When Does the Exorcist Series Start Again
New graphic novels star Catholic exorcists contesting demons for souls
Sunday, March 20, 2022 7:09
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Douglas Ernst'south "Soulfinder" serial of graphic novels follows the adventures of combat vets-turned-exorcists. / ICONIC Comics
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar twenty, 2022 / 05:00 am (CNA).
Male parent Patrick Retter kept his wits well-nigh him every bit he faced the giant, red-eyed cobra slithering out of the possessed woman's mouth.
"In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti," he chanted the Sign of the Cross in Latin, every bit he thrust a bottle of holy water at the demon.
The woman chip his hand with her teeth — emitting a loud crunch — but the priest kept going. Clutching his wooden cross, he declared, "I cast you and every satanic specter out — in the proper noun of the Lord Jesus Christ! It is he who commands y'all."
So begins ane of the many activity-packed scenes in the "Soulfinder" graphic novel series about a fictional "special forces of exorcists" within the Catholic Church building.
"'Soulfinder' is about a major lodge of combat veteran exorcists who are recruited to engage in spiritual warfare with a demon called Blackfire until the stop of time," Douglas Ernst, the writer and creator of the serial told CNA.
The 42-year-old author began the serial to fill a void in today's comic-book world — and in the civilization.
"The heroes that I grew up reading are often unrecognizable because the creators at Marvel and DC are activists posing as serious storytellers," he explained. "I created 'Soulfinder' because I wanted to give people solid stories and artwork that as well imparts something expert, truthful, and beautiful."
Together with a team of artists — Timothy Lim, Brett R. Smith, Matthew Weldon, and Dave Dorman, to name a few — Ernst brings to life characters who dedicate themselves to serving God after serving their land. They apply their experience of fighting in the physical world to, at present, battling in the spiritual realm.
The series is already saving souls, both inside and outside of its pages.
"I dearest it when someone writes me and says that reading the books brought them dorsum to the Cosmic Church subsequently they drifted away," Ernst revealed. "Perchance they haven't gone to Mass in years, but something in the stories rekindled the flame of faith."
Stories of selfless service
A Catholic veteran himself, Ernst shares something in common with his protagonists. He served as a mechanized infantryman in the '90s, leaving before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He saw many of his friends go to war — and never render.
Ernst brings this background to his books, which follow the adventures of Retter (an Iraq/Transitional islamic state of afghanistan war veteran), Male parent Reginald Crane (a Vietnam veteran), and Detective Gregory Chua.
"My promise is that I've washed right past the military customs," he said. "Selfless service and the willingness to lay down i's life for another is a crucial component of the series."
Ernst, who previously worked every bit a announcer in Washington, D.C., now splits his time between Reno, Nevada, and Missoula, Montana, while focusing on his graphic novels.
His first ii — "Soulfinder: Demon'southward Lucifer" and "Soulfinder: Blackness Tide" — greet readers with vivid colors and rich Catholic symbolism. The 2nd book, available in hardcover, shimmers with gilt pages — and even a glow-in-the-nighttime monster.
In that location is a dramatic reality at the core of these works of fiction. The series illustrates Cosmic priests not only as courageous heroes only also as imperfect human beings — men who may autumn, only always pick themselves back up, driven by a desire to do the right thing. Along the way, their personality (and sense of humour) shines through the narrative.
Available through ICONIC Comics, the first two volumes also announced on Amazon Kindle. In Jan, both fabricated No. one on Amazon's list of new releases in "Religious Graphic Novels."
Inspired by Catholic writers
Ernst — who learned to read by devouring the adventures of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Daredevil, and Captain America as a male child — began his series after encountering mainstream comic books filled with moral relativism.
"Where are the Catholic creators who will endeavor to pick up where G.Thousand. Chesterton and J.R.R. Tolkien left off?" he asked. "That's a tall task, but the culture will go on to migrate into unsafe waters if Catholic writers and artists do not enter every bit many creative places as possible."
Ernst shared what he did to set up for the books, to ensure that they were theologically sound.
Existence a "cradle Catholic" helped, he admitted, in add-on to consulting with other Catholics, including a priest. His stories, he said, have been inspired by the works of St. Francis de Sales, Father Gabriele Amorth, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, and others.
Ernst began the series after organizing a hugely successful crowdfunding entrada. He also credits his success to working with talented artists and to Word on Fire, Bishop Robert Barron'south media ministry building, which has featured his work in blog and YouTube interviews.
A 'PG-13' advisory
Teenagers and adults seeking classic storytelling with "expert vs. evil" seem to enjoy Soulfinder, Ernst said of his series, which he rates as "PG-thirteen." This is because, amid other things, the series addresses a nighttime discipline matter.
In his offset book with artist Timothy Lim, also a practicing Catholic, a blackness mass scene involves a naked woman.
"She is nude, but there'southward shadows where there needs to be shadows," Ernst pointed out the strategic shading over her torso. "It's also shown as a bad affair."
While the series is for more than mature readers, information technology offers content for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
"Most Cosmic characters in modernistic comics and in Hollywood tend to be cartoonish version of the Faith," he said.
His series, he emphasized, is different.
"It makes me incredibly happy when readers who are not Catholic say that these stories testify a side of our faith that they accept never encountered before."
Third book on the way
Ernst told CNA the third installment of the serial is in production.
"'Soulfinder: Infinite Ascent' takes our heroes to the other side of the world to apprehend a rogue fellow member of the CIA who has evaded capture through supernatural means," Ernst told CNA. "The U.Southward. authorities was so impressed with Father Retter and his friends regarding their success in 'Soulfinder: Blackness Tide' that it returns to them once once more to clean up a global network of occultists."
While there is no official release date even so, Ernst expects the book to be colored and lettered in March. From there, information technology will exist sent to the printer.
"The story, at its core, focuses on the loss of loved ones, grief, and the need for forgiveness," Ernst hinted. "The key to saving the twenty-four hours hinges on one character's power to forgive others for their trespasses confronting him."
The volume will include a bonus story, "Soulfinder: War Weep," which takes place at Arlington Cemetery.
In the stop, Ernst hopes that these books will bring him, and his readers, closer to heaven.
"I know that one twenty-four hours I will stand earlier my Creator and I'll accept to give an account of what I've done with the talents I've been given," he said. "I promise that my creative team has done its small function in saving souls while simultaneously entertaining readers."
Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250734/soul-finder-catholic-exorcist-graphic-novels
Source: https://beforeitsnews.com/religion/2022/03/new-graphic-novels-star-catholic-exorcists-battling-demons-for-souls-2563643.html