Advance Comicbook Review: The Devil That Wears My Face

By Eli LaChance

If I might borrow from the bard to tempt you, “hell is empty and all the devils are here,” and by here, I mean writer David Pepose(SAVAGE AVENGERS, SPENCER & LOCKE) and artist Alex Cormac’s(BREATH OF SHADOWS, SEA OF SORROWS) new comic The Devil that Wears my Face, due October 4th from Mad Cave studios where the duo tackle the familiar tropes of demonic possession and manage to deliver something fresh and exciting. 

Father Franco Vieri is an exorcist with a dangerous problem, he’s plagued by doubt. When he’s sent to Spain to preform a secret exorcism for less than noble reasons… well, it wouldn’t be much of a first issue if something didn’t go horribly awry.  Without spoiling anything, what immediately set this story apart are the bigger questions being toyed with on the nature of evil and perhaps bodily autonomy.  We see two types of wickedness on display; the unholy or demonic, but also evil in the depths of the human ego which manifests in the interpersonal relationships within the Curia as well as their imperfect bureaucracy, and differing standards of decency.  A great first-issue cliffhanger sets us up for an exploration of what wicked deeds can be done by a monster with false legitimacy.   

Though many of their appearances are brief, a wide and lively cast of characters fill these pages, emotionally rendered by Cormac’s knack for expressions and brought to life Pepose’s layered dialog; which occasionally hints at ulterior character motives.  Only future issues will tell.   

The book wastes no time delivering horror and bloodshed with gorgeous full-page images filled with oppressive darkness, layered mists of fog, glowing eyes, and crimson wet splashes that call back to the heyday of indie horror comics in the aughts. The demon Legion makes his entrance early drenched in red, and by the time you reach the conclusion of this first issue, you’ll see a longer game wrapped with intrigue waiting to be unraveled.  This is an excellent first issue horror comic.  It delivers on the high concept promised by the title with a satisfying microarc that hooks you in for the longer story about to unfold.   

 David Pepose aptly sells the book as “Equal parts Face/Off and The Exorcist,” and if I as a horror fan would add to that list I’d throw in The Devils (1971) and Fallen (1998). 

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a local connection, Pepose grew up in Saint Louis, which makes sense as we’re a town with special history concerning exorcisms.  

I can’t recommend this book enough. Support a fellow Saint Louisan, and call your local comic shop to order The Devil that Wears my Face.  For St. Louis, I know my friends at Apotheosis Comics feel compelled to help you out!