Lucifer. Magneto.

One conjures images of Faustian bargains, fire and brimstone. Horns on the head, a pointy tail and a villainous Van Dyke beard. The Number of the Beast discovered on the scalp, a hundred times worse than lice. The subject of countless heavy metal songs performed by cynical hedonists for confused teenagers who would rather hear anything but their parents’ James Taylor albums.

The other recalls bad ’50s inventions and ad copy. “Now in thrilling Magnetovision!” “Not just neato … MAG-neto!”

And yet, in the world of Marvel Comics, Lucifer is a villain given just two chances to shine before getting a one-way ticket to oblivion—literally—while Magneto has been the X-Men’s greatest foe since day one, and was even given his own book. What gives?

Lucifer, the villain who took the spring (and more) out of Professor Charles Xavier’s step, has come close to killing Xavier more times than most X-Men villains. So why the hell have you never heard of this guy? I mean, I know Satan tends to keep a low profile, but he’s usually not embarrassing.

It’s quite a puzzler, especially given Marvel Comics’ propensity for bringing back every lame-o who has ever worn a tight costume to steal a purse, travel back in time to steal a pharaoh’s purse or pander too late to fads like kung fu, disco and skateboarding. No love for the Luce Cannon?

The reasons for Magneto’s attraction (yes, yes, pun intended) and Lucifer’s, well, repulsiveness, break down to both conception—inspired versus not—and execution—dynamic versus indifferent  …