Tag Archives: lucifer

TV Review: Lucifer S1E6 Favorite Son

Lucifer TV

Lucifer bails on Chloe when he becomes bored with her investigation into a ruthless biker gang murder. However, when he discovers something was stolen during the crime that was very personal to him, he demands that Chloe let him rejoin the case.

Lucifer is clearly focusing in on the long run plot and that really begins with this episode which has Lucifer getting very involved in a case when it turns out it’s his goods that have been stolen. But what’s inside? We don’t find that out until the end, but it’s pretty easy to guess.

This episode is a big shift in the series which pivots from a focus on the murder of the week to a longer form story that directly has to do with Lucifer. It’s interesting to see it shift, and the show should transition pretty easily.

That transition should be easy due to the talent of Tom Ellis whose Lucifer is devilishly fun. With the change though, it’s also forcing the actor to go past his usually delivery and we see some of that here. And he’s solid.

A better direction, some expanded acting, Lucifer looks to be stretching its wings and growing up a bit and looking to be like it’s going to be a lot of fun. The show was a slow start, but this is the episode where it’s really getting going.

Overall Rating: 8.15

TV Review: Lucifer S1E5 Sweet Kicks

Lucifer TV

A shooting at a fashion show intrigues Lucifer and he begs Chloe to get in on the case. Also: Maze tells Amenadiel that she wants to go back to hell and sets his sights on Dr. Linda.

Lucifer shifts the status quo a bit by giving Lucifer a more realistic reason to team up with a cop. That’s what this episode is mostly about, moving the plot forward about Lucifer and the exploration of who he is. But, the episode focuses more on small details about him and checks some of them off, at least some of the plot holes.

His mortality is a big discussion this episode, which I’m convinced is more of a plot device to give some actual danger to his actions and also help discuss his mortality. Where that goes is interesting.

The story about an artist is very predictable and it’s pretty obvious about who the killer really is early on. The episode isn’t about that though.

Characters like Maze get more of the spotlight, and we finally learn what her deal is. That’s an example of this episode checking off some of the questions from the first four. It’s a smart pivot for the series as it answers questions and sets the series forward.

Still, the show is all about actor Tom Ellis in the title role, and boy is he entertaining. His line delivery is spot on, and his smile, his head nod, everything, is just fun to watch. Out of everything, he’s the draw to the series and most likely will have you coming back for more episodes.

This is an interesting episode and where it sets the series going forward should be fun to watch. It’s clear the writers are still figuring things out, but it’s great to see them address questions, actually answer some of them, while at the same time driving the story forward.

Overall Rating: 7.85

Mini Reviews For The Week Ending 20/2/2016

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for. These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.


Alex

Kennel_Block_Blues_001_A_MainKennel Block Blues #1 (Boom!) Was a pretty odd comic about an anthromorphic dog living in a state of  half hallucinated reality as he enters prison. It’s good, and  it is worth looking into, but likely more a “wait for the trade” kind of book. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read

The Last Contract #2 (Boom!) A comic about a retired hitman getting back into the game long after his retirement, The Last Contract has been a fantastic ride so far, with the eighty-plus year old killer taking no shit from anybody. Well aware of his physical limits, he’s a refreshing change from protagonists that can take on the world with their hands behind their back. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Gutter Magic #2 (IDW) This has got to be one of the most entertaining comics I’ve read in a long time. The art is fantastically detailed without being overly cluttered, and the characters are inhabiting a rich and vibrant world that feels fully formed before you turn the page. Highly, highly recommended. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Deluge #2 Is an indie comic set during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. After reading the first issue, I’d actually thought it was just a one shot comic until I saw this. I actually found that the second issue was more enjoyable than the first, and I liked the first issue’s story about an undercover FBI agent infiltrating the New Orleans underworld amidst a layer of corruption from the local police. It’s a solid book that deserves a wider audience than it’ll end up getting. Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Will Eisner’s The Spirit #8 (Dynamite) I have nothing to say here that hasn’t already been said. A solid comic book that’s well written, well drawn, and above all it’s very, very fun. Overall: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy

Huck04_CvrBHuck #4 (Image) I just… wow. Just wow. Overall: 9.75 Recommendation: Buy it now, or buy the trade. You need to own this.

