Vertigo 1999-2007

Writer - Mike Carey

Artists - Scott Hampton, Chris Western, James Hodgkins, Warren Price, Dean Ormston, Peter Gross, Ryan Kelly, Craig Hamilton, David Hahn, P. Craig Russell, Ted Naifeh, Marc Hempel, Ronald Wimberly, Colleen Doran, Michael Wm. Kaluta, John J. Muth, Zandur Cannon, Aaron Alexovich

Colorists -  Daniel Vozzo

Letterers -  Comicraft

Consultant -  Neil Gaiman

In many ways I think that reviewing the Lucifer series on a whole is much of a swansong.  This may be entirely debatable, but after spending a month travelling to Toronto in order to get my hands on the books themselves; it feels this way.  An epic regardless of the series status as a spin off from the Sandman series.  Speaking of the Sandman series, I will be reviewing the series as a whole next, so stay tuned! Now that the shameless self plug is done with, let us carry on with the subject at hand.  The stroyline highlighting the indelible character of Lucifer Morningstar. 

I have to say this much, looking at the stack of all eleven graphic novels is almost daunting.  It was hard to begin the journey.  Though, I am leaving out the other reaons that comlicated the journey, but the just remains that it was a task.  Truly.  A task.  A smart person may have tackled them one by one.  But as my love for Sandman is true and deep, I was unable to hold back.  The pages of the first ten installments were thin and almost like newspaper in true comic form.  Housed between thick covers that creaked like the doors in the antique house I rent a room in.  I could still smell the ink coming off the pages.   They seem to somehow emphasize the gritty and ethereal nature of the story itself just upon a first impression. 

And that first impression clings onto you like wind chill on an already blustery day, it gnaws at your bones and requires you to pay heed because it's not about to change it's tone.  In the series, Sandman, Gaiman gave us a world revolving around dreams and mythology.  In Lucifer, writer Mike Carey gives us a very different yet, not so unfamiliar aspect; religion.  He embraces us in the tales of hell and offers us Lucifer Morningstar.  Satan.  Guadian and Prince of Hell. 

If Joseph Campbell could've told the story of hell while having a torrid affair with Camille Paglia, this is the story that would be born. 

Before I get too far into the aspects of the story and my thoughts on that, I want to delve futher into the superficial.  The art and the look.  What blew me away the most about this series and disaapointed me that most was the art work.   While the core team of illustrators was a brilliant team, Lucifer, like many other series brought in guest artists who really seemed for the most part, to have no feel for the series as a whole.  I was assualted by issues that made me want to cry tears of blood or pray maybe that I was a blade of emo grass.  On the other hand, there were issues done by guest artists that made love to my eyes and soothed my mind.  One particular issue stands out, the very last chapter of the eleventh book.  It is a beautiful array of water colors that seem a very fitting ending for the series.  It is ethereal art at it's best. 

Now, don't let that paragraph turn you away from the series.  Overall, the illustrations and the paneling was flawless.  The characters were all very expressive and ever-changing as our storyline evolved.  And in true Sandman form, the text for each character changed slightly.  From the cryptic to the comforting.  You knew the tone of voice and could imagine very clearly just how a particular character would sound.  I love this practice and wish I could see it in more of the modern comics, but like so many things, I believe it is a Gaiman-esque tribute. 

Now, I can tell you that you will not find me swearing my ovaries to Mike Carey by the end of this review.  While I was entirely impressed with Lucifer and throughly enjoyed my epic journey through it's pages.  I found myself having an issue loving the comic.  I was unable to.  I don't know if it was the religious aspects of the story, (I do believe God is in the Tele) or the interludes with wonderful characters such as Guadium who interrupt at the worst damned times. 

Middle of an epic battle?

There's that little Cherub. 

Mind you, I love.. LOVE Gaudium.  He is a rare comic relief character in stories such as this and does so in a very dionysian way.  Regardless of the fact of the Shinto paralells drawn between Pan and Lucifer.  But, I didn't feel like having Guadium drop in for a visit and a cup of coffee as I'm about to watch my favorite character in the series, the beautiful and sexy Mazikeen kick some angelic ass. 

This leads me to a new aspect.  The characters of Lucifer.  I love them.  This I will scream from the rooftops and dance like a voodoo goddess.  I love the main characters of this series.  Elaine, Mazikeen, Lucifer, Gaudium, Michael, Jill, Lilith.  They are excellent characters who truly grow and evolve with the progression of the series.  Lys, Christopher Rudd...

It's a dream ensemble!

And that even goes without mentioning the array of Endless cameos in all the right places.  From the serenity of Death to calm an entire issue, or the confused answers Destiny has to offer...

Even Delirium, who is a very angry little thing and for good reason. 

We remain attached and drawn back to the world that Neil Gaiman had blessed us with in the 1990's. 

Mike Carey is an excellent groundskeeper to this world.  His storytelling abilities truly graces the pages and keeps us drawn in.  I honestly wish I had been able to love Lucifer.   But it's not a comic that will leave me anytime soon, that love may just be a seed planted with the first reading that needs to be nutured with a second and third journey into hell and the Silver City. 

I will gladly venture there again. 

And I highly recommend that you do the same. 

Lucifer Morningstar.  How you evolved into something incredible.  Good job.