Part of growing up is learning who you want to be, as is the case in Dark Horse Comics’ Touched by a Demon. The new four-issue series launches this week by Kristen Gudsnuk, who’s been putting out hits like Henchgirl for some years now. The series follows two fallen angels from Hell who have set up a life coaching operation on Earth. It’s a story about trying to be what you want in the face of those trying to tell you what you are, all while mucking about with human lives.
Gudsnuk’s artwork is endearing as heck, opening with an angel named Bifrons falling from Heaven. Bifrons chose to leave Heaven and points out that they had no idea how good they had it, since the concept of anything worse wasn’t available to them. Now on Earth, Bifrons launches a life coach company with his assistant, Zuzu, and a soul named Elaine. Given their backgrounds, you can assume they have little experience in this area, but damned if they won’t try.
Their first customer is a young girl named Wendy whose parents couldn’t care less about her. As part of the life coaching, Gudsnuk takes our demon characters to Wendy’s house, where we learn it’s far worse than you could imagine. We’re talking love of a sister above all else, and some pretty obvious emotional abuse.
They aren’t the best at this…yet.
Credit: Dark Horse
If it sounds heavy, it certainly toes that line, but it also delves into the ridiculous at the same time. The humor of the story falls squarely on Bifrons and his operation, as he knows little about what he does. A key flashback in Hell reveals just how much bullying and social anxiety exist there. Think high school, but with more horns. By the end of the issue, you feel for Bifrons, especially as his first customer’s predicament grows heavier.
Layered throughout the issue is fairly cute humor, thanks to Gudsnuk’s great cartooning. A demon dog pooping fire, a t-shirt that says “Boob Please,” and a general sense of weirdness permeate the story. That goes for the real world and Hell. Wendy has an anime-girl nature to her with her big eyes, while the demons all have wacky and unique designs, especially in Hell. These elements elevate the issue beyond a mostly setup chapter, since the big conflict doesn’t occur until the cliffhanger.
Touched by a Demon #1 is a thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly tender debut that explores identity, trauma, and self-determination through Gudsnuk’s uniquely warm and weird lens. While the issue is primarily focused on introductions and tone-setting, its emotional honesty and visual charm make it compelling from the first page. By the time the cliffhanger hits, you’re not just curious where the story goes, but invested in who these characters are becoming.
You must be logged in to post a comment.