Storyline of i.s.o.

The following is a detail of the storyline and accompanying list of issues in the comic book i.s.o..

Issue 1 :
--Chapter 1: In Search of Intelligent Life Forms. Cody arrives at his dorm and discovers the attractive and evidently bisexual Jake is his roommate, which could've been quite tantalizing were he not so closeted. It doesn't improve much from there; Jake makes friends with the equally clueless Zach, and Cody makes enemies with the imposing gardener known as Thor. His efforts to find other allies in the dorm are fruitless, aside from silent, hungry floormate Boris, and the gregarious dorm handyman Jeff. He also continues to be haunted by regrets about his ex-best friend Todd (the tiger from the airport), whom he came out to (and then had a big fight with) before leaving for the Hawaii vacation. He tries to find sanctuary in the school karate club, but even that doesn't seem to be his speed. In an effort to escape Jake, Cody decides he should get a job.

--Chapter 2: In Search of Gainful Employment. After some interference from Jake and Zach, Cody ends up at The Hangout, a local bar which is in need of a bouncer. The owner, a prizewinning acrobat bartender named Tyrone, recruits Cody immediately, but Cody fails to impress the barmaids Samantha and Becky. Then the last waiter, Sam's brother Doug, catches Cody's eye, and spurs him to stick around for the job. Cody frets, realizing he's crushing pointlessly, until he finds out that Doug just might be attracted back.

Issue 2:
--Chapter 3: Iso-lation. Although excited at the prospect that Doug might be interested in a relationship, Cody is still shy and nervous about publicly trying to make any headway there. It doesn't help that Thor and Jake & Zach also show up to the bar that night, the latter who realize they have blackmail in that Cody isn't technically old enough to be a bouncer. The night slips by and Cody is unable to make a move on Doug, and berates himself over it. The next day, Todd tracks Cody down, but Cody is still hesitant to make up. Then Cody realizes his parents may not want him moonlighting as a bouncer, and quickly makes up a story to them that he's actually working as a waiter at night to earn money to court a girl (who suspiciously sounds like Sam). He later tries to fight Jake and Zach over the television, but finds out his physical advantage over them is gone. The cumulative events drag him down as he realizes he's become a bully, a liar, and generally not a very nice person to know.

--Chapter 4: Iso-tonic. But Cody takes Jeff up on an offer to watch the football game at Jeff's apartment, where he accidentally finds out Jeff is also gay. That breaks the ice enough for Cody to spill his guts out to Jeff. Cody recounts how he discovered he was gay during middle school, and has spent the past few years building up his ultra-macho front to avoid any repercussions that might come from being "outed" to others. He doesn't want people to even suspect, let alone know. Jeff proves to be good counsel on the matter, mainly trying to get across the concept of moderation; while caution is advisable, there's no need for Cody to hide his entire life from a public who probably doesn't WANT to scrutinize...and may not even care if they know. Ultimately, if Cody is interested in Doug, the world won't implode if he tries to act on that. Cody agrees to work on that, and realizes he has made a new friend. A slight stumbling block occurs when a mysterious caller warns Jeff of serious consequences if he gets too close to Cody. Jeff, flustered but determined, pledges to stay by Cody anyway, and begins work on a secret device.

Issue 3:
--Chapter 5: Instigation. Impressed by one of Jake's impromptu dance routines, Cody actually breaks the ice and learns a bit about his roommate's background, thus showing some progress in his attempts to be sociable. Still, Jake manages to come on too strongly again, and Cody ditches Jake for lunch with Boris. Cody reflects that he's having trouble asking Doug out, simply because he's never--by luck and coincidences--had to ask ANYONE out before. Jeff senses Cody's hesitance, and stages an elaborate plan to give Cody a little push...which ultimately works.

--Chapter 6: Imposition. Cody's victory doesn't last long when, on the day before the date, Thor stirs up trouble in the bar. Surprisingly, Todd backs Cody up, forcing Thor to retreat. Cody then reveals to Todd why he has been stalling on making up; it isn't because either of them are upset from the summer, it's because Cody feels like he's been a poor excuse for a friend. Even though he's outed himself to Todd, there has been a build up of fronts over the years, plus he feels like he was using Todd to appear straight by association. But Todd assures Cody the friendship has been more than mutual, especially since Cody was a good influence in getting Todd out of a downward spiral of excesses during high school. So with the air totally cleared between them, they pledge to be friends again, just in time for Cody to realize he needs to get ready for his date with Doug...

