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Hexed #1-4
Hexed TP
(W) Michael Alan Nelson (A) Emma Rios Blood. Theft. Sex. Magic. The critically acclaimed fan-favorite is now in trade paperback! It's said there's no honor amongst thieves. Add to that a thief operati
Comic
First published January 1, 2008
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751 people want to read
About the author
Michael Alan Nelson
186 books99 followersMichael Alan Nelson grew up in a small Indiana farming community before moving to Los Angeles in 2002. He is the winner of the 2004 New Times 55 Fiction contest for his short-short "The Conspirators" and was awarded the 2011 Glyph Comics Award for Best Female Character for the character Selena from his series "28 Days Later." Michael is the author of the critically acclaimed comic series "Hexed," "Dingo," and "Fall of Cthulhu." His current ongoing titles include "Day Men" and the relaunch of the fan-favorite series "Hexed." His first prose novel, "Hexed: the Sisters of Witchdown" arrives May 5th, 2015. He lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
September 15, 2020
Lucifer (a nickname for Luci Jennifer) is a thief that specializes in supernatural objects. She gets in a bind over an old job she didn't finish when a supernatural underworld boss hunts her down. Now she needs to steal a device from a demon while turning the tables on the man forcing her to do the job.
Emma Rios's art is very rough. It's from early in her career and she has a hard time drawing turned faces in proper perspective. Some panels drove me nuts. Still, I loved the concept and story. I've read the sequel before and it's even better. Apparently, Lucifer spun out of Nelson's Fall of Cthulhu so I'll be checking that out soon as well.
Emma Rios's art is very rough. It's from early in her career and she has a hard time drawing turned faces in proper perspective. Some panels drove me nuts. Still, I loved the concept and story. I've read the sequel before and it's even better. Apparently, Lucifer spun out of Nelson's Fall of Cthulhu so I'll be checking that out soon as well.
June 7, 2018
So like I said before, I've ended up reading this series a bit out of order, but I don't think it caused any major problems. This was a really interesting story line [that directly preceded the one I've already read, d'oh] and of course I still absolutely love Lucifer, but the artwork left a bit to be desired [especially since I know how great it gets later] and was just overall a little too sketchy for my tastes and gave the whole thing a mildly unfinished feeling. Still a great read though.
June 1, 2015
More reviews @ The BiblioSanctum
I am a huge fan of Michael Alan Nelson’s work. I loved what he did with the comics that followed the events after the movie 28 Days Later, and that’s how I initially was introduced to his work. Since then, I’ve read many of his comics, and I love what he’s done with the series Day Men, Dingo, and Pale Horse. To say that I am a fan of his comics is probably a huge understatement.
Luci Jenifer Ignacio das Neves–Lucifer, for short–just had a really good night. The young thief procured a magical item that her employer, a snobby, witty old soul named Val, sent her to steal from a really suspect night club. The item in question?
Angel wings, which are beautiful enough to cause tears to come Val’s eyes. Not only did Lucifer get the wings her employer wanted for her client she also made off with a new toy–a witch hound (monstrous demonic things) that she keeps trapped inside of cutesy stuffed animals that she collects.
After making Val go through the “every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings” act (much to Val’s chagrin), Lucifer receives her payment and goes home hoping to wash the skankiness off her and get some rest since she hasn’t slept in 24 hours. However, when Lucifer arrives home, she’s confronted by a dangerous former employer named Dietrich who claims she owes him three hundred grand after not completing a contract he gave her three years ago because she figured out the magical tome he wanted was being protected not used for ill as he seemed to imply. Dietrich is powerful, and he knows that how to hit Lucifer where it hurts because she’s a decent person. He gives her 24 hours to retrieve another magical item for him with the added stipulation that she has to introduce him to the woman who hexed her, a woman simply called The Harlot.
Hexed was a glorious treat. Once I was able to sit down with it, I was fully engrossed in this story. Everything around me just ceased to exist for the a little while as I became completely emerged in Lucifer’s world. There were moments I couldn’t help laughing or mentally pumping my fist for Lucifer as she triumphed through her trials or even aching for her a little as she dealt with painful problems. This book also showed that it intends to play around with theology in interesting ways as it continues, and as someone who loves when theological ideas are used in new ways in stories such as these, I look forward to it.
