Reviewer: “Starman†Matt Morrison
Story Title: Lilith
Written by: Mike Carey
Penciled by: P. Craig Russell
Inked by: P. Craig Russell
Cover by: Christopher Moeller
Colored by: Lovern Kindzierski
Lettered by: Jared Fletcher
Editor: Shelly Bond
Publisher: Vertigo Comics
Usually, the 50th issue of a comic is reserved for a big event and the conclusion of some grand, epic storyline. Unusually, as everything Lucifer seems to do is, this 50th issue is involved with an ending but also a beginning. Specifically, this story is the origin of how Lucifer once called Samael, came to “fall†and became the ruler of the fallen angels and the children of Lilith, Adam’s other wife who mated with monsters rather than be subservient to Adam.
This is a rather brief summation of what is a very exciting and interesting story. Both on its’ own terms and a starting point and origin for one of the most enigmatic and mysterious of Neil Gaiman’s characters. Of course, the broad specifics of Lucifer’s story are well known. But Carey’s tale finally gives us the details in The Devil.
P. Craig Russell is hardly new to this world, having been one of the many wonderful artists who worked on Neil Gaiman’s original Sandman series. He is also perhaps the best angel artist in the comic business, having also done the art for Gaiman’s “Murder Mysteries†which involved the world’s first murder… in Heaven. His work is excellent as ever here, being finely detailed without feeling cluttered.
I have said precious little about this book as is my custom when I write about Lucifer. It is such a good title that for me to speak too much about it would rob you of the wonderful experience of reading it. And rogue that I may be, there are some things I will not steal.
