I was a huge fan of The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, in fact it was one of our comics of the year, so I was even more eager to jump into The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace. This time writer Hannah Rose May and artist Kelsey Ramsay take us across the pond in an unsettling Royal Family drama with something dark and terrifying lurking around the corner.
It’s 5:00 a.m. at 10 Downing Street. The prime minister gets a call that bolts him upright out of bed: The royal family has been lost at sea. Parliament and Buckingham Palace explode with action in the aftermath. Some suspect the prince and his wife, the princess, were attacked. Others whisper their tragedy was the result of a long-standing family curse…
Either way, playboy and recovering addict Theo Belmont is next in line to the throne. Can he step up to the role? Or will he be consumed by his demons?
Born and raised in the United States, I have a good grasp (or so I thought) of the inner workings of the White House and the First Family. So reading a story based around said people had a familiarity to it, making it so how relatable. However, I know little about Buckingham Palace and the inner workings of the Royal Family, therefor The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace was not only a great horror story, but one where I get a bit more knowledge of the way things work across the pond.
The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace has a similar feel to its predecessor, but with a bit more heart and a feeling of the ability to take more risks. May introduces us to the Royal Family in the premiere issue, but also tackles death, grief, and addiction. Blending real life horrors with the horrors that lie in wait for this story. This next evolution in the Exorcism at universe may deal a lot with the Royal Family, but its so much more.
One who tells a tale about the First Family or is this case the Royal Family would likely do so with a certain visual esthetic, but this is a darker story revolving around said families so it needs more of an edge. That is where the likes of Ramsay comes in. Like Vanesa Del Rey on 1600 Penn, Ramsay brings a grittiness to the table and pushes this story further into the dark, unsettling horror it has set out to be. The colors by Heather Breckel really blend well not only with the illustrations, but the story at hand.
The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace is an haunting and unsettling story with fantastic artwork, a true masterpiece in horror. Hannah Rose May and Kelsey Ramsay craft a tale filled with unease, addiction, and family drama while something dark lurks in the background. It’s just where I never knew I wanted this series to go.
The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1 hits local comic shops on March 11, 2026 (FOC: February 2) from the IDW Dark imprint of IDW Publishing.
The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #1 Covers
