Demi-God #1 Review

Demi-God #1

Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Andy Smith
Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
Letterer: Steve Dutro
Publisher: IDW Publishing

Review by Greg Brothers

Gods in a modern-day world is an idea that is as old as comics itself. The key to its success depends on how a creative team approaches the idea and tries to make it their own.

Demi-God #1 introduces us to Jason McAndros. A skinny slacker who works at a tourist trap restaurant in Time Square. Jason does not know that his life about to change. As he heads to work and crushes over one of his co-workers, events are set into motion that will bring about the power of a god to him.

From the moment that I opened the first page and read the first panel, I was not a fan of the god that appears. I was relieved when a few pages in it seemed as if the beginning of Demi-God #1 may have been a dream. Unfortunately, that nightmare did not end as we get to know Jason better. If the arrogant Demi-God was the only issue, I could have looked past that. But, as it turns out, Jason may be a bit of a stalker, as he makes sure he knows exactly when the object of his crush will be at work. The twist that takes place does nothing to make any of the characters more redeemable.

Here is where the problems with a first issue rear their ugly heads. All the things that I hate about Jason in this first issue could be part of a larger story. Somewhere down the road there could be some type of redemption story for both characters as they learn to use their powers for actual good. I can only hope that this is the plan Marz has for the series. But again, I can only review what I have in front of me with Demi-God #1.

The art is bright and engaging. Everything about it screams late-nineties excess. But for what ever reason it works. The characters match what you would expect based on their personalities, and they draw you in immediately. The variety of panels allows the reader to stay engaged.

Verdict: Wait and See.

It would be easy to write off this series based on the unlikable characters introduced in this first issue. However, the dialogue, art, and character interactions tell me that many of the concerns of Demi-God #1 will begin to be resolved in issue two.