Review by Booklist Review
If readers aren't drawn in merely by the promise of exorcism, demonic possession, and bloodied gnashing teeth in this horror comic, they'll likely have their interest piqued by the name Kirkman on the cover. Renowned for his blockbuster, The Walking Dead, Kirkman takes a turn toward the spiritual though no less gory world of exorcism. The story tracks Kyle, a reluctant but talented exorcist, after he's approached by Reverend Anderson with a challenging case. Kirkman gradually gives away nibbles of Kyle's past after his mother's mysterious hospitalization, he was raised by a foster family; he pines for but won't contact his estranged wife and daughter; and he's a pariah in his community. And why do demons keep finding him? Though Kirkman keeps the pace at a slow burn, Azaceta's artwork gushes with terror, as he evokes the herky-jerky movements of the possessed with a rich palette of sunset colors set against high-contrast shadows. Fans of Kirkman's Walking Dead or Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's Locke & Key will want a bite of this, too.--Spanner, Ben Copyright 2015 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Writer Kirkman proved his chops in the horror comics department with The Walking Dead, and he now turns his spotlight from ravenous revenants to demanding demons. Kyle Barnes's life has been scarred by experiences with demonic possession and its attendant horrors, so he lives alone in squalor until pulled back into the exorcism fray by the Reverend Anderson. Kyle has a talent for driving malefic entities from their possessed hosts, so Anderson seeks to put that gift to use when a young boy is taken over by a demonic presence. But why is Kyle a magnet for the forces of darkness, and why are they making a concerted effort to relegate him to an existence of endless misery? This first volume sets up that mystery, with Azaceta's sleek, shadow-drenched artwork lending the wrenching proceedings the perfect accent of moody realism. There's great potential here and seeing it through to its conclusion looks to be one hell of a ride. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Review by Library Journal Review
Kyle Barnes has not had an easy life. What appears as insanity in his family is something much darker and infinitely deeper. It originates in the bowels of hell and manifests as demonic possession. Unfortunately, it seems to be somewhat contagious, and Kyle, at least so far, is immune. A dedicated man of God, Reverend Anderson, who wrestles with his own black dreads and shadowy history, has recognized this uniqueness in Kyle and courageously endeavors to nurture this gift and stand by him. Is Kyle some sort of anomaly with the ability to salvage human souls, or just an orphaned and crazy outcast? Verdict Kirkman, creator of "The Walking Dead" series, has launched another grim and civilization-menacing serial. The artwork of Azaceta is bold and course, with sophisticated and dramatic coloring. The overall effect is atmospherically creepy and yearns to be read. The television series is already under way.-Russell Miller, Prescott P.L., AZ © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
