Here comes Lucifer Morningstar, straight out of Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman universe. To begin with, you will likely be let down if you came here to read about Lucifer on television. There aren’t a lot of similarities even if this character served as the basis for the FOX/Netflix series. Having said that, those are excellent books.
Lucifer Morningstar, a broken rebel angel from The Sandman World, was kicked out from Heaven as punishment for leading the angel protest.
He had once fought against the Heavenly Kingdom and ended up in Hell, where he remained until the day he made the decision to shut down his business. After returning to Earth, he managed the Lux bar, serving his mistress Mazikeen at the bar.
Doctor Who IDW Comic Reading Order
Essential Pre-Reading for Lucifer Fans
Before starting Lucifer, read some of The Sandman series.
- The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes
Gathers The Sandman issues #1–8. Lucifer Morningstar made his first appearance in The Sandman issue #4. In this story arc, Dream of the Endless visits Hell to reclaim what’s rightfully his and encounters Lucifer. It’s revealed that Lucifer was forced to share his power after the return of the Great Darkness. While not essential, this storyline provides valuable background.
- The Sandman: Season of Mists
Gathers The Sandman issues #21–28. This storyline marks a significant turning point. Dream revisits Hell to rectify an old mistake. Upon arrival, he discovers Hell empty, and Lucifer hands him the key before departing for Perth, Australia. This marks the true beginning of Lucifer’s journey as a character.
- The Sandman: The Kindly Ones
Gathers The Sandman issues #57-69 and Vertigo Jam #1. This collection features the final, mostly optional appearance of Lucifer Morningstar in The Sandman series. It offers insight into his new life in Los Angeles.
Lucifer Reading Order:
I. The Original Lucifer series by Mike Carey
If you prefer to skip The Sandman part, you can. This is where Lucifer’s solo adventures, penned by Mike Carey, began. Everything you need to understand the character starts here.
- Devil in the Gateway
Gathers The Sandman Presents: Lucifer issues #1–3 and Lucifer issues #1–4.
- Children and Monsters
Gathers Lucifer issues #5–13.
- A Dalliance with the Damned
Gathers Lucifer issues #14–20.
- Lucifer: Nirvana
It’s a standalone, self-contained story that can be read at any point before the conclusion of this initial series. It’s included in the Evensong TPB collection.
- The Divine Comedy
Gathers Lucifer issues #21–28.
- Inferno
Gathers Lucifer issues #29–35.
- Mansions of the Silence
Gathers Lucifer issues #36–41.
- Exodus
Gathers Lucifer issues #42–44 and #46–49.
- The Wolf Beneath the Tree
Gathers Lucifer issues #45 and #50–54.
- Crux
Gathers Lucifer issues #55–61.
- Morningstar
Gathers Lucifer issues #62–69.
- Evensong
Gathers Lucifer issues #70–75.
The initial Lucifer series in alternate editions
The initial TPBs may be a bit dated. While you can find them on the used-books market, there are other alternatives available if you can’t.
The Omnibus Collection
Reprinted under The Sandman Universe Classics banner, this collection contains everything you’ll ever need.
- Lucifer Omnibus Vol. 1
Gathers The Sandman Presents: Lucifer #1-3, Lucifer #1-35, and Lucifer: Nirvana #1.
- Lucifer Omnibus Vol. 2
Gathers Lucifer issues #36-75.
The 2013 reprinted edition
- Lucifer: Book One
Gathers The Sandman Presents: Lucifer #1–3 and Lucifer #1–13.
- Lucifer: Book Two
Gathers Lucifer #14–28 and the Lucifer: Nirvana one-shot issue.
- Lucifer: Book Three
Gathers Lucifer #29–45.
- Lucifer: Book Four
Gathers Lucifer #46–61.
- Lucifer: Book Five
Gathers Lucifer #62–75.
II. Lucifer’s Second Series
The first season of Lucifer finished in August of 2006. After that, Lucifer made a showing in the DC New 52, but from what I could tell, it was a different Lucifer. FOX launched a TV show after Them sold the rights to bring their comics to consumers, forcing Vertigo to start a new ongoing series.
Gabriel has declared that Lucifer killed God, and God is now dead. He are able to show his innocence, but he had cause and opportunity. Angel will be welcomed back to Silver City and his crimes will be forgotten if he tracks down the murderer and understands them.
- Lucifer: Cold Heaven
Gathers Lucifer issues #1–6.
- Lucifer: Father Lucifer
Gathers Lucifer issues #7–12.
- Lucifer: Blood in the Streets
Gathers Lucifer issues #13–19.
III. The Universe of the New Sandman
Vertigo/Black Label has restarted the Sandman Universe, and a brand-new Lucifer ongoing book is now available. You can visit The Sandman Reading Order to learn more.
It looks like the Prince of Darkness has disappeared and has no chance to return. The first group ruler of Hell, blind, disabled, and homeless is now a dirty old man stuck in a small village where forces of evil taunt him continuously and nothing is as it seems. He is unable to locate his child, the only thing that can stop the end of the world, and has no memory of how he got here.
- Lucifer: The Infernal Comedy
Gathers Lucifer issues #1–6; The Sandman Universe #1.
- Lucifer: The Divine Tragedy
Gathers Lucifer issues #7–13.
- Lucifer: The Wild Hunt
Gathers Lucifer issues #14–19.
- Lucifer: The Devil at Heart
Gathers Lucifer issues #20–24.
