Writer:
Greg Rucka
Art:
Michael Lark
What does Image tell as about this comic so far...
Following an attack on Carlyle holdings by the Family Morray, Forever's father Malcolm, the Carlyle Patriarch, has summoned his children to the family estate outside Seattle. The question? Shall Carlyle go to war with Morray?
What can you expect from this issue?
A story so strong on character development that you are drawn into it absolutely. The story is extremely well paced for my liking even though the story as this stage moves a bit slow. This is not a bad thing when you have a talented writer like Rucka telling the story though. As you will recount from issue #1 that I reviewed a little while back, we are reading about the potential up and coming conflict between the Carlyle and Morray families. Out of this issue you will develop a strong sense of the pressures faced by the Carlyle family as they must strategise to retain influence as one of the top families in this new world order.
While the struggles of the Carlyle family give you a good introduction to this family and their relationship with the family patriarch Malcolm, the Lazarus of this family 'Forever' is struggling with her conscience as well as with her sense of duty and mission. She knows she must protect her family's interest and do her father's bidding, but her inner voice does not believe her family's interests should be protected at any cost. That said, she does not make this feeling known out of her sense of duty. She has a strong relationship with her father, a real sense of trust exists between them, even to the exclusion of others (enough said about that...no spoilers here).What did I think about this issue?
It is brilliantly crafted. The writing flows seamlessly through the issue and the art work has strong dark lines. Some have described this series as a well crafted soap opera and I would have to agree with them. This is a captivating series and is a demonstration that even though you might be dealing with a typical dystopian apocalyptic world (typical of many other stories like it), you are drawn into it based on the quality of the writing and art work combined. A genuine example of how comic books with mature stories can be a truly rewarding read. Lazarus is one of the best comic books on the shelf at the moment as far as these types of stories go. This is a dark world and Lark does well to create that sense affluence for the Carlyle family, but at the same time succeeds in his illustrations showing a real sense of hopelessness and desolation for those humans considered worthless in this new world.
You are drawn to consider how economic theory plays out in this story and its impact on society. The extremes of capitalism are present in this amazing tale but you still are not entirely certain how everything works just yet. Clearly modern teaching on capitalism tends toward wealth, technology, property etc. being available to the few, while the rest of the world lives in whatever conditions are permitted through limited opportunity. These concepts are at the heart of this world created by Rucka and Lark and it is a story that is totally captivating.
What did others think of this issue?
Comicosity has a few good things to say...
Comicosity Review
Comic Vine is without doubt one of the best sites to seek out reviews, here is what they had to say...
Comic Vine Review
IGN gives you a brief but great run down of the characters...
IGN Review
What do I give this issue?
Grade: A
Looking forward to the next issue.
Based on your first review of issue 1, I bought both and finished this issue yesterday. Have to agree with everything you said. I can see how it can be perceived as moving 'slow' but there is a steady pace there and the quality writing keeps you engaged. I like her character in writing and artwork. She is loyal but reluctant and she isn't overly sexualised in the artwork. She looks like someone who has had military training with the benefit of medicine and supps. Can't wait for the next one!!
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