Lucifer: A Dalliance with the Damned/Mike Carey

Lucifer: A Dalliance with the Damned by Mike Carey (Lucifer, vol 3); graphic novel, horror, fantasy; 160 pages

The title story for this collection seems to be where this series is really earning its "mature audiences" label: it follows one small country in Hell, and the doings of its ruling family of demons--who, it seems, have dressed themselves and their court as 18th century humans. Those trappings give the whole section a bizarre, historical feel, but there are enough cutaways to keep track of our titular character that we never really forget where and when we are. Other sections seem to serve to set up plot for the next book: there are meetings with various other divine and demonic powers, Lucifer experiments with his new creation, the demoness Mazikeen continues her quest for her original face, and we get to check in on Elaine Belloc again. Another quick read, but an enjoyable entry in the series.