The Exorcism at 1600 Penn

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn #1-4

by Hannah Rose May, Vanesa Del Rey (illustrator)

The most famous address in the U.S. becomes the center of an epic struggle in this chilling supernatural-horror graphic novel!

Kelly Doyle has just been elected the first female president of the United States of America, and boiling political tension could spill over at any second. Having to balance being a mother to two teenagers and navigating the shifting media landscape, all while preventing World War III, has Kelly spread thin, but she could never predict that the nation’s hallowed halls would soon become a demonic battleground for good versus evil.

From the pen of rising comics writer Hannah Rose May (Rogues’ Gallery) and acclaimed artist Vanesa Del Rey (Scarlet Witch) comes this psychological tale perfect for fans of Nice House on the Lake and The Haunting of Hill House.

Genres: Horror, Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[Jamie Josephson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for providing an ARC of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn in exchange for honest feedback.

As someone who has never picked up a comic or graphic novel in my life, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. The premise - a demonic possession in the White House - sounded exactly like the type of horror book I would gravitate towards so I figured I would give this a shot…and I’m glad I did!

Right from the start, I was pulled in by its originality - part political thriller and part supernatural horror. The artwork (which I admit I initially thought would be distracting) actually enhanced the mood and intensity in ways that words alone might not have. I found myself lingering on certain panels just to take it all in. The characters were distinct and memorable, and the central storyline kept me engaged. And perhaps this is a standard graphic novel thing, but I really appreciated how it didn’t try to over-explain things - it was up to me to piece things together.

With that said, as a newbie to the comic/graphic novel format, I did find some of the layout transitions a little confusing but got in a rhythm about halfway through. The only true distraction for me was the watermark in the middle of each page which I’m assuming was only there since the copy I read was an early release.

Overall, it was thrilling, eerie, and a great introduction to the comic format.

[Coral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished The Exorcism at 1600 Penn by Hannah Rose May and wow. I’m obsessed. The mix of horror, politics, and family drama is so well done. I couldn’t put it down! This is a bold, genre bending political horror story that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go. With the first female president of the United States, navigating not only the treacherous waters of political sabotage but also the intense pressures of motherhood under a microscope. Things do take a dark turn when a demonic presence manifests inside the White House itself.
Yeah, I absolutely loved this comic. It’s smart, scary, and surprisingly heartfelt. A must read for fans of horror with a political twist. READ IT

[Félszipókás_Ősmoly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great VHS movie! The fenomenal Irish author Hannah Rose May co-oping with the talented Cuban born artist Vanessa Del Rey used an iconic setting to bring fresh blood into the worn-out possession genre. America's first female president struggles to raise her adolescent daughter and son alongside her leadership duties, while facing a formidable threat on both the worldly and otherworldly stage.

I liked the slow plot-building and the family-centredness of the characters as they listened and looked after each other. There is a lot of text, but it helped me to consider the content to be serious and realistic. Vanessa Del Rey's distinctive drawing style (as if it were all done with charcoal pencil instead of the usual ink, with dark and solid color schemes predominating) set the mood of grim menace. I liked that the demonic presence was questionable for a long time. It could have been taken as a mere hallucination of the character (until the actual possession happened) - the pressure on the President and her daughter at the doorstep of world war three could understandably have triggered it. However, the supernatural is real in the world of this graphic novel, so eventually a very exciting blend of political thriller, family drama and infernal horror emerged. The ending hit less than I expected, but they still made a great, rich content to fill the playtime.

Thanks to the author and Netgalley, I read an advanced reading copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, written by Hannah Rose May and illustrated by Vanesa Del Ray, is a fictional horror comic written about a first family of the future. Kelly Doyle is the first female president of the United States, and has all the responsibilities that go with this, as well as being a wife and mother to two teenagers. Her children start at a new Catholic school when they move to DC, and they have added peer pressures while there, which lead to some mysterious behaviors from one of them. The family must learn how to come together and figure out what is happening to their family, and whether the government might be involved.
I really enjoyed this book! I do not read too many comics, but the setup and story was easy to follow, and I appreciated the religious aspects. I also enjoyed seeing how the family worked together to come up with a solution. I feel that it really made the characters feel down to earth, despite their power.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the author, illustrator, and publisher of this book for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn (Volume One) kicks off with lots of intriguing world-building. The story centers on a mom who has just become president and her two kids adjusting to life in the White House while starting at a new Catholic high school. Kevin is instantly popular, while Mara is suss of everyone and hyper-sensitive—or is there something more going on with her?

