This was my first graphic novel. It was an interesting story, and I loved the artwork they used. I was annoyed with Kevin because if he would’ve never done what he did that situation would’ve never happened.

Thank you NetGalley and IDW Publishing for this ARC,

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, writing by Hannah Rose May and illustrated by Vanesa Del Rey, was a quick, fun and spooky read. It’s short, and the end felt a bit rushed and “too neatly wrapped”, but the story itself is engaging. The art is beautiful and, not going to lie, a bit scary.

I liked the artwork and the exorcism story. Felt a but rushed though! I would definitely read more from this author and/or illustrator.

Ein Exorzismus im weissen Haus - klingt spannend.
Leider ging es doch mehr um das Familiendrama der Präsidentenfamilie, die Politische Lage und der Druck der auf der Familie und den Kindern lastet. Das Thema "Besessenheit" war nur noch ein kleiner Nebenplot.

Auch der Zeichenstil war leider nicht so meins und das Wasserzeichen hat mich sehr abgelenkt.

Die Auflösung war sehr schnell, auf 4 Seiten abgehandelt und es gab so gut wie keine Erklärung warum oder wie es zu der Besessenheit kam. Die Theman die Behandelt werden (erste weibliche Präsidentin und mit welchen Vorurteilen und Belastungen sie zu kämpfen hat; Kinder und der Druck in der Schule und durch Social Media; etc) sind alles an sich spannend aber waren zu viel für so einen kurzen Comic und hätten für mich nicht so vie Platz einnehmen dürfen.

Excellent!!! Terrifying and patriotic!!!
Love the family dynamic. Each character stayed true to their purpose and felt extremely realistic.
Would love a prequel!

👻 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.

If you're into movies and books around possession like The Pope's Exorcist and The Conjuring, you'll love this. I love the build up and the visuals are amazing. Easy to follow and hard to put down the further you are.

I would recommend to get a physical copy due to a few double pages where the design spans both pages, that way you'll see everything at once.

DNF at 48%.

For as much as I was looking forward to The Exorcism at 1600 Penn for its take on White House horror -- because we don't have enough of that in real life at the moment, I guess? -- I just could not for the life of me get the least bit interested in this book's happenings. The artwork certainly didn't help either, with its rough, at times messily scribbled, aesthetic that oftentimes made it difficult to tell what was going on from panel to panel. In one instance, I was grateful for the bit of exposition from a character speaking of an upside down cross because that detail wasn't at all coherent in Del Rey's imagery. And then there's the big hold watermark in the middle of each page that only adds to the confusion, further muddling the art and at times making speech bubbles difficult to read. Between being dull and visually off-putting, I'm not finding any reason to continue on.

The concept of this graphic novel intrigued me so much, and it really delivered. The Exorcism at 1600 Penn is something I keep thinking about since reading. It delivered exactly what it's titled, and more. The suspense between the ticking time bomb of the president's daughter's possession and her own struggles in a highly volatile political environment. Not only did it have an enthralling demonic possession plot, but the subplots surrounding social pressure due to negative online environments was incredibly well done. It managed to link together well and form a cohesive narrative without any form of pandering or preaching. I found that the way current technology and language was used didn't feel odd or out of place and that it expanded the setting of the story to really involve the reader. I would love to read this again, especially to be able to appreciate the art even more.

This was good, I was pleasantly surprised that its was a graphic novel. The story was great and I liked the dark atmosphere.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. The artwork was nice but I thought it could’ve been a bit lighter cause at times some of the scenes seem to blend together. This graphic novel tells about the first female US president and the juggling of work and life balance. Sometimes a harmless prank turns into more than a harmless prank. Something dark and sinister is unknowingly unleashed at the White House. It’ll take people working together to get rid of the unwanted presence.

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn by Hannah Rose May offers a chilling peek behind the White House’s polished façade, blending real-world history with supernatural dread.
The story follows a job applicant who uncovers whispers of demonic possession lurking in the corridors of power, haunted politics meets eerie thriller.
May’s writing pulls you in with its unique setting and creepy escalations, and the White House backdrop adds an intriguing layer of prestige‑meets‑peril. While the pacing sometimes stumbles and a few twists feel predictable, the atmosphere is solid and the premise refreshingly original. If you’re into spooky political conspiracies and hauntings with a capital‑letter twist, this one’s worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I have never read a comic style book before this was my first one. It was the story that pulled me in as that sounded like it was right up my street.
I found the comic strip itself to be very distracting and put me off somewhat. Other than my struggle with the comic strip it is worth reading I would rate this 3.5 starts if I could as the writing and story was good. This style of book just is nt for me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC for exchange for my review

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.

This graphic novel had a great premise but it was never satisfactorily ended.

It has everything going for it, so my DNFing should not be your recommendation from me. I loved the artwork, it was moody and creepy.
I've always suspected that 1600 housed a demon if not the anti-Christ, and I so wanted to see something like that, but this just never landed for me.

I do suggest you give it a read if you like horror and politics mixed. Expected publishing date August 19, 2025

Thanks to @netgalley and IDW Publishing for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Creepy Vibes and Creative Premise, But Didn't Fully Stick the Landing

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn has a killer concept—America's first female president juggling a political crisis, troubled teens, and… a possible demonic possession in the White House? Yes, please. The atmosphere is spot on, with Vanessa Del Rey’s moody, horror-tinged art totally stealing the show. The White House has never looked creepier.

The story had promise with its mix of political tension and religious horror, but it didn’t quite come together for me. The patriotic tone felt out of place and underdeveloped, especially given the current global climate. Some plot points, like the mysterious syndrome, felt tossed in without much payoff, and the ending came off a bit too silly for the tone it had built.

Still, it’s a unique setup with stunning visuals (although the watermarks were a bit off putting) and a strong slow-burn vibe. Worth a read if you’re into horror with a political twist—but don’t expect all the threads to tie up neatly.

I managed to read the first part of this before DNFing. The artwork was strange, the storyline disjointed (didn’t read well on an iPad) and the was no horror in the first part. Will not be continuing on.

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.

he Exorcism at 1600 Penn throws you right into the eye of a supernatural storm at America’s most famous address. Kelly Doyle, the first female president, is juggling way more than just politics and motherhood. With the world on the brink of war, she suddenly finds the White House itself turning into a battleground between good and evil.

The story is intense and atmospheric, blending political drama with full-on horror vibes. Kelly’s struggle to keep her family and the country safe adds a real emotional punch, making this more than just a ghost story. It’s smart, suspenseful, and packed with chilling moments that had me hooked from panel one.

Hannah Rose May’s writing paired with Vanesa Del Rey’s art is a match made in spooky heaven. If you’re into psychological horror with a side of political thriller, this graphic novel is your new obsession. Think Nice House on the Lake meets The Haunting of Hill House but with that sharp White House edge.

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.