Lucifer #3 – Dan Watters, Writer; Max Fiumara, Sebastian Fiumara, Artists; Dave McCaig, Colorist
Ratings:
Ray – 9/10
Ray: The darkest and most twisted of the Sandman Universe titles, Lucifer #3 takes a big leap forward as its multilayered narrative gets a lot clearer. Lucifer – the old, addled Lucifer – has hit rock bottom and has taken to self-mutilating in the disturbing opening pages, but he finds a bit of his sanity and some of his old energy when he gets a visit from an old friend – a man named Bill Blake. That would be the famous writer William Blake, yes – here an immortal or undead man who sees himself as a close confidant of the devil. That history becomes clearer in a creepy flashback that shows the time Blake tried to write a book about the nature of Hell that aroused the ire of Lucifer. While Lucifer tried to dissuade him from writing it, Blake went down the path – and wound up triggering his own self-destruction, and eventually enmeshing him with the devil forever.
That’s the hook of Lucifer’s story – no matter who his allies are, they’ve always got a twisted and tragic past with the prince of lies.
And that’s exactly what’s happening to Detective John Decker, whose search for answers about the death of his wife has led him to the mysterious Gately House. While he’s suddenly racked with symptoms of the same cancer that took his wife’s health, he also starts to see things in the house – unearthly, evil things that seem to want him to never leave.
The true, creepy nature of Gately House is finally revealed this issue, and several major classic Lucifer players enter the fray as part of the conspiracy. The classic Lucifer segments are short this issue, which lets Decker and Old Man Lucifer dominate. That may be for the best, as I’ve consistently found those the most compelling stories. As this series comes further into focus, it’s likely to only get better.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
