Do we like Lucifer Morningstar?
A character from The Sandman (1989–1996 (comic); 2)
Our score: 4 out of 10. Dazzling company and he keeps his word, but he's cold, proud and cruel. We'd enjoy the conversation and still keep our souls well out of his reach.
Lucifer Morningstar is Neil Gaiman's version of the Biblical fallen angel, the ruler of Hell. He is elegant, theatrical and never in a hurry. In the comic he was visually modelled on the androgynous look of a young David Bowie. In the Netflix series Gwendoline Christie plays him as an imposing, rock-star figure. The Sandman follows Dream of the Endless, who is freed after decades of captivity and sets out to rebuild his realm. Lucifer is one of the powerful figures he has to deal with on the way.
Lucifer is at his best in a duel of words, not a brawl. He is polite, precise and proud, and he treats Hell as a throne to hold, not a playground. He insists on rules, protocol and formal bargains, so he is less a chaotic tormentor than a ruthless monarch who enjoys his status. That keeps him fascinating, but a ruler of Hell is still a ruler of Hell.
We score him a 4 out of 10. He is magnetic, honest in his own way and surprisingly reasonable, which counts for a lot. But he is vain, cold and spiteful when his pride is hurt, and he never uses his power to help anyone but himself.
Later in the comic's 'Season of Mists' storyline, Lucifer gets tired of ruling Hell. He empties it of its demons and damned souls, locks the gates and hands the key to Dream. That turns everyone's plans upside down. It is a startling, almost human act of rebellion, but he also leaves a good deal of chaos behind him.