Having these two characters defy their expectations explores these preconceived evil beings in interesting new shades of grey.
Credit: Vertigo
This section examines the parallels and differences between the Hellboy films and the long-running Lucifer comic book series. There are several striking similarities between the two works. The most notable is how each tackles the themes of free will and predestination. Along with this, each takes ancient biblical elements and characters while putting fascinating, novel spins on the exploration of "the antagonist." Hellboy as a demon and Lucifer as the literal devil typically play the antagonist role. We have discussed previously how the film adaptations of Hellboy differ from its comic book counterpart. TV Lucifer differs from his comic book iteration to an even greater extent, however.
"The series as it's developed so far is about Lucifer's quest to escape divine predestination and become the unchallenged author of his own actions,"
-Mike Carey, GO TO HELL! An Extensive Interview with 'Lucifer's' Mike Carey
The Initial Setup
Lucifer is a 2000 comic series written by Mike Carey, a spin-off of Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics. Starring the devilish biblical figure, the comics feature Lucifer running the hottest piano bar in Los Angeles after being cast out of Hell. Then, in 2016, Lucifer was adapted into a TV series for FOX. Much like the original comics, the TV series begins with Lucifer tired of ruling the underworld and instead deciding to run a piano bar called Lux. However, the TV starts to divert from the comic in its overall plot and Lucifer's character's portrayal after this initial setup.
Nothing is Off Limits
In the comics, God asks Lucifer to intervene on an issue he cannot. Lucifer agrees in exchange for a letter of passage, which he desires because it would free him from the control of any force in the universe. The letter will allow Lucifer to escape the known universe, acting as a one-way ticket to an empty void (something akin to purgatory). While Lucifer thinks he possesses the ultimate "Get Out of Jail Free" card, he soon realizes it's a trap into complete nothingness. From there, the series blends and explores a variety of religious mythologies as Lucifer launches his enigmatic master plan, ready to stand against any who oppose him. Comic Lucifer is apathetic, based on the Satan of Milton's Paradise Lost, who was banished from Heaven after a failed rebellion. This makes the literal devil more sympathetic. Despite that, he doesn't care about human lives or wish to be involved in their affairs. Anything that doesn't directly benefit him and his master plan is meaningless to him. By nature, the comics are vast, world-spanning, and epic. Nothing is off-limits. The same can not be said for the TV series, however.
Limiting Scope
The TV series, by comparison, limits its scope to Earth. Taking the form of a procedural cop drama, the series portrays Lucifer as a mysterious and eccentric figure that helps the police by using his powers. TV Lucifer is quite different from his comic book counterpart, taking a page out of Christopher Marlowe's Faust to continually meddle in human affairs. This is most evident in the constant deals he makes with humans. For example, when Lucifer's love interest, Chloe, is poisoned, Lucifer strikes a deal with the man that has the formula for the antidote. In exchange for the man’s absolution, he gives Lucifer the cure. Lucifer also slowly grows into a less evil being as he falls in love with Chole, which follows a typical Hollywood love story arc. This Lucifer also sees a psychiatrist, who helps him slowly grow to love Earth and see it as his home.
A Key Intersection
The key area where the Lucifer comics and Del Toro's Hellboy films intersect is through the examinations of free will and predestination in their main characters. The dilemma of free will is a core theme of Lucifer's comics. The character is portrayed as its champion, fighting back against the oppressive predestination set forth by Heaven. Later on, Lucifer creates his own universe and allows people to populate it. The only rule is to worship no one, including Lucifer himself, seeing religion as an unproductive obstacle towards true freedom of choice. Lucifer wants himself and humanity to chart their own paths, regardless of risks.
Hellboy also wants to chart his own course throughout the films and defy what destiny expects of him. He is prophesied to be the one who will lead the demons in a war against humanity, eventually resulting in the end of the world. However, Hellboy wants to marry Liz and raise children. He wants a regular and quiet life, as any average human would, yet he is always told that he can not escape his fate.
"I don't see Lucifer as evil, really: I see him as amoral… He makes his decisions purely by his own criteria, and he doesn't care one way or the other how other people are hurt or helped by his actions. We've almost never seen him deliberately set out to harm anyone,”
-Mike Carey, GO TO HELL! An Extensive Interview with 'Lucifer's' Mike Carey
New Shades of Grey
Having these two characters defy their expectations explores these preconceived evil beings in interesting new shades of grey. Lucifer is the devil, yet he sees himself as neither good nor evil. He merely wants to be in control of his own actions. To escape the clutches of higher power and what they view as his chosen path. The same is true of Hellboy. All his life, he has been raised among humans, who the demons say he must destroy. He has grown up loving a world that fate dictates he will be forced to destroy. Both works seek to eliminate preconceived notions and the black and white examination of evil by tackling how these ideas have affected these characters. By having these characters defy fate, both works encourage us, the readers, to defy fate ourselves and live by expectations that we alone set for ourselves. In doing so, we can become like the people who populate Lucifer's new universe, people who abandon blind allegiance to religious or secular authority, think for ourselves, and live life on our own terms.
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