You know what everybody secretly loves? A bad guy! Well, within reason anyway. There's always notable exceptions, like that guy who hosted the US Apprentice before Arnold Schwarzenegger.
However it's true, right? After 'Avengers: Infinity War' everyone loved Thanos even though he snapped out half the life in the Universe. Todd Phillips' Joker has led to a revival of the Clown Prince of Crime as cult figure, much like Heath Ledger's performance in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy.
However it's true, right? After 'Avengers: Infinity War' everyone loved Thanos even though he snapped out half the life in the Universe. Todd Phillips' Joker has led to a revival of the Clown Prince of Crime as cult figure, much like Heath Ledger's performance in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy.
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| Jake's Copy of I, Lucifer I, Lucifer: An account of the oldest falling out in history from the other sides perspective |
Even as a pro-wrestling fan I see it. When I was growing up clean cut 'babyfaces' (or good guys for those of you who don't enjoy watching men throw men at men) were what you idolised, yet as I have got older the audience (myself included here) are drawn to the 'heels' (baddies) increasingly.
Don't worry, despite the temptation to look at what this probably says about us as a society, that's not why I am here. So you like a bad guy, huh?
What about the baddest of the bad? What about the OG of despicable? The Grandaddy of Evil. Satan. Beelzebub. The Lightbringer. The Original Fallen Angel. Lucifer Morningstar.
'I, Lucifer' is an odd one. Prior to purchasing the novel I had never actually heard of it. At the time I was working at a call centre in Canary Wharf. In one of the shopping centres there was a Waterstones and every time we got paid I would pop in there on my way to work.
I was mainly reading graphic novels then, so after grabbing a couple of volumes to tidy me over I went to the till. You know when you go to shops to get something specific but inevitably end up impulse buying the items by the till? Well, as I approached the till a book cover caught my eye.
It was actually quite minimalistic but I kept looking at it. Locked in internal debate I succumbed to temptation and grabbed the book. I have since followed up with some mini statues, which are featured in this post.
I was mainly reading graphic novels then, so after grabbing a couple of volumes to tidy me over I went to the till. You know when you go to shops to get something specific but inevitably end up impulse buying the items by the till? Well, as I approached the till a book cover caught my eye.
It was actually quite minimalistic but I kept looking at it. Locked in internal debate I succumbed to temptation and grabbed the book. I have since followed up with some mini statues, which are featured in this post.
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| Symbiotes & Lantern Rings: The Pop Figures in the background are Symbiotes who have become some of the most iconic Spider-Man villains of all time. The rings in the foreground are associated with some of DC's Lantern Corps, namely the more villainous ones of (L-R) The Sinestro Corps, Agent Orange, The Black Lantern Corps and Red Lantern Corps. |
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| When you are calmly minding your own business and Satan tempts you to murder. Execution Notice from the John Johnson Collection of Printed Ephemera |
Despite it not even being the book I had gone there to get, it was the first one I opened on the journey home. I wasn't even put off by the first person narration of the book. We start with a conversation between Lucifer and Gabriel.
The end is nigh but Gabriel comes with an offer for the fallen angel. One shot at redemption. If he can live a relatively sinless life in a mortal body he will be allowed to enter heaven come Armageddon. Lucifer finds himself tempted, even if it's only as far as being able to exploit the situation.
Now you don't become the ultimate manipulator without being able to give yourself an advantage, so he negotiates a trial run. One month.
Then he decides if he wants to face the marathon of redemption and a return home, or if he wants to return down to the bowels of Hell.
Awakening in the body of failing writer Declan Gunn what follows is Lucifer being Lucifer. The corrupter carries on, but as the story in the present unfolds we get to see his side of the story. His creation, his existence as an angel, his downfall.
Of course when dealing with the Lord of Lies it's advisable to take what's being said with a pinch of salt, however the author, Glen Duncan, sows just enough seeds of truth to make the account worth considering.
He also rather subtly crafts one question for the reader, while pairing it with the much more obvious one he presents throughout. The subtle question is that as the book unfolds it's clear that between the celestial beings there is a question.
They have free will, but if your fate is already preordained then how does one truly exercise free will? Can it even exist?
He also rather subtly crafts one question for the reader, while pairing it with the much more obvious one he presents throughout. The subtle question is that as the book unfolds it's clear that between the celestial beings there is a question.
They have free will, but if your fate is already preordained then how does one truly exercise free will? Can it even exist?
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| The Archangel Michael and Lucifer Illustration on a cigarette package from the John Johnson Collection of Printed Ephemera |
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| Joker DVD: Todd Phillips 2019 film Joker made villains cool again, having a massive impact on popular culture. |
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| Kylo Ren, Weeping Angel, The Joker: Kylo Ren follows the tradition of Darth Vader and Darth Maul of having iconic bad guys. The Weeping Angel is a monster from Doctor Who that's terrifying, and on the end I have the Clown Prince of Crime himself, The Joker |
It's a deep philosophical point that ultimately brings me nicely on to the second question which is, given there's a clear conflict between the concepts of destiny and free will, how possible is redemption?
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Joker Painting: A Christmas present from my little brother. It sits on my window sill so that I can see it wherever I am in my room. |
Is our very nature fixed and unchanging, or are we capable of being as
malleable as the world around us to adapt and better ourselves?
For all of the biblical imagery, the cosmic description, as well as divine and demonic beings this is a very human tale.
It's not about heaven and hell. It's not even about God and Satan. It's about second chances.
For all of the biblical imagery, the cosmic description, as well as divine and demonic beings this is a very human tale.
It's not about heaven and hell. It's not even about God and Satan. It's about second chances.
Want to hear the Fallen Angel's side of the story? You can find it here on our E-Library
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