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Demon #3
Demon, Volume 3
With his demon powers, nothing is denied Jimmy Yee. Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll that's just for amateurs. He s experienced every earthly pleasure known to man, and even invented a few of his own. Confident that he and his daughter Sweetpea have outlived all of the their enemies, Jimmy spends his day reveling in his immortality. But after 250 years, immortality is getting a little dull.
Jimmy's bacchanal lifestyle is about to get a shake up. The OSS is back and ready for a showdown, and this no-holds-barred battle promises to be Jimmy's most violent and raunchy one yet.
From the brilliant and profane mind of Jason Shiga comes Demon: a four-volume graphic novel epic about the unspeakable chaos that one indestructible man can unleash on the world and the astronomical body count he leaves behind.
"
Jimmy's bacchanal lifestyle is about to get a shake up. The OSS is back and ready for a showdown, and this no-holds-barred battle promises to be Jimmy's most violent and raunchy one yet.
From the brilliant and profane mind of Jason Shiga comes Demon: a four-volume graphic novel epic about the unspeakable chaos that one indestructible man can unleash on the world and the astronomical body count he leaves behind.
"
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2017
3 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Jason Shiga
21 books157 followersJason Shiga is an award-winning Asian American cartoonist from Oakland, California. Mr. Shiga's comics are known for their intricate, often "interactive" plots and occasionally random, unexpected violence. A mathematics major from the University of California at Berkeley, Mr. Shiga shares his love of logic and problem solving with his readers through puzzles, mysteries and unconventional narrative techniques.
Jason Shiga's life has been shrouded in mystery and speculation. According to his book jacket, he was a reclusive math genius who had died on the verge of his greatest discovery in June 1967. However, upon winning a 2003 Eisner award for talent deserving of wider recognition, a man claiming to be Jason Shiga appeared in front of an audience alive and well only to tell them that he had been living on an island in the South China Seas for the past 40 years. The man who accepted his award was Chris Brandt (also known as F.C. Brandt), who had disguised himself as Jason Shiga, and accepted the award at the behest of Jason's publisher (Dylan Williams of Sparkplug Comic Books) and Jason himself.
At the age of 12, Shiga was the 7th highest ranked child go player in Oakland.[citation needed]
Jason Shiga makes a cameo appearance in the Derek Kirk Kim comic, "Ungrateful Appreciation" as a Rubik's Cube-solving nerd. Shiga is credited as the "Maze Specialist" for Issue 18 (Winter 2005/2006) of the literary journal McSweeney's Quarterly, which features a solved maze on the front cover and a (slightly different) unsolved maze on the back. The title page of each story in the journal is headed by a maze segment labeled with numbers leading to the first pages of other stories.
Jason Shiga's father, Seiji Shiga, was an animator who worked on the 1964 Rankin-Bass production Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Jason Shiga's life has been shrouded in mystery and speculation. According to his book jacket, he was a reclusive math genius who had died on the verge of his greatest discovery in June 1967. However, upon winning a 2003 Eisner award for talent deserving of wider recognition, a man claiming to be Jason Shiga appeared in front of an audience alive and well only to tell them that he had been living on an island in the South China Seas for the past 40 years. The man who accepted his award was Chris Brandt (also known as F.C. Brandt), who had disguised himself as Jason Shiga, and accepted the award at the behest of Jason's publisher (Dylan Williams of Sparkplug Comic Books) and Jason himself.
At the age of 12, Shiga was the 7th highest ranked child go player in Oakland.[citation needed]
Jason Shiga makes a cameo appearance in the Derek Kirk Kim comic, "Ungrateful Appreciation" as a Rubik's Cube-solving nerd. Shiga is credited as the "Maze Specialist" for Issue 18 (Winter 2005/2006) of the literary journal McSweeney's Quarterly, which features a solved maze on the front cover and a (slightly different) unsolved maze on the back. The title page of each story in the journal is headed by a maze segment labeled with numbers leading to the first pages of other stories.
Jason Shiga's father, Seiji Shiga, was an animator who worked on the 1964 Rankin-Bass production Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 20, 2017
While I’ve enjoyed Jason Shiga’s exemplary Demon enormously, Volume 3 is unfortunately the weakest book in the series so far. Which isn’t to say it’s bad but it feels a bit like filler, and repetitive filler at that, as it’s largely similar to the last volume.
Jimmy and Sweetpea now practically have eternal life but doing whatever they want has left them jaded and bored. And, though Shiga continues to imaginatively explore the demon powers, it’s pretty uninteresting to read these two putter about aimlessly for the first half of the book - the absence of a plot is keenly felt. Jimmy reaches out to Gellman, one of the original demons, but it’s not that great to read a ton of exposition on the demon experiments.
Thankfully things pick up once Hunter re-emerges and suddenly we have the cat and mouse story between Hunter and Jimmy once again. Shiga creates one of the funniest, most original chase sequences I’ve ever seen which is definitely the best part of the book. Hunter’s elaborate traps for Jimmy and Sweetpea remain amusingly absurd but read more than a little like maths problems which took me out of the story.
