Title: Lucifer: The Infernal Comedy
Publisher: DC Vertigo
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Max Fiumara, Sebastian Fiumara (cover by Jock)
The third volume of Lucifer seems almost like it should be a strange event. Mike Carey's original run on the book ended with the title character flying off to explore other universes, if I recall correctly, never to return. Volume Two, by Holly Black was mostly set around a 'who killed God' murder mystery and now in Volume Three we find him in different circumstances, yet again. The only constants appear to be his status quo - the history from Sandman and the existence of Lux and Mazikeen (his bar and his right hand woman who may or may not be Hela from Norse mythology). It's best to treat these series as completely separate, I feel, despite the fact that they have the same central characters.
With that out of the way, let's consider the book itself. The story is compelling, one part being set in a town where Lucifer, and a strange group of people are trapped, amongst them William Blake which I guess is why the book is 'The Infernal Comedy', and where only the fallen angel seems motivated to try and escape. Elsewhere, a cop with a brain tumor tries to find the truth about his wife's death and instead discovers magic, madness, and monsters.
These duel narratives dovetail as the book progresses and lead to the final page which really reinforces Lucifer's position as a rebel, a renegade, and a thorn in Heaven's side, which was rather lovely. The writing is compelling and well observed, possibly as a result of Neil Gaiman's direct oversight, and the new characters are interesting. They bring great new possibilities to the status quo, and numerous ways to upset the apple cart. Despite the title, the book seems to draw more on elements of The Tempest than The Divine Comedy, and its easy to see many of the characters in that light including the screwed up 'Prospero' who's orchestrating the whole thing.
The art has a pleasant vibe to it, while at the same time being darker than the fare you'll see in superhero books (as is entirely appropriate). It's clear and very evocative and in places reminded me of Mike Mignola's work. The colouring is good, and keeps the murky, grounded feel going, reminding us that Lucifer lives in the world and, from the point of view of this book, that means trouble, confusion and temptation, not bright heights and shining cities (unless its the Silver City, of course).
If you're a fan of the Sandman Universe I'd recommend picking this up. It has potential to be a great series.
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Max Fiumara, Sebastian Fiumara (cover by Jock)
The third volume of Lucifer seems almost like it should be a strange event. Mike Carey's original run on the book ended with the title character flying off to explore other universes, if I recall correctly, never to return. Volume Two, by Holly Black was mostly set around a 'who killed God' murder mystery and now in Volume Three we find him in different circumstances, yet again. The only constants appear to be his status quo - the history from Sandman and the existence of Lux and Mazikeen (his bar and his right hand woman who may or may not be Hela from Norse mythology). It's best to treat these series as completely separate, I feel, despite the fact that they have the same central characters.
With that out of the way, let's consider the book itself. The story is compelling, one part being set in a town where Lucifer, and a strange group of people are trapped, amongst them William Blake which I guess is why the book is 'The Infernal Comedy', and where only the fallen angel seems motivated to try and escape. Elsewhere, a cop with a brain tumor tries to find the truth about his wife's death and instead discovers magic, madness, and monsters.
These duel narratives dovetail as the book progresses and lead to the final page which really reinforces Lucifer's position as a rebel, a renegade, and a thorn in Heaven's side, which was rather lovely. The writing is compelling and well observed, possibly as a result of Neil Gaiman's direct oversight, and the new characters are interesting. They bring great new possibilities to the status quo, and numerous ways to upset the apple cart. Despite the title, the book seems to draw more on elements of The Tempest than The Divine Comedy, and its easy to see many of the characters in that light including the screwed up 'Prospero' who's orchestrating the whole thing.
The art has a pleasant vibe to it, while at the same time being darker than the fare you'll see in superhero books (as is entirely appropriate). It's clear and very evocative and in places reminded me of Mike Mignola's work. The colouring is good, and keeps the murky, grounded feel going, reminding us that Lucifer lives in the world and, from the point of view of this book, that means trouble, confusion and temptation, not bright heights and shining cities (unless its the Silver City, of course).
If you're a fan of the Sandman Universe I'd recommend picking this up. It has potential to be a great series.
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