AUTHOR: Barry, Lynda

ARTIST: Lynda Barry (illustrator)

PUBLISHER: Sasquatch Books

FIRST SERIAL PUBLICATION: 2000-2001

FIRST BOOK PUBLICATION: 2002

In "One! Hundred! Demons!" Lynda Barry delves into the complexities of her own past, translating personal struggles into engaging comic strips. Her innovative approach, which she describes as "autobifictionalography," mixes her unique artistic style with intimate storytelling. The result is a vivid exploration of childhood, identity, and the power of creativity.

Publication Journey

In the late 1990s, while immersed in the creation of her novel Cruddy, Lynda Barry began experimenting with the art of sumi brush painting. This new artistic venture inspired her to confront the personal "demons" of her past, translating them into captivating sketches such as “Girlness” and “Head Lice and My Worst Boyfriend.” These sketches evolved into a series of seventeen comic strips, each comprising twenty panels, which were published on Salon.com from April 7, 2000, to January 15, 2001.

The online success of One! Hundred! Demons! led to its anthology publication by Sasquatch Books in 2002. For the printed version, Barry refined each strip into eighteen panels and collaborated with Tom Greensfelder and Amie Z. Gleed to add new elements, including an "Intro," a DIY "Outro," and intricate collages between the strips. In 2004, Sasquatch Books released the paperback edition, bringing Barry's work to a broader audience.

Exploring the Narrative

Barry's work offers an innovative form and structure through her coined term "autobifictionalography," which captures her unique method of storytelling. In One! Hundred! Demons!, Barry presents episodes from her life, especially her girlhood, crafting an engaging narrative that reveals how she battled and survived her own demons. Each comic strip tackles a different challenge she faced, from cultural identity in “Common Scents” to grappling with personal traumas.

Through these strips, Barry masterfully illustrates the dialogues between her younger and older selves, bridging temporal and spatial divides. Her portrayal of self—spanning childhood, adolescence, and adulthood—questions the constructs of femininity, race, and social norms, illustrating how "Lynda Barry" was simultaneously shaped by and rebelling against these societal forces.

Key Characters and Their Dynamics

• Lynda Barry appears at various stages of her life, depicted as both the creator and subject of the comic strips. As a middle-aged woman with red hair and glasses, she is seen illustrating her demons in the "Intro," and her creative process is further showcased in the photographs of the "Outro." Throughout the book, she transitions from a young girl to an adult, often navigating issues of identity, such as in "Common Scents," where her mixed heritage plays a significant role.

• Kevin Kawula, Barry’s husband, serves as a comforting presence, depicted as supportive and gentle. His character is seen providing emotional support to Lynda, particularly during challenging moments like the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election in the strip “The Election.”

• Lynda’s Mother emerges as a critical figure, often portrayed as antagonistic, berating Lynda about her appearance in strips like “Girlness.” Her depiction as an unsympathetic character adds complexity to Barry’s exploration of familial relationships.

• Lynda’s Grandmother offers a counterbalance to her mother, providing wisdom and kindness in strips such as “Common Scents” and “The Aswang.” Her presence is nurturing, often challenging her daughter's harshness and offering Lynda a sense of security.

• Norabelle is portrayed as a blend of tomboy and girly girl in “Girlness,” representing the duality of gender expectations. Her interactions with Lynda, particularly during shopping trips, highlight the tension between societal norms and personal identity.

Artistic Vision

Barry’s distinctive art style, a hallmark of her work in Ernie Pook’s Comeek , is characterized by a raw,...