Kelly Doyle has just been elected the first woman president of the United States of America. Boiling political tension could spill over at any second. Having to balance being a mother to two teenagers and navigating the shifting media landscape, all while preventing World War III, has Kelly spread thin. She could never predict that the nation’s hallowed halls would soon become a demonic battleground for good versus evil. The Exorcism At 1600 Penn #1 is a creepy debut that mixes an ominous shadowy mood with today’s vitriol filled politics.

Written by Hannah Rose May, The Exorcism At 1600 Penn #1 is an interesting debut. The story dances around its demonic and traditional horror roots. Instead it focuses mainly on the horror that is modern day politics. I myself have worked in politics for around 25 years, and the vitriol spewed today is factors worse than anything I’ve experienced during my time (and that included dealing with numerous death threats both general and specific). May captures that not necessarily in Doyle’s character but instead her family.

The Exorcism At 1600 Penn #1 is really two stories. President Doyle is thrown into the deep end, dealing with “Havana Syndrome,” a real world oddity that has still never quite had a solid explanation. In this world, the mystery is indeed some sort of sonic weapon being used against US personal and assets leading to horrific results. Doyle is put in a tough spot when a Senator bloviates, demanding decisive military action in response to a mystery that Doyle is attempting to get answers to before deciding what to do.

President Doyle’s family is dealing with their new found roles. Her two children are adjusting to their new school with one child being clearly manipulated by his peers and the other being a bit more stand-offish. But, they’re experiencing something else as one has a seizure that’s hinted might be the actions of demonic forces. What’s a medical mystery and what’s a malevolent force? That’s the initial tease and question in The Exorcism At 1600 Penn #1.

The art by Vanesa Del Rey delivers a look that’s gloomy and moody. It’s not one that balances between a normal experience and then slowly plays with the art to tease the horror lurking behind the scenes, instead, it’s all pretty down and depressing. With color by Jordie Bellaire and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, the art is interesting like that. It goes from dour to worse. And, it works. The story lays out a politics that might be as frightening as the demonic forces teased. Vitriol is spewed online with hyperbolic statements and claims about President Doyle and her family. It’s the reality of today and the art captures that feeding frenzy of hate. The highlighting of the social media statements is interesting and you can feel the hate ooze from the page.

The Exorcism At 1600 Penn #1 is an interesting comic that does what horror often does so well, comments on today’s world. It’s a story whose guts isn’t that far off from reality. It shows us a world where the true horrors are on a screen in our pocket and in our hand.

Story: Hannah Rose May Art: Vanesa Del Rey
Color: Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle