The Satan That Wears My Face
Author: David Pepose
Artist & Colorist: Alex Cormac
Writer: Mad Cave
Collects: Points #1-6
Publication Date: June 25, 2024
The Satan That Wears My Face delivers an thrilling story that’s equal elements the horrors of The Exorcist meets the depth of Face/Off. Set within the 1740s between each Rome and Spain, when a struggling Vatican church appoints exorcist Father Franco Vieri to rescue a Spanish nobleman’s son from possession, the exorcism goes flawed, inflicting Vieri’s spirit to be swapped with a demon’s. With the priest now trapped within the ‘possessed’ nobleman’s physique, and the demon generally known as Legion, now inhabiting Vieri’s, the story shifts from spiritual political drama right into a high-stakes battle of stopping evil incarnate from taking on the world.
It’s right here the place The Satan That Wears My Face has rather a lot happening for it. David Pepose’s story masterfully raises the stakes per situation, making a back-and-forth intertwining between Church politics and demonic private struggles – metaphorically and fairly actually. I used to be additionally impressed with how in-depth the Vatican is depicted between the Cardinal hierarchies because it appears lots of analysis was had.
The world-building is top-notch, with an in depth depiction of the church and its inside politics. The inclusion of Freemason rivalry additionally provides an attention-grabbing layer, and the concept of demon management throughout the church, even on the stage of the pope, is each fascinating and chilling relating to the sins dedicated by these in energy.
Nonetheless, at its coronary heart, this can be a cat chasing mouse story about good versus evil, with good represented by free cannon agent Father Vieri, the church’s hotshot exorcist. His former boss, Cardinal Mancini, harbors a deep-seated dislike for him, as do lots of Vieri’s superiors, because the sequence main exorcist does his job largely out of a way of responsibility – stopping evil as a result of he’s top-of-the-line who can.
As for the remainder of the forged, there’s Santiago, the son of a rich silver miner who considerably serves because the sequence’ deuteragonist. His storyline explores themes of identification, religion, and redemption, as his possession by Legion, alongside along with his complicated relationship along with his deceased brother Hector, provides necessary depths to the narrative that play out later.
Most necessary although is Maria, Santiago’s vital different, who spends a lot of the sequence preventing alongside Father Vieri/Santiago. Maria serves as a supporting function on this story, a possible love curiosity, and prophetic sidekick who provides some much-needed momentum.
Collectively, these three characters’ intertwined tales enrich the plot, particularly as they face their respective demons, offering a poignant counterbalance to the horrors that await them – every story is distinct and well-developed, contributing to the wealthy tapestry of the narrative.
Alex Cormack’s art work is gorgeous, that includes breathtaking structure, scenic pictures, and physique horrors that delight (the artistic eye symbolism units a delightfully creepy haunting). Total, the environment generated by Cormack’s illustrative works feels visceral, with refined haziness that turns to readability on the proper shock, enhancing the horror for simply when the second is correct.
I can’t stress sufficient, that there are lots of intelligent web page turns right here meant for dramatic reveals and a slew of demonic tropes trying like one thing straight out of the exorcist motion pictures. There’s lots of scary horror right here and none of it feels irrelevant, because the comedian does job of when to make use of possessions, mutilations, and gore to maintain the reader on edge.
Kudos additionally to Cormack’s colorful layers, which do an exquisite job of making a haunting environment. Maybe most shocking, was the masterful lettering within the sequence by Justin Birch, with some nice onomatopoeia work and a few very considerate fonts and coloration palates that evoke a Hellblazer-esque vibe.
What units this comedian aside is how seamlessly it flows to ship the promise of its premise. The collaboration on this comedian reveals putting an ideal stability between thriller and revelation, as the stress of stakes escalates per situation relatively properly. As for the horror components? They’re fantastically executed and the rivalry between Vieri and Legion, will evoke some very Van Helsing versus Dracula vibes.
One minor critique nonetheless is the bombastic nature of the ending, which feels a little bit bit jarring on the finish. Vieri’s spiritual background revelations are outright shocking to me, although I do respect the illustration, and whereas there’s room for a sequel, the conclusion ends issues in a little bit of a chaotic state. I additionally love the general takeaway theme about our personal demons.
Total, The Satan that Wears My Face is an exhilarating mix of horror and supernatural drama, juggling a big forged whereas sustaining a gripping tempo. The ending is utter chaos however it does depart the door open for extra tales on this darkish and engaging world.
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