While showing no real magical abilities herself, Lucifer is armed with magical tools and knows just about everything about getting information and material she needs from this strange magical world beneath the mundane world. Her name belies her attitude, which shows her to be a brave, caring, resourceful, and a darkly funny person. I couldn’t help but smile when she made Val recite the “angel wings” thing I mentioned earlier and actually ring a bell, showing that while she is a rock-n-roll ninja burglar, as she calls herself, there’s still something young and vulnerable inside her.
I’m not sure if she’s supposed to be “teenage young” or “new adult” young in this graphic novel. It feels more “new adult” even though the novel is categorized as “young adult.” However, this is a comic, and it has to be succinct, and for that reason, that could possibly be why she doesn’t lament on high school life or being a normal teenager like in the novel. Despite whatever range she’s supposed to represent, Nelson has managed to write her in way that doesn’t make he roll my eyes or mutter brat every few panels, which I always appreciate because that’s my main problem with most “young adult” and “new adult” stories.
This book doesn’t go into Lucifer’s back story, but there are plenty of hints about things that have happened before, especially things she doesn’t want to be part of again, but nothing has been explored fully yet. We learn the much of the extent of her connection to The Harlot, whose name is very fitting once you meet the character (and not for sexual reasons) and learn what her role is in the supernatural world, but the book still gives plenty of wiggle room even in that story to explore more of the relationship between Lucifer and The Harlot. They share a contentious relationship with The Harlot coming off mockingly maternal to Lucifer while Lucifer just hates her damn guts.
However, on the opposite end of that relationship is Lucifer’s feelings towards her employer Val who she obviously views as a mother figure and would do anything to keep her safe, even if it means unleashing forces that cannot be controlled. It’s a beautiful relationship between two women who barely try to keep up to keep up the pretense of employer and employee. Their care for one another shows even when they’re trying to be formal.
The only real complaint I have for this book is that one scene toward the end was rather convenient, too convenient. However, it was a very beautiful scene. I thought it was absolutely breathtaking with the art accompanying it, but I still couldn’t deny it felt sort of deus ex machina-ish, even though readers can calculate that it does have something to do with a very brief scene from earlier in the comic. So, at least, it did have some precedent, even if it was just that small iota. It just still made me think: “Well, isn’t that a convenient turn of events?”
Urban fantasy, even Urban Fantasy novels, can be a little formulaic, so it’s always nice to read something that adds an offbeat spin to an old familiar story. This managed to be touching, dark, and funny all at the same time. Emma Rios’ art really makes this story pop. The mixture of bright and dark art makes Lucifer’s world a visual treat with Nelson’s narration. Again, Nelson has given me a comic that I’ll continue to enjoy as I explore Lucifer’s world and unlock more of her secrets. Now excuse me while I bump this novel higher up my TBR list! Why wouldn’t I want to read more about a rock-n-roll ninja burglar?
I am a huge fan of Michael Alan Nelson’s work. I loved what he did with the comics that followed the events after the movie 28 Days Later, and that’s how I initially was introduced to his work. Since then, I’ve read many of his comics, and I love what he’s done with the series Day Men, Dingo, and Pale Horse. To say that I am a fan of his comics is probably a huge understatement.
Luci Jenifer Ignacio das Neves–Lucifer, for short–just had a really good night. The young thief procured a magical item that her employer, a snobby, witty old soul named Val, sent her to steal from a really suspect night club. The item in question?
Angel wings, which are beautiful enough to cause tears to come Val’s eyes. Not only did Lucifer get the wings her employer wanted for her client she also made off with a new toy–a witch hound (monstrous demonic things) that she keeps trapped inside of cutesy stuffed animals that she collects.
After making Val go through the “every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings” act (much to Val’s chagrin), Lucifer receives her payment and goes home hoping to wash the skankiness off her and get some rest since she hasn’t slept in 24 hours. However, when Lucifer arrives home, she’s confronted by a dangerous former employer named Dietrich who claims she owes him three hundred grand after not completing a contract he gave her three years ago because she figured out the magical tome he wanted was being protected not used for ill as he seemed to imply. Dietrich is powerful, and he knows that how to hit Lucifer where it hurts because she’s a decent person. He gives her 24 hours to retrieve another magical item for him with the added stipulation that she has to introduce him to the woman who hexed her, a woman simply called The Harlot.
Hexed was a glorious treat. Once I was able to sit down with it, I was fully engrossed in this story. Everything around me just ceased to exist for the a little while as I became completely emerged in Lucifer’s world. There were moments I couldn’t help laughing or mentally pumping my fist for Lucifer as she triumphed through her trials or even aching for her a little as she dealt with painful problems. This book also showed that it intends to play around with theology in interesting ways as it continues, and as someone who loves when theological ideas are used in new ways in stories such as these, I look forward to it.