Issue 4:
--Chapter 7: I Sorta Said, He Kinda Said. Unaware they're observed by Jeff's mysterious stalker, Cody and Todd visit Jeff's apartment for some fun and video games. Meanwhile, Sam bumps into Doug and his roommate/coworker/best friend Tim at the gym, and alludes to her continued disapproval of Cody. Both parties end up separately discussing Cody and Doug's date from the previous afternoon. For the most part, it went well--not perfectly, but certainly not a disaster. Jeff, Todd, Sam, and Tim offer their suggestions and observations at how the date was handled on both ends, and apparently it went well enough that Doug has invited Cody to a club for their next date. Cody, however, doesn't know how to dance, and makes up an excuse to get some dance lessons from Jake. But Jake takes the matter very seriously, and Cody is too overwhelmed to continue. He can't bring himself to cancel the date, however.

--Chapter 8: So I Think I Can Dance. Cody arrives at the club and is introduced to Tim, as well as Doug's friends Robbie, Trevor, and Dusty. The group clearly are quite close-knit, and boggle Cody with their banter before he seeks sanctity at the bar. After a quick meeting with his classmate Nate, Cody stalls with his drink before Trevor manages to coax him out to the dance floor, where he sorts with his inner reservations against dancing before giving it a shot. And he finds out it's not so bad, especially when the slow dances come. Cody ends up enjoying the overall experience, and is unaware that his excuse for wanting dance lessons has fallen through with Jake. The next day, driven by persistent observations that his tough-guy image is offputting, he relents a little and tries to at least get a less severe haircut. It's a start.

Issue 5 :
--Chapter 9: My S.O. After a pickup game of basketball, Cody is overcome by hormones, and pounces Doug as Dusty walks in on them. He's displeased by his outburst and resolves to behave, and is unaware Doug actually rather enjoyed the experience. He then has a pleasant time with Nate's study group, and is invited back in the future, but it fails to distract him from his conscience. He reveals to Jeff that while his hormones say yes, his mind says no, and Jeff reassures him that's typical. Still, after the next basketball game (where Doug and Todd's friends all meet for the first time), he's apprehensive about losing control again. Fortunately Jake interrupts the two while they're alone and showering up to go to work, and Cody's subsequent official slip of the word "boyfriend" diffuses any doubts he has...temporarily.

--Chapter 10: 1.50 Months Later. Cody and Doug have settled into the holding pattern of the dating life, although perhaps not completely perfectly. Cody has been neglecting his studies, and has to get Nate's help to finish off a group term paper. And Doug has been stretching his budget, forcing him to ask Robbie for a loan. Robbie thinks he recognizes the common pattern Doug has had with previous boyfriends, but Doug is positive Cody is safe, even though he's uncertain why Cody seems to shy away from intimacy. Unbeknownst to any of them, Jake suspects Cody has a signficant other, yet Cody refuses to tell him who it is, and the secrecy worries Jake; anything that secret can't be good. He's determined to intervene if necessary. Meanwhile, Cody and Doug finally realize they have to cut down on the dates for practicality's sake, but Cody assures Doug he's happy in the relationship--by giving him a public kiss. Cody's problems are far from over, as his parents call to tell him they'll be in town in a couple weeks, and want to meet this "Sam" he's supposedly been dating all this time...

Issue 6 :
--Chapter 11: Try S.O. Cody continues to skirt intimacy with Doug, but in this case has an excuse; he's distracted wondering how to convince Sam to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of his parents. Surprisingly, she agrees to play along--on the condition he pay her way on a "date" (as a couple, they'll need to act like they've actually been in each other's company). Though dismayed to find out the date is at a swing club, Cody eventually relaxes and actually has a great time dancing with Sam's friends. In the process, Sam quietly realizes Cody may not be the vicious tough-guy she thought he was.