The series has a fascinating setup, and I even learned about Havana syndrome, which adds an extra layer of intrigue. The art is very scratchy-perhaps enhanced by AI, as there were odd areas near facial features..? Anyway, I enjoyed this first volume and will pick up #2 if I find it on Hoopla.

[Brian Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Read: Yes, thank you to @idwpublishing for the ARC copy!
Format: Digital ARC
Genre: Horror
Pages: 130
Content Warnings: demonic possession, language
Rating: 🐆🐆🐆 .5/🐆🐆🐆🐆🐆

Synopsis: The first female president of the United States of America has her hands full with bloodthirsty congressmen, bad-faith reporters, increased foreign hostilities and more, not to mention balancing her marriage and the care of their two teenagers. But when an ancient evil surfaces among them, the halls of the White House become a much different kind of battleground, one that may cost them their souls.

Thoughts (assume minor spoilers):
This graphic novel collects the full run of the limited comic series The Exorcism at 1600 Penn. I subbed to this book because the ashcan preview my local comic book shop set aside for me looked compelling, and I’m glad I did.

I love a good possession story, and I appreciate the change in setting here. It takes that age-old political adage of “fighting for the soul of the nation” to its most literal. Rose May does a great job expressing outside of the possession story just how much technology plays a pivotal role in today’s political and social landscape. Del Rey’s frantic sketchy visuals keep your eyes on edge the entire time, and Bellaire’s muted color palette conveys a sense of dread that intensifies with each page.

Quibbles: I really did enjoy this book, so my quibbles are very minor, but - one, I wish there was more of the demon. Whether it be him manifesting more in the background, or wreaking more havoc up front, it would have been nice to see more. Two, and I realize this is a dumb thing to fixate on, but… where was the Secret Service during some of these scenes? The most egregious examples for me are when Kevin is pulling the prank, and when the major battle is happening in the final third of the book.

Overall, I recommend this one for folks who enjoy possession and demon stories.

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the advanced copy.

Firstly, the watermark on the ARC was a little too opaque and got in the way of the words and art that made it difficult for me to read through this with my dyslexia but I persevered and managed to finish, and what I read wasn't bad!

IDW usually puts out some interesting horror and horror adjacent comics, and The Exorcism at 1600 Penn is another for the collection... just not my personal collection. I'm not normally big on religious horror but the setting of this one, the White House, intrigued me.

Hannah Rose May tries to do a lot and mostly succeeds - there's commentary around doomscrolling, negative thoughts, bullies, politicking, reactionaries, religion, etc nothing annoyed me though I think a stronger focus on one or two of these things rather than a whole bunch would have made the story stronger. Her President is newly elected as the first female president (and while the political parties aren't mentioned at all, it's pretty clearly a JFK-type Catholic democrat) and she turns out to actually be a side character lol

The main characters in this comic are the President's kids, Kevin and Mara. Mara, pretty early on, starts showing signs of possession, which is mistaken as a number of other things due to the new situation the family finds themselves in, shortly after the new President takes office. Aside from one of the potential reasons for Mara's behavior being linked to Havana Syndrome, I don't think the setting makes much of a difference and this story would have been the same if it were just like, a student at the school.

Overall it felt very much like a filler episode of Evil. Which, Evil is one of my favorite tv shows so I'm not mad, it's just that I hoped for and wanted more. If you like possession or religious horror, it's not a bad story to check out though. The art is reminiscent of Ben Templesmith's work as well, which I enjoyed.

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great graphic novel. The intertwining of possession and politics made it even more interesting than I thought and overall it was a great storyline. I loved the art style used and think it went really well with the story.
Thanks to netgalley for an eARC in return for an honest review.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know much about comic books/graphic novels as this is only the first one I've ever read in full, but I enjoyed this one for what it was. I wasn't expecting the like... weird Christian nationalism (yeah, 'merica, thank you, Jesus, amen) undertone at the end, but I guess I should have seen it coming since it was about the US president's daughter getting possessed by a demon. That may have just been me reading into things a little too much, though. I was a bit confused by the artwork, and thrown off by the inconsistency of how the characters were drawn; one other reviewer on Goodreads suggested that maybe they attempted to touch up the artwork with AI, and I think that would make sense.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book.