While showing no real magical abilities herself, Lucifer is armed with magical tools and knows just about everything about getting information and material she needs from this strange magical world beneath the mundane world. Her name belies her attitude, which shows her to be a brave, caring, resourceful, and a darkly funny person. I couldn’t help but smile when she made Val recite the “angel wings” thing I mentioned earlier and actually ring a bell, showing that while she is a rock-n-roll ninja burglar, as she calls herself, there’s still something young and vulnerable inside her.
I’m not sure if she’s supposed to be “teenage young” or “new adult” young in this graphic novel. It feels more “new adult” even though the novel is categorized as “young adult.” However, this is a comic, and it has to be succinct, and for that reason, that could possibly be why she doesn’t lament on high school life or being a normal teenager like in the novel. Despite whatever range she’s supposed to represent, Nelson has managed to write her in way that doesn’t make he roll my eyes or mutter brat every few panels, which I always appreciate because that’s my main problem with most “young adult” and “new adult” stories.
This book doesn’t go into Lucifer’s back story, but there are plenty of hints about things that have happened before, especially things she doesn’t want to be part of again, but nothing has been explored fully yet. We learn the much of the extent of her connection to The Harlot, whose name is very fitting once you meet the character (and not for sexual reasons) and learn what her role is in the supernatural world, but the book still gives plenty of wiggle room even in that story to explore more of the relationship between Lucifer and The Harlot. They share a contentious relationship with The Harlot coming off mockingly maternal to Lucifer while Lucifer just hates her damn guts.
However, on the opposite end of that relationship is Lucifer’s feelings towards her employer Val who she obviously views as a mother figure and would do anything to keep her safe, even if it means unleashing forces that cannot be controlled. It’s a beautiful relationship between two women who barely try to keep up to keep up the pretense of employer and employee. Their care for one another shows even when they’re trying to be formal.
The only real complaint I have for this book is that one scene toward the end was rather convenient, too convenient. However, it was a very beautiful scene. I thought it was absolutely breathtaking with the art accompanying it, but I still couldn’t deny it felt sort of deus ex machina-ish, even though readers can calculate that it does have something to do with a very brief scene from earlier in the comic. So, at least, it did have some precedent, even if it was just that small iota. It just still made me think: “Well, isn’t that a convenient turn of events?”
Urban fantasy, even Urban Fantasy novels, can be a little formulaic, so it’s always nice to read something that adds an offbeat spin to an old familiar story. This managed to be touching, dark, and funny all at the same time. Emma Rios’ art really makes this story pop. The mixture of bright and dark art makes Lucifer’s world a visual treat with Nelson’s narration. Again, Nelson has given me a comic that I’ll continue to enjoy as I explore Lucifer’s world and unlock more of her secrets. Now excuse me while I bump this novel higher up my TBR list! Why wouldn’t I want to read more about a rock-n-roll ninja burglar?
November 15, 2023
The artwork seems to be a clash of gritty comic and manga style, which I found odd. Love the story though, and there's a whole second arc. Give it!
March 9, 2011
Mark Alan Nelson spins off his character of Lucifer from the Cthulhu series he wrote for Boom!. Lucifer is her nickname, as she is obviously has some skill at magic, but her primary calling is as a thief of the unusual. I found the light touch of the series to work well with the threat to Lucifer and her one and only friend (and primary employer). Avoiding exposition dumps Nelson does a good job of filling us in on Lucifer's past history as it applies to this story. While arguably a deus ex machina was used at the end of the tale, I would certainly read Lucifer's further adventures.
January 17, 2013
Every year at WonderCon I go to the Boom booth and Michael Alan Nelson recommends a book of his for me to read and every year I tuck it away unread. I saw this today sitting on my bookshelf and thought might as well. I loved it! Strong female heroine and magic, magic, magic and some stuffed animals. The art and colors were beautiful. I wanted to live in this magical world even though it seemed a bit dangerous. When I was done, I was sad it was over. I hope there will be more stories with Lucifer in the near future. So I guess this year at WonderCon, I will be picking up even more of his books but maybe now I will actually read them.
November 23, 2021
This was so much fun, but I'm desperate for more now! This is clearly a world with a lot of rich backstory and worldbuilding waiting to be explored, and it was just barely touched upon here. Another minor criticism is that sometimes the humor was a tad...oh, male, in that very particular grating way when female characters are involved, but it was nothing I couldn't get past, especially considering the main female character's most significant relationship was with an older woman and mother figure. I really loved this!