Shiga ends things by placing Jimmy in an intriguing dilemma for the start of the fourth and final volume which I look forward to reading but this third book was disappointingly weak and felt largely unnecessary.
Jimmy and Sweetpea now practically have eternal life but doing whatever they want has left them jaded and bored. And, though Shiga continues to imaginatively explore the demon powers, it’s pretty uninteresting to read these two putter about aimlessly for the first half of the book - the absence of a plot is keenly felt. Jimmy reaches out to Gellman, one of the original demons, but it’s not that great to read a ton of exposition on the demon experiments.
Thankfully things pick up once Hunter re-emerges and suddenly we have the cat and mouse story between Hunter and Jimmy once again. Shiga creates one of the funniest, most original chase sequences I’ve ever seen which is definitely the best part of the book. Hunter’s elaborate traps for Jimmy and Sweetpea remain amusingly absurd but read more than a little like maths problems which took me out of the story.
Shiga ends things by placing Jimmy in an intriguing dilemma for the start of the fourth and final volume which I look forward to reading but this third book was disappointingly weak and felt largely unnecessary.
September 8, 2017
Do you want to live forever? Jimmy Yee has lived over 250 years, thanks to a complicated relationship with demons. If he “dies,” he inhabits the body of the nearest person to him. The two words “brilliant” and “profane” are sometimes associated with (usually male, but not exclusively male!) authors (Charles Bukowski comes to mind as one), but here it is applied often to Shiga with respect to his most ambitious work. This one again involves various bodily fluids in funny but almost predictable ways, and a lot of silly violent action. There’s a funny scene with Hunter, a chase scene that is pretty original!
So, Jimmy (and Sweetpea, too) would seem to be living eternally, but are bored with this now, which provides a kind of set-up for the final volume four, I suspect. Can they get out of this situation? The body count increases in an “oh! No!” Mr. Bill kinda way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRJE2...
Slapstick comedy with demons.
I will definitely read the last volume to see how it all turns out.
So, Jimmy (and Sweetpea, too) would seem to be living eternally, but are bored with this now, which provides a kind of set-up for the final volume four, I suspect. Can they get out of this situation? The body count increases in an “oh! No!” Mr. Bill kinda way:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRJE2...
Slapstick comedy with demons.
I will definitely read the last volume to see how it all turns out.
first-second-publications
July 18, 2017This is the third book in the grotesque and wonderful Demon series, Demon Volume 3 by Jason Shiga. Reminder: Jason’s four-volume epic is NOT for kids. SERIOUSLY.
Demon follows Jimmy Yee, a man who cannot die, no matter how hard he tries. Although he’s seemingly immortal, Jimmy’s real super power is his brain. He’s a highly analytical mathematical genius, and he has no qualms about leaving a massive bodycount behind as he attempts to unravel this bizarre this mystery.
Demon follows Jimmy Yee, a man who cannot die, no matter how hard he tries. Although he’s seemingly immortal, Jimmy’s real super power is his brain. He’s a highly analytical mathematical genius, and he has no qualms about leaving a massive bodycount behind as he attempts to unravel this bizarre this mystery.
October 23, 2017
Now I want to read volume four!
This series continues to impress. I'm keen to see where this is all going. Jason Shiga has done a marvelous job of thinking through all of the ramifications of a simple idea: a Demon is a person who, upon dying, can immediately pass their consciousness into the nearest body. Being utterly self-interested, his hero has no problem causing death on a mass scale to get what he wants. Shiga's gentle drawing style belies the hair-raising subject matter. In particular, there's a chase scene in this book with one Demon trying to escape from another that's so far over the top it's brilliant. Highly recommended!
This series continues to impress. I'm keen to see where this is all going. Jason Shiga has done a marvelous job of thinking through all of the ramifications of a simple idea: a Demon is a person who, upon dying, can immediately pass their consciousness into the nearest body. Being utterly self-interested, his hero has no problem causing death on a mass scale to get what he wants. Shiga's gentle drawing style belies the hair-raising subject matter. In particular, there's a chase scene in this book with one Demon trying to escape from another that's so far over the top it's brilliant. Highly recommended!
January 11, 2019
This is the first volume of this series to get off to a poor start as Shiga spends half the book building on his mythology and having immortality wear on the main character with the passage of time. I was disappointed that Shiga did not seem to put much thought into the futuristic setting other than having really tall buildings.
Those tall buildings played a big role in the start of a long running battle/chase scene that consumed much of the rest of the book. I was a little put off at the start of that sequence due to what seemed some very loose play with the laws of physics and gravity, but Shiga pulled it together, injecting some of his patented craziness (and liberal dollops of sperm) to recapture the anything goes spirit of the earlier volumes. And that ending! I'm sooooo looking forward to the conclusion in the next volume.