[RatGrrrl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC though NetGalley for an honest review.

I hate to say it, but good gravy this is bad!

DNF @ 63% and that's after really pushing myself to continue.

I just don't understand what the point of this is. Like, at all.

I absolutely don't get how the cover quote got comparing this to West Wing and Flanagan's shows...like, it's primarily set in the white house and there's spoops (kinda), but nothing about this is anything like those other properties. The comparison is frankly insulting to the prospective reader.

Why is this about the president's family?
What party is the president from and what are her politics? (a women in an interracial couple does not a manifesto make)
Am I supposed to care about any of the characters, beyond hating the bullies and shitty journalists?
Why the fuck is it banging on so much about fucking Havana fucking syndrome?

I am absolutely flummoxed.

There are bones of an interesting story here. A possessed child of the president and some spoopy creepypasta Havana Syndrome silliness could be something, but not in this poe faced, taking itself way too fucking seriously, absolutely falling into the Westworld Pretentiousnes Paradox.

I'm unfathomably bored.
I'm not in the least bit invested in anything.
My jeebies are decidedly unheebied.
I don't care.

I'm sorry.

I haven't written such a negative review on a long time, but this is the most milquetoast tin foil liberal nothing I've read in a while, and that would be one thing, but with the world and politics as they are right now, I actually find this comic insulting to my intelligence as well as being unbelievably fucking boring.

I'm always going to give an honest review.

[Sharon]

DNF - page 23 (18%)

The panel layout was so difficult to read, it really affected my investment in the actual story.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prepare for the security clearance briefing like you've never seen!

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn is a unique and fresh take on the possession genre at one of the most iconic locations in history. This slow-burn horror graphic novel is sure to take readers on a journey that they won't soon forget. From briefing rooms to media rooms to the heart of the Catholic church, this book travels around to solve the ever-looming mystery of what the President of the United States is currently facing with her family. It's adventurous and grand in scale, and at times, I struggled to grasp it because I felt somewhat lost, but those details returned in force as needed, and the end of this story was genuinely written at the next level.

The illustrations in this story are also superb. They are disturbing and creepy in a way that elevates the plot!

Perfect for fans of Chucky (TV Series), Paradise, and the Exorcist!

[The Void Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
The Exorcism at 1600 Penn
By Hannah Rose May & Vanesa Del Rey

What an outstanding story! This one kept me focused all the way through.

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn is a razor‑sharp blend of political tension, supernatural dread, and psychological unraveling—delivered with the confidence of creators who know exactly how to keep readers hooked. Hannah Rose May crafts a narrative that feels both intimate and apocalyptic, grounding the horror in the personal pressures of newly elected President Kelly Doyle while letting the stakes spiral into something far more sinister.

Kelly’s juggling act—motherhood, global diplomacy, and the relentless scrutiny of the modern media landscape—already feels like a pressure cooker. But when the White House becomes the epicenter of a demonic incursion, the story shifts into a chilling, claustrophobic battle for the soul of the nation. May’s writing is taut and character‑driven, making every moment of terror hit harder because it’s rooted in real emotional strain.

Vanesa Del Rey’s art is the perfect match: shadow‑drenched, expressive, and unsettling in all the right ways. Her visual storytelling amplifies the creeping dread, turning the White House into a haunted labyrinth where every corner feels alive with menace. The atmosphere is thick, cinematic, and beautifully unnerving.

Fans of Nice House on the Lake and The Haunting of Hill House will feel right at home here—this is horror that thrives on tension, psychology, and the slow tightening of the noose. It’s bold, gripping, and impossible to put down.

A standout supernatural thriller with a fresh hook and unforgettable execution.
Five stars, without hesitation.