April 10, 2015
This is just more proof that BOOM! produces awesome graphic novels.
The heroine was strong, witty and smart, yet vulnerable and full of conflict. The magic system was great. The humor was vulgar, but balanced. The characters were all interesting. (I need to find The Fall of Cthulhu so I can read the origin story.) The art was standard, but still good.
Definitely check this out.
The heroine was strong, witty and smart, yet vulnerable and full of conflict. The magic system was great. The humor was vulgar, but balanced. The characters were all interesting. (I need to find The Fall of Cthulhu so I can read the origin story.) The art was standard, but still good.
Definitely check this out.
January 26, 2015
3.75! Very fun read, great female protagonist and some really fun concepts. Felt like a really fresh plot. Would have loved slightly more depth but that's just personal preference.
August 13, 2015
Thief-for-hire Luci Jennifer Inacio Das Neves - Lucifer for short - steals wondrous objects from the dark denizens of the netherworld.
The Hexed collection in question brings together the four issues of the limited 2008-2009 run.
I picked up Hexed as part of a Boom! sale at Comixology, not really knowing what to expect. The back cover quotes compare it to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellraiser and Alias. While I don't have any experience with Hellraiser, the other two are right in my fan-wheelhouse.
First, to get the negative out of the way quickly, I hate the concept of giving her the nickname "Lucifer". And the fact that they keep saying "Lucifer for short". It's not "Lucifer for short", it's Luci for short. Lucifer is just a weird construct to play up other assorted elements in the story - one that I think is unnecessary. It’s also a little too bad-girl-cute for me - evoking cringe-worthy memories of Mary Sue’s with super special characteristics that serve as a weak short-hand for actual character development.
However, apart from that relatively easy to ignore annoyance, I really enjoyed the book. The design of the monsters and the grotesqueness of the magic was wonderfully realized. One of my particular favourites involved the use of an oversized corpse in Chapter 1 - you'll know it when you see it. And while another team might have gone grim and dark with the art, the brightness of Hexed makes the horror even more poignant.
I also loved that we’re dropped into the middle of Luci’s story. This is not an origin story. There are some references to an early defining event in Luci’s life, but the details are left vague and mysterious, which suits me just fine. Origin stories so often suffer from a lack of momentum and avoiding them allows you to jump immediately into higher stakes action, and avoid the level grinding that otherwise might be necessary.
The story also manages to deftly present an already developed relationship that still resonates with readers, at least with this one. Luci and Val’s relationship is already cemented when the book starts, and it is the defining relationship of the story - it’s the source of all of Luci’s motivation and drive. It’s really satisfying to read something that really emphasizes such a supportive female friendship and mentorship. Also, Val’s a badass who can more than keep up with Luci in terms of the action.
I’m not sure if I’ll pick up the ongoing series. I certainly liked the mini-series, but part of its appeal was the limited number of issues, and I’m not sure I’m invested enough to commit long-term. I’ll have to look into the series a bit more and see what the supporting cast looks like - while I like Luci well enough, and Val is great, I generally like a larger cast of characters to sink my teeth into. We’ll also have to see how well I connect with the style of the new artist brought on for the ongoing 2014 series, as the art style is really an essential part of my comic engagement.
The Hexed collection in question brings together the four issues of the limited 2008-2009 run.
I picked up Hexed as part of a Boom! sale at Comixology, not really knowing what to expect. The back cover quotes compare it to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellraiser and Alias. While I don't have any experience with Hellraiser, the other two are right in my fan-wheelhouse.
First, to get the negative out of the way quickly, I hate the concept of giving her the nickname "Lucifer". And the fact that they keep saying "Lucifer for short". It's not "Lucifer for short", it's Luci for short. Lucifer is just a weird construct to play up other assorted elements in the story - one that I think is unnecessary. It’s also a little too bad-girl-cute for me - evoking cringe-worthy memories of Mary Sue’s with super special characteristics that serve as a weak short-hand for actual character development.
However, apart from that relatively easy to ignore annoyance, I really enjoyed the book. The design of the monsters and the grotesqueness of the magic was wonderfully realized. One of my particular favourites involved the use of an oversized corpse in Chapter 1 - you'll know it when you see it. And while another team might have gone grim and dark with the art, the brightness of Hexed makes the horror even more poignant.
