A troubled Priest gets a vocation with a real exorcist. Are either of them ready for the road ahead?

When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee #1

Written By Gus Moreno – Illustrated By Jakub Rebelka

Letters By Becca Carey – Edited By Ramiro Portnoy

Published By BOOM! Studios

***Minor Spoilers Possible***

A Real Exorcist

We are first introduced to Father Manuel Barrera, who has just killed an infant well baptizing the child. Cardinal Glanton lets him know that he will not be punished in the traditional form, but rather by sending him on vocation.

We then meet Father Merrick Stygian, who has been sent to France to check in on a troubled young girl. Father Bartel meets him and informs him that the young girls’ ailments have been solved. She was not possessed; she was just off her mental health meds. It is at this time that Father Stygian jumps into action, revealing he is a real exorcist, and Father Bartel is possessed.

Well recovering from his injuries sustained during the exorcism, Father Stygian gets a visit from Cardinal Glanton. The Cardinal informs him that he will be taking on an apprentice, and that apprentice will be Father Barrera. Father Stygian meets Barrera at his house and then the real mystery starts to unfold.

The Old Bull Lies

When I Lay my Vengeance Upon Thee #1 is a fresh and awesome take on the exorcism sub-genre. Gus Moreno gets off to a great start by laying down some great groundwork for this story. Issue one starts off with a punch to the face, with a baby being killed. Then it settles in and builds a world that’s very interesting, before hitting us with a cliffhanger ending. This issue really has it all.

The art in this book is truly incredible. Jakub Rebelka brings some surrealism style to the art, which draws you completely in. Each panel looks more stunning than the last. One of the best-looking books of the year, and the year just started.

Check Out My Review of Hello Darkness #6

Final Thoughts

When I Lay my Vengeance Upon Thee #1 is a shocking thrill ride, with some great world building and intrigue for the series to come. This is a must pick up first issue, as you will want to be on the ground floor of what is to come.

Final Grade: 10/10

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