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Lazarus #1
Lazarus #1
In a dystopian near-future government is a quaint concept, resources are coveted, and posession is 100% of the law. A handful of Families rule, jealously guarding what they have and exploiting the Waste who struggle to survive in their domains. Forever Carlyle defends her family's holdings through deception and force as their protector, their Lazarus. Shot dead defending the family home, Forever's day goes downhill from there.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
20 people are currently reading
1526 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,493 books1,924 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 21, 2015
5 Stars
I am giving Lazarus 1 full marks as it really is the first graphic novel other than the Saga series that I loved. This is a fantastic start to the story of Forever and the family. Gore, blood, and plenty of killings. This first edition gives us a tiny bit of world building and story and hints at lots to come. This should be a fun ride...
I am giving Lazarus 1 full marks as it really is the first graphic novel other than the Saga series that I loved. This is a fantastic start to the story of Forever and the family. Gore, blood, and plenty of killings. This first edition gives us a tiny bit of world building and story and hints at lots to come. This should be a fun ride...
November 7, 2017
Modesty Blaise with a very confusing code name - 'Forever'.
It caused all sort of hilarious dialogue boxes like..
"Continue, Forever"
"Thank you, Forever"
"All of you leave, Forever remain."
In story's capitalistic dystopia, Wealth is the only source of power and a neo-feudal order exists under the dictatorship of families than corporate or governments. Lazarus are modern day Samurais of this nepotistic anarchy, and are genetically engineered to be the sword and shield of powerful families. Everyone outside the affluent financial demarcation are considered 'Waste', figuratively and quite literally.
It was too cheesy and edgy for me, but I can see how my teenage self would have enjoyed it.
It caused all sort of hilarious dialogue boxes like..
"Continue, Forever"
"Thank you, Forever"
"All of you leave, Forever remain."
In story's capitalistic dystopia, Wealth is the only source of power and a neo-feudal order exists under the dictatorship of families than corporate or governments. Lazarus are modern day Samurais of this nepotistic anarchy, and are genetically engineered to be the sword and shield of powerful families. Everyone outside the affluent financial demarcation are considered 'Waste', figuratively and quite literally.
It was too cheesy and edgy for me, but I can see how my teenage self would have enjoyed it.
June 17, 2016
What a cool premise. Kind of a post-apocalyptic world where individual families control wealth. To protect and serve the families each family has a Lazarus, an individual that is more than a regular person, because they are smarter, stronger, and are extremely hard to kill. Forever is the Lazarus for her family but she is having doubts about how her family is using her.
I thought this was really interesting and thought-provoking. I am definitely going to check out more of this series. The art is mysterious, dark, and gloomy, along with some incredible action sequences. This reminds me of a female Jason Bourne a little bit.
I thought this was really interesting and thought-provoking. I am definitely going to check out more of this series. The art is mysterious, dark, and gloomy, along with some incredible action sequences. This reminds me of a female Jason Bourne a little bit.
November 5, 2016
I was a bit underwhelmed by this. The plot, when you read the synopsis, sounds pretty interesting. I was hoping I'd see it on the first issue, but it wasn't there. It showed a lot of violence, and an introduction to this heroine who could get killed, but does not completely die. I wanted to know more about the world she was in and the people around her. I needed to know more about the reasons why there was rivalry between the "families" in this world. I never got that. I guess the first issue was simply an introduction, nothing more.
January 11, 2018
Well I didn't hate it, I'll probably carry on with some more issues another time but I'm not super into it. The art is nice, but not really what I'm used to, it's quite dull. It might take me some time to get used to!
November 26, 2022
I just met Forever, and already I'm on her side and want to murder her entire family.
Lazarus #1 went straight into the action, and I appreciated that. I wasn’t bored for a second. It's fast-paced, violent, captivating, and intriguing.
This first installment effortlessly got us up to speed with who Forever is, who her family is and what their motivations are, and introduced us to the dystopian world where it all takes place.
