Lazarus #4

By Greg Rucka, Michael Lark, & Santi Arcas

Lazarus has been one of the most exciting titles coming out right now and that is one hell of an achievement having now only been four issues into the series. There is such a perfect balance of action, drama, sci-fi and mystery that not only makes Lazarus an appealing read, but there is something in this series for just about anyone to enjoy.

Rucka has really shot out of the gates with this series; like a seasoned boxer he just hits you with blow after blow, never giving you time to rest. We are treated to a beautifully brutal fight scene between Carlyle’s lazarus, Forever, and Morray’s lazarus, Joacquim, against the Carlyle strike team sent by the traitorous Jonah Carlyle. Forever and Joacquim’s relationship, which was touched on in the previous issue, is apparent in the way they fight so well as a team without the use of words, like a dance of death. Jonah’s sister and lover (eww), Johanna, shows that even though Jonah may have been two-faced, she has mastered the art of being three-faced if that is even a thing. Each member of the Carlyle family seem to be out for their own interest which makes the entire Carlyle foundation begin to crack and corrode.  Forever, who may not even be a Carlyle by blood, now seems to be the only family member loyal to her father and leader, Malcom. The ending was such a shock after all the things Forever just went through for her family that makes one wonder how she will handle the recent news she anonymously received in the next issue.

Lark’s realistic style of art has been crucial in building this futuristic world that helps you really delve into this series. All of the technology used in this series seems quite advanced yet still grounded to make it seem familiar like a not so distant future. There are some panels where there are no backgrounds but just shades of colors, mostly red and blues, that actually heighten certain scenes. At first read it all flows so perfectly that you don’t even notice the backgrounds because you are so absorbed into the story. It’s an ideal situation where the art makes a good series great.

Lazarus has been a thrilling ride with deep characters set in a rich world, which is rare for a series with only four issues under its belt. Even though every issue has so much to enjoy it still finds a way of leaving you wanting more by the last panel, which is what most people want from this kind of series.