REVIEW: 'The Devil That Wears My Face' #3 by David Pepose and Alex Cormack

 

THE DEVIL THAT WEARS MY FACE #3

Writer: David Pepose

Artist: Alex Cormack

Letterer: Justin Birch

Publisher: Mad Cave Studios

Release Date: December 13, 2023

Cover Price: $4.99

With the future of the Vatican in dire peril, the demonic Legion has gleefully turned the Curia against itself. But following his harrowing escape from captivity, Father Vieri returns to Rome with a dangerous plan to retrieve his stolen body - a plan that will force him to create an all-new identity to capture the Devil. With the mysterious Iscariot Blade at his side, can Legion's treachery survive the deadly designs of the Marques de Lazarus? Or will the intrigue of the Inquisition thwart even the best-laid plans of an exorcist?

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

It's not easy to outsmart the devil himself, but Father Vieri keeps trying. The body-swap horror comic,  'The Devil That Wears My Face' #3 by David Pepose and Alex Cormack, finds its twisty groove with a fast-paced compelling issue that finds the poor Father Vieri in another fine mess. Meanwhile, Legion continues to create chaos, murder, and executions but not without raising some suspicions. 

 The 'Face/Off' meets 'The Exorcist' description is never more accurate than in issue three when a disguised Father Vieri and Maria posing as wealthy nobles attempt to trap Legion by luring him to a fancy party to appeal to his more hedonistic side. Naturally, things go sideways and it's possibly the most entertaining issue so far. Pepose's confident writing has never been better with the way he's moving these characters around like chess pieces. Legion is too smart to be tricked into exorcising Vieri's body so as clever as the scheme may have seemed, he's not going to give it up without a fight. Even if Legion has to play head games with desperate Vieri. So, like 'Face/Off' it's going to take a lot more effort and intelligence to return Vieri to his rightful body. 

Alex Cormack is one of those artists who seem to delight in the darkest corners of storytelling. While all the calm moments look great, the party crowd in particular, it's the moments of bloodshed and chaos where he shines. The smirk on Legion's face might as well be his as choreographs the action with some interesting angles and plenty of blood. It's just the type of energy needed for a wildcard like Legion and the story benefits from the mayhem. 

'The Devil That Wears My Face' #3 takes the story into another gear with a tension cat and mouse game. Heads will roll when Legion is cornered. This is one of the most clever and fast-paced horror adventures in comics that's difficult to resist.