Happy reading from The Void 😈📚

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like well-written stories that build the suspense slowly then you may find this very satisfying. Great political drama. Great family drama. Supernatural undertones.
There’s a lot of attention-grabbing scenes in the extra-sized debut issue. I’m impressed with May’s writing as well as Del Rey’s art (much better and more expressive than her work on THE CREEPING BELOW recently).
A newly-elected female President of the United States. Mixed race family. A pending crisis. Political opposition and plenty of critics. Her kids adjusting to a new school and new attention. A creepy shadowy presence in the White House.
There are two divergent storylines that don't fully converge until mid-way through the third act. That serves to keep readers guessing whether the threat is political or supernatural. I won't give too much away, but the fourth and final act makes it clear that this is predominantly a horror story. The ending was not disappointing, but anticipated.
The art, in my opinion, was always challenging to view. Del Rey's style is not for everyone, and seemed to get a little sloppy with an unfinished look in several places.
I read this in the monthly single issues. More of a 3.5 star rating, in my opinion.

[Aquila · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn builds slowly with an eerie unsettling feeling that finally pays off at about ¾ of the way through the story. The book includes dark, moody colors and sharp, angular art that pairs well with the tone of the work.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn by Hannah Rose May in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Patricia Q · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought I was going to like this.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comic delivers an intriguing twist on the exorcism genre by weaving in politics and demons within the White House. The plot balances dark supernatural elements with sharp political commentary, creating an unusual but effective backdrop for the story. The characters, especially the brother (Thank you for not being an annoying sibling this time), keeps the narrative engaging, and the setting of the presidential residence adds a level of tension and mystery. However, the art style feels a bit inconsistent. While the demons are depicted with a hauntingly impressive flair, the human faces can often look strange, detracting from the emotional weight of the story and I couldn't tell what the fuck was happening sometimes.

The conclusion offers a bit too much of a "fix everything with a bow" vibe, making the political and supernatural tension feel deflated. Despite these flaws, the comic is still a fun, unique read, with an intriguing mix of horror, politics, and the supernatural that keeps you invested but it's not quite great sadly.

[bookreader_nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and IDW Publishing for an Advance Reader Copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

This was such a cool graphic novel. Even though I found it a little fast-paced, I like the story-line and I like the artwork and I looooooove the concept. The idea of the First Family getting haunted by a demon is super freaky and scary (albeit, there are a lot of underlying themes going there). I also liked that the author opted to make the President a female, which was super cool to see. You do see some gender profiling and treatment differences. There are some other sensitive topics involved - demons (obviously), religious beliefs, gender inequality, bullying, etc.

The story follows the President, her husband and her two kids. One kid wants to fit in so he is roped into committing a prank in their church. The other kid is more laid back and obsessively follows social media posts about her mother as the President. I did find one inconsistency, but it's a minor one that isn't *that* big of a deal.

Overall, this was a great story and I devoured it.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for an advance copy of this new graphic novel about power, politics, poltergeists, possession, and the patriarchy and the presidency, a story about the first woman elected to the nation's highest office, in a time of anger, war drums, and something much older looking to break free.

As a fan of horror and history I have always wondered why there weren't more stories about the horror genre and politics. There are stories of witch hunters, and Vatican empowered vampire killers, but those are almost workplace horror stories, with a bit of theology. X-Files is mostly conspiracies, the evil that governments can do to control a message. Politics is a dark art, probably as old a dark art as possible from the time we first lived in caves and a leader took power by club, or by promise. We see the evil of politics, where many in government feel that people are cogs in the wheel of the state, when they clog the workings of the state, ie, want more power, want to be who they are, stop working for the state, well the state can reduce them to non-citizens, or even the other. See politics is scary. Outside of the Omen III movie few have looked at the power of the presidency, how a good person can be corrupted for votes, or too keep power. Especially against an evil that has claimed their family, and something that could end in nuclear fire. The Exorcism at 1600 Penn is written by Hannah Rose May, and illustrated Vanesa Del Rey and tells of the first woman president of the United States, the people she has to fight, the family that finds itself at risk, and a world that seems to want war for no reason.

Kelly Doyle has been elected President of the United States of America after a tumultuous battle. With hours of her inauguration Doyle is already under attack for making America look weak, and not dealing with the attacks on politicians and spies, by a foreign country, a recurrence of the Havana Syndrome. Doyle and her family are adjusting to living in the camera eye with her children attending a Catholic school, also with mixed results. Kevin her sin is doing ok, making friends, but Mara her daughter seems to be having a hard time, and gained a few enemies. Mara also is not mentally well, doomscrolling her phone seeing the attacks on her mother, and getting more and more anxious. A prank by Kevin seems to effect Mara in strange ways, causing seizures, speaking in tongues, and acting weird. The president has also received word that the Havana Syndrome attacks are hitting close to home, maybe even aimed at the White House. As the world moves to war, something seems to be infesting the body politic, a threat as old as man, or maybe a new weapon aimed at destroying the presidency.