I also loved that we’re dropped into the middle of Luci’s story. This is not an origin story. There are some references to an early defining event in Luci’s life, but the details are left vague and mysterious, which suits me just fine. Origin stories so often suffer from a lack of momentum and avoiding them allows you to jump immediately into higher stakes action, and avoid the level grinding that otherwise might be necessary.
The story also manages to deftly present an already developed relationship that still resonates with readers, at least with this one. Luci and Val’s relationship is already cemented when the book starts, and it is the defining relationship of the story - it’s the source of all of Luci’s motivation and drive. It’s really satisfying to read something that really emphasizes such a supportive female friendship and mentorship. Also, Val’s a badass who can more than keep up with Luci in terms of the action.
I’m not sure if I’ll pick up the ongoing series. I certainly liked the mini-series, but part of its appeal was the limited number of issues, and I’m not sure I’m invested enough to commit long-term. I’ll have to look into the series a bit more and see what the supporting cast looks like - while I like Luci well enough, and Val is great, I generally like a larger cast of characters to sink my teeth into. We’ll also have to see how well I connect with the style of the new artist brought on for the ongoing 2014 series, as the art style is really an essential part of my comic engagement.
January 7, 2017
I liked this one a lot--great art (although, yeah, pretty gross at times), interesting story. It reminds me a little of Richelle Mead's Succubus series, in the main character's yearning for a Heaven she knows isn't in the cards for her, and I love Lucifer's fierce desire to protect Val, and the possibility of redemption offered at the end. Disgusting and strange and beautiful all at once!
September 11, 2015
I wish I had picked it up sooner. I LOVED it. It was good, cheesy Urban Fantasy Fun that took a sudden turn on the creepyville road to become outright awesome. Con-Artist vs. Demons, Creepy Flirty Information Broker, Human Friend Who Can Not Be a Victim.
Yeah, more please!
Yeah, more please!
March 28, 2014
Nothing like Buffy as the blurb suggests. Good though. Left me wanting more.
November 30, 2012
A really promising start, and a very fun collection. I'll def look up whatever comes after.
Also Emma Rios makes me happy.
Also Emma Rios makes me happy.
June 2, 2013
My favorite comic!! I wish there were more :(
April 14, 2015
So good! Certainly want more!
February 28, 2017
Fun story. interested in reading more.
September 26, 2021
4-
Questa nuova uscita mi ha subito fatto l’occhiolino e chi sono io per dire di no a una graphic novel probabilmente splatterosa, che sguazza nell’occulto e ha una protagonista sarcastica dal carattere difficile? Nessuno, ovvio. Ecco perché l’ho acquistata a scatola chiusa.
Me ne sono pentita? Nah.
La storia in sé è molto interessante e avvincente, anche se all’inizio è difficile da seguire perché scaraventa immediatamente il lettore nella vicenda, rivelando pian piano il background di Lucifer e degli altri personaggi. E lo fa mooolto lentamente. Insomma, non c’è tempo per le domande, solo tanta azione e nuotatine all’interno di cadaveri. Sì, suona strano, ma dovete leggere per capire.
Ergo, l’empatia verso i personaggi si forma verso la fine della prima parte. E si inizia la seconda con il botto.
Se all’inizio Lucifer ha dovuto vedersela con un pericoloso trafficante con cui aveva dei trascorsi, nella seconda finirà a suo malgrado in mezzo a una guerra centenaria tra fratelli (magici tra l’altro). E lasciatemelo dire… non ci sarà tregua. Ciò che più mi ha interessata è stata la situazione in cui Lucifer si trova infischiata, oltre che il suo legame con Val. Le ho adorate. Ma ho adorato ancora di più i suoi bisticci con l’assistente di Val… ah, mi è partita la ship. Sopratutto nel considerare che le due si detestano inizialmente. Chissà, chissà quale nave salperà…
Per concludere, sono molto curiosa di scoprire come proseguirà la storia. Ammetto però che l’occhio vuole la sua parte e inizialmente non ero molto convinta dello stile del primo illustratore. Ma è uno dei suoi primi lavori, quindi possiamo chiudere un occhio. Mentre per quanto riguarda la seconda metà… beh, spettacolo visivo. Pollice in su per la lotta/inseguimento nella galleria d’arte di Val!
Consigliato.
Questa nuova uscita mi ha subito fatto l’occhiolino e chi sono io per dire di no a una graphic novel probabilmente splatterosa, che sguazza nell’occulto e ha una protagonista sarcastica dal carattere difficile? Nessuno, ovvio. Ecco perché l’ho acquistata a scatola chiusa.
