Lucifer #7
Christina Hamlet
Recap
Lucifer has been freed from Sycorax’s skull by John Decker, whose reward is an anonymous death. But Lucifer’s journey is far from over, in some ways it’s just begun. He’s gained the notice of angels who tell him that his resurrection of Sycorax will not stand.
This begins Lucifer’s return to Hell. Once there he finds that things aren’t quite how he left them, and that perhaps a few people had been emboldened by their time imprisoned with Lucifer. And if there is one thing Lucifer will not brook, it is familiarity from lesser beings. Well, that and angels. After quite a bit of mocking and dismissal, Lucifer conceives of a new plan and sets off to find a proper end for Sycorax and also to remind everyone just exactly who he is.
Review
This is a bit of a decompression issue, with confrontations, reconciliations, and the renewal of resolve. Lucifer has undergone a considerable transformation from the previous issues, but by all appearances back to the devil we know. Defiant in the face of his family and his former subjects, Lucifer presents his usual disaffected and, please pardon the expression, devil-may-care attitude about things.
Caliban on the other hand has had a major revelation in his encounter with the angels. The interactions between Sycorax and Caliban are also new sides for each of them, a much softer side, especially for Sycorax. As they each contemplate their fates, Lucifer seems very determined to help at least one of them avoid it. His motivation seems straightforward — he refuses to allow his fellow angels to win or to deliver someone to their hands (which I totally get, I’ve never really cared much for Remiel and Duma, though I believe that’s always been by design), but there is a hint that he does this because he cares.
Which begs the question is he driven by love or by his own pride? The latter is invariably true, pride is the basis of his being, but I think the answer will end up being more complicated. This issue also sees Lucifer stepping outside his own pantheon, meaning outside of his own comfort and perhaps his own power. Lucifer is an interesting character because he never seems to doubt himself or hesitate to walk into danger, so it will be interesting to see how he acts where his footing may be less sure.
Final Thoughts
Lucifer is back to himself and acting with purpose. It’s an abrupt transformation, but also feels very natural. The book continues to deepen the character development and weave a compelling tale.
Lucifer #7: Angels and Demons
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