--Chapter 12: I SOS. Meanwhile, Cody is purposely encouraging the lunch with his parents to go poorly, so he can use it as an excuse to say Sam dumped him; then he won't have to worry about using her as a front any more. Cody is unaware Jake has caught just enough misinformation to conclude Cody is two-timing with one of Sam's lady friends--and Becky (but not Sam)! Jake says nothing, though. When Cody's parents arrive, they get along fine with Sam as she plays the part of the perfect girlfriend, all to Cody's chagrin. Fortunately, a culmination of misunderstandings with everyone involved results in the mock break-up happening anyway. Sam also finally gives Cody her blessing in his relationship with Doug after further shedding light on Doug's past boyfriends. But the one casualty of the ruse is Jake, who feels partially responsible for the break-up, and takes off before Cody can explain the situation.

Issue 7 :


This issue was intended to be much heavier and much more emotional than the previous ones.

--Chapter 12: (OI! Is SO?) In the aftermath of the absolutely "disastrous" fake date with Sam , Cody has come home to the dorm to find out that Jake ended up thinking that he was the one responsible for the whole thing and has left leaving a note of apology to Cody. We find out as soon as the issue begins that Jake went to live with his cousin's family. One day, Zach visits the place after coming with Jake back from college where he meets Jake's female cousin Allie. Very quickly it becomes obvious that Allie has an attraction to the skunk and tries to make some subtle moves on him while She, Zach and Jake visit the aquarium. All during the visit, Jake tries to get the attention focused back on him by being even more salacious than usual. Zach critisizes him for doing that in front of his cousin. Later on, Jake decides to go out clubbing and proposes to Zach and Allie to tag along , an offer they both refuse instead staying home and playing games. During the game, Zach and Allie share about what they find attractive. One thing leads to another, and soon Allie and Zach are making out. Later on, Jake comes back home after a fun night of clubbing and catches both of them in the act. Turning around with a look of horrror on his face, he is caught up by Allie who apologizes for the bad surprise but wonders why Jake, out of all people would be so shocked by this. It is soon discovered that not only are Jake and Zach "benefriends" but that Jake had hopes for their relationship to go past that stage. After a heart to heart talk with Zach, it is obvious that while the later found Jake to be a great friend, he was not interested in him in that fashion. Jake fakes being alright with it and leaves the house to move back to campus.

--Chapter 13 : (AH SO) This chapter opens with Cody and Jeff in the later's car driving back to campus. Cody mentions that DOug is not around for the next few days because Robbie's family invited him and his friends for thanksgiving and that he's very nervous about his return. After an inquiry from Jeff on the subject Cody says that it's because him and Doug have not done anything yet when it comes to sex and that he knows that Doug is expecting something on that level. After unconvincing bravado about how he'll give Doug the best night of his life, Cody is once again put on Jeff-the-therapist's chair and given one his his pearls of wisdom once again. however, this time Cody doesn't appreciate Jeff's opinion on the situation and starts realising that Jeff might have had other plans than simply helping him out of the goodness of his heart. After an argument, Cody finds that things are getting out of control and that it's best he and Jeff don't see each other till it's clear that Jeff is not trying to make some sort of move on him. After Cody leaves, jeff angrily calls the mysterious stalker and asks them if they are happy now. Later on, Cody looking for references to help him make Doug's return more interesting ends up downloading adult content and is in the middle of a very akward viewing session when Jake suddenly gets in the room. Seeing that the normally very talkative Jake is eerily silent, cody enquires about what's wrong with him. Jake tells Cody about the rejection he got from Zach which leaves Cody very surprised since he thought the two were ALREADY a couple. Cody seeing that Jake needs to be talked to finally decides to tell him the truth. That he never had a relationship with any jessie Sam or Becky, that it was all a scam designed to make his parents think that he was straight and that he had been lying to Jake from the moment he stepped in the room. Jake is a bit disapointed in Cody, saying that he would have never made moves on an unwilling person. Cody opens up again saying that in fact he would have probably been willing and that he was scared of what he himself could have done, since in his own words he says that it took every last bit of self control not to make out with Jake on the spot when he first saw him. After he finishes explaining everything, Cody asks Jake if he's feeling better. Jake agrees that t will take a while to get over Zach but that the talk and especially the ego boost he got right there has helped a lot. Cody and Jake hug, and then things seem to get a bit more serious. And after a few seconds of akwardly staring at each other Cody and Jake end up kissing as the issue ends.