Exorcism Island Vol 1 Review
Writer: Jordan Thomas
Artist: Chris Matthews
Publisher: Comixology
Kindle Price: $6.99
Release Date: April 28, 2026
After surviving a supernatural battle, Father Gianluca Amato undertakes a journey. Father Caso accompanies the young priest on the plane. When they land, Gianluca, or Gigi for short, walks inland with his superior. The two priests follow Talin, who grew up on a neighboring island. But the local man only dares venture a short way into this island's interior.
As the priests approach a pit, crucifixes hang from nearby trees. Voices welcome the priests. Then, the ground slopes down. Through the plants, bushes, and trees, Gigi spots buildings in the valley below. Just like the young priest's recent trial overturned his life, the buildings form an upside-down cross. What happens on this tropical island where frost clings to palm fronds, and priests bundle up in winter clothes? And how will Gigi's new assignment shake his fragile faith? Let’s leap into Exorcism Island Vol 1 and see!
Story
Gigi and Caso arrive amid a tragedy. The demon inside one of the patients has just killed Father Borra. Father Jacob Miller advises them not to get too excited. If they miss this crisis, another will strike the team soon. Then, as Gigi and Father Caso run off to help, Father Miller ventures back inside a cabin no one else is allowed to enter.
In Exorcism Island Vol 1, Gigi discovers that while his fellow priests hail from all over the world, they have one thing in common. They all tried to use spiritual means to heal someone of afflictions that modern psychiatry couldn't treat. While Gigi explains what brought him there, the others prove more reticent to share their failures. They wonder why Cardinal Litarri sent them all to this cursed island. The priests also question the wisdom of bringing so many demon-possessed souls together in one place.
As life falls into a daily routine of prayers, blessings, and rituals, Father Julius Howt cares for the priests’ souls. Gigi and the other priests make regular confessions to him. But despite the priests' devotion, they begin to lose hope that they will ever cure one of their patients. The demons keep finding ways to break free of the chains and create chaos on the island. Yet back in Vatican City, Cardinal Litarri directs affairs seemingly intended to nurture the evil spirits in Exorcism Island Vol 1.
Art
While Father Gert Juncter from Austria wears a knitted hat and thick coat, the shorter Fr Julius Howt leaves his head bare and walks around in a long, thin coat. Tall and imposing, Father Jacob Miller from Chicago upbraids Fr William Pell for being too soft. When they sit at a dining table near the flames rising from a metal drum, Father Pascal Garrow from Kenya bemoans that they rarely enjoy meals together. But while Gigi chases naked escaped inmates across the island or watches a chained patient swallow a crucifix and spit out a rat, Cardinal Litarri twists and turns in his sleep in Vatican City.
Chris Matthews draws characters and backgrounds into beige panels. Colors differentiate memories, places, and time periods in Jordan Thomas’ story. Orange dominates the upheaval on the island, while purple attends unsettling events at the Vatican. Red welcomes the rise of a great evil. Instead of crosshatching or dots, Matthews uses color for shading and highlights to enhance the action and drama in Exorcism Island Vol 1.
Black uppercase letters inhabit white dialogue balloons and narrative, while a demonic dandy speaks white letters into their black brethren. Words occasionally grow bold for intonation, and balloons change shape when demons interact with the priests. Sound effects rock panels as trouble brews inside the Vatican, erupts at an archeological dig in the Carpathian Mountains, and threatens to destroy Gigi's future. Thanks to Comixology and Superfan Promotions for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Thirteen doomed souls make life miserable for the priests assigned to care for them. As they strive to minister to them as best they can, Father Pyre wonders why they bother. He regards them as God’s janitors and believes they should put the patients out of their misery. But as the cynical priest carries out Cardinal Litarri’s orders, he discovers irregularities and infractions that he cannot sweep under the rug in Exorcism Island Vol 1.
Rating 9/10
To look inside see my preview of Exorcism Island Vol 1.
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