A book that mangaes to balance politics, religion and kids being very mean girls. The story moves well, and conveys the politics well, including the fact that a woman president will get questions a male president would never be asked. Sort of like what a female comic book writer gets asked that they would never ask say a Chris Claremont. The story moves well, an gets both creepy and disturbing as one tries to figure if there is a real Demon, or if this is a case of sonic attacks on the brain. I really love the use of Havana Syndrome in the story, leaving a big wonder in the mind, if the demon that seems to want Mara is real, or just in her head.

The art is good, moody, dark, a little cartoony, but surprisingly unsettling. The art compliments tha story. A book I quite enjoyed and a team I would like to see more of.

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Exorcism of 1600 Penn, Hannah Rose May delivers a smart, atmospheric blend of supernatural horror and political commentary that reimagines the White House as a battleground not just for power, but for the very soul of the nation. With hauntingly evocative art by Vanesa Del Rey, this graphic novel is both a visual feast and a chilling meditation on what happens when the most powerful house in the world is infiltrated by evil far older—and more terrifying—than partisan politics.

President Kelly Doyle is already in uncharted territory as the first woman elected to the highest office in the U.S., juggling her role as a mother, a leader, and a lightning rod in a polarized country. But things take a deadly supernatural turn when sinister forces begin to stir inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. What follows is a taut, unsettling descent into paranoia, possession, and moral reckoning.

May’s writing shines in its restraint. Rather than relying on jump scares or gore, the horror creeps in quietly, burrowing under the skin. The real terror emerges not just from the demonic entities lurking in the shadows, but from the emotional and psychological toll it takes on President Doyle and her inner circle. It’s a story as much about internal demons—grief, guilt, legacy—as it is about literal ones.

Vanesa Del Rey’s artwork is an inspired match for the story’s tone. Her signature moody, shadow-drenched style transforms the White House into a gothic maze where history and horror bleed together. Every panel feels heavy with dread, especially the more intimate moments where characters face the uncanny and unknown in candlelit corridors and war rooms gone cold.

Fans of The Nice House on the Lake or The Haunting of Hill House will find a lot to love here: a creeping sense of doom, deeply flawed but sympathetic characters, and a relentless tension that never lets up. But The Exorcism of 1600 Penn also distinguishes itself by daring to question what kind of moral rot might truly lie at the heart of power, and whether redemption is ever possible on a stage that big.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
A bold, stylish, and deeply unnerving horror tale that transforms the White House into a haunted house in every sense. The Exorcism of 1600 Penn is a must-read for fans of literary horror, political thrillers, and gorgeously twisted graphic storytelling.

[tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The first female president of the United States is elected at damaging political crisis, with the threat of an upcoming war, while having to navigate motherhood through her two teenage kids, Mara and Kevin. Mara is not doing well in the new school and falls victim to bullying, while Kevin gets the attention of the popular kids. A prank going wrong and Mara developing worrying habits might be all it takes for the White House to be the stage of a real exorcism.

First things first, I must comment on the art style: Vanessa Del Rey absolutely nails the atmosphere and creates a beautifully creepy imagery for these events. The White House looks like it's been taken out of a horror game. Incredible ambiance and paneling structure.

The story itself deserves credit where credit is due. It's a creative religious horror set in a quite original background. While I do enjoy the politics mixed with religion in the context of horror, the patriotic message falls flat to me, specially with the state the world is currently in right now. I find it hard to talk politics without actually diving into it and we are, in no way, introduced to it. We are supposed to root for the president and that's it. With all that aside, the syndrome mentioned in the fictitious story lead us nowhere and I wonder why it was even mentioned. The final takeaway was just a bit silly to read, honestly.

Something I would suggest is making the arc watermarks less opaque. I think it would help with inclusivity, letting a larger variety of readers review this one.

[Adell Lashawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One line vibe: possession horror inside the halls of power with ritual, secrecy, and a clock that never stops

What it is: A high concept haunting set in a place where image management matters as much as survival. The story tightens around a small circle as strange activity turns into a full crisis. The setting feels like a character. Long corridors. Locked rooms. Eyes on every door. The book builds from whispers and cold spots to scenes that rattle the walls while people argue about optics and truth.

