It's good to see Vertigo titles getting green-lit for the small screen, however they tend to have poor ratings or at times their screenwriters were unable to keep to the comics books mythologies. The well-intended Constantine TV series, for example, had its protagonist staying relatively close to its comics book's persona (compared to the Keanu Reeves' movie version). But alas, that show got canned after lukewarm receptions on its 1st Season. It was a tragic attempt at serializing one of the great graphic literatures for the television.
NBC's Constantine stayed remarkably close to its comics counterpart, albeit the character's motives and moral compass were adjusted to make him more palatable to the general audience.
Similarly, Fox's Lucifer had been turned into a mutated clone of its superior comics version. For instance, in the pilot episode we see Lucifer Morningstar partners up with a detective to solve mundane crimes because he 'cares' about humanity. Then there is the sub-plot involving his growing (dis)affection to the said detective's juvenile daughter. The characterization feels disingenuous, awkward and makes no sense at all.
In fact, Fox's Lucifer is a pale facsimile of the truly intriguing character, first created by Neil Gaiman, and later fully fleshed out by Mike Carey. In the comics series you became immersed in the esoteric underworking of the spiritual realms, and even sympathize with the Devil because of you begin to care about his journey and storyline. In the series he stayed true to his evil origin and antagonistic nature towards God. But you begin to understand his struggle and indifference to humanity, as these reflect our own journeys as human beings faced with our daily sufferings and challenges.
In fact, the character of Lucifer (in the comics) is a reflection of our own foibles and failings as a species.
Gone were the white clothing, the blonde hair, the elegant and devilishly classy demeanor that made Lucifer character one of the most enduring comics book personalities. It would be interesting to see how the story pans out too, as the consistently well-written Vertigo title lies heavily on its supernatural themes, whereas the TV version seems adamant on making Lucifer as mundane as it gets.
His classy jazz club had been turned into a strange pub-cum-strip-joint. The mysterious and strong Mazikeen in the TV series became a whiny and lusty bartender.
Whilst in the comics, Morningstar couldn't care less about the fate of humanity and would rather spend his days playing the piano and singing in his club, Tom Ellis' portrayal of him is too flamboyant and too eager to care/help humans. He is filled with so much lust and sleaze, that he would make a used-car salesman or a pimp blush.
I feel that the 42-min pilot had almost no resemblance to its source, except at a superficial level. It is a hollow adaptation that betrays the high quality storytelling that made both Neil Gaiman and Mike Carey's writings great.
NBC's Constantine stayed remarkably close to its comics counterpart, albeit the character's motives and moral compass were adjusted to make him more palatable to the general audience.
Similarly, Fox's Lucifer had been turned into a mutated clone of its superior comics version. For instance, in the pilot episode we see Lucifer Morningstar partners up with a detective to solve mundane crimes because he 'cares' about humanity. Then there is the sub-plot involving his growing (dis)affection to the said detective's juvenile daughter. The characterization feels disingenuous, awkward and makes no sense at all.
In fact, Fox's Lucifer is a pale facsimile of the truly intriguing character, first created by Neil Gaiman, and later fully fleshed out by Mike Carey. In the comics series you became immersed in the esoteric underworking of the spiritual realms, and even sympathize with the Devil because of you begin to care about his journey and storyline. In the series he stayed true to his evil origin and antagonistic nature towards God. But you begin to understand his struggle and indifference to humanity, as these reflect our own journeys as human beings faced with our daily sufferings and challenges.
In fact, the character of Lucifer (in the comics) is a reflection of our own foibles and failings as a species.
Gone were the white clothing, the blonde hair, the elegant and devilishly classy demeanor that made Lucifer character one of the most enduring comics book personalities. It would be interesting to see how the story pans out too, as the consistently well-written Vertigo title lies heavily on its supernatural themes, whereas the TV version seems adamant on making Lucifer as mundane as it gets.
His classy jazz club had been turned into a strange pub-cum-strip-joint. The mysterious and strong Mazikeen in the TV series became a whiny and lusty bartender.
Whilst in the comics, Morningstar couldn't care less about the fate of humanity and would rather spend his days playing the piano and singing in his club, Tom Ellis' portrayal of him is too flamboyant and too eager to care/help humans. He is filled with so much lust and sleaze, that he would make a used-car salesman or a pimp blush.
I feel that the 42-min pilot had almost no resemblance to its source, except at a superficial level. It is a hollow adaptation that betrays the high quality storytelling that made both Neil Gaiman and Mike Carey's writings great.