Review: Excommunicated #1
From Vault Comics
A new horror tale begins this week from Vault Comics, with demons and Nuns! Excommunicated #1 kicks this mysterious series off!
When a faithful nun and a festering demon are each excommunicated from the church—and from hell—because of a botched exorcism, they must work together to uncover a sinister plot that endangers their lives and the world.
New York Times bestselling author Jeremy Robinson and “X-men United” artist Tiago Palma thrill and terrify readers with an unlikely and unholy pairing—a nun and demon working together.
With cover art from modern masters like Ito, Josh Hixson, Tyler Crook, and Flaviano Armentaro.
From the very first pages, this debut issue makes its intentions clear and wastes no time pulling the reader into its unsettling core. We’re given just enough to grasp the situation, but not nearly enough to feel comfortable. There’s an immediate sense that something is off, and that tension carries through the entire issue.
At the heart of it is the Nun, summoned—apparently—to assist with an exorcism. Her goal is simple: help, resolve the situation, restore order. But what unfolds is anything but straightforward. The ritual ends in disaster. Both the possessed individual and the overseeing priest are dead, and while it appears the demon has been expelled, the cost is severe. The aftermath hits hard: not only has something gone terribly wrong, but the Nun is punished for it. The revelation that she was never meant to be there leads to her excommunication, a brutal and definitive judgment that raises more questions than it answers.
What really elevates the issue is how quickly it seeds doubt. We see the priest contact her, so we accept that as fact—yet he later denies ever making the call. Investigations back that denial up. That contradiction immediately destabilises the narrative. It forces you to question not just the characters, but your own perspective as a reader. Was it a lie? A manipulation? Or something else entirely?
The demon’s reaction adds another layer. Rather than the usual confidence or malice, there’s confusion—almost fear. It doesn’t seem to understand what’s happening to it, which is deeply unsettling. That moment ties neatly into the issue's closing beats, hinting that whatever force is at work here goes beyond the typical boundaries of possession and exorcism. This doesn’t feel like a simple battle of good versus evil anymore.
There’s a strong sense that a larger mechanism is in motion—whether that’s a hidden adversary, a conspiracy within the Church, or something far more abstract and unknowable. The story doesn’t rush to explain itself, and that restraint works in its favour. It builds intrigue without overloading the reader.
Pacing is another standout. The issue moves briskly, but never feels rushed. Each scene adds a piece to the puzzle while deepening the unease. The shifting perspectives—human and demonic alike—are handled well, giving us just enough emotional grounding while maintaining the overarching mystery.
Visually, it all comes together. The artwork and colouring reinforce the tone perfectly, balancing the grounded reality of the characters with the creeping horror of the supernatural elements. It enhances the sense that reality itself might not be as stable as it seems.
All told, this is a gripping opening chapter. It hooks you with mystery, keeps you engaged with strong character reactions, and leaves you with just enough uncertainty to make you want the next issue immediately.
Get it from Forbidden Planet:
