I had never heard of the Lucifer series until the television show based upon it premiered on Fox this year. I really enjoy the show and since I love comics, I decided to try the source material (which spun out of Gaiman’s Sandman series). As is often the case, the show is really only inspired by the comic with some of the same character names and locations but not much more. Nevertheless, both are excellent in their own right.
The graphic novel is much darker, and Lucifer is less charismatic and more enigmatic. The premise, that Lucifer has retired as Lord of Hell and runs the piano bar Lux in LA, is the same. Here though, Lucifer has an end game in mind and all his “adventures” throughout the book are to further that goal. He’s ruthless and calculating, but weirdly honorable as well. This Lucifer is somehow more fitting (nee realistic) than the familiar fire & brimstone version of theology. He’s also far more powerful than the tv counterpart. Though he is the protagonist, the stories often focus on other people until their paths cross with his. One of these narrators is a little girl who can see the dead. After her best friend dies in an apparent suicide, she must discover what really happened. The story seems unimportant at first, until it isn’t – a common factor for all the stories herein.
Lucifer isn’t as likeable as the tv version, so it’s not so easy to “root for” him. However, he’s so cunning and so aware that I wanted him to succeed just to see how things panned out. It also helps that no one else is likeable either. The heavenly host, including the Amenadiel, are not so angelic despite being angels. The series makes it clear they are not human, with our emotions or even compassion. It’s an interesting counter balance to Lucifer himself. Overall, I enjoyed this book enough that I intend to finish the series. Highly recommended.
A note about the book itself. The price is excellent for the amount of material collected (just look at most Marvel or DC collection that cost $30-35 with half the material or less), but that means that the production quality is also not as high. The interior pages are not glossy like most graphic novel collections, but at least it is in color. Though disappointing, I didn’t deduct any stars because the price balances that out.
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Top reviews from other countries
Michael Coulter
Título espetacular
Reviewed in Brazil on October 25, 2021
Michael Coulter
Reviewed in Brazil on October 25, 2021
Não demorou muito para que o personagem ganhasse seu próprio título, contando o que aconteceu com ele após os eventos de Sandman. Essa história é contada por Mike Carey, que entrega ao leitor um excelente roteiro. Diferente do que acontece na série da Netflix baseada no personagem, aqui Lúcifer abre um bar em L.A. e tenta levar uma vida tranquila. Porém, ele é procurado por Amenadiel, um dos anjos celestes, com um pedido de ajuda: derrotar um mal misterioso que tem surgido no mundo. Claro que o personagem não tem interesse algum de ajudar o Céu, até que o preço dessa missão é revelado: uma Carta de Passagem.
Esse primeiro arco foi publicado como uma minissérie especial dividida em 3 partes, ilustradas sensacionalmente por Scott Hampton. Após o sucesso dessa minissérie, o autor foi convidado a dar continuidade ao título, mas sem a participação do desenhista (por isso a arte acaba variando tanto).
Passamos então a acompanhar o Estrela da Manhã lidando com as consequências de sua escolha de abandonar o Inferno, as possibilidades e perigos que surgem com a Carta de Passagem e uma iminente Guerra Santa entre os anjos e Lúcifer. Alguns personagens de Sandman dão as caras aqui, o que é natural, uma vez que o próprio Lúcifer também surgiu nessa saga. É legal ver também Constantine aparecendo, ainda que por breves instantes, unindo ainda mais o universo da Vertigo.
Esse primeiro volume reúne a minissérie especial e as 13 primeiras edições do título mensal da Vertigo, totalizando 382 páginas. Infelizmente está fora de catálogo no Brasil, mas vamos torcer pra @paninicomicsbr republicar o título por aqui.
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Colette Valencia
Bueno para incentivar la lectura en los adolescentes
Reviewed in Mexico on October 15, 2020
wolfvr
Geschichte Top, Preis neuerdings verdreifacht (!)
Reviewed in Germany on March 28, 2019