EXORCISTS NEVER DIE #5, from Mad Cave Studios on 8/23/23, brings El and Syd before the deadly sin of Envy to uncover how El really feels about Syd’s family name.
The Details
- Written by: Steve Orlando
- Art by: Sebastián Píriz
- Colors by: Sebastián Píriz
- Letters by: Carlos M. Mangual
- Cover art by: Sebastián Píriz
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: August 23, 2023
Is EXORCISTS NEVER DIE #5 Good?
Yes, EXORCISTS NEVER DIE #5 gets back to the core of Steve Orlando’s original premise for one of the better (best?) entries in the series to date. The reason this series is so interesting is because Steve Orlando uses an action/horror/fantasy adventure as an allegory for a couple to examine why their relationship faltered. In recent issues, Orlando’s manifestation of the deadly sins didn’t always line up with the relationship struggle, but here, Orlando nails it.
When last we left our intrepid Exorcists, Syd and El, they defeated a massive dragon guarding its mountain of gold as the personification of Greed. Now, Sys and El face an army of snakes acting as harbingers for Envy to show El just how much Syd’s success coming up the ranks bothered her.
To be clear, there are big action and magic moments, but the heart of this issue is Envy’s influence on El’s insecurities with respect to Syd. Consequently, the battle is just as much about a sore spot in the relationship between Syd and El as it is about defeating a demon barring the Exorcists’ path to a soul auction.
What’s great about this comic? Stever Orlando creates a meta-commentary on a failed relationship with clean, clear, concise layers of storytelling to get your philosophical gears turning in the best way. The physical and symbolic punches thrown by El speak volumes about her understanding of herself, and how her insecurities got in the way of her connection to Syd.
What’s not so great about this comic? Envy’s defeat is clear, but the way Syd and El go about defeating Envy isn’t so clear. Orlando has yet to lay out the rules of magic in this story, so it feels like greater meaning should be gleaned from the spells and the forms used, but without the context, a big moment feels smaller.
How’s the art? Sebastián Píriz’s clean, crisp art mirrors the simple elegance of Orlando’s script in the best way possible. Píriz uses close-ups to focus on every one of El’s punches and the look on her face as the punches land to punctuate the emotional impact of Envy’s words on her ego. Envy is right. El knows Envy is right. And so the punches landing on Envy reflect the anger she feels toward herself for her weaknesses.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our EXORCISTS NEVER DIE #4 review to find out how Syd and El overcame Greed.
We begin with Syd and El fighting an army of snakes. Knowing only a couple of deadly sins remain, the Exorcists rightly deduce the next demon is Envy. Rather than launch physical attacks, Envy immediately directs all praise for a worthy opponent toward Syd, dismissing El as beneath its consideration.
The dismissive condescension sends El into a rage as the demon’s words force El to confront her insecurities over Syd’s success. With each of Envy’s dismissive hand waves, El becomes more enraged, but her physical attacks grow less effective.
We conclude the issue with realization, acceptance, and cooperation.
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Final Thoughts
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EXORCISTS NEVER DIE #5 gets back to the core premise of the series with a layered battle against Envy that shines a spotlight on El’s insecurities concerning Syd. The fight serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the personal faults that affect individual behavior and our relationships.
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