When it comes to strong, mythical storytelling Lucifer is one of the best in comics. We review issue #8 this week and answer the question, is it good?
Lucifer #8 (Vertigo)
So what’s it about? The official Vertigo synopsis reads:
Without God to guide them, the angels in Heaven are in a frenzy, looking for guidance from Raphael who seeks to gain answers from perennial scapegoat Lucifer. Meanwhile, things in Hell are heating up with too many potential leaders as Mazikeen prepares to face off a usurper with assistance from an unexpected ally. But with Heaven and Hell so engrossed in their own affairs, who’s keeping track of what’s happening on Earth?
Why does this book matter?
Holly Black and Lee Garbett are proving to be one hell of a powerhouse duo with this series. The fairy tale feel is present, but the gravity of the series feels huge and epic. There’s a detailed yet cartoony look to the mature story and it works. If you are at all interested in storytelling this is a can’t miss series.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
A drunk angel is the worst kind.
The pacing of Lucifer #8 is possibly the strongest of the series so far. That’s partly due to the art by Garbett that really opens up the layouts and explores the space of each page. There are a few pages that have little to no dialogue allowing Garbett to show the wickedly monstrous things in Hell or the actions of their queen. A key flashback works incredibly well in telling us a secret meeting between Lucifer and a certain important character and every panel has a story being told within. From panel to panel we get a sense of Lucifer’s dismay, or the wonders of angels, or the sorrow of it all. All this adds up to an addictive, page turning read.
A lot happens in this issue too. After reading it and reflecting, I realized it’s all just table setting, but it didn’t feel that way. Black opens the issue with a wicked reveal (and a somewhat hilarious drunk angel), fleshes out Medjine (she’s the one who had the demon in a jar), and progresses the Gabriel plot nicely. It’s a bit of a surprise given how good the first story arc was, but it appears there’s a lot more going on in this new arc with a delectable amount of complexity too. Most importantly it’s tough to tell where it’s all going and that’s exciting.
It can’t be perfect can it?
If you’re just joining this series you’ll be lost as to why it’s so damn awesome. Go read Volume One!
This is my favorite kind of ice show.
Is It Good?
This is a must read for Lucifer fans young and old. Well told, gorgeous and addictive reading.
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