Review: LUCIFER #12
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Dan Watters
Artists: Max Fiumara
Colors: Dave McCaig
Letters: Steve Wands
Reviewed by: Seth Singleton
Summary
In my review of Lucifer #12 the journey is in the Dreaming. Or is it? Time is almost up for Sycorax. The devil desperately travels to where gods begin and end. Meanwhile: an old god’s temple is torn down, and angel flesh proves less than palatable.
Positives
In a change of pace, a long visit with Hades and Persephone is followed by a series of shorter visits to lesser known realms of the dead. However, every realm implies that Lucifer is weak. When Hades calls Lucifer a beggar, the Morningstar chooses to burn brightly. He threatens to return the fire that the cold heart of Hades denies them. Achilles  interrupts Lucifer’s departure and pledges his service if Lucifer will let him feel that fire once again.
The other realms are also unkind. Likewise, Lucifer’s response is to fight back. The vignette’s of H’ronmeer burning as punishment for his insolence and Hel crying upon the return of Helhast. The Parliament of Trees does not welcome flesh and bone. None are suitable places for Sycorax.
The art team deserves recognition in this issue. Creating the right tone for the underworlds is about addressing the very specific details that make each world come stand apart. In particular the choices for lines, shading, and color are masterfully paired with the  feeling each place should evoke.
The story of Samson never ended. To begin with, his cursed soul was turned into a tree in a forest of sorrows. A bitter repayment for a lifetime of service and a final act of sacrificial devotion. Abandoned to an eternity of anguish by an unforgiving lord. The chance to change destiny by becoming a shovel. The power of splinters to poison hearts and minds.
When Sycorax and Thessaly discover Samson’s treachery, Sycorax breaks the shovel in two. She is still holding the pieces when Lucifer brings her and Raguel to the island that is hidden from the eyes of heaven. Beautiful mix of chaos and misery here. Caliban is dying. Mazikeen explains that when Caliban ate Diri the cherubim at the end of last issue the angel flesh poisoned him. Raguel lunges to kill Caliban and Sycorax stabs him with the blade of moonlight Lucifer uses to travel between realms. A war with Heaven is certain now.
Negatives
Lucifer’s visit to the Dreaming felt forced. Three panels with disconnected dialogue, no interaction, and no tension made for a very strange non-interaction moment. It felt like a lot of build up for nothing. I’m hoping that this is a moment that is understated for a reason. Right now, it is still unclear.
Verdict
Dan Watters does an amazing job. In this case, the journey is about more than finding a new home for Sycorax. It’s about scouting for allies and resources. Whether the end of the trail will lead to a war or just a strong showing, Lucifer will be prepared.
