The Demon #1 (DC Comics, 10/7/26): Writer/Artist James Harren catches up with a confused but determined Jason Blood as he rids the city of demons. Meanwhile, Morgaine Le Fey plots her ultimate victory. James Harren’s take on the rhyming demon is sharp, witty, and intriguing. Verdict: A winning first issue.
Credits:
- Writer: James Harren
- Artist: James Harren
- Colorist: James Harren
- Letterer: Clayton Cowles
- Cover Artist: James Harren (cover A)
- Publisher: DC Comics
- Release Date: October 7, 2026
- Comic Rating: Teen
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 40
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of The Demon #1:
First Impressions:
I’m also a fiction writer who focuses on Urban Fantasy, so a new Demon series hits my sensibility bullseye. After reading The Demon #1, James Harren met and exceeded my expectations.
Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):
The Demon #1 begins with a scruffy, disheveled Jason Blood roaming the streets of the city. In his mind, the demon Etrigan constantly urges Jason to say the rhyme that will release him, citing a need to rid the city of demonic presence. Over the centuries, something happened to interfere with Jason’s memory, so he refuses to yield to Etrigan’s pleas, fearing a catastrophe.
In his long coat, Jason carries several mystical items. He pulls out and dons a wooden mask that allows him to see the troublesome demons plaguing the people on the city streets. He then pulls out hand-fashioned weapons, imbued with mystical power, to destroy the demons and release their captured souls. After one particularly nasty skirmish, Jason is attacked by a group of teens enthralled to enchanted smartphones that control their souls. Jason flees into the nearby park, where he encounters a group of gnomes and fairy folk fleeing the city. Jason dispatches a demon that attacks the gnomes, and in return, they give him information and refuge to aid him on his quest.
Elsewhere, the ailing and elderly Morgaine Le Fey unveils her latest plan to enslave the world in service to Hell. However, her coven explains they have enough power and control over the human population to keep things as they are. The chief resistor in their coven is Iron Duke. Undeterred, Morgaine visits Merlin, whom she keeps trapped in a cage and in a child’s body, to steal his power and beseech Hell for help. Her effort pays off, but Hell is tired of giving Morgaine second chances.
Back in the city, the gnomes aid Jason in ridding the city of demons, but they bite off more than they can chew during a group skirmish. When Jason is overwhelmed, Etrigan is unleashed to fend off the demons, but his re-emergence on Earth summons forth the denizens of Hell who were so recently petitioned by Morgaine’s magic.
How is the story in The Demon #1?
Wheesh! James Harren’s script looks like it covers too much ground for a single comic, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. Harren’s pacing and scene execution are super-tight, which means the comic gives you a ton of story movement and plot development without an ounce of waste. It’s an imaginative, whimsical story that serves as one of the better All-In launches from DC.
How is the art in The Demon #1?
Harren pulls double duty as the artist, so there shouldn’t be (and there isn’t)any problems with synergy between the script and art. Harren’s knack for whimsical designs suits the story to a tee, as small facial expressions coming from the faces of surreal demons and monsters sell every thought and intention without saying a single word. There’s a storybook quality to Harren’s character designs that elevates and emphasizes the magical theme of the comic, but there’s so much detail, including the panel backgrounds, that the comic doesn’t feel out of place in a Big 2 lineup. Gorgeous stuff.
Characters
Jason Blood is the central figure, a man tortured by the demon inside him, struggling to get out. Harren tells and shows how Jason carries the weight of centuries in his tired frame, which makes him a noble and sympathetic character. Conversely, Morgaine Le Fey shows an equal amount of weariness and strain, but she hides her physical deterioration behind her mask and clothes, emphasizing her shame born of vanity. She comes across as an aging Hollywood starlet who tries to pathetically hold onto the limelight, but in this case, Morgaine’s desperation makes her recklessly dangerous.
Originality & Concept Execution
Bonus points for originality. DC hasn’t launched a book of this sort with a story of this type in years. Although the first issue is done extremely well, there’s not a hint or a clue as to where the plot is headed, aside from a collision between Jason and Morgaine. We shall see.
Pros and Cons
Art Samples:
The Scorecard:
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2
Final Thoughts:
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The Demon #1 delves into the fantastical corners of DC Comics, where a confused but determined Jason Blood takes on the demons infesting the city. James Harren’s imaginative plot is instantly engaging, and his artwork kicks up the whimsy by several notches.
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