Countdown to Countdown: Book 1

Countdown to Countdown #1

by Xiao Tong Kong, Velinxi

In the year 2044, “Demifloras” - humans that have developed incredible abilities - are hunted and mutilated by Spawncampers, who seek to sell their organs at exorbitant prices.

The story follows Iris Black, a Demiflora that possesses the ability to bring his drawings to life, and a denizen of a facility that seeks to protect Demifloras, as long as they suppress their power. Refusing to deny his ability to please his authoritarian mother, he discovers his golden cage was a gilded lie when he runs into a Demiflora from the outside.

With the help of the tower’s intruder Lillium White, Iris escapes to the outside world.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fantasy, Young Adult, Queer, LGBT, Graphic Novels Comics

216 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2023

About the author

Also credited as Velinxi

Reviews

[emilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

please take all of iris black’s suffering and give it to his mother

[Taylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

EEEEEE This didn't quite take nimona's first place on my favourite comics list, but it came real close!!!! I didn't vibe with all of the dialogue at the start, but it definitely got better, and everything else was so!!!! I love the concept, the worldbuilding, the characters (im officially in love with about half of them), the ART!! It's so cool I adored it
(4.5 stars)

[syd]

i read the original/draft series and while i do miss it, i love the changes kong made so much. truly one of my favorite web comics of all time

[agustina · Rating 5 out of 5]

esto es fabuloso que más queda por decir?

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never have I been as captivated by a webcomic-turned-graphic novel before. The premise of people being half-flower instead of half-monster is unique and captivating, and the dynamics between Iris and the Madam are stark and gut-wrenchingly horrifying. Even between Iris and Lillium, the character development they undergo together is amazingly well-written. And the art! Showstopping. A unique and clear stylistic adventure on every page. It is gorgeous, full stop. This graphic novel was a joy to read in physical form and well worth every penny. I can't wait to see the next translation from screen to page!

[Mariivdk · Rating 5 out of 5]

literally completely and utterly obsessed actually

[sandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

now i don’t normally like fantasy stuff but i cannot lie i’ve been locked tf in to this for the past week

[Jo Álvarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hay pocas cosas que ame más que esto. Me da rabia que lo he estado siguiendo desde 2022 y sentir que aún no suben suficiente contenido? Si. Pero el arte es tan bonito,la historia tan buena y le tengo tanto cariño a los personajes que todo está perdonado.
Iris black, te mereces al mundo y ojalá que tu mamá muera.

[Alexis Hubsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Character 4| Setting 5| Art 5| Plot 4| Enjoyability 5

Rating: 4.6

I've been following Velinxi on Insta for a while now, but I never realized Iris and Lillium were from a webcomic? I'd always see them in different AUs and they were so cute. I saw that they published some of it and picked this up!

Ah it was so good. I love all of the characters and the fantastic designs, Velinxi's art is fantastic, they are my favorite artist I follow and they deserve every amount they charge. It's beautiful!

Volume 1 already had me crying for all the travesty that was done to Iris and I hope he gets goodness and being comfortable. Poor sweet summer child.

Demiflora are also such an interesting concept too. I can't wait to explore some more.

[A. M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the webcomic back in the day and the artist changed /a lot/ about the story between both versions, which in an of itself isn't bad, it's just that I don't like this version as much as the old one. The webcomic had some interesting aspects to it that don't exist anymore in this version, and I think the new version has a lot of info dumps and a pacing that goes much too fast to establish lore and character arcs. Maybe I've also just grown up and become more aware of these things, who knows. The art is still stunning though!

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want this in print so bad it makes me look stupid

Update: I've ordered myself a physical copy

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was really sweet, and I loved the art style.

[Gaia · Rating 5 out of 5]

to finally be able to read this while holding it in my hands >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
i've been following ctc for years and my number 1 wish already way back when it was just starting was to have it as an actual physical book... i can't wait for the next volume

[Nesllogi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il·lustració epetacular que en cap moment baixa el nivell. Tant l'estil de dibuix, delineat com l'elecció de colors són peciosos. T'ho menjes com xuxeries.
El mateix puc dir de la història. Està estructurà de manera perfecta i plena el trallecte de tots els capítols que inclou aquest llibre -tot i curt- d'un ridme perfecte, una acció que no para, uns girs, unes revelacións, uns personatges... quins personatges! Soc una miqueta bàsic, però plena un forat al meu cor retallat amb la seua forma exacta. I avancen i actuen amb tanta naturalitat!

En una versió alternativa dels Estats units, la gent té poders lligats a la seua ascendència i classificats de manera adorables com flors. Presenta una sel·lecció molt variada de poders creatius molt ben integrats al món. el del protagonista me pareix massa fort com per a no temer per on acabarà anant la història en totes les possibilitats que té a l'arsenal. Amb tot, una addició molt creativa a laa història que te té agafat a la cadira amb curiositat de trobar més gent -o més flors-, descobrir quins poders tenen i veure de quines maneres enginyoses s'apliquen a aquest món i als conflictes que escriu.

Estic dessitjant que allibere els pròxims capítols.

[Fenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's only few web comics of such quality that I'm tempted to buy the books, but this is one.