Those tall buildings played a big role in the start of a long running battle/chase scene that consumed much of the rest of the book. I was a little put off at the start of that sequence due to what seemed some very loose play with the laws of physics and gravity, but Shiga pulled it together, injecting some of his patented craziness (and liberal dollops of sperm) to recapture the anything goes spirit of the earlier volumes. And that ending! I'm sooooo looking forward to the conclusion in the next volume.
February 20, 2018
I think this concept is running out of steam. However, it did present the important warning that if you spend a couple centuries devoted to hedonism and don't keep up your math skills, things may not go so well when your enemies turn out to be immortal as well. Stay in school, kids! And don't be lured into strangers' offices by the promise of implausibly cheap high grade cocaine.
May 1, 2018
Flash forward a couple of centuries. Jimmy and Sweetpea are just trying to stave off the boredom of eternity at this point: shagging movie stars, writing naughty words on the moon, and sexually assaulting boy bands. Human lives and dignity are utterly expendable to that end.
But an unexpected enemy reappears and things get all raunchy and puzzletastic once more.
That new-car smell has faded somewhat but Shiga manages to keep Demon exciting and outrageous for one more volume.
Plot points:
But an unexpected enemy reappears and things get all raunchy and puzzletastic once more.
That new-car smell has faded somewhat but Shiga manages to keep Demon exciting and outrageous for one more volume.
Plot points:
May 9, 2018
After almost three hundred years, Jimmy has done and seen it all. Won the Super Bowl. Bedded famous actresses. Died a multitude of times multiplied a million times over. But life is still meaningless. Well, to him, a lot of things are meaningless except for his daughter, Sweetpea.
** Spoilers below **
The third volume of Demon is the weakest, punctuated with no plot or story for the first half, until Jimmy makes contact with the evil scientist, Hellman, who adds in some details about the secret work he had been doing centuries ago with the scientist who created Project Azazel. When the pair finally meet, Hellman offs himself right in front of Jimmy, one of the rare instances Jimmy is caught by surprise.
Then, another surprise is in store for Jimmy, the misanthrope we all love to hate, when Hunter makes an appearance, nearly three centuries later, looking no worse the wear.
Readers get nearly 30 pages of The Fast and the Furious action sequences but without the benefit of The Rock and Jason Statham's bromance antics to aid in the suspension of disbelief.
Sweetpea is back in the custody of the OSS and held in a secret fortress in Japan. The demonizer apparatus has been built. All the government needs is her blood to create an army of super soldiers and agents to fulfill Hunter's utopian dream of a world living in harmony and unity.
I actually find that more difficult to believe than that lame action sequence twenty pages ago.
Hunter tells Sweetpea her father is dead. No one is covering to save her. No one is decoding her secret messages she has posted to a forum except for the OSS analysts deciphering the code. She is on her own.
Or is she?
Jimmy is more asshole-y than usual in this volume or maybe that's just how I feel, in general, since this read like boring, insubstantial filler, culled from the previous two books.
There is less gore and head shots but it felt flat, stagnant, but that might be due to the fact that the story does not progress even with the appearance of Hellman, however brief it was, and Hunter, was wasted on an untimely death (for the former) and a lame chase scene (for the latter).
I'm not sure what to expect for Demon, Volume 4 but I've learned from past experience not to hope too much. Okay, maybe a little. That can't hurt.
** Spoilers below **
The third volume of Demon is the weakest, punctuated with no plot or story for the first half, until Jimmy makes contact with the evil scientist, Hellman, who adds in some details about the secret work he had been doing centuries ago with the scientist who created Project Azazel. When the pair finally meet, Hellman offs himself right in front of Jimmy, one of the rare instances Jimmy is caught by surprise.
Then, another surprise is in store for Jimmy, the misanthrope we all love to hate, when Hunter makes an appearance, nearly three centuries later, looking no worse the wear.
Readers get nearly 30 pages of The Fast and the Furious action sequences but without the benefit of The Rock and Jason Statham's bromance antics to aid in the suspension of disbelief.
Sweetpea is back in the custody of the OSS and held in a secret fortress in Japan. The demonizer apparatus has been built. All the government needs is her blood to create an army of super soldiers and agents to fulfill Hunter's utopian dream of a world living in harmony and unity.
I actually find that more difficult to believe than that lame action sequence twenty pages ago.
Hunter tells Sweetpea her father is dead. No one is covering to save her. No one is decoding her secret messages she has posted to a forum except for the OSS analysts deciphering the code. She is on her own.
Or is she?
Jimmy is more asshole-y than usual in this volume or maybe that's just how I feel, in general, since this read like boring, insubstantial filler, culled from the previous two books.
There is less gore and head shots but it felt flat, stagnant, but that might be due to the fact that the story does not progress even with the appearance of Hellman, however brief it was, and Hunter, was wasted on an untimely death (for the former) and a lame chase scene (for the latter).
I'm not sure what to expect for Demon, Volume 4 but I've learned from past experience not to hope too much. Okay, maybe a little. That can't hurt.
