Lucifer #1

Jul 1990. Cover price £1.10.
28 pages. B&W contents.
Trident Comics.

Edited by Martin Skidmore.

Cover by Paul Grist.

Contents:

 2 Credits; illustrated by Paul Grist (reproduction in B&W of cover). / Indicia

 3 Hi, I'm Lucifer w: Eddie Campbell; a: Phil Elliott.

27 Phil Elliott and Eddie Cambell are also featured in Trident 7 in-house advertisement.

Lucifer, the fallen angel of Biblical fame, wearing his suit of feathers symbolic of former glories... telling his life story from a padded cell. There are few comics which open with such an audacious premise, but Lucifer is special. Under an attractive Grist cover, which establishes Lucifer as being a bit off, allowed to transverse the space normally held between character and reader, It may be due to him being completely round the bend, but maybe (just maybe) he's telling the truth.

The story begins with Lucifer being hit by a car while crossing the road, and in hospital encounters a man who states that his nose contains the other place... The inferno... Hell. How, one wonders, do all the damned get into it? They will be reduced microscopic on Judgement Day, else there wouldn't be any room on the planet if every man, woman, and child who ever lived came back at their original size. Seeing the chance of a lifetime, Lucifer sneaks into the operating theatre and steals the growth. For two weeks he attempts conjurations to enter the dimension.

As the carbuncle grows, Lucifer finds himself at the gates of Hell where he is refused entry. Entering with the assistance of four demons (returning from a meeting of the Maidstone coven) by using the name Mucusface, he discovers that the bridge to Hell is constructed of every politician who achieved their selfish ends on the backs of the people. The road to hell is, literally, paved with politicians.

Lucifer's journey through the layers of Hell is illuminating to the young man, though after encountering soccer hooligans finds himself rather thirsty - which is solved by a trip to Hell's bar, where those who never purchase a round are forced to watch on, sucking on corks for all eternity, as demons quench their thirst. Eventually meeting Satan, Lucifer stabs him in the chest and takes his place as master of Hell.

While not deliberately setting out to note prior publications, there are many small touches which make the title an appealing prospect for those willing to look beyond what is presented. Bellygrunt is reminiscent of Oojah or Shake, and Puepizza's heads are strangely familiar. Clever (and not so clever) wordplay peppers the script, although this is less to show off than it is to highlight character quirks, perfectly capturing a childish, impulsive personality who may or may not be the actual Lucfer.

Gloriously silly, endlessly amusing, and with a great central character.

Trident's lack of proofreading their own adverts is painfully noticeable here. A blemish, however slight, on the overall package.