I finally finished this serie and it is the greatest saga I have ever read.
I can't recommand this enough.
Lucifer is a 75 issues series by Mike Carey.
It takes it root in the character introduced by Gaiman in The Sandman #4. That issue was... mediocre. It's not really useful except as a footnote. I heard great things about The Sandman but most admits that the first issues weren't very good. All that can be said is that Lucifer is introduced as the Miltonesque devil, the angel whose sin was pride and who would rather rule in hell than be a slave in heaven (though Lucifer himself would comment ironically on that statement in the serie).
Later, in issues #21-28 Gaiman wrote "Seasons of Mist" which lay the foundation on which Carey would build. Many characters who would play a peripheral role in Lucifer are introduced but I still enjoyed Lucifer for most of the serie before getting the occasion to read this. Seasons of Mist is much better than issue #4 and tempts me to read the rest of The Sandman.
The most important thing to note is that in this arc Lucifer resign his role as gatekeeper of hell before he finally sees that this is just one more role that God wanted filled. He wants out of God's plan.
And that's where Carey comes in. First with the mini : "The Morningstar option" in which God temps Lucifer back into service of Heaven for a short mission in exchange for a letter of passage out of creation. And then with Lucifer, the 75 issue chronicles of Lucifer quest for freedom and self-determination. Even though I read seasons of Mist, liked it on its own merit and appreciate the background it provides to this saga, I only consider Lucifer to begin with this book. Carey really "get" Lucifer. Gaiman was only focused on Morpheus, the Sandman and what we see of Lucifer under his pen is but a pale reflection of the Fallen Angel that Carey brings to life.
But it goes beyond Lucifer. He is the star around which a myriad of secondary character orbit.
Lucifer himself is never lovable but often admirable. His will impose respect and his mind is sharp as a razor. Even though at the height of his power he is second only to God, he will face many peril armed with his wits alone, being brought to the brink of destructionl by situations far more diverse and interesting than a bucket of Kryptonite!
But you'll also meet Lilith, the first woman, before eve, the one who wouldn't submit. As a result she was betrayed by heaven and in turn would betray everyone.
Mazikeen, fierce and loyal to her Master, her dedication would shame anyone who ever knew doubt.
Christopher Rudd the damned who will change Hell forever in his quest for redemption.
Archangel Michael, brother to Lucifer and who will go through his own moral crisis.
Ellaine Belloc, a sweet 12 year old, the most compassionate voice of the serie whose ultimate destiny is as big as her heart.
And Mona, Gaudium, Briadach, Remiel, David Easterman, Cal, Jill Presto...
Oh, never have I read such a rich cast in comic book history. Each with their voice and dreams and hope. Many an issue do not even feature Lucifer and focus on the people affected by his quest. It's a long and incredibly satisfying trip between the beginning of Lucifer's second rebellion against his creator and its conclusion.
I liked it more than V for Vendetta. Yes, you read that right.
5/5
Read this. If you have any pretension of being a connoiseur of fine comics, read this!
I can't recommand this enough.
Lucifer is a 75 issues series by Mike Carey.
It takes it root in the character introduced by Gaiman in The Sandman #4. That issue was... mediocre. It's not really useful except as a footnote. I heard great things about The Sandman but most admits that the first issues weren't very good. All that can be said is that Lucifer is introduced as the Miltonesque devil, the angel whose sin was pride and who would rather rule in hell than be a slave in heaven (though Lucifer himself would comment ironically on that statement in the serie).
Later, in issues #21-28 Gaiman wrote "Seasons of Mist" which lay the foundation on which Carey would build. Many characters who would play a peripheral role in Lucifer are introduced but I still enjoyed Lucifer for most of the serie before getting the occasion to read this. Seasons of Mist is much better than issue #4 and tempts me to read the rest of The Sandman.
The most important thing to note is that in this arc Lucifer resign his role as gatekeeper of hell before he finally sees that this is just one more role that God wanted filled. He wants out of God's plan.
And that's where Carey comes in. First with the mini : "The Morningstar option" in which God temps Lucifer back into service of Heaven for a short mission in exchange for a letter of passage out of creation. And then with Lucifer, the 75 issue chronicles of Lucifer quest for freedom and self-determination. Even though I read seasons of Mist, liked it on its own merit and appreciate the background it provides to this saga, I only consider Lucifer to begin with this book. Carey really "get" Lucifer. Gaiman was only focused on Morpheus, the Sandman and what we see of Lucifer under his pen is but a pale reflection of the Fallen Angel that Carey brings to life.
But it goes beyond Lucifer. He is the star around which a myriad of secondary character orbit.
Lucifer himself is never lovable but often admirable. His will impose respect and his mind is sharp as a razor. Even though at the height of his power he is second only to God, he will face many peril armed with his wits alone, being brought to the brink of destructionl by situations far more diverse and interesting than a bucket of Kryptonite!
But you'll also meet Lilith, the first woman, before eve, the one who wouldn't submit. As a result she was betrayed by heaven and in turn would betray everyone.
Mazikeen, fierce and loyal to her Master, her dedication would shame anyone who ever knew doubt.
Christopher Rudd the damned who will change Hell forever in his quest for redemption.
Archangel Michael, brother to Lucifer and who will go through his own moral crisis.
Ellaine Belloc, a sweet 12 year old, the most compassionate voice of the serie whose ultimate destiny is as big as her heart.
And Mona, Gaudium, Briadach, Remiel, David Easterman, Cal, Jill Presto...
Oh, never have I read such a rich cast in comic book history. Each with their voice and dreams and hope. Many an issue do not even feature Lucifer and focus on the people affected by his quest. It's a long and incredibly satisfying trip between the beginning of Lucifer's second rebellion against his creator and its conclusion.
I liked it more than V for Vendetta. Yes, you read that right.
5/5
Read this. If you have any pretension of being a connoiseur of fine comics, read this!
Last edited:
Can't wait to read it ...thx for the recommend!