December 22, 2020
I acquired vol 3 on its release date (yesterday) despite becoming depressed as a result of re-reading the first 2 vols the day before. I could forgive and overlook the sometimes tiresome exposition in the first two volumes as being clunky story-telling because there was quite a story being told. This 3rd volume didn't have much story to tell, though, and i caught myself getting mentally snagged on what seem to be inconsistencies in the world Shiga has created. Maybe they're not inconsistent. Maybe they're just failures to consider the repercussions of Jimmy's actions. I think that's my main disappointment: because Jimmy doesn't ever stop to consider what he's doing or the consequences of his actions, Shiga proceeds with the story as if the entire world that Jimmy lives in would also never notice Jimmy's actions or their consequences.
Also, Hunter's plot to possess every world leader within a 10 second window just doesn't hold water. Not in theory. Not in execution. And certainly not over time.
Finally, Jimmy's big soliloquy about how bereft of meaning the world is clearly is as juvenile and vapid as it sounds. Poor, poor, infantile Jimmy thinks that nothing in the world has any value and, therefore, he is disappointed with all of the physical objects that he has possessed and is bored with all of the physical experiences that he has had. He's such a lamentably empty mind that he asks a child to tell him what could possibly give meaning to life.
Please, Jimmy, just kill yourself while standing right next to another demon. You're done with the world and the world has only suffered as a result of your existence. The blindly lustful clinging to life for no reason can end anytime you want it to.
Mr Shiga, i will read the 4th volume, but it's hard for me to believe that you'll find a way to redeem my time because, unlike Jimmy Yee, i actually believe that it's worth believing in the value of life for its own sake rather than sinking into the nihilism of absolute materialism. (note: the tortured syntax of "to believe it's worth believing in" is intentional)
My continuing saga of quibbles is in the spoilers section below.
Also, Hunter's plot to possess every world leader within a 10 second window just doesn't hold water. Not in theory. Not in execution. And certainly not over time.
Finally, Jimmy's big soliloquy about how bereft of meaning the world is clearly is as juvenile and vapid as it sounds. Poor, poor, infantile Jimmy thinks that nothing in the world has any value and, therefore, he is disappointed with all of the physical objects that he has possessed and is bored with all of the physical experiences that he has had. He's such a lamentably empty mind that he asks a child to tell him what could possibly give meaning to life.
Please, Jimmy, just kill yourself while standing right next to another demon. You're done with the world and the world has only suffered as a result of your existence. The blindly lustful clinging to life for no reason can end anytime you want it to.
Mr Shiga, i will read the 4th volume, but it's hard for me to believe that you'll find a way to redeem my time because, unlike Jimmy Yee, i actually believe that it's worth believing in the value of life for its own sake rather than sinking into the nihilism of absolute materialism. (note: the tortured syntax of "to believe it's worth believing in" is intentional)
My continuing saga of quibbles is in the spoilers section below.
September 7, 2016
What an ending! This is one crazy f-up story, and tons of surprises along the way. Again the amount of people that die here is ridiculous. I don't remember seeing something like this in any written work! That being said this is a very funny, hilarious book. There are some more slapstick laugh-out-loud moments that are really, really great!
Jason's panels keep getting better and better, communicating so much with so little. The part in the "void" (let's call it that) where it's all black is incredible. All panels are black or shades of black with Jimmy's thoughts as the only interposition. The timing and pace is perfect. And what follows (surprise! hahaha) is even better.
The way Jimmy masters the "possession weapon" continues to improve as if Jason had somehow... tried it himself?? It's just another point that proves in my mind that this is a really well thought-out story that grows with its characters. (Not that I needed that confirmation, I suppose.)
I recommend Demon to every human, inhuman or demonic creature alike.
Jason's panels keep getting better and better, communicating so much with so little. The part in the "void" (let's call it that) where it's all black is incredible. All panels are black or shades of black with Jimmy's thoughts as the only interposition. The timing and pace is perfect. And what follows (surprise! hahaha) is even better.
The way Jimmy masters the "possession weapon" continues to improve as if Jason had somehow... tried it himself?? It's just another point that proves in my mind that this is a really well thought-out story that grows with its characters. (Not that I needed that confirmation, I suppose.)
I recommend Demon to every human, inhuman or demonic creature alike.
August 18, 2017
This has gotten completely insane by this point. It's wild with violence and extremely off colour. To put it biblically there is fornication, sodomy and bestiality. But somehow the main character remains likeable and we can feel his frustration both with being continually hounded whilst getting restless from the fruitless longevity of his life. He's now done everything, been anyone he wanted and finds life endlessly monotonous. The plot takes quite a turn here which really upped the story. The reveal given at the end along with the frightening circumstances our hero is left in will make me certain to read the final volume coming out later this year.
November 8, 2022
You know ..... you don't think this series could any more complicated.
Wrong.
Nor do you thing it could get any more sick.
Wrong.
Jason Shiga is a sick weirdo ........ and I love it.
