A review by aceinit
Lucifer, Vol. 7: Exodus by Mike Carey

5.0

Spoiler

Remember that time when God abandoned Creation, and two Titans conspired to take his place, which ended with Lucifer fighting for Heaven while Michael kind of skulked because his entire belief system has been upended and he was having a bit of an existential crisis? Then, on the streets of Heaven, Mazikeen kissed a hot waitress and flipped off the whole of the angelic host?

Yeah, it was awesome.

Exodus is not about one departure, but many. It is the beginning of the aftermath of God’s departure from his creation. It is the forced migration of immortals from Lucifer’s creation, a caution he exercises after seeing the chaos brought by those seeking to fill God’s shoes. It is a story about gods and what happens if they were to suddenly not be around any more. It is a story about a universe—our universe—upon every molecule of which God has written his name, and what happens when that name begins to fade.

The events of Lucifer’s seventh collected edition are what will drive the story relentlessly towards its final climax and conclusion, with the fate of both Lucifer’s creation and our own at stake.

There is also the introduction of the final major variable to Carey’s story, the long-awaited arrival of Lilith, Adam’s willful first wife and the mother of the Lilim. Though she is only seen in the final pages, the reader already knows that a legendary figure such as Lilith is not going to sit passively by and watch the universe(s) end.

The storytelling remains at the top of its game, and Exodus is filled with memorable moments: Lucifer claiming the seat of the Primium Mobile for himself (sort of) before heading out to face the Titans. Elaine’s moment of profound compassion regarding the lives of an immortal monster and his human foster child. Mazikeen’s confrontation with her mother. Gaudium becoming a beacon of joy and peace.

With Exodus, the world is (or in this case worlds are) changing quickly and permanently. It serves as both a powerhouse of a self-contained story and as the opening battle of Carey’s grand finale. From here on out, nothing will ever be the same again…and the creative team’s fearlessness in tackling such a controversial subject and cast truly takes shape as a masterwork of storytelling.