The Lucky Devils #1
Review
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Ryan Browne
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: January 25, 2025
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
Charles Soule and Ryan Browne follow up Eight Billion Genies with another clever and hilarious comic that reimagines what it means to listen to the devil on your shoulder. With witty writing and charming art, The Lucky Devils #1 lays the groundwork for one of the most ingeniously fun new comics to come next year.
The Lucky Devils #1
ReviewWriter: Charles Soule
Artist: Ryan Browne
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: January 25, 2025
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
Charles Soule and Ryan Browne follow up Eight Billion Genies with another clever and hilarious comic that reimagines what it means to listen to the devil on your shoulder. With witty writing and charming art, The Lucky Devils #1 lays the groundwork for one of the most ingeniously fun new comics to come next year.
Charles Soule and Ryan Browne, the powerhouse creative team behind Eight Billion Genies, are back at Image Comics with The Lucky Devils, a new series that reimagines the devil on your shoulder as a mischievous, ever-present confidant. This high-concept comic takes readers on a thrilling ride, blurring the lines between good and evil, hero and villain, with thought-provoking moments and oddly dark humor. As a big fan of Eight Billion Genies, this comic shot straight to the top of my most anticipated titles the moment it got announced. But does this new comic live up to the hype? Keep reading for my full review of The Lucky Devils #1 to find out!
Overview of The Lucky Devils #1
In The Lucky Devils, we meet Cam Stane, an unassuming college professor, and Starr Wilson, a compassionate nurse—two of the kindest people around. But when each of them has a terrible day, they’re visited by devils perched on their shoulders. Surprisingly, these infernal beings aren’t there to lead them astray but to propose a partnership. Together, they’ll work to make Cam and Starr the most powerful people in the world—all while using them as pawns in a plan to overthrow Hell itself.
Image: Image Comics
Review
For fans of Eight Billion Genies, The Lucky Devils delivers the quirky, offbeat storytelling you’ve wished for. With its witty writing, unique art style, and devilishly creative concept, The Lucky Devils captures much of what made Eight Billion Genies a standout hit. Charles Soule and Ryan Browne have undoubtedly carved out a distinct niche for themselves, telling stories of ordinary people whose lives get turned upside down by oddball supernatural forces. In this first issue, they successfully establish the premise while leaving readers intrigued about the infinite possibilities ahead.
The question The Lucky Devils poses is simple: What would happen if you listened to the devil on your shoulder? Absolute chaos, of course, but the comic takes that idea and twists it in unexpected and clever ways to keep you hooked. Soule’s script balances world-building, character development, and humor, crafting a story that’s as engaging as it is entertaining.
Image: Image Comics
Just like in Eight Billion Genies, Ryan Browne’s art is as fun and energetic as ever, making even the devious devils throughout the story look oddly charming. While Soule’s script is clever and humor-filled, Browne’s illustrations take this comic over the top through plenty of great visual gags and detailed panels. His splash pages are packed with quirky elements, adding so much character to the comic’s intriguing story. A standout sequence shows Cam and Starr’s first encounters with their devils, seamlessly transitioning between the two perspectives. This dual-narrative approach highlights how well Soule and Browne work together, bringing every inventive step of the story to life.
Looking back on it, it’s impressive how much is packed into this first issue. From the character introductions to the setup of the story’s core concept, The Lucky Devils #1 gives everything you need to get sucked into its outlandish story. Then, just as the issue wraps up with a fantastic splash page, it leaves you to contemplate the many wild possibilities the story has in store. With this comic due to come out in January 2025, I have high hopes it will be one of the most entertaining releases for Image Comics for the year.
Image: Image Comics
Final Thoughts
This first issue of The Lucky Devils does everything right to convince me that Charles Soule and Ryan Browne have another hit on their hands. While the story only scratches the surface, the combination of witty writing and dynamic art brings back the excitement I felt when reading Eight Billion Genies for the first time. By twisting the classic “devil on your shoulder” trope, Soule and Browne set the stage for a hilarious, thought-provoking journey that will challenge ideas of good and evil. Much like Eight Billion Genies, it’ll be fun watching The Lucky Devils concept evolve and intensify as the series progresses.
Why You Should Read The Lucky Devils
- Its ingenious premise lays the groundwork for endlessly hilarious possibilities to unfold.
- Charles Soule is great at balancing humor with genuine character writing and development.
- It’s fun seeing Ryan Browne create a world of oddly charming devils.