When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee #1: Your Darkness is Shining
Creative Team
writer: DAMIEN BECTON
artist/colorist: JAKUB REBELKA
letterer: BECCA CAREY
publisher: BOOM! STUDIOS
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee #1 is a slow burn whose simmer ushers readers into a chilling story.
Father Merrick Stygian is known for his controversial techniques when handling exorcisms. After a recent hospitalization, it’s clear his age puts the Church at risk of losing one of its core experts. In an effort to find a protégé, Manuel Barrera, a disgraced Priest, is tasked with learning how to handle the evil that lurks amongst humans.
It should be noted that a trigger warning is critical as the story involves the death of a child.
This comic is by no means filled with easily defined heroes. Rather, it is layered with topics of tragedy and questions of redemption. Written by Gus Moreno, the script is complex and engaging. Despite the lack of a primary protagonist to completely root for, it’s the question of what happens next that locks in the reader. Throughout this series premiere, there are hints of unfortunate histories and looming terror that follows the two priests as their stories intertwine.
Readers shouldn’t expect pages to be filled with exposition. In fact, part of what makes this story a compelling page-turner is how much is hinted but not yet explored. Father Barrera and Father Stygian act as hardened individuals and there is no indication that either deserves to be put on a pedestal. Instead, it’s the weaving of their journeys that make this comic so damn good and when matched with foreboding imagery, leaves readers with lingering thoughts on this unsettling title.
The illustrations from Jakub Rebelka are a perfect match for Moreno’s script and it’s clear the two co-creators put a lot of consideration into the story. Moreno’s writing is rich in tone and Rebelka’s earthy color palettes and rough line work in the characters and locations give an almost muralist style to this comic book series. It also helps that Rebelka works the script perfectly in the foreshadowing and small giveaways that are easy to miss—but a joy when recognized.
With dialogue amongst clerics taking up most of the pages, the tension exists primarily in what is said in addition to some of the visual cues from Rebelka. Letterer Becca Carey offers their skill and ensures the back and forth dialogue flow without taking away from the art within the panels while giving subtle details like locations in this globetrotting issue.
Final Verdict
Dark and devilishly twisted, When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee is supernatural horror at its finest. With its sharp writing and moody art, this bold story may not be the only haunt that sticks with you.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.5 |
| Story/Plot | 9.5 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.5 |
| Colors | 9.5 |
| Final Score | 9.5/10 |