Black Hood #9 (Dark Circle) Is a solid comic. It’s not my favourite comic from this publisher (that honour belongs to The Fox), but it’s a very good gritty vigilante thriller with a hero who is very much just a man. A decent series that’s worth checking out. Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read

 

Elana

Catwoman #49 (DC)* When the Messina/Valentine creative team ended their landmark run of Catwoman as a crime boss I thought Catwoman would go down hill. And while the comic did return to its roots with a far more traditional Catwoman story it’s still a really good comic! It’s a smart, interesting story suspensefully told. The lines are almost delicate and the splash pages pack in far more visual information that you think at first glance. Selina fighting Croc in front of a Nosferatu billboard? That’s cool! And the intrigue is high. I keep reading because it’s quality comics. So should you. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

 

Ryan C

American Monster #2 (Aftershock) *: Brian Azzarello and Juan Doe’s journey into the dark underbelly of America’s sleaziest small town continues with some revelations of both the major and minor variety that will serve to suck readers into the web they’re spinning ever deeper. Two issues in, I remain convinced that this has the potential to be Azzarello’s best series since “100 Bullets,” and Doe’s art, while first striking me as being a bit too “cartoonish” for the dark subject matter, is quickly starting to grow on me. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

american monster 2Lucifer #3 (Vertigo) *: The devil went to The Dreaming, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt. Oh, and a damn good story — Gaiman-esque myth-spinning anchors one of Holly Black’s two main plot threads while the other, involving a trapped demon on Earth scheming to be set free, is pure Delano-era “Hellblazer.” Combine the two with Lee Garbett’s fun-yet-appropriately-grim artwork and a guest appearance by Matthew the Raven (who just turned up in his human form in the latest issue of “Swamp Thing”) and you’ve got yourself a heck — sorry, hell — of a book here. They say everything old is new again, and after three issues this series is proving that to be absolutely true. Overall: 8  Recommendation: Buy

The Tithe #8 (Image/Top Cow) **: Not a bad extra-length issue from writer Matt Hawkins and artists Rashan Ekedal and Phillip Sevy, but not a great one, either. The problem with the whole “Islamophobia” story arc isn’t that it was poorly done, just that it only had one big revelation in store and it gave that away in the opening installment. After that, we knew exactly where events were headed, and they simply proceeded to go there. It apparently pissed off a handful of right-wing dumbfucks online, though, so points to the creators for at least raising the blood pressure of all the right people. Overall: 6. Recommendation: Read.

The Shield #2 (Dark Circle) : Normally I’d say this isn’t a half-bad little issue because, well, it isn’t, but given that the gap between numbers one and two was something like five or six months in length, it should have — perhaps even needed to — return with a big splash, and it didn’t. I’m sure Adam Christopher and Chuck Wendig’s script was “in the can” some time ago, but some tinkering around the edges to re-engage readers into the storyline more fully would have been welcome, and the art-by-committee approach with Drew Johnson and Ray Snyder doing the first half of the book and Al Barrionuevo taking over the second half is jarring and messy. Still, we’ve got a Steve Rude painted cover as one of the variants this time out, so how petty am I for bitching about anything? Dark Circle’s been plagued with delays on pretty much all of their titles barring “The Black Hood,” though, so Archie really needs to get their shit together with this line or it will die the same quick death that these characters always seem to bring upon themselves in one decade after another. Overall: 6. Recommendation: Read

 

Bill-Ted-Go-to-Hell-1Shean

Bill and Ted Go To Hell#1 (Boom!): we catch up with the Wild Stallyns shortly after their adventures in the Triumphant Return.Colonel Oats and gang of baddies are enroute to Hell , kidnapping Bill And Ted’s buddy, the Grim Reaper, with them. The boys have to call on the help of Rufus and company to rescue him. By issue’s end , there is a bigger plan in play, than either of them expected. Overall:9.3 Recommendation: Buy


Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write.

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

TV Review: Lucifer S1E4 Manly Whatnots

Lucifer TV

In an effort to get over his infatuation with Chloe, Lucifer decides that he must seduce her. Meanwhile, the two team up on a missing girl case and Amenadiel confronts Maze about his concerns about Lucifer.

