Interview: Steve Orlando Explains Why 'Exorcists Never Die!'

In the following interview, writer Steve Orlando tells us all about his new Mad Cave mini-series,  Exorcists Never Die.  Keep reading...

Tell us about Exorcists Never Die. What’s it about?

Exorcists Never Die follows Syd Miller and Ellen Blair, two of the world’s foremost combat exorcists, as they attempt a raid on the Hellscraper – an infernal structure that goes down instead of up. At the bottom? A soul auction with thousands of souls, and the lives they support, on the line. And in the way? The Seven Deadly Sins, demonic personifications of human weakness that have been summoned to the mortal world to guard the auction. And that’s before we get into the fact that Syd and Ellen are almost as famous for their nuclear breakup as they are for their impeccable exorcism work. To get to the bottom of the Hellscraper and save thousands, the first thing they’ll have to conquer is the bad blood lingering between them. 

What can you tell us about Syd Miller and Ellen Blair in the story? Why are they estranged?

Well, that would be quite a spoiler! But in general, Syd and Ellen are both famous in the world of exorcism, they’re both living legends. But the tension between them comes from how they got to where they are.  Syd comes from a long line of exorcists -his family name is legendary! And Ellen has had to build her career for herself, overcoming institutional hurdles Syd could never dream of. Both had struggles and assumptions about the other, and eventually, their relationship shattered under the weight. The question remains though - even if they don’t have a romantic relationship, can they maintain a professional one long enough to stay alive?

Is this more of a horror story or a get-the-band-back-together story?

This is an action story, first and foremost. We’re bringing the action you saw in VIRGIL, in MIDNIGHTER, in KILL A MAN, and THE PULL. This is hard-hitting action first storytelling. And as for the band - if they can’t get back together in some form, then they’ll never see the light of day again.

How did the project come together?

This book began with Mad Cave reaching out to me, interested in my action storytelling in collaboration with incredible artists on the books we pinged above. They wanted some of that! And together, we took the seed of a story about exorcisms and action and grew it into EXORCISTS NEVER DIE. And from there? We completed the team with an incredible artist and editor! Sebastian Piriz is one of a kind, doing work unlike anything else in the business. And we couldn’t be luckier to have aboard! And Chas Pangburn is bringing a polished finish to every beat, keeping Sebastian and I on course and operating and peak efficiency. 

Looking forward, what can readers expect from Exorcists Never Die?

Gorgeous work from Sebastian Piriz, with vision after horrifically beautiful vision of not just the Seven Deadly Sins, but the magnificently powerful angels that our combat exorcists channel to fight them! Each level of the Hellscraper is a new challenge and a new riddle for our heroes to solve - and as they fight deeper and deeper, and the challenges become deadlier and stranger, it’s not just the sins they’re fighting, not just the demons, but each other as well. This is an action blockbuster that doesn’t forget that all the action in the world doesn’t mean a damn thing without heart.

Who is Exorcists Never Die for?

This is a book for fight comic fans - for fans of gonzo action like DRAGONBALL Z or the current incredible run on SHANG-CHI, for fans of my own work on books like MIDNIGHTER, KILL A MAN, THE PULL and VIRGIL. And it’s coming with visuals for folks who enjoy not just combat comics, but also the grand summoning sequences in FINAL FANTASY. This is an exorcism book that enters the room fists first - bare-knuckled, unrelenting, and innovative with every page turn!