May 17, 2003

New Media

by Heather Meek

The Dominion - http://www.dominionpaper.ca

One Hundred Demons
by Lynda Barry
Seattle: Sasquatch Books, 2002 (comic; hardcover)

Devotees of Barry's work marvel at her remarkable ability to recall and create authentic details of modern North American childhood. Sometimes funny, sometimes hauntingly sad, sometimes frightening and often full of heartfelt joy, Barry's comics are masterful. The design of One Hundred Demons is colourful, dense and intimate, giving the sense that one is stepping straight into Barry's private journal. Each story in the book is based around one of Barry's own demons: wretched boyfriends, dancing, hate, San Francisco, 'girlness', even the American presidential election of 2000. She has declared this series of comics to be an exercise in 'autobifictionalography', an idealistic mixture of truth and fiction. These comics are good for what ails the adult who doesn't remember his or her youth being like Full House. Barry's drawings are childlike, simple and expressive. Although many may not grasp the particular charm of her artwork, the writing is spectacular. In fact, Barry has also produced acclaimed novels, spoken word pieces, and dramatic pieces. Be on the lookout for Barry's syndicated weekly comic strip, Ernie Pook's Comeek.

—Heather Meek