Lucifer has given us an interesting fourth episode that has lots of potential it never quite reaches. The episode involves a missing girl case, but a girl who went missing at a pick up artist event. The episode could be amazing in that it could really dive in to Lucifer and his views on women, which borderlines at times in the MRA/pick up artist worldviews.

The episode touches on that a little bit, but mostly bounces around with a muddled focus and view. Though Lucifer clearly thinks the pick up artist is scum, he also throws fits that Chloe won’t sleep with him.

The story of the kidnapped girl is predictable and the ending when it comes to that is telegraphed for quite some time.

But the episode is interesting in that it really moves the mystery of Lucifer forward and the fact he’s changing. There’s scheming between Mazikeen and Maenadiel, but it’s Chloe and Lucifer that’s interesting. She is still attempting to figure out what he is and how she feels about him.

While the series might seem like a police procedural, there’s a lot more going on here that’s a bit fascinating.

Still, the show is all about actor Tom Ellis in the title role, and boy is he entertaining. His line delivery is spot on, and his smile, his head nod, everything, is just fun to watch. Out of everything, he’s the draw to the series and most likely will have you coming back for more episodes.

The show is far from perfect, but it’s intriguing and getting better with each episode. This is one to definitely watch.

Overall Rating: 8.35

TV Review: Lucifer S1E3 The Would-Be Prince of Darkness

Lucifer TV

An up-and-coming quarterback calls Lucifer after finding a corpse in his pool; Lucifer asks Chloe to help investigate, which leads them into the world of big-money sports.

Lucifer has been getting better and better with each episode, surprising me at the quality of the series. The first two episodes would make you think that the series is the normal police procedural, but this third episode spins that perception a bit as Lucifer reflects on himself and his purpose on the planet.

In a weird way, Lucifer is a police procedural mixed with a superhero story and a nice dose of wicked humor.

It’s creating its own formula, much different from what I expected, and that’s a good thing.

At the center, Tom Ellis as the main character is the draw. His delivery of lines, along with his smile, is enough to keep me coming back. He’s a blast to watch as he delivers a performance of a character that should be completely unlikeable, but somehow is someone you’re cheering for in weird ways.

But, what I’m enjoying most is not just Ellis’ performance, but how it feels like it’s having fun with it all. Rachael Harris returns for each episode, so far, as a shrink that Lucifer isn’t just baring his soul to, but also his… more private parts. Lauren German as Chloe is a detective that Lucifer finds intriguing and also trying to figure out exactly who and what Lucifer is.

And that’s what this series is really about, Lucifer trying to figure out who he is, and what his role is. Is he the devil? Is he an avenging angel? Is he somewhere in between?

Three episodes in and I’m enjoying the series much more than I expected. It has style and a sense of humor that has me wanting to come back for more and more.

Overall Rating: 8.3

TV Review: Lucifer S1E2 Lucifer, Stay. Good Devil.

Lucifer TV

Chloe gets help from Lucifer on the investigation into the death of a movie star’s son who was killed while dodging paparazzi. Meanwhile, Maze and Amenadiel continue to urge Lucifer to return to hell.

Lucifer is a really fun series so far, and that’s mostly because of actor Tom Ellis in the title role. This second episode has Lucifer coming to the realization that he’s changing a bit in his new job and on Earth, and some of that’s very fun.

There’s something devilish and cheeky about the series. It has the devil seeing a shrink, while also doing everything he wants. He’s pure id, smoking pot in front of cops, resolving situations the way he wants.

The series could be the standard police procedural, and a lot of it is, but it’s Ellis’ performance that makes the show fun and entertaining. Ellis is the devil incarnate, smooth, sly, and delivering his lines with a smile that you can’t help be entertained. He’s absolutely perfectly cast, and the only other role I can see him is possibly Loki. There’s something very similar between the two.

The episode does an excellent job at fleshing out it’s characters, Lucifer, Chloe, Trixie. We’re still getting to know them, and there’s some solid work in that area building out a mystery.

The plot of each episode, that’s somewhat forgettable. It’s Ellis that’s the draw here, and he has me coming back for more.

Overall Rating: 8.2

DC All Access Launches Season Four

DC All Access, the popular webseries hosted by Tiffany Smith and Jason Inman, is back for its fourth season.

