In Mad Cave Studios Exorcists Never Die, Syd Miller and Ellen Blair are the world’s two premier combat exorcists. Trained to deal with whatever Hell spawn are sent against them. They worked well together, in the beginning. The only problem? After a personal relationship breakup due to work related issues, they can barely stand each other.
But they have bigger problems now. The biggest soul auction in history is kicking off beneath Los Angeles. And being the best means that they have to deal with it…together. Regardless of their personal baggage, Syd and Ellen have no choice but to come together to raid the Hellscraper. The infernal tower going straight down into the Earth and where the soul auction is scheduled and along with it, the Seven Deadly Sins. With thousands of souls on the line, Syd and Ellen must fight their way to the bottom or die trying. Provided they can overcome their own problems.
Issue 1 – Sloth
When it comes to personal relationship issues, it is only a matter of time before the subject of who’s to blame comes up. Apparently, Combat Exorcists are no different. No sooner than Syd and Ellen arrived on the scene when the discussion of how Syd had stolen her chance for a promotion came up. For Syd, that was ancient history. Of course, he would think so, he’s the one who got the promotion. For Ellen, it’s an open wound that just got reopened with the presence of Syd.
Entering the Hellscraper
Regardless, they had a job to do and not an infinite amount of time to do it. Upon entering the building, they entered what looked like an Insurance accounting office. But they knew better. As they were questioned about why they were there, Ellen couldn’t help but get a dig into Syd about how he doesn’t back up his claims. Ouch! Old habits die hard. Syd could see this was not going to happen without some slings and arrows being launched. Hopefully they won’t ALL be from Ellen. Ignoring the barb, they both revealed themselves to the inhabitants of the office, asking them to do the same. With that, the room was full of demons.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
The World of Sloth
In no time, Syd and Ellen took care of the sentries, as they recognized them to be. In fact, they were all dead corpses animated by demons. They both knew things would only get harder going forward. But down they must go. Along the way, the issues of the past continue to be discussed. For Ellen, it all came to the fact that unlike Syd, who had a powerful family to rely on, she had to work twice as hard as anyone else and still got passed by and ignored. Once they reached a lower level, all of their talk about work was an affront to the ears of Sloth.
Boredom
Sloth was bored, about everything. Even more tedious was the idea that these Combat Exorcists thought they stood a chance against him. Here in his world where time moved at an inexorable pace. His pace. And while Syd tried to use the power of the Angel of Hailstones against him, all it did was motivate Sloth to kill him. Slowly, painfully. Sloth HATED to be motivated.
Inaction VS Action
With Sloth’s attention of Syd, it gave Ellen a chance to think. Which locked in the time drain that Sloth exuded was all she could do at that moment. What could defeat inaction? Action…and the Angel of Instigation Malahidael was all about action. Ellen channeled the Angels power, much to the surprise of Sloth. No mortal had ever broken his grasp on time. First time for everything as Malahidael’s power overwhelmed the sin of Sloth.
In the aftermath, Ellen couldn’t help but gloat…at least a little bit. Hopefully, Syd had taken some notes about how it’s done. But Ellen also recognized this was a battle that would require outside the box thinking. For the both of them. Working together. But, in the meantime, perhaps they could celebrate their first victory as Ellen and Syd kissed. Much to the delight of the next Sin in line.
Issue 2 – Lust
Ellen and Syd had defeated Sloth. Well, actually Ellen had. But who’s keeping score? Most likely the both of them. However, they were too engaged in kissing to think about it at the moment. As they sank to the floor, neither realized they were also sinking down into the next level. As their descent ended, they quickly realized that someone was trying to distract them with carnal thoughts and desires. To keep them from focusing on the “good fight.” And who would use the sexual tension that still existed between them. Despite their past issues? Welcome to the world of Lust.
Babies Born of Lust
Even after being entangled together, it only took a moment for Syd and Ellen to once again snark at each other. To Syd’s thinking, that was why Lust’s plan failed. There wasn’t a tender moment that the both of them couldn’t kill with their sword like tongues. But for Lust, he had already won a partial victory. They were inside of him. And that action always creates new life. New demon babies that were born hungry.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
First Plan Failed
Syd at first tried the direct approach. Punching Lust whose image was a huge head. That only expedited the creation of more new offspring. Fortunately, while they couldn’t hit Lust, the babies were a different matter. While that held the offspring at bay, they needed more. Time to work together as they discussed. Bringing the Angels of Sound and Purity to the fight. And while sound proved to be somewhat effective, Purity for as hard as it hit, did nothing but arouse Lust. In both cases, Lust remained.
Creation VS Annihilation
As Ellen and Syd regrouped, Ellen continued to dwell on the past and reminding Syd of it. However, none of that was doing either of them any good. Ellen’s use of sound DID prove to be effective. Syd suggests she use it one more time to free them from the primordial ooze they were resting in while he tried something else. Just like in their first battle, what was the antithesis of what they were facing? For Sloth it was inaction vs action. For Lust, it is creation vs. destruction…or in this case, Annihilation. As Ellen uses a Sonic Shock, Syd channels Hasmet, Angel of Annihilation.
Just as in their first battle, the direct opposite of the opposing force proves too much for Sloth, reducing it to ashes. Ellen couldn’t help but be a little impressed. Syd, for his part, explained that even though Ellen believed otherwise, he did hear her and heed her advice…at times. Two down, five to go. As they prepared to descend further, Syd made a decision. One that Ellen was likely going to kill him for. He used his power to push her aside as he plunged down alone. So much for listening to what SHE had to say.
Thoughts
In Steve Orlando and Sebastián Píriz’s world of Exorcists Never Die, they could have easily been talking about personal grievances. In the first two issues, Syd and Ellen spent as much time sniping at each other as they did the demons and first two deadly sins they encountered. While some of their issues have been revealed, there is probably still more to discuss. At this point, we know that Ellen believed she had done the work and earned a promotion that instead went to her lover Syd. Adding salt to that wound is that Syd doesn’t seem to deny it. In fact, going as far as a questioning whether given the chance, “she wouldn’t have sold her soul for a leg up…back in the day.”
Which is interesting since he also seems to believe that she refuses to believe that he couldn’t have earned a promotion on his own merit. It’s a strange dichotomy between the two. Made all the more complicated because I think they both still have feelings for each other, despite the outward animosity. Regardless, they have somehow gotten past it all to be victorious in the first two challenges. Whether that continues will hang on Ellen not strangling Syd for that last stunt. Just in time for Gluttony.
Conflict Adds Spice
The whole confrontational element writer Steve Orlando has added into this narrative is what make the story so relatable. Job related conflicts are a common source of animosity between couples working at the same place. It’s probably why companies tend to frown on such relationships in the work environment. But in Exorcists Never Die, it is the seasoning that makes the story intriguing. Curious to see if they are able to get past it, or better yet, grow their relationship stronger because of it.
Artwork
When artist Sebastián Píriz was approached by Mad Cave for this title, writer Steve Orlando was already hard at work. So, while he suppled Sebastián with a full script, he also allowed the talented artist the freedom to create. This is never more prominent on his splash panels as Ellen or Syd unleashes their Angel Powers. Píriz takes those images and imbues them with energy and vivid color. It makes the appearance of each Angel and the Deadly Sin they are fighting worth the price of admission alone.
Mad Cave Studios Exorcists Never Die Issues 1 and 2 by Steve Orlando, Sebastián Píriz and Carlos M. Mangual is available now at Mad Caves Subscription Site and where great digital comics are sold.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.