Demigods #1
Writer & Creator Jesse Grillo
Pencils by Luigi Teruel
Inks by Robert Grant
Colors by Heather Breckel
Letterer & Post Production by Danny Cooper
Bleeding Ink Comics
Release Date: January 18, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

There’s some potential in Demigods #1, but I’m afraid it currently falls a bit short of where it needs to be. I’m sure with a little work and some more issues under their belt, this creative team can turn out a pretty fun comic. But, for now, it’s average.

I give writer and creator Jesse Grillo an A for effort. He’s on the right track. This book has a decent premise at its core — think X-Men, Gen 13, New Mutants, that sort of thing. A few problems are that 1) It’s been done before, and 2) It’s been done better. With just a little more originality, I would be on board for this.

Artist Luigi Teruel has some potential. But due to the story, I don’t think he’s able to unleash that potential in this book. There is page after page after page set in a hospital-like holding facility where every room looks the same and every character is wearing the same hospital scrub-like outfits. The only thing that makes them different from one another is there faces and their powers, and they don’t get to show off their powers that often. Once the story goes outside of the hospital, his art definitely gets better, but again, I think the story is hampering his ability to really show what he’s capable of.

Unfortunately, with a good conscience I can’t recommend this book. What I will suggest is to keep an eye on Demigods, and consider picking up the trade when it comes out. There’s potential for a fun story here, but in this first issue, it just isn’t there yet. I have to say, pass on this one.