Advance Review: Gluttony Is Everywhere — Literally — In ‘Exorcists Never Die’ #3

This month’s sin is gluttony!

As combat exorcists Syd and Ellen make their way through the Hellscraper – a building in Los Angeles that’s about to host an auction of souls – they must fight their way through personifications of the seven deadly sins. Gluttony is the most disgusting the pair have yet to meet.

That’s a statement of fact in real life but also a tip of the hat to artist Sebastian Piriz, who renders this sin as a hairless mound of revolting, nauseating flesh. The first image is enough to make you want to put the book down – but that is a complement to Piriz’ illustration and storytelling abilities. One look at the monstrosity is enough to make you swear off ice cream and Chinese food forever.

Gluttony though, at least for this issue, doesn’t deal with physical hunger, but rather the need to hog the glory of combat. The romantic relationship between Syd and Ellen didn’t last because they sought to one-up each other while in battle. Those feelings are still at play now, causing Syd to try to defeat Gluttony by himself. That only ends up pitting the two exorcists against each other.

It’s a nice turn of the script by writer Steve Orlando. Exorcists Never Die is already in danger of being little more than a “monster of the month” story – and while this issue technically follows that template – the two fighting each other helps to break things up a bit. Orlando also lays the groundwork for a changeup in the story for future issues, so there’s even more hope for variety on the horizon.

This issue features something for everyone. There’s plenty of action, interpersonal conflict, redemption and, of course, more than enough gluttony to go around. It’s a good change of pace for an entertaining series.

Exorcists Never Die #3 will be available for purchase on June 28, 2023.