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jayspa65's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's been over three decades since Sandman #23, in which Lucifer closed up Hell, had his wings cut off, and (as we later learned) opened a night spot in L.A. Ten tears after, he stars in his own saga, under a new team of writer and illustrators. The result is the most successful to date of the various attempts to keep the Sandman franchise going since the climactic events of Sandman #69.
As is usually the case with compilations from an on-going series, "Lucifer: Devil in the Gateway" leaves too many loose ends to entirely succeed as a stand-alone graphic novel. Nevertheless, the cast of characters and original stories are very much worthy of its progenitor.
The stories in this collection aren't really dependent on familiarity with the Sandman series to understand what's going on. Still, Gaiman's Sandman is a classic and the keystone of DC's Vertigo line to which "Lucifer" belongs, so I would recommend reading at least the collections "Preludes and Nocturnes" and "Season of Mists" first. Those who have done so are very likely to enjoy following these new tales of Lucifer.
As is usually the case with compilations from an on-going series, "Lucifer: Devil in the Gateway" leaves too many loose ends to entirely succeed as a stand-alone graphic novel. Nevertheless, the cast of characters and original stories are very much worthy of its progenitor.
The stories in this collection aren't really dependent on familiarity with the Sandman series to understand what's going on. Still, Gaiman's Sandman is a classic and the keystone of DC's Vertigo line to which "Lucifer" belongs, so I would recommend reading at least the collections "Preludes and Nocturnes" and "Season of Mists" first. Those who have done so are very likely to enjoy following these new tales of Lucifer.
mschlat's review
2.0
I typically love Mike Carey, but this volume didn't do a lot for me. Too much dark grimy artwork from Chris Weston, and a storyline that made me wonder why this just wasn't a Constantine story instead. However, the last story has much better art and a much better hook.
caedocyon's review
1.0
Read at Nora's urging. Pretty good, especially compared to most mainstream comics, but way too gory for me. There's one scene I still remember vividly almost nine years on, and it's not a good thing. (Rating is personal, not a reflection of how much literary merit I think it has.)
crookedtreehouse's review
5.0
Easily the best part of the Extended Sandman Universe, the Lucifer story is coherent, paced really well, and a delight to watch unfold.
Many writers of this era have a giant plot idea and set everything up as a set of quests to reach that plot. Carey has several different stories to tell that end up creating a large tapestry. By the end, the full run feels more like focused than [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg]'s Sandman, but it's actually just very effective at pulling off the same tricks.
If you loved Gaiman's Sandman, you really should check this out. It's excellent.
Many writers of this era have a giant plot idea and set everything up as a set of quests to reach that plot. Carey has several different stories to tell that end up creating a large tapestry. By the end, the full run feels more like focused than [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg]'s Sandman, but it's actually just very effective at pulling off the same tricks.
If you loved Gaiman's Sandman, you really should check this out. It's excellent.
siria's review
3.0
This is volume one of the Lucifer spin-off from Gaiman's Sandman series. I was a little apprehensive about reading a series focusing on one of my favourite characters which wasn't written by Gaiman, but I needn't have worried. This was well-written, and full of Lucifer being cool and witty while running a piano-bar in LA. The artwork is pretty, and I even prefer it to a lot of the artwork that featured in Sandman. The last story felt a little out of place - maybe due to its shortness, and the comparative lack of the title character. Still, well worth the read; and as with most things, I presume it will kick into gear fully in the next volume.
reasie's review
3.0
Interesting. Lucifer is, of course, a magnificent bastard. I wish Mazikeen had a bigger role, somehow. Meh. This volume has four stories in it, each ends rather open-ended. I will quite enjoy this series if the author is as good at tying up his plot threads as he is at spinning them out.
darylnash's review
2.0
I had expected to like this book more. It was talky without being especially profound, often falling to the old comic book error of describing something in detail in the caption which is pictured in the artwork. Carey does a pretty good job in making Lucifer an interesting character, but most of the book focuses on other minor characters who just aren't that interesting. I got the rest of the trades cheaply so I plan on giving the series a few more chances since others' reviews have been mostly positive.
lalalucyfour's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
misssusan's review
2.0
man i am so glad i read this now and not ten years ago
ten years ago i would've known that this series is well liked and highly acclaimed and i would've picked up the next volume because it's supposed to be good right? and the library has it! i cannot waste this comics opportunity
happily i am now old and curmedgeonly enough to know that life is too short to read things i don't like. unless the rest of the series features an abrupt tonal shift -- and feel free to tell me if it does! -- i care far too much about character to suffer through a ugly story that offers me no one to be really invested in
2 stars
ten years ago i would've known that this series is well liked and highly acclaimed and i would've picked up the next volume because it's supposed to be good right? and the library has it! i cannot waste this comics opportunity
happily i am now old and curmedgeonly enough to know that life is too short to read things i don't like. unless the rest of the series features an abrupt tonal shift -- and feel free to tell me if it does! -- i care far too much about character to suffer through a ugly story that offers me no one to be really invested in
2 stars