Review: Excommunicated #3
From Vault Comics
We get some history and more demonic action in Excommunicated #3 from Vault Comics this week.
Josephine and Edimmu must escape the Vatican’s soldiers before she gets an eye-opening history lesson on ‘the satan’ and Hell’s secret ‘arrangement’ with the Church. Father Santos reveals his true feelings…and true allegiance. But the massive demon Pazuzu now stands in the way!
Writer: Jeremy Robinson
Artist: Tiago Palma
Colorist: Manuel J. Rodriguez
Letterer: Jim Campbell with Andworld Design
Cover Art: Flaviano Armentaro
This was another fantastic issue, and for me it delivered everything I was hoping for after the previous instalment. It wastes no time getting started either, immediately addressing the cliffhanger from the last issue in a satisfying way. Rather than dragging things out, the creative team throws us straight back into the action, setting the tone for another fast-paced chapter while also strengthening the central partnership that has become the heart of the series.
The relationship between Edimmu and Josephine continues to be one of the comic’s greatest strengths. On paper, a demon and a nun should never be able to work together, yet that’s exactly what makes their dynamic so compelling. They approach every situation from completely different perspectives, with their beliefs, morals and instincts often clashing. However, necessity forces them to find common ground, and watching the reluctant trust between them slowly develop is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the book. Neither is willing to completely abandon what they stand for, but both are beginning to understand that survival depends on compromise.
Alongside the action, we are treated to a fascinating glimpse into the history of this world. The mythology surrounding the Church, Hell and the ancient bargains that have kept everything in balance adds another intriguing layer to the story. It feels like the series is steadily revealing a much larger picture, one that stretches back far beyond the events of the current plot. What I particularly liked was the uncertainty surrounding the information we’re being given. Much of it comes from a demon’s point of view, and that naturally raises questions over how much of it can actually be trusted. Is this the complete truth, a carefully selected version of events, or an outright lie? That ambiguity makes the lore even more engaging and leaves you constantly questioning what is really happening behind the scenes.
The pacing throughout the issue is excellent. It moves quickly without ever feeling rushed, balancing exposition, character development and action extremely well. Edimmu gets plenty of opportunities to demonstrate exactly why he is such a dangerous force, with several energetic action sequences that are full of movement and impact. At the same time, the issue never forgets Josephine. Rather than simply reacting to events around her, she continues to grow into a capable and determined lead in her own right. As the mystery deepens and she uncovers more evidence of the conspiracy surrounding them, her resolve only becomes stronger. By the end of the issue, it feels very much like this is her journey as much as Edimmu’s.
The discoveries made throughout the story also raise the stakes considerably. Each revelation peels back another layer of the conspiracy, showing that the corruption reaches much further than first imagined. The introduction of another demon only adds to the sense that there are far greater powers at work, and it becomes increasingly clear that Edimmu and Josephine have stumbled into something that neither of them fully understands. Every answer seems to generate even more questions, making it difficult to predict where the story will head next.
The artwork deserves just as much praise as the writing. It effortlessly shifts between present-day events, flashbacks and explosive supernatural battles without ever becoming confusing. The action scenes are packed with energy, while quieter moments still carry plenty of emotion through the characters’ expressions and body language. The demon designs are particularly memorable, each looking distinctive and unsettling in their own way rather than blending together. The colour palette also plays a huge part in establishing the atmosphere, with vivid supernatural effects contrasting beautifully against the darker, more grounded settings.
Overall, this issue does an excellent job of pushing the story forwards while continuing to build the world around its characters. The conspiracy becomes more complex, the mythology grows richer and the partnership between Edimmu and Josephine becomes even more compelling. With so many powerful forces now working against them, the odds are clearly stacked against the pair. That only makes me more eager to see where the series goes next and how, if at all, they’re going to find a way out of the impossible situation they’ve found themselves in.