If you want a series that will push allllll the buttons, this one is for you!
Wrong.
Nor do you thing it could get any more sick.
Wrong.
Jason Shiga is a sick weirdo ........ and I love it.
If you want a series that will push allllll the buttons, this one is for you!
July 1, 2024
A bit of a step-down in quality from the first two volumes as the series gets a bit repetitive. Jimmy is now living it up as a demon after hundreds of years. It's pretty interesting to see how depraved he's become. The fight scenes are really fun, I enjoyed seeing him die and become someone else and continue the fight. Jason Shiga does an excellent job conveying the sense of movement.
March 16, 2017
Well that was unexpected! Seriously, I love how I can't predict what's coming next. This is some masterful storytelling - weird, violent, and amazing. A must read for graphic novel lovers.
May 9, 2018
The carnage and intrigue continues! I'm curious to see how this series plays out in the final (next) volume.
January 28, 2021
3.5/5.0
April 30, 2020
¿La vida tiene propósito?
Esta desenfrenada historia continua con las repugnantes locuras de un hombre que no puede morir. Es interesante como te hace cuestionar si la vida tendría significado si vivieras para siempre.
Al mismo tiempo, explora lo futiles que son nuestras metas una vez logramos alcanzarlas. Pero, para no hacerlo aburrido, explora todo esto a través de un protagonista moralmente cuestionable que te hará sentirte culpable si llegas a apreciarlo.
Esta desenfrenada historia continua con las repugnantes locuras de un hombre que no puede morir. Es interesante como te hace cuestionar si la vida tendría significado si vivieras para siempre.
Al mismo tiempo, explora lo futiles que son nuestras metas una vez logramos alcanzarlas. Pero, para no hacerlo aburrido, explora todo esto a través de un protagonista moralmente cuestionable que te hará sentirte culpable si llegas a apreciarlo.
February 27, 2017
This is definitely one of the odder graphic novel series' I've come across but the first two books really took my by surprise (read the review for Volume 1 here and the review for Volume 2 here). I've been completely sucked into this short-run series (four volumes) and was really delighted to see the third volume available.
And then I read it.
Remember, please, that I really liked the first two volumes, despite (or because of) its being extremely quirky and violent. But those first two volumes held secrets that were slowly being revealed to us and each page moved us forward, if only slowly. This volume comes across as a book intended to placate and hold the reader until the last volume, rather than actually giving us something new to look forward to.
My reaction, coming out of this volume was, "So..is Jason Shiga just trying to see how far he can push the reader's tolerance? Is he trying to turn me off?"
This book was one long, nasty chase sequence, filled with dead bodies, violence, bestiality, violence, homosexuality, and more violence.
Oh, yeah, there's some story here, but it didn't feel like there was anything new.
The last chapter in the volume does give us a little teaser - something to look forward to in the next volume. Part of my reaction to this being a 'filler'' volume comes with this last chapter, though. Twenty-plus pages and the art was nothing more than black panels and word balloons. Yes...you read that correctly.
Normally, I might think Shiga is being creatively brilliant, but after this book filled with extraneous chase scenes and dialog that felt redundant, the page after page after page of black panels felt more like a cop-out than something creative.
If this series was longer than four books, this volume would likely be my last. But if there truly is only one more volume, I'm interested in seeing how this wraps up.
Looking for a good book? Despite Volumes 1 & 2 being a worthwhile read, Demon Volume 3 by Jason Shiga, doesn't follow through with anything to keep the reader going.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
And then I read it.
Remember, please, that I really liked the first two volumes, despite (or because of) its being extremely quirky and violent. But those first two volumes held secrets that were slowly being revealed to us and each page moved us forward, if only slowly. This volume comes across as a book intended to placate and hold the reader until the last volume, rather than actually giving us something new to look forward to.
My reaction, coming out of this volume was, "So..is Jason Shiga just trying to see how far he can push the reader's tolerance? Is he trying to turn me off?"
This book was one long, nasty chase sequence, filled with dead bodies, violence, bestiality, violence, homosexuality, and more violence.
Oh, yeah, there's some story here, but it didn't feel like there was anything new.
The last chapter in the volume does give us a little teaser - something to look forward to in the next volume. Part of my reaction to this being a 'filler'' volume comes with this last chapter, though. Twenty-plus pages and the art was nothing more than black panels and word balloons. Yes...you read that correctly.
Normally, I might think Shiga is being creatively brilliant, but after this book filled with extraneous chase scenes and dialog that felt redundant, the page after page after page of black panels felt more like a cop-out than something creative.
If this series was longer than four books, this volume would likely be my last. But if there truly is only one more volume, I'm interested in seeing how this wraps up.
Looking for a good book? Despite Volumes 1 & 2 being a worthwhile read, Demon Volume 3 by Jason Shiga, doesn't follow through with anything to keep the reader going.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2018
Ehhh... Shiga's Demon series has run out of steam for me. It was a fun premise, but it really did not require this many books. Vol 3 does nothing interesting and the splatterpunk thing is getting old...