Personal take on the lead: I connected with the point of view character because duty keeps winning even when fear gets loud. The quiet moments of doubt feel honest. When it is time to act I believed the choices.

What worked for me:
• A hook that sells itself and pays off
• Claustrophobic mood that turns protocol into tension
• Set pieces that stick the landing without cheap jumps
• A clean escalation from eerie to urgent
• An ending that answers the question the book keeps asking

What to consider:
• Early chapters favor setup over fireworks
• Religious and possession imagery gets intense
• One survival beat asks for a little grace on realism

Content notes: possession and religious themes, violence, brief body horror, confinement, anxiety, crowd pressure. Check publisher notes for full content warnings.

My quote: “Power can lock a door. It cannot lock a soul.” (Adell LaShawn)

Verdict: 4 out of 5. Tense, cinematic, and satisfying. If you want a possession story that traps you in a historic building and makes every choice feel public, add it to your list.

[Thomas Kiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelly Doyle has just been sworn in as the first female president of the United States. Her husband and their two kids move into the White House and have to get used to their mom's new high pressure job. President Doyle is dealing with international threats from day one, but her biggest threat comes from insider her home when one of her children becomes possessed. As the possession and international relations worsen, the Doyles must work together to save one of their own and potentially the world.

I thought The Exorcism at 1600 Penn was a solid attempt at its premise of what if an exorcism needed to be done in the White House. I read all the issues in one sitting and thought the story flowed pretty well, though I imagine reading this month-to-month might have left me desiring more, and even then I still think the book skipped some narrative steps to get to the exorcism. I did not love the art, I think it was a good style and there were plenty of striking images throughout, but the ARC I was provided was not the highest resolution so I was loosing detail. The characters were well-drawn enough for a miniseries and it was easy to follow all of the threads through the climactic exorcism. Not a perfect comic, but if you are looking for the story its trying to sell I think you will be satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and IDW for a copy of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn in exchange for an honest review.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review
I am always here for a well thought-out and well-executed graphic novel, especially one written by a woman.

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn was a refreshing palate cleanser that managed to keep things spooky, but also offered up robust commentary on the American political system. And holy crap, does the American political system need a reckoning and maybe a nice colonic.

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn sees Kelly Doyle win the presidency, and have to balance that role with raising her two kids. When her daughter begins to behave strangely, the family must come together to save not only her life, but the entire family.

I went in thinking it The Exorcism at 1600 Penn was going to be a purely supernatural thrill ride, but there were elements of challenging familial dynamics, and psychological horror that I didn't expect, but very much enjoyed watching play out.

The artwork is top drawer. As a fan of graphic novels, I am always excited when the artist tells the story accurately with their illustrations, and Vanessa Del Rey did an amazing job.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed the story for the most part. First, while this book centers around 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the publisher blurb does not tell the whole story. The book’s focus is on the teenage children of the first female POTUS. She is featured, but much off the story revolves around the teens.

Second, I have read a fair number of graphic novels and the artwork is just–weird. It’s physically dark, which I would expect from a horror novel, but there’s all sorts of weird shading. It was also hard to see expressions on the faces because of the weird drawing. Someone else suggested that the artwork was touched up with AI, which would make sense. There are some really great panels by other artists that are clear and don’t have the weird shadowing feature, and I enjoyed those immensely.

I did enjoy the political tension in the novel, as the president has to balance work and home while dealing with a blustering, power hungry senator who wants to start WWIII. Yeah, that doesn’t seem very realistic, does it? (Sarcasm font enabled.) Despite my misgivings with this ARC, I would still recommend it if I knew the artwork was corrected for the general release.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn by Hannah Rose unfortunately did not live up to the hype in my opinion. This comic follows the new First Family of the United States and the troubles they face as they move their lives into the White House.

The comic felt very disorganised and overloaded with too many topics and plots, from political issues, bullying, strange military deaths, bullying, to demonic possession, this story didn't know where it was headed. The main focus of this read should have been the possession and demonic entity at play, however, this wasn't fleshed out until very late in the comic, and felt rushed.