In a weird future version of our world people have developed powers named after flowers. All lilies can hypnotise, all roses can speed up healing, but all "demiflora" are feared and hunted with the threat of regular people harvesting their organs to steal their powers. Our main character Iris, an adolescent seemingly the only one of his kind, lives in a tower where demiflora are protected and rehabilitated to live without using their powers. But Iris' powers call to him, even though his mother, the mistress of the tower, does everything prevent him. When a hunter breaks into this sanctuary, everything changes.

I love the drawing style, which is full colour, detailed, and emotional. The beginning of the story is a bit hard to read, because it features child abuse. Once past that I grew fond of the characters and invested in the world history and dilemmas. Unfortunately the story isn't complete, but I'll check in on the weekly updates periodically and look forward to the second book being published.

[wanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relire le début de l'histoire, m'a permit de me rendre compte que des indices concernant la suite ont été semés depuis le commencement. C'est aussi très intéressant de voir la différence de dynamique au début entre Iris et Lillium, et comment leur motivations sont bien différentes depuis le début. Il y a toujours les mêmes défauts concernant l'enchaînement de certaines actions et l'introduction de certains éléments du lore, notamment au niveau de l'explication des pouvoirs, qui reste assez flou et ne permettent pas vraiment de bien comprendre l'échelle des pouvoirs durant certains combat. Cependant, tout cela est contrebalancé par la patte graphique créative et expressive de l'auteur qui sait parfaitement utilisé les couleurs et les styles graphiques pour nous mettre au coeur du tumulte des émotions des personnages (la scène des cicatrices est toujours aussi éprouvante à revivre).

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting/fun read about how the human race split up in demifloras (people with powers and plant names) and normal humans. There are a lot of twists and turns, great character designs, awesome powers, and I am so curious on more background on the demifloras and see the past. The main character, Iris, wasn't always easy to love as he made some really dumb choices. Again, I could understand, he just came from a bad bad place (and so sad that so many don't know how bad it actually is) but to just trust everyone? No. Boy no.
I am curious how things will continue though given all that happened at the end! Who can they still trust?

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the near future, humans with strange powers are known as Demifloras, hunted for their organs - yet still Iris refuses to hide his abilities while living in the safety facility his mother runs, unaware that his gifts, used to aid a thief from the outside, could have deadly repercussions. Tong Kong begins an intriguing mystery heightened by its gorgeous artwork and unique fantastical elements, a definite hook for the webcomic genre. Who is this man from the outside, and what will his presence reveal about Iris' home?

[Aurelie 732 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coup de cœur ❤️
J'ai en réalité lu tout ce qui est dispo en ligne, et ça dépasse largement ce simple tome 1.
C'est assez marrant dit comme ça mais on est sur une réécriture de Raiponce : un jeune inventeur rêveur doté de pouvoirs extraordinaires vit reclus dans une tour sous la surveillance de sa mère, jusqu'à sa rencontre avec un jeune voleur qui le sort de son isolement et l'emmène découvrir le monde... et ses dangers.
Que dire ? Les dessins sont magnifiques, l'univers post-apo et le système de magie avec les demi-floras et leurs pouvoir basés sur des noms de fleurs sont très chouettes.
Et puis les personnages ❤️ c'est bien simple, je suivrais Iris au bout du monde, surtout pour le voir interagir avec Lillium. Leur alchimie est indéniable, leurs interactions adorables, ça ship très fort par ici 😍

[Nate Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking love reading this on hiveworks ONGOMGOMG I can’t wait for more to come o jt every few days I may even reread it while I wait idk but I love it and the art is so pretty!!!!

(SPOILERS: kinda hoping they become cannon Ngl I mean like if they’re cannon in the alt universe thingy in the book then they can be cannon on the normal one right? Right😀?)

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her art so much!! As a story I prefer DPS only but I would definitely like to keep reading as it updates.

I want to read her other webcomic as well which isn’t listed on Goodreads- Daughter of a Thousand Faces

[may · Rating 4 out of 5]

(i read the webcomic version up to the most recent update)

i liked the plot of this, but outside of iris i felt like the characters lacked depth. i like the themes of family betrayal and identity and the art was really pretty

[Yawen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I BEG FOR MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEST WEBCOMIC IN HISTORY!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH THE ART, THE PLOT, THE CHRACTER DEVELOPMENT, EVEN THE SIDE CHARACTERS ARE SO REAL AND DEEP AND I CAN'T, I BRINGED THE WHOLE THING IN 2 DAYS AND NOW I'M EMPTY ONLY THE NEXT CHAPTER CAN RESURRECT ME

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art in here is gorgeous and the world is really unique and incredible! I know the series is being published as a webcomic and I'm going to need to find it ASAP to see what happens next!

[Jaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

the art makes me want to rip my eyes out and buy a new pair just to experience it for the first time again.

[Nick Spooner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ink-redible comic! Rich in story building and character.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

los dibujos están hermosos y la historia esta muy interesante
i need moreeee

[sabrina! · Rating 5 out of 5]

why am i really invested in this like u don’t get it i’ll be seated for my weekly 2 page updates

[Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read everything that's been put out so far SO FAST. It's been awhile since I've liked a webcomic this much

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

SCRUMPTIOUS DELISH