December 11, 2016
one of the most bananas graphic novels I've ever read
July 11, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...
The Demon, Vol. 3
The Demon Quartet #3
By Jason Shiga
ISBN: 9781626724549
Website: shigabooks.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Scott
Summary:
With his demon powers, nothing is denied Jimmy Yee. Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll that’s just for amateurs. He s experienced every earthly pleasure known to man, and even invented a few of his own. Confident that he and his daughter Sweetpea have outlived all of their enemies, Jimmy spends his day reveling in his immortality. But after 250 years, immortality is getting a little dull.
Jimmy’s bacchanal lifestyle is about to get a shake up. The OSS is back and ready for a showdown, and this no-holds-barred battle promises to be Jimmy’s most violent and raunchy one yet.
From the brilliant and profane mind of Jason Shiga comes Demon: a four-volume graphic novel epic about the unspeakable chaos that one indestructible man can unleash on the world and the astronomical body count he leaves behind. (Goodreads)
Review:
Set 100 Years after Book 2, The Demon Vol. 3 graphic novel sees Jimmy Lee and Sweetpea back at their shenanigans again resulting in a far more rollicking ride than ever before. With a plot more twisted and bizarre than the previous two installments. The Demon both has to be read in conjunction with Vols. 1-2 but also in its own right as while it doesn’t stand on its own, it certainly jumpstarts the series back to a more quiet beginning – only to be ramped up later in the graphic novel.
Dialogue-wise. The Demon Volume 3 is overall the same as the first two, although much more reflective and at times philosophical. 100 years hopping from body to body has taken its toll on the protagonists, and they start reminiscing on the journey that has led them to this point. This isn’t to say that it packs any less of a punch (recall this series is not for children) but it isn’t until the end when a plot contrivance sends the protagonists down a brilliantly Body-strewn path, that sets things up for Vol 4.
Plot-wise, this is Shiga at his finest. A tight narrative is woven around seemingly sporadic violence that would find its way translated to the big (or small) screen. There are no wasted words or actions that would distract the reader from the overall experience. From Page 1, Shiga holds your attention and doesn’t let it go until the end. It’s an immersive experience that is difficult to achieve in the full-fledged novel format. Carrying the momentum forward would be difficult enough in the comic-sized format so it is quite remarkable that Shiga is able to do it over the course of three graphic novels.
The artwork suits the prose, paring it down to a no-frills experience – sparse – but full of the detail it needs. This no-nonsense, in-your-face palette is perfect for over-the-top ultraviolence that has become a hallmark of the series. If there were more detail, the pages would drip red with gore. In a small sense, this is a relief, as it allows Spiga to take the series wherever it tends to go. Keeping the artwork at the same “level” as the dialogue lends credibility to the work as a whole. During periods of introspection, the art focuses on the character wiping out the background. During its high-octane moments, the artist in Shiga pulls back rendering the scene as a whole. It’s quite the dichotomy that is pulled off wonderfully.
Finding an audience for the Demon is the dilemma, though. If you like your comics running the gamut from ultraviolence to introspective then this might be well worth a read. Without fail, past readers of the Demon Vols 1 &2 will find the transition into Vol. 3 to be easy and smooth. And although I highly recommend reading Volumes 1 and 2 first, volume 3 also marks an easy jumping on point for readers with a minimum amount of confusion.
The Demon, Vol. 3
The Demon Quartet #3
By Jason Shiga
ISBN: 9781626724549
Website: shigabooks.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Scott
Summary:
With his demon powers, nothing is denied Jimmy Yee. Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll that’s just for amateurs. He s experienced every earthly pleasure known to man, and even invented a few of his own. Confident that he and his daughter Sweetpea have outlived all of their enemies, Jimmy spends his day reveling in his immortality. But after 250 years, immortality is getting a little dull.
Jimmy’s bacchanal lifestyle is about to get a shake up. The OSS is back and ready for a showdown, and this no-holds-barred battle promises to be Jimmy’s most violent and raunchy one yet.
From the brilliant and profane mind of Jason Shiga comes Demon: a four-volume graphic novel epic about the unspeakable chaos that one indestructible man can unleash on the world and the astronomical body count he leaves behind. (Goodreads)
Review:
Set 100 Years after Book 2, The Demon Vol. 3 graphic novel sees Jimmy Lee and Sweetpea back at their shenanigans again resulting in a far more rollicking ride than ever before. With a plot more twisted and bizarre than the previous two installments. The Demon both has to be read in conjunction with Vols. 1-2 but also in its own right as while it doesn’t stand on its own, it certainly jumpstarts the series back to a more quiet beginning – only to be ramped up later in the graphic novel.
Dialogue-wise. The Demon Volume 3 is overall the same as the first two, although much more reflective and at times philosophical. 100 years hopping from body to body has taken its toll on the protagonists, and they start reminiscing on the journey that has led them to this point. This isn’t to say that it packs any less of a punch (recall this series is not for children) but it isn’t until the end when a plot contrivance sends the protagonists down a brilliantly Body-strewn path, that sets things up for Vol 4.
