Image Credit: Cutaway Comics (Fair Use)

Image Description: The cover of The Demons of Eden

Tides was provided with a free review copy of the comic

By James Ashworth

Even though Omega may have drawn to a close, its back-up strip, The Demons of Eden, lives on as a one-shot. Lying somewhere between early editions of Doctor Who Magazine and the pulpier comics of the 1970s, the one-shot is worth picking up for anyone who hasn’t already read the strip – and arguably for those who already have as well.

The one-shot collects together the four parts, telling the story of the order of the Sisterhood of St Eve and Sister Kheba in particular. With Omega having all the inflections of a space opera, it’s not a surprise this sister is bringing elements of Star Wars with her. While elements of her past are revealed, she is suitably Han Solo-esque (at least, A New Hope-era Han Solo) in that her past is mysterious and contradictory, while her actions are more of a Chirrut Imwe-style figure. Combined, she is a worthy lead for many stories beyond just this one.

As for the titular demons themselves, there are many potential candidates. The gang of trophy hunters represent one possibility, as do the personal demons revealed to them by the Sarzok, who is satanic enough in its own right. Initially intended as the trophy, representing the socially-conscious legacy of Nightmare of Eden, it is perhaps fitting that the Sarzok brings many of its hunters down. It capitalises on the fears of its prey, bringing out personality in itself and the other characters while wringing out extra mileage from its pages. 

Aside from the strip, there are a few extra features of the one-shot from custom adverts to a letters page, allowing everyone to find out what Matthew Waterhouse and Paul Cornell among other luminaries thought of Nightmare of Eden. Best of all, there are transfers thrown in – and who doesn’t want those?

Even if it’s not an essential for anyone having previously read The Demons of Eden, there’s still ample reason to pick up the one-shot. It leans heavily into its pulp origins, including a switch from colour to black-and-white, while maintaining the modern sensibilities that make the strip fun in the first place.