It was difficult to enjoy and follow this story as it felt that you were trying to follow several different stories that were all rushed to a conclusion and climax in the last several pages.

A lot of the artwork was very beautiful, especially the darker panels.

I wish we got a more fluid storyline where the evil horror that had attached itself to the daughter was the prime focal point. More back story and detailed explanations of what, how and why for the demonic entity would have allowed for a more enjoyable read.

Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn in exchange for an honest review.

[Jonathan San · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest comic book reader but my son had this on our house iPad's kindle and I was really taken with the art as I was watching him read it.

I live on the news cycle and was worried that something like this was going to be too political or heavy handed. We talked and he insisted it wasn't and after reading issue 1 I was hooked. I binged through all 4 and have to say this was EXCELLENT.

As a father whose wife is the bread winner, I felt such a connection to the storyline. The idea that a family has to rally behind their mother who is taking on the lion share of the load really spoke to me. The added horror elements were great but the drama of the character dynamics really held my attention. I loved the way the older brother's dynamic with his younger sister, especially as it evolved over the course of the series.

Granted, my wife is in pharmaceuticals and not the president of the united states, but she deals with cancer drugs that save people's lives on the daily. There are days where she comes home and the weight of the world is on her shoulders. It really resonated on how the husband and wife dynamic was portrayed.

This really felt more like a family drama than it did a supernatural story. I think the way the writer tackled this was so intuitive and made me realize that comics really are a potent medium for storytelling. I'll be making sure my son buys more books from this publisher and writer in the future!

[Darth C · Rating 3 out of 5]

👻 Exorcism at 1600 Penn was like watching C-SPAN, but with demons… and honestly, I’m still not sure that made it scarier.

The concept? Chef’s kiss. A supernatural siege on the White House during the term of the first female president? Inject that premise directly into my spooky little veins. We’ve got political tension, family drama, and literal hell breaking loose in the Oval Office, sounds like it should be a total banger.

But the execution felt rushed. It’s only four issues, and it shows. There’s not enough time to settle into the characters or let the stakes simmer. Kelly Doyle, our history-making president, deserved more page time to feel like a real person rather than a trope in a power suit. Her family drama and the demonic chaos both felt like they needed more room to breathe, and instead, it was all just… crammed.

The art by Vanesa Del Rey? GORGEOUS. Gritty, moody, cinematic. The visuals were 10/10. But I wanted the story to match that same vibe….. and it never quite got there.

All in all, it was a decent horror comic with a killer premise that just didn’t fully possess me. If it had been expanded into a longer series or even a graphic novel, it could’ve been presidential-level iconic. As is? Just okay.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn collects issues 1-4 of the IDW Publishing comic series written by Hannah Rose May, art by Vanesa Del Rey, and colors by Jordie Bellaire.

Kelly Doyle, the first female president of the United States, has just moved into the White House with her family. As her husband and two teenage children come to terms with this new way of life, new schools, and a new home, President Doyle faces her first national emergency. Devices have been found in Washington, D.C. that could be causing Havana Syndrome. But are they actually causing Havana Syndrome or is something much darker at play?

Great concept that needed more development - both with the story and its characters. To me this felt way too rushed and may work better as a movie than a comic. I also wasn’t a big fan of the dialogue as most of it felt unnatural and forced. The art is very moody but often hard to decipher what is going on or who is talking and some of the layouts are a bit wonky which had me reading panels out of order.

I thought the premise was very good but the overall execution left a lot to be desired. Milage may vary here.

[Jesse Will · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story seemed really interesting and compelling however after the first issue it began to fall a little flat. The storyline fell victim to many of the common possession tropes and didn't have the fun creative twists I was hoping for. It felt a little rushed with awkward transitions and abrupt pivots in the story. Not a single character took any real convincing that it was a possession.

I really enjoyed the artwork at first and I love the colors they chose throughout. That said, I finished the book in my bedroom with warmer lights that weren't as bright as in My office and I was straight up squinting trying to figure out what was happening in some of these frames. It felt like that era of Netflix movies where they just made everything super dark and hard to see for some reason. The moody art was very pretty but definitely too dark for this old man's eyes.

Lacking in thrills and straining my eyeballs just wasn't a winning combination for me this time which is why I rated two overall. Worth a single read perhaps but I won't be picking this book up again anytime soon.