Plot-wise, this is Shiga at his finest. A tight narrative is woven around seemingly sporadic violence that would find its way translated to the big (or small) screen. There are no wasted words or actions that would distract the reader from the overall experience. From Page 1, Shiga holds your attention and doesn’t let it go until the end. It’s an immersive experience that is difficult to achieve in the full-fledged novel format. Carrying the momentum forward would be difficult enough in the comic-sized format so it is quite remarkable that Shiga is able to do it over the course of three graphic novels.
The artwork suits the prose, paring it down to a no-frills experience – sparse – but full of the detail it needs. This no-nonsense, in-your-face palette is perfect for over-the-top ultraviolence that has become a hallmark of the series. If there were more detail, the pages would drip red with gore. In a small sense, this is a relief, as it allows Spiga to take the series wherever it tends to go. Keeping the artwork at the same “level” as the dialogue lends credibility to the work as a whole. During periods of introspection, the art focuses on the character wiping out the background. During its high-octane moments, the artist in Shiga pulls back rendering the scene as a whole. It’s quite the dichotomy that is pulled off wonderfully.
Finding an audience for the Demon is the dilemma, though. If you like your comics running the gamut from ultraviolence to introspective then this might be well worth a read. Without fail, past readers of the Demon Vols 1 &2 will find the transition into Vol. 3 to be easy and smooth. And although I highly recommend reading Volumes 1 and 2 first, volume 3 also marks an easy jumping on point for readers with a minimum amount of confusion.
February 1, 2025
Demon by Jason Shiga continues to explore the life of the father-daughter duo of Jimmy and Sweetpea, two individuals blessed with the abilities of a "demon". That is to say, they possess the bodies of the nearest person to them at the time of death, effectively making them immortal. The powers were the result of a clandestine government agency, the OSS, who carried out experiments to develop this ability for their own vision of crafting super-soldiers. The previous volume showed the efforts undertaken by OSS Agent Hunter to capture Jimmy, but Jimmy navigates his way free of the OSS and burns the organization to the ground. The story jumps forward a century now, with Jimmy and Sweetpea having lived free lives this entire time.
With Demon, Volume 3 we follow Jimmy and Sweetpea living hedonistic and gluttonous lives, free from any consequences. Jimmy shows signs of having become a little weary of certain pleasures, but still more or less enjoys living a full life with his daughter. Curious about another known demon named Gellman, Jimmy begins to seek out a potential rival. But an old foe, long believed dead for a century now, re-emerges. This volume packs an exciting and imaginative action sequence between two demonized characters, and ends on yet another lurid cliffhanger.
A lot of reviewers have indicated this volume is a drop in quality for the series, but I personally enjoyed this one even more than the last one. With the exposition on the mechanics of the powers out of the way, Demon is free to explore the concept to batshit new levels, and Shiga gets there easily. Eager to read the last volume to see it how it all comes together.
With Demon, Volume 3 we follow Jimmy and Sweetpea living hedonistic and gluttonous lives, free from any consequences. Jimmy shows signs of having become a little weary of certain pleasures, but still more or less enjoys living a full life with his daughter. Curious about another known demon named Gellman, Jimmy begins to seek out a potential rival. But an old foe, long believed dead for a century now, re-emerges. This volume packs an exciting and imaginative action sequence between two demonized characters, and ends on yet another lurid cliffhanger.
A lot of reviewers have indicated this volume is a drop in quality for the series, but I personally enjoyed this one even more than the last one. With the exposition on the mechanics of the powers out of the way, Demon is free to explore the concept to batshit new levels, and Shiga gets there easily. Eager to read the last volume to see it how it all comes together.
April 28, 2019
After the somewhat surprising ending of the
second volume
, Jason Shiga picks up the story of Demon and adds some (loose) science fiction elements to his fantasy thriller, while maintaining the liberal dose of black, absurdist humour which underpins the work as a whole. Protagonist Jimmy Yee, the eponymous demon, able to possess a new body whenever his current one dies, is now living in the future, together with his daughter Sweetpea, who is also a demon. Their enemies in the O.S.S. (and the organisation itself) appear to have been victims of time. But Jimmy is starting to wonder what it is all about, and the temptation of finding the mysterious Gellman, who once upon a time started project Azazel, which seemingly created the strand of demons, is increasing.
But, as per usual with Shiga, all is not as it seems, and Jimmy and Sweetpea are in for some surprises of a few life times.
This is pure Shiga, and if you like the preceding volumes, chances are high that you will like this too. And if you have not read the earlier volumes, that is where you should start, if you want to read this ... but it is not for the faint of heart.
But, as per usual with Shiga, all is not as it seems, and Jimmy and Sweetpea are in for some surprises of a few life times.
This is pure Shiga, and if you like the preceding volumes, chances are high that you will like this too. And if you have not read the earlier volumes, that is where you should start, if you want to read this ... but it is not for the faint of heart.
