Graphic Novel Review - Lazarus Volume 1 - Greg Rucka (Author), Michael Lark (Art & Letters) & Santi Arcas (Colours)
Recommended for adults
I've had the pleasure to read some excellent sci-fi comic book series lately (Black Science and Saga especially), and I'm pleased to be able to add Lazarus to that list.
Set in a future which, whilst not necessarily apocalyptic, is certainly dystopian, it tells the story of Forever, the Lazarus for Family Carlyle, one of the most powerful families that runs this world in the future. A Lazarus is basically an artificially created human with all the perks that would make an RPG fan salivate, including the ability to come back to life. Forever is loved by some of her family, despised by others, and this series is essentially the tale of how she works to ensure her family remains in power, but with far more conscience than her fully-human brothers and sisters.
The story might not be bringing entirely original concepts into the mix (betrayals on all sides, 'families', conspiracies all over the place), but it does them very well indeed, and it's the first story I can remember with gangster-style families set in the future in this way.
The artwork fits the feel of a dystopian future very well, and the storyline rockets along leaving me craving Volume 2. I want to know more about Forever, and the way she's ultimately likely to either see the 'family' system broken down, or end up ruling it herself.
It's also another winner from Image Comics, who really do seem to regularly outdo Marvel and DC when it comes to a gripping story on a consistent basis (though I love them both too, of course).
Highly recommended and a brilliant sci-fi/dystopian read.
5/5
