With thanks to the author, publishers IDW Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this a lot, with its mixture of vibes from House of Cards and the Exorcist. The story was engaging, not too scary, although it did all seem to resolve itself in a bit of a rushed ending. The combination of the political power struggle, parenting difficulties, trouble at school and the possession itself was done, while the artwork was great and help to bring the story to life.

I would look forward to seeing more content from this author and illustrator.

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn by Hannah Rose May is a captivating read that expertly blends elements of horror with humor and political satire. The story takes readers on a wild ride through the White House, where the stakes are high and the supernatural is very real. May’s writing is sharp and witty, creating a compelling narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and relatable, adding depth to the eerie happenings. While the plot occasionally leans into the absurd, it’s all part of the charm. Overall, this book is a fun, spine-tingling experience that I would recommend to anyone looking for a unique twist on the exorcism genre!

The art style has this messy, rough, unfinished quality that may fit the genre but it's the type that makes it really hard to discern what's going on. Paired with the weird style of panneling I had to do double takes more than once.

The plot... how to describe it? If you enjoy wacky camp over-the-top movies with the most insane plots, the type that are fun because you watch to make fun of them or because you watch them high, then this might be of your interest. Personally I didn't really care much for it, especially the US propaganda vibes it gave.

Amazing graphic novel, its my first one in years. The emotional struggle in the family was so well done it felt natural. The graphics were overall amazing and the story was easy to follow once I remembered it was not a manga!

The Exorcism at 1600 Penn by Hannah Rose May was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. This book is part of a series, just so you know. The title explains the premise of a sitting US President's daughter becoming possessed while living in the White House. Since this is a graphic novel, the artist provides moody backdrop. If you or someone you buy gifts for thinks this may be for them, I recommend a hardcopy, maybe its my age or maybe I just want to see it all.

3 Stars

a bold and stylish debut that fuses supernatural horror with political drama in a way that’s both ambitious and uneven. The premise—a sitting U.S. president confronting the demonic possession of her daughter amid looming global crisis—is undeniably compelling, and May leans into the tension with sharp pacing and a knack for cinematic spectacle. The artwork by Vanesa Del Rey is a standout, full of moody, expressive linework that gives the story a grounded, visceral tone. That said, the story occasionally buckles under the weight of its own premise; character development sometimes takes a back seat to exposition, and the emotional stakes feel undercooked in spots where they should land hardest. Still, it’s a fresh take on both the exorcism trope and the political thriller, offering a gutsy blend of genre and satire that’s worth a read—especially if you like your horror with a pulse on power.

I watched the original Exorcist movie a lot earlier than I should have and despite being an avid horror fan it’s only over the past few years I've sat down to revisit the classic. That said I was excited to see something a bit different and this comic offers just that. I first need to comment on the artwork and colouring because I was addicted to this from the first page. It's so dark and intense and fits the tone and mood perfectly. The storyline is fantastic and while it follows the general Exorcism storyline (not much else you can do) it manages to bring in new aspects and make it feel fresh at the same time which I really enjoyed.

This was definitely one I'm going to be rereading and getting in physical format. A must for horror fans.

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.

What if The Exorcist met The West Wing? That’s pretty much the vibe of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, a supernatural graphic novel that blends horror, politics, and family drama… all inside the White House.

Kelly Doyle has just made history as the first female President of the United States, and things are already chaotic. Between teenage kids, political enemies, and international threats, her plate is full. But when literal demons enter the picture, the real chaos begins.

I really liked the concept. The mix of political tension, family struggles, and demonic horror felt fresh and timely. The artwork is moody and atmospheric, which helped set the tone. And if you're into psychological horror with a side of political commentary, this is worth checking out.

That said, I did expect it to be scarier. For a story set in the most powerful house in America, the horror could have gone a bit deeper. Still, I enjoyed the ride and would happily read more from this team.

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.