Lazarus #1 - Review

Lazarus #1

Publisher:
Image

Publication Date:
June 2013

Writer:
Greg Rucka

Art:
Michael Lark

This is what Image says about Lazarus #1...

The World now lies divided not amongst political or geographical boundaries but amongst financial ones. Wealth is power, and that power rests with only a handful of Families. The few who provide a service for their ruling Family are cared for. All others are Waste.

In each Family, there is one person given the best they can offer, training and technology and assets, every scientific advantage. This person is named their Family's sword and shield, their protector, their Lazarus.

In the Family Carlyle, the Lazarus is called Forever. This is her story...

So what can I expect?

An explosive masterpiece. When I first heard about this series being published I knew it would be one to look out for. The first 4 pages set the scene for our main character Forever, the Carlyle Family protector. She is immersed in a world of violence all in an effort to protect her family's vast wealth.

We are shown a brutal post-apocalyptic world where most of the population simply do not matter. People are forced to kill for food. The production and accumulation of food is where the battleground appears to lie between the Carlyle and Morray families for the moment. The Morray Family appear to have infiltrated the Carlyle harvesting facility.

There is a betrayal in the Carlyle Family Harvest facility and Forever is charged with the responsibility as her Family protector to restore justice...if you could really call it that!

So what did I think?

Just Brilliant! The opening panels and story introduce you to a world of wealth, extreme poverty, horrific violence and survival. The art by Lark successfully reinforces the brutality of the world as it exists in this post-apocalyptic world. Justice is dispensed by families of power and wealth rather than courts of law. The Family is the law and a person only means of survival.

In this dystopia, Lark uses dark blue and green tones to reinforce the coldness of this world. Lark is successful in using facial expressions to tell the story of Forever's emotional struggle with her conscience and how she must reconcile this with her sense of family duty. The story reveals more of itself as the dialogue between Forever and Jonah (sister and brother) progress throughout the book. What is revealed about Forever's state of mind needs to explored by you, the faithful comic book reader...no spoilers here!

The art by Lark really has you staring at the expressions cast by Forever in each of the panels where she is forced to examine her conscience. The art really brings out an uneasiness in her view of what is happening around her. Rucka keeps this story faced paced and exciting. The writing is focused on bringing out the emotion in each of the characters and Rucka does it brilliantly.

The cover of this issue (pictured above) is what really drew me to this issue this week. I saw the cold blue and green tones, black hair, the bullet wound and it just caught my attention. I knew I had to give it a read...and so should you...this may just be one of the best series to emerge in comic books this year.

So what did others think?

Comic Spectrum and I think alike, this book is exceptional...

Comic Spectrum Review

This is a great review and well worth a read...

Newsarama Review

This book is the pick of this week and any comic book collection must have this issue.

I am so looking forward to issue #2.

So what do I give it?

10 out of 10...this may end up being the best comic book series I will read this year.

Do yourself a favour...head to a comic book shop and get a copy of Lazarus #1 before it sells out...and it will sell out.

C.