. But there is a steady hand at work here, and after all is said and done you wouldn’t be able to tell you had read just one intro issue to a potentially dead story. We are introduced to all the major players in Scott’s world, his wife, his child, the demon haunting his mind, and the police that struggle with the irritation of not being able to stop the murderous crusader who has slaughtered many of their brothers in arms. There is a heavy emotional weight packed into these pages, that of a man that might potentially be dealing not with a supernatural entity, but that of his own psychosis as it begs the question: does the devil
want his family dead or is it himself?
There are no definitive answers in this issue, just the questions that are planted in the backs of our minds as we race headlong into the story, spiraling to the finale at break-neck speed with our anti-hero. The feel of raw, untapped, barely explored potential seeps from every line of the story that Kirkman and Silvestri have laid in our hands. One that begs to be explored further. The story itself borrows somewhat from its predecessors like “SPAWN”, but it does what it sets out to do with the stigma of “PILOT SEASON” hanging over its head, and it does so admirably. You buy into the story almost from the start, and thanks to Silvestri’s superior artwork you feel it as well. There isn’t much that doesn’t work in this one. The only real fault you could hand it is that it seems to rush through things a bit, only giving a taste of everything it shows you. But unfortunately that is all it can do.
When all is done and read “PILOT SEASON: DEMONIC” is a well written, well drawn, well executed piece that borders on potential greatness. There is so much going on that it even seems to trip on its own restraints at times, but at the end of the day the creative team that brought the equally good “MURDERER” into the world have once again created a near perfect read. And at just $2.99 this is one ride you most certainly need to buy a ticket for. I guarantee you’ll find something to like.
4 Out Of 5 Skulls
Comics
‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]
From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.
You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.
In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.
“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”
The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.
Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”
Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*
Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”
Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!
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