Lucifer (Vertigo)

Written by Mike Carey, the comic book details the adventures of the retired Lord of Hell, who improbably runs a piano bar called "Lux" in Los Angeles with the assistance of his sinister female cohort, Mazikeen. Lucifer is portrayed as sophisticated and almost charming, rather than the stereotypical devil. Beneath this veneer, however, Lucifer is portrayed as a deadly and Machiavellian character, with no regard for human life or indeed anyone aside from himself: a proud and vindictive fallen angel who has no qualms in using powers which are second only to those of God.

Lucifer's "blissful" retirement is disturbed by a series of associates from his past, and after a certain triggering events he sets out to create a universe in competition to (and against the wishes of) God.

The series as of April 2003 has yet to be completed, and has thus far been collected in four anthologies, with a separate story (Lucifer: Nirvana) published as a graphic novel.

The book is set within the same continuity as the highly successful Sandman comic written by Neil Gaiman, and is heavily influenced by Paradise Lost by John Milton.

External Links

Vertigo Comics' website (www.dccomics.com/vertigo)