The show offers an insider’s look into DC Entertainment’s world of comics, film, television, games, and animation projects, DCAA delivers a new video segment every day of the week. This week marked the start of the fourth season with a behind-the-scenes interview featuring Tom Ellis from FOX-TV’s Lucifer discussing the new show based on the acclaimed Vertigo comic. You can catch that above.

Around the Tubes

Captain America Steve RogersIt’s new comic book day! Some stores in the East Coast snowfall may have delays with their books, so be patient and also check in with shops to make sure they’re good to go before you make your trip.

What is everyone excited to get this week?

While you wait for shops to open, here’s some news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.

Around the Tubes

ICv2 – $75,000 in ‘Magic’ Cards Stolen – Sad to see this. Anyone with information, please contact the police.

CBR – The Mission: Two Captain Americas and the Battle for Profit by Design – As always a great read.

Panels – Captain Marvel #1 and Alpha Flight – Did Alpha Flight get a promotion?

Loser City – I Liked the Lettering: Reviewing Lucifer #1 – An interesting discussion.

Loser City – Beautiful Grotesquery: Embracing the Ugly in Ted McKeever’s Pencil Head – A nice read about what can work and why.

 

Around the Tubes Reviews

Talking Comics – Adventures of Supergirl #1

Talking Comics – Faith #1

Talking Comics – Invader Zim Vol. 1

TV Review: Lucifer S1E1 Pilot

Lucifer TVLucifer is a crime drama about the devil tiring of life in Hell and materializing in the City of Angels, where he aids the LAPD in punishing evildoers. In the opener, he befriends a troubled pop diva and witnesses her murder, which triggers him to seek revenge.

Lucifer is the latest television show to spin out of a comic book, with the character bouncing around in various comics from DC Comics’ imprint Vertigo, with his latest launching just a few months ago. Going in to watching the pilot, I was worried the series was going to be another Constantine, full of potential but not quite panning out.

While the pilot isn’t perfect, it is a hell of a lot of fun, and much of that is due to actor Tom Ellis in the title roll. Ellis’ depiction is beyond entertaining and no matter how much of an ass he is at times, he’s still so charming it’s kind of hard to not to be glued watching his performance. His embodiment of the character is the draw of this first episode, and really the series’ success may rest on his shoulders.

The story itself is ok, basically involving a murder and doesn’t veer too far from the many police procedural shows on television. Instead of pseudo science being spouted, Ellis’ Lucifer leads the charge hopping from suspect to suspect grilling them as to their involvement in the killing. It’s Ellis’ delivery of his lines and how he presents himself that makes it all work.

There’s a bunch of side characters including a detective, folks working in his bar, an angel that keeps showing up. And there’s a greater story going on, but all of that gets in the way that is the fun of Ellis’ performance.

The episode isn’t perfect, it’s a bit unoriginal in the use of a murder and having Lucifer help the police. But, there’s still something that’s a lot of fun about it all. It’s not quite bad, but Lucifer is so bad in what he does and how acts, it makes the show good.

Overall Rating: 8.1

Mini Reviews Week Ending 23/1/2016

Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for. These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.


Alex

IronBardCoverIron Bard Ballisto (Milk and Shadow Books) Was one of those comics that I didn’t know what to expect. It’s funny, irreverent, and utterly worth reading. The Iron Bard is a warrior uses music to fight his enemies, and this leads to some genuine laugh out loud moments. I loved it. Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

The Hangman #2 (Dark Circle) I was’t a huge fan of the first issue, but this one is better, and actually puts a bit of perspective on the last issue. As things are progressing, this may be a series to watch, and eventually pick up in trade; but there’s just not enough here (yet) for me to recommend you buy this. Overall:7 Recommendation: Read the Trade

The Spirit #7 (Dynamite) This series has been a consistently solid effort for the past six issues, and this issue is no exception. It is part 7 of a 12 issue tale, so not the best place to jump on, but when collected this will be a fantastic story to read. It may not be the bet thing since sliced bread, but what it does well it does very well. I’d definitely pick this up in the eventual trade, or the full series. Whatever works for you. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Bigfoot: Sword Of The Earthman #2 (Action Lab) This is a rollicking good sci-fi adventure in the vein of John Carter. But with a Sasquatch. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Surviving Megalopolis (Dark Horse) I never read the original Leaving Megalopolis, but you don’t need to in order to enjoy this comic (it may help, though). Worth looking into if you enjoy your heroes turning crazy evil, coupled with some great art and writing. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