Me ne sono pentita? Nah.
La storia in sé è molto interessante e avvincente, anche se all’inizio è difficile da seguire perché scaraventa immediatamente il lettore nella vicenda, rivelando pian piano il background di Lucifer e degli altri personaggi. E lo fa mooolto lentamente. Insomma, non c’è tempo per le domande, solo tanta azione e nuotatine all’interno di cadaveri. Sì, suona strano, ma dovete leggere per capire.
Ergo, l’empatia verso i personaggi si forma verso la fine della prima parte. E si inizia la seconda con il botto.
Se all’inizio Lucifer ha dovuto vedersela con un pericoloso trafficante con cui aveva dei trascorsi, nella seconda finirà a suo malgrado in mezzo a una guerra centenaria tra fratelli (magici tra l’altro). E lasciatemelo dire… non ci sarà tregua. Ciò che più mi ha interessata è stata la situazione in cui Lucifer si trova infischiata, oltre che il suo legame con Val. Le ho adorate. Ma ho adorato ancora di più i suoi bisticci con l’assistente di Val… ah, mi è partita la ship. Sopratutto nel considerare che le due si detestano inizialmente. Chissà, chissà quale nave salperà…
Per concludere, sono molto curiosa di scoprire come proseguirà la storia. Ammetto però che l’occhio vuole la sua parte e inizialmente non ero molto convinta dello stile del primo illustratore. Ma è uno dei suoi primi lavori, quindi possiamo chiudere un occhio. Mentre per quanto riguarda la seconda metà… beh, spettacolo visivo. Pollice in su per la lotta/inseguimento nella galleria d’arte di Val!
Consigliato.
September 11, 2018
I like the concept and the story. I feel like I need to know more about her. It the give me that Constantine vibe. I don't know if that bad or Good. I love Constantine. The art was dark and bloody yet still beautiful at the same time. Didn't take me out if the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2021
Deliriously devilish!
The witch thief Lucifer was the best part of the Fall of Cthulu series, and she shines even brighter in a series of her own.
Simply wonderful.
The witch thief Lucifer was the best part of the Fall of Cthulu series, and she shines even brighter in a series of her own.
Simply wonderful.
November 5, 2012
Luci Jenifer Inacio das Neves, Lucifer for short, is a thief. An occult thief. And one who only steals things for the right reasons. Unfortunately for her, someone from her past wants her to steal something very dangerous, and NOT for the right reasons. Now Lucifer must steal an object with the power to kill, and put it into the hands of a killer, otherwise the life of the one person she cares about could be forfeit.
This was pretty great. Lucifer is a character from Fall of Cthulhu, which I have not read but now that I've read Hexed I want too. Nelson liked Lucifer so much he wanted to give her her own story. So he did. This means that there are some references to things that happened before which I did not understand, but that just made me want to find out what happened, it did not disengage me from the story. Lucifer is smart and capable. She isn't attached to very many people, but to the one person who she really cares about, Val, (no, it's not a boyfriend! Just a friend! A female friend!) she is fiercely protective of and loyal too. She is put in dangerous and tricky situations, and she works her way out of them.
Lucifer has been Hexed, and we don't learn what that actually means until almost the end of the story. We also don't know how she got into this business of stealing occult objects. Lucifer is kind of a Robin Hood figure. She steals occult objects and returns them to their rightful owners. She doesn't do this on her own, however. She is hired to do so. Many of her jobs go through Val. We don't know how Lucifer and Val met. I'm not sure how much more I would know if I'd read Fall of Cthulhu, and how much just hasn't been revealed. I hope there are many more Hexed stories. I would really like to continue with it.
For the most part, I really liked the art. From when the story starts, Lucifer has been working for some time, and when crises strikes she doesn't get to rest. There are several mentions of how she'd love to sleep or take a shower. And she looked it. She looked like someone who was tired and filthy and exhausted but couldn't stop. I wish people's faces had more expression. There was a generic flat look, a generic angry look, and a generic smirking kind of look and all the characters, for the most part, worse one of those looks.
There was only one scene that I felt was gratuitously sexual. Lucifer has to cut into a dead body and jump inside to find the doorway into the world she has to get too. Before we know that's what she has to do, it set up like she's going to have to have sex with a dead body in order to open the door. She says "Finding the Carasingth will be the easy part. The hard part is getting into his lair...It's just that there's this whole "yuk" factor...Sadly, violating the body of a 300-pound dead man isn't the worst thing I've ever had to do on a gig. But it comes pretty damn close." And the images are of her taking off her pants and straddling a dead body. Why did she have to take off her pants? Why did she have to straddle the body? So I didn't love that scene.
