Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Sebastián Píriz
Letters by Carlos M. Mangual
Edits by Chas! Pangburn
Published by Mad Cave Studios

Does your soul need saving from the seven deadly sins? Check out this solicit:

“Syd Miller and Ellen Blair are the world’s two premier combat exorcists. The only problem? After a nuclear breakup years ago, they can’t stand each other. But when the biggest soul auction in history kicks off beneath Los Angeles, Syd and Ellen have no choice but to come together to raid the HELLSCRAPER, an infernal tower going straight down into the Earth. With thousands of souls on the line, Syd and Ellen must fight their way to the bottom or die trying.”

I didn’t know how much I needed this story but I am so happy to have found out. Not only are we getting exorcisms, but the seven f@&$ing sins are a part of this?! This anime-action and crazy plot vibes and I’m so here for it. The main characters, Syd and Ellen are so vibrant and real and are struggling with their own relationship while having to deal with a massive event that will affect many, many souls. Every small detail of dialogue builds the world up in this first issue and gives a fuller picture of the world.

I have been watching Sebastián Píriz’s artwork for a little while now and really have enjoyed seeing his skills grow through Black Beacon, We Ride Titans, and more. Now it is at a whole other level in Exorcists Never Die and he brings really interesting character designs and creepy monsters to life. With light lines and detailed, yet uncomplicated, backgrounds Píriz is able to breathe life into this world and flesh out some fascinating details.

Where Píriz truly shines is in the action sequences, where he employs not only dynamic artwork, but also some very unique paneling that helps to make this comic standout. The battle between Syd and Ellen versus Sloth is some of the most fun I’ve seen on comic pages in a while. You can tell the creators are having a blast creating this one. Sebastián not only handles the lines but also the colors. We are dazzled with some mind blowing colors and dazzling arrays of light as Ellen and Syd begin using their God Flows to fight Sloth.

Rounding out the team is Carlos Mangual on the letters. Lettering is a hard craft to get perfect, but Mangual is damn near perfect on this one as the balloons line up well, the sound effects pop off the pages and into your eardrums, and the voice of Sloth rattles your bones. And even more impressively the God Flows awe with the powerful name introductions.

The story and the art are so much fun, yet it is truly the characters that drive this story and would not be the same without them. Steve Orlando creates memorable characters that tie everything in this story together. I find myself rooting for Syd and Ellen to reconcile their differences as this issue goes on. Not only because it will help them to stop the soul auction and defeat the seven deadly sins, but also because the more they interact, the more these characters seems to know ever aspect of the other, every intimate detail that makes them match each other well.

If you’re looking for well-written characters, incredible artwork, and soul-saving fight scenes, then keep the faith and pick up Exorcists Never Die!

Rating: 9.5/10

Exorcists Never Die #1 is now out in stores or here: https://madcavestudios.com/product/exorcists-never-die-1/