December 13, 2017
This series is so much fun if you can handle the extreme nihilism. The main characters have absolutely no care for human life and will kill/possess them flippantly for brief amusement.
I had a date over the other night and they recognized that I was playing the soundtrack from Hotline Miami, an indie computer game that became a cult favorite a few years back. The soundtrack is fantastic but I never got past the first few levels. My datefriend explained that it's really not an action game, even though it's about constantly running around killing lots of people; "It's a puzzle game."
Similarly, Demon is a puzzle game akin to Hotline Miami, in comic book form. Its most interesting sections consist of elaborate mathematical problems for how this father and daughter can survive together. But at this point they're a couple hundred years old, everything is boring, and survival for them often involves lots of killing of normal humans.
The ending of this volume is great, and I'm excited to see how the series ends in Vol. 4 (assuming that really is the end).
I had a date over the other night and they recognized that I was playing the soundtrack from Hotline Miami, an indie computer game that became a cult favorite a few years back. The soundtrack is fantastic but I never got past the first few levels. My datefriend explained that it's really not an action game, even though it's about constantly running around killing lots of people; "It's a puzzle game."
Similarly, Demon is a puzzle game akin to Hotline Miami, in comic book form. Its most interesting sections consist of elaborate mathematical problems for how this father and daughter can survive together. But at this point they're a couple hundred years old, everything is boring, and survival for them often involves lots of killing of normal humans.
The ending of this volume is great, and I'm excited to see how the series ends in Vol. 4 (assuming that really is the end).
November 5, 2017
Oh that's just wrong, oh that's just plain awful. What kind of sick and twisted person would fine this humorous? Well, the answer to the question is clearly me, because man do I dig the way Jason Shiga challenges conventions I did not think were able to be challenged. If you are someone who is not easily offended and is willing to go with this concept this is a who hell a lot of fun. It is pure insanity from a mid-air fight that kept getting more and more absurd to a grown man fighting a baby. The reason why it works is because there is more than shock value here. Underneath all the taboo humor is an intelligent concept that is expertly crafted b Shiga. In each volume, he finds a new wrinkle to keep it fresh, and I'm somewhat disappointed there is only one volume left. It's been one fun ride sofar.
September 16, 2017
Jimmy and his daughter Sweetpea, both nearly immortal demons, realize they're being still being stalked by a government official from their past.
This volume was disappointing. The first third of the book is Jimmy being bored, complaining about life, and crushing happiness for a young child. The second third of the book is an extremely drawn-out chase scene. And the last third of the book bogs down in over-communication of the blocks being put in Jimmy's way if he were to come to the rescue of Sweetpea. I loved the first volume, liked the second volume, and gritted my teeth a bit through this one. I'll still read the fourth and last when it comes out because Jason Shiga has an extraordinary imagination and I want to see if he pulls off the landing.
This volume was disappointing. The first third of the book is Jimmy being bored, complaining about life, and crushing happiness for a young child. The second third of the book is an extremely drawn-out chase scene. And the last third of the book bogs down in over-communication of the blocks being put in Jimmy's way if he were to come to the rescue of Sweetpea. I loved the first volume, liked the second volume, and gritted my teeth a bit through this one. I'll still read the fourth and last when it comes out because Jason Shiga has an extraordinary imagination and I want to see if he pulls off the landing.
September 11, 2020
Well the story takes an unexpected turn. As our "hero" faces the fact that he may live forever he is faced with the fact that the long life no longer seems enjoyable.
Fun read just don't think about the ramifications too much. The main character has little about him that is redeeming other than the love he feels for his daughter.
Then again almost all the other characters in the story don't have much redeeming features as well so there is that.
Interesting way to end the story.
I still think you are looking for a graphic novel with a good story then this is not the book for you but the story is quite enjoyable.
Fun read just don't think about the ramifications too much. The main character has little about him that is redeeming other than the love he feels for his daughter.
Then again almost all the other characters in the story don't have much redeeming features as well so there is that.
Interesting way to end the story.
I still think you are looking for a graphic novel with a good story then this is not the book for you but the story is quite enjoyable.
August 17, 2017
After a life of everything you want that has gone on for 250 years, you start losing interest a bit. I think that is why Jimmy finds himself under siege again. But he is still protective of his daughter Sweetpea. In an epic battle with Hunter, it seems like Jimmy loses and Sweetpea is captured. There is a need for demon blood because the plan is to take over the leaders of 172 countries and unite the world. Doesn't this sound like a good thing? What could go wrong? I'm sure we will find out in Demon Volume 4.
July 30, 2017
At this point, it's difficult to review this without spoilers. I will say that there's a kickass chase sequence that takes up about one-quarter of the book and fully uses the series' premise. The conclusion (with black panels and narration) reminded me of Shiga's minicomic Fleep. At this point, I'm not really sure where the series is headed, and I'm not sure that's a good thing.
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