Also, I wish the cover image were not Lucifer crouching in her underwear. She's such a kickass girl, why'd they have to use the one image of her when she's partially undressed? Annoying.
This is definitely for older YA and adult. I really enjoyed it though and recommend it.
This was pretty great. Lucifer is a character from Fall of Cthulhu, which I have not read but now that I've read Hexed I want too. Nelson liked Lucifer so much he wanted to give her her own story. So he did. This means that there are some references to things that happened before which I did not understand, but that just made me want to find out what happened, it did not disengage me from the story. Lucifer is smart and capable. She isn't attached to very many people, but to the one person who she really cares about, Val, (no, it's not a boyfriend! Just a friend! A female friend!) she is fiercely protective of and loyal too. She is put in dangerous and tricky situations, and she works her way out of them.
Lucifer has been Hexed, and we don't learn what that actually means until almost the end of the story. We also don't know how she got into this business of stealing occult objects. Lucifer is kind of a Robin Hood figure. She steals occult objects and returns them to their rightful owners. She doesn't do this on her own, however. She is hired to do so. Many of her jobs go through Val. We don't know how Lucifer and Val met. I'm not sure how much more I would know if I'd read Fall of Cthulhu, and how much just hasn't been revealed. I hope there are many more Hexed stories. I would really like to continue with it.
For the most part, I really liked the art. From when the story starts, Lucifer has been working for some time, and when crises strikes she doesn't get to rest. There are several mentions of how she'd love to sleep or take a shower. And she looked it. She looked like someone who was tired and filthy and exhausted but couldn't stop. I wish people's faces had more expression. There was a generic flat look, a generic angry look, and a generic smirking kind of look and all the characters, for the most part, worse one of those looks.
There was only one scene that I felt was gratuitously sexual. Lucifer has to cut into a dead body and jump inside to find the doorway into the world she has to get too. Before we know that's what she has to do, it set up like she's going to have to have sex with a dead body in order to open the door. She says "Finding the Carasingth will be the easy part. The hard part is getting into his lair...It's just that there's this whole "yuk" factor...Sadly, violating the body of a 300-pound dead man isn't the worst thing I've ever had to do on a gig. But it comes pretty damn close." And the images are of her taking off her pants and straddling a dead body. Why did she have to take off her pants? Why did she have to straddle the body? So I didn't love that scene.
Also, I wish the cover image were not Lucifer crouching in her underwear. She's such a kickass girl, why'd they have to use the one image of her when she's partially undressed? Annoying.
This is definitely for older YA and adult. I really enjoyed it though and recommend it.
May 9, 2016
HOLY MOSES JUST WOW THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL WAS SO GOOD!!! I bought the first comic from Half Price just the other day and was perusing the shelves at the library and just so happened to find the graphic novel bind up version and I have literally been just sitting at the library reading it all afternoon! It was SOO good! Lucifer is just a complete badass and her stuffed animals which are used to disguise her witch hounds are so clever. The art was beautiful and the story line, unique! Definitely a twist on the typical heroine type of comic. The ONLY reason it was not a total 5/5 for me was because apparently this was a spin off from another series and I was a bit confused at some points. Like, when she dove into the dead guys body; I kind of wish that part was explained a little more. But maybe I'll read through it again one day. Maybe I missed something! Anyways, for me this was a solid 4.5/5! Amazing!
February 7, 2010
Yay! What a great find. I stumbled on the author, Michael Alan Nelson, at ALA's recent mid-winter meeting in Boston. I was immediately drawn to the cover art, and the story seemed fun (a lot like Buffy the Vampire Slayer). The main character, "Lucifer" (Luci Jenifer Inacio Das Neves) is essentially a magical "thief" - helping to retrieve lost magical items from dangerous demons and the like. She often acts on behalf of her sage, older benefactress - a gallery owner named Val (think Giles, of Buffy). Lucifer of course has a side story as well - she has been "hexed" by a creature called the Harlot, doomed to give up her afterlife. So she quests to save others (and herself) from the darker side of magic. Great story, and BEAUTIFUL art. I can't wait to read more.
August 24, 2015
I read this because I'm following all of Rios' works - her art is fantastic to say the least and bumped this rating from 3 to 4 stars.
