Graphic Novel Review - 'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' by Theo Prasidis (Writer), Staša Gačpar (Artist), Yasmine Pond (Colourist), Buddy Beaudoin (Letterer)

What will be my final review of 2025?

'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' - an odd and unique little horror graphic novel that's also historical fiction, set in 19th century Ottoman Greece. All is blood, dirt, soil, superstition, and religious conflicts and divides in the divine.

I didn't expect that, but okay.

'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' is a dark, murky, filthy, violent and bloody Greek folklore tale (it would be a spoiler to reveal what it is a retelling of) that explores feminism, and dissects religious dogma, and how religious extremism and evangelism is and always has been a tool - a weapon - used to control and manipulate people, to keep them down and downtrodden, by way of fear and mob mentality. It is about how power-hungry, cruel and abusive people in society have always used religion as an excuse, a crutch, and a means to further their own ends and agendas. To twist justice so it serves and benefits them and only them. For they know that through fear they can make people do whatever they want them to, even go back on their own principles.

Mainly it's always been about money - greed - and the evils of capitalism.

Capitalism, like the majority of superstitions, is a scam. An unfortunately effective one that maintains the unfair, unequal status quo hierarchy (myths can be twisted and used to aid in this, culturally and socially), and keeps rich people disgustingly, unnaturally rich and richer still, through profits, by literally any means.

The same universal tactic applies to the patriarchy. Patriarchy and capitalism go hand in hand, in their entirely lies-and-delusions-and-privilege-and-abuse-based economy.

The feminism aspect of 'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil', as written by a man, Theo Prasidis, isn't that great, since the protagonist, Daphne (who doesn't show up as much as she should in her own story, and this is taking into account 'The Priest' and 'The Devil' parts of the comic), is the only female character, aside from a couple of forgettable side pieces tossed in once or twice to give the illusion of extra substance. Daphne has no female associates - her life revolves wholly around men, regardless of any independence the poor, tragic, miserable farmgirl gains.

But she is clearly a smart, passionate, bold, angry, funny, snappy and wilful teenage girl, who longs for an unconventional life - for freedom. She is aware of who is toxic and who genuinely wants the best for her, in friendship, and she will call them out, and distance herself from those who see her as a drain, a nuisance, and a burden. They are not worth her time, and she knows it.

She is not a "strong female character" because she uses a sword occasionally.


"Idiots! You let a delusional priest control not only this damn village, but your minds too." [...] "Shame on you! There's no real faith in you. There's sickness. You're sick!"


Whatever your definition of "feminism" is, and even setting aside the concept, women like Daphne have always existed. And will continue to exist, no matter who doesn't like it, and who will want to revive the archaic and barbaric tradition of beating down, destroying, suppressing and oppressing women and their human and goddess spirits. It will be a fruitless and pointless effort, and oppressors and censors are desperate and pathetic.

'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' is too short and rather underdeveloped. However, I like its atmosphere and relevant messages. Daphne, while making the best of her situation, and finding her freedom wherever she can, is miserable, and so is everyone else in her bleak, dour society and world, due to religious control and trauma on a stranglehold, and village superstitions. The graphic novel reflects this brutally.

Slight spoiler: beneath its surface - its title, its dark, gritty, grisly artwork and events - there isn't anything actually supernatural in it, unless you count the ambiguous moments, such as Daphne asking random animals to tell her stories, and they do. It works exceedingly well for the kind of story the comic wishes to tell.

Read Theo Prasidis's note at the end, as well.

Never fall in line with fascism. Never follow anyone who wants to divide humanity by capital, and through lies, deceit, fear, and violence. Never follow anyone who wants humanity to suffer, period.

Have a happy, loving, compassionate, and free and just 2026, everyone.

Final Score: 3.5/5