 

Brett

BPRD Hell on Earth #139 (Dark Horse) – A solid issue with an epic battle. It’s not a good one for new readers, but for long time readers it’s a solid payoff and that ending is just a holy shit moment we’ve all been waiting for. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

Star Wars #15 (Marvel) – Why did Uncle Owen dislike Kenobi? What was Kenobi doing on Tattoine? This issue answers so many questions and also asks even more. For Star Wars fans, it’s a must get. Overall: 8.6 Recommendation: Buy

Transformers #49 (IDW Publishing) – Really, it’s all about that ending and set up for issue 50. And that ending got me so excited. This is a great ending to the current arc that sets up a hell of a direction to come. Tons and action and all fun. Overall: 8.3 Recommendation: Read

Uncanny X-Men #2 (Marvel) – I love Cullen Bunn’s story. I hate Greg Land’s art. The Dark Riders are back, and they are badass, and this story is such a good focus on two characters. Just need a better artist, aaaargh! This would be “the” comic if that were the case. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read

 

Ryan C

Devolution01-Cov-G-2ndPrint-LeeDevolution #1 (Dynamite)**: The post-apocalyptic Las Vegas setting is a page out of “Resident Evil,” but the most obvious influence here is Alan Moore and Gabriel Andrade’s criminally-overlooked “Crossed + One Hundred,” as Rick Remender and Jonathan Wayshak bring us a not-quite-zombie tale with a twist featuring a strong, well-rounded female lead .Gorgeous art, but maybe titles like “Black Science,” Tokyo Ghost,” and “Low” had me expecting more from Remender-penned sci-fi than we’re getting here so far, because, while admittedly fun, this is plainly — and at times even painfully — derivative stuff. Overall: 6 Recommendation: Read. 

Lucifer #2 (Vertigo)* : The addition of groan-inducing lame humor into the mix of Holly Black and Lee Garbett’s take on the former head honcho of Hell is actually quite a bit of fun, as is the injection of a subplot centered around a trapped demon who’s unable to get a luckless mortal to do his bidding because, well, she’s already taken matters into her own hands and decided to start killing everyone she doesn’t like herself. Not sure how it all ties together, but then, that was often the case with the best of the slow-developing “old-school” Vertigo storylines, which this series is taking great pains to (successfully, I might add) invoke. And now, having paid his less-than-respects to fan-favorite character Mazikeen, Lucifer is heading to — The Dreaming! The cynic in me really wants to actively dislike how obvious this all is, but the eternal optimist I only let out on special occasions is loving the ride so far and can’t wait for more. Overall: 7.5. Recommendation: Buy

Clean Room #4 (Vertigo)*: This one’s taken some time to grow on me, and with the fourth issue I think that Gail Simone and Jon Davis-Hunt have finally hit the “sweet spot.” And by sweet, I should say that I actually mean sour — there are no real redeeming characters here, and the psychological implications of the horror on offer are as relentlessly disturbing as their physical manifestations. Do I completely understand what’s happening? Shit no, I can’t even competently summarize it. But it leaves me thinking — a lot. And certainly rewards careful re-reading, as the plot is almost meticulous in its intricacy. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

tokyo ghostTokyo Ghost #5 (Image)**: Balls-out action underpinned by a shitload of tragedy, both moral and physical, adds up to the most briskly-paced, edge-of-your-seat issue of this developing Rick Remender/Sean Murphy potential dystopian sci-fi masterpiece yet. Every panel a gut-punch, every word dripping with import, April can’t come soon enough, this first arc was the most glorious train wreck in ages. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

 

Shean

Star Trek Volume 11 (IDW): I have been a Trekkie my whole life and the work IDW has done with the reboot and the original continuity has been impressive so far especially with this collection of stories . In the first story, they explore an interesting theory of quantum physics. The second story plays much like the beginning of Star Trek: Into Darkness , if the crew encountered Birdmen. The last story is probably my favorite, as it wrangles all of our favorite doctors from the different TV series as they meet the iconic Dr. McCoy. Overall, an excellent collection that stays true to Gene Roddenberry ‘s spirit.
Overall: 10 Recommendation:Buy


Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write.

Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).

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