The writing of Hexed seemed rushed - and Lucifer is no Buffy as the reviews claim. The character and world is more like Fray if we want to compare to a slayer - mythical beasts, dirty dark city, benevolent bosses with powers of their own, odd jobs that the characters don't always fully understand, a deep past and condemned future. Yep, a lot like Fray.
Boy the art was fantastic, did I say that? I still wouldn't call this horror despite all of the blood and gory headshots, crime drama more like. Some interesting characters here that I'd like to read more about.
The writing of Hexed seemed rushed - and Lucifer is no Buffy as the reviews claim. The character and world is more like Fray if we want to compare to a slayer - mythical beasts, dirty dark city, benevolent bosses with powers of their own, odd jobs that the characters don't always fully understand, a deep past and condemned future. Yep, a lot like Fray.
Boy the art was fantastic, did I say that? I still wouldn't call this horror despite all of the blood and gory headshots, crime drama more like. Some interesting characters here that I'd like to read more about.
October 16, 2011
This seems to have been disappointingly cancelled after one volume. Which means the ending is pretty unsatisfying (lots of loose threads and future plotlines left hanging...obviously didn't expect to get cancelled).
For what there is, though, it’s good. Pretty much the kind of stuff you’d see in anime or a Hellboy type movie. Lucifer (and, no, that nickname is not properly explained in the space this graphic novel got) is essentially a magical thief. That means she gets to deal with supernatural creeps and some cool and at times grotesque magic. Plus, fight scenes.
Nothing overly memorable, perhaps, but enjoyable.
For what there is, though, it’s good. Pretty much the kind of stuff you’d see in anime or a Hellboy type movie. Lucifer (and, no, that nickname is not properly explained in the space this graphic novel got) is essentially a magical thief. That means she gets to deal with supernatural creeps and some cool and at times grotesque magic. Plus, fight scenes.
Nothing overly memorable, perhaps, but enjoyable.
December 5, 2011
I loved this comic so much I was really sad when it ended. The story of Lucifer, a young thief of occult related items with a strange H on her shoulder, is quite gripping. The creativity used in the lengths that Lucifer has to go to collect some of these items is absolutely inspired - I almost fell out of my chair when she jumped into that body!
I won't say much more because I don't want to give it away, but anyone looking for a good romp in a supernatural playground, Hexed will not disappoint - but you might be sad when it ends.
I won't say much more because I don't want to give it away, but anyone looking for a good romp in a supernatural playground, Hexed will not disappoint - but you might be sad when it ends.
March 19, 2012
The main character is a pretty interesting girl. With a name like Lucifer, how could you not be? A teenage witch-thief is pretty cool and her intro at the start of the book is great. There is also some other really great occult moments. The story held steady and ended with a pretty good ‘how she’s going to get out this’ moment.
The artwork was a perfect fit. It was a mixture of indie, anime and expressionism. If I could change anything it would be the colors, they were slightly bland.
Reviewed by Chris for Book Sake.
The artwork was a perfect fit. It was a mixture of indie, anime and expressionism. If I could change anything it would be the colors, they were slightly bland.
Reviewed by Chris for Book Sake.
May 3, 2016
I enjoyed Lucifer's character, and this is definitely the kind of series that I enjoy reading. I like Rios's art, but I think she's gotten better since she did this (see Pretty Deadly, Vol. 1: The Shrike).
This was a little bloodier than I had expected, and there were a few gross-out moments for me. There were also a couple of plot things that didn't make sense to me, but this was a pretty solid three stars.
This was a little bloodier than I had expected, and there were a few gross-out moments for me. There were also a couple of plot things that didn't make sense to me, but this was a pretty solid three stars.
March 26, 2010
I had the pleasure of meeting the author at ALA Midwinter in Boston. What a beautiful book! I haven't been much of a graphic novel, manga or comics reader, but this book has me re-thinking the genre(s). Some of the imagery may be too diabolical or violent for younger readers, even at the high school level, so I plan to share it with a hand-picked few to better gauge the audience. Personally I look forward to reading Mr. Nelson's other works!
December 21, 2017
This book was a real surprise. The art is quite good, but the story and plot made it a real joy to read. It's one of those books that required my reading it a few times to link all the details together. I'll definitely be looking for other books by Michael Alan Nelson.
I reread Hexed. It was better than I remembered it especially after reading the second Hexed volume. The characters were drawn with more personality. Their dialogue was better, and they spoke with greater personality, too.
I reread Hexed. It was better than I remembered it especially after reading the second Hexed volume. The characters were drawn with more personality. Their dialogue was better, and they spoke with greater personality, too.
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