The Devil Goes Pop

As Jenna Barnett wrote yesterday in "The Devil We Know," the way Christians have thought about the devil has changed over time — and continues to change. The same is true of pop culture where a long fascination with depictions of the afterlife has led to some diverse and enduring depictions of Hell, demons, and even the devil himself. More recently, popular versions of demons and the devil have been particularly creative, from exploring Satan’s retirement to demented sock puppets. Here are just a few — six, to be precise — of the devils’s most loved (and hated) portrayals in books, movies, T.V., and beyond.

1. The Devil (Faust / Doctor Faustus)

One of literature’s most popular depictions of the devil, this version of the prince of darkness has gone on to inspire countless recreations in film, T.V., theater, and music. Beginning life as a German legend, then the subject of plays by Christopher Marlowe and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Doctor Faustus (or Faust) is the story of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil for the ability to practice magic. The devil as a shrewd dealer of desires can also be found in the music of Robert Johnson, stage productions like Damn Yankees, and T.V. shows like Supernatural, among countless other examples.

Appears in: Literature, Theater (Faust, Doctor Faustus)

2. Pazuzu (The Exorcist)

Since its release in 1973, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist (based on William Peter Blatty’s novel) has remained among the most iconic representations of demonic possession in any medium. In the film, the demon Pazuzu possesses 12-year-old Regan (Linda Blair), and takes over the girl’s body in horrifying ways. Pazuzu not only has frightening reserves of supernatural power, the manipulative demon also finds ways to emotionally weaken the priests who try to exorcise it, particularly the guilt-ridden Father Karras (Jason Miller). The film’s no-holds-barred approach had a profound effect on audiences at the time, with theaters reporting fainting spells and curious moviegoers lining up to see what all the fuss was about.

Appears in: Literature, Film (The Exorcist)

3. Lucifer ("Lucifer")

First appearing in the seminal Vertigo Comics series Sandman, "Lucifer" recasts Heaven’s original fallen angel as a worldly, coolly-detached antihero. Tired of ruling Hell, Lucifer abdicates his throne and retires to L.A., where he runs a successful piano bar. As the star of his own self-titled spinoff series, the former Lord of Hell is contracted to take care of Heaven’s dirty work. As the central character of a forthcoming TV adaptation, he’ll help the LAPD solve crimes.

Appears in: Comics (Sandman, "Lucifer"), T.V. (Lucifer—premieres 2016)

4. Hellboy

Originally conjured from the depths of Hell by an occultist Nazi division during WWII, the infant Hellboy was intercepted by the Allied forces and raised to fight supernatural evil for the forces of good. As an adult, Hellboy leads the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense in investigating supernatural phenomena, while also trying to avoid his original destiny as the harbinger of the apocalypse.

Appears in: Comics (Hellboy, B.P.R.D.), Film (Hellboy,Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

5. Satan (South Park)

In a T.V. world built on equal-opportunity insults and irony, it makes sense that South Park’s version of the devil isn’t what we’ve been taught to expect. Though he’s still intimidating, and sports horns and hooves,South Park’s Satan is just a big softie looking for love. The show’s depiction of the devil and Hell poke fun at traditional fire-and-brimstone warnings, particularly in the episode "Do the Handicapped Go to Hell?," where a preacher warns against the flames of damnation while Satan throws a weekly luau complete with celebrity guests.

Appears in: T.V. (South Park), Film (South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut)

6. Tyrone (Hand to God)

The malevolent star of the new play Hand to God may have started life in a church basement, but his motivations are anything but holy. Originally created by shy teen Jason in a puppetry class, Tyrone starts as a simple hand puppet that Jason controls. Over the course of the play, however, he comes into a violent, foul-mouthed life of his own, issuing threats, crass statements, and a few harsh truths to Jason’s mother, pastor, and fellow youth group members. Tyrone represents not only a supernatural presence, but also the brokenness of the churchgoers he torments.

Appears in: Theater (Hand to God)