I initially gave it 4 stars, because it's always hard for me to rate short comics like this, but upon further consideration, I believe it deserves a 5. It gave what it needed to give. It entertained me. It intrigued me. It got me invested in the main character, and it made me want to come back for more. I was captivate from start to finish. The world is interesting, bloody, and fucked up, and all the characters aside from Forever are absolute cunts.
I can't wait to see where the story goes from here!
Lazarus #1 went straight into the action, and I appreciated that. I wasn’t bored for a second. It's fast-paced, violent, captivating, and intriguing.
This first installment effortlessly got us up to speed with who Forever is, who her family is and what their motivations are, and introduced us to the dystopian world where it all takes place.
I initially gave it 4 stars, because it's always hard for me to rate short comics like this, but upon further consideration, I believe it deserves a 5. It gave what it needed to give. It entertained me. It intrigued me. It got me invested in the main character, and it made me want to come back for more. I was captivate from start to finish. The world is interesting, bloody, and fucked up, and all the characters aside from Forever are absolute cunts.
I can't wait to see where the story goes from here!
March 4, 2025
Wild idea, what if all the rich families were even more like modern day medieval Lords.
Then give them a bodyguard who comes back to life once killed.
3/5
Gaslighting our superhuman bodyguards into thinking she's a real family member? Why not?
Then give them a bodyguard who comes back to life once killed.
3/5
Gaslighting our superhuman bodyguards into thinking she's a real family member? Why not?
December 14, 2020
The idea is interesting, but the plot is pretty predictable (at least in this first issue).
July 26, 2015
This seems interesting. Though, not what I expected, thought Forever would be, y'know, like human or something. Her being a robot in constant need of maintenance and condescension from her siblings, that didn't help me like her any. Also, what kind of name is Forever. Plus, there was a big character flaw in that execution scene. Forever is supposed to be Beacon of light, not just some Robot who does Jonahs bidding, plus why would she kill the old man when she clearly knew he was lying?
Still, the concept is quite fresh, and the artworks amazing. Gonna read on.
Still, the concept is quite fresh, and the artworks amazing. Gonna read on.
July 14, 2013
Excellent start to the series. Lot of potential. Enjoy the futuristic themes, which are more likely to REALLY happen, than previous outlandish future-shock scenarios. Love the Lark art, as always!
January 23, 2022
Pretty interesting. I might pick up the first volume. The violence/fighting/blood was a bit much for me so early but I did like Forever’s character right up front all the while. I don’t have a good sense of how the families and society is structured but I think that’s ok for the first issue. I got a sense of it enough in this issue with Forever’s family trying to make “an example” of people working for them, a sad and stressful scene! I’m interested in learning how the Lazarus in each of the other families works.
June 8, 2017
Review of Volume 1, Issues 1-4:
The introduction to a dystopian world where a few families rule.
Forever Carlyle is the Lazarus of the Carlyle family, meaning the commander of their army forces who answers directly to her father, the leader of the family.
Beautiful, dark art and a very engaging story that leaves you wanting answers.
The introduction to a dystopian world where a few families rule.
Forever Carlyle is the Lazarus of the Carlyle family, meaning the commander of their army forces who answers directly to her father, the leader of the family.
Beautiful, dark art and a very engaging story that leaves you wanting answers.
June 19, 2020
An unkillable person has a problem with killing people, yet it's her job.
You get some talk about fathers and family but it never really elaborated on it, so I didn't really care. Clearly they've got some dodgy dealing going on in the background but without an interesting lead, this just falls flat.
You get some talk about fathers and family but it never really elaborated on it, so I didn't really care. Clearly they've got some dodgy dealing going on in the background but without an interesting lead, this just falls flat.
May 4, 2019
#1 –
“I heard about the … UNPLEASANTNESS at Harvest One. You did what you had to so for your family, you know that, of course. … How are you FEELING?” – James
“Fine, James .. I feel FINE ..” – Forever
“I heard about the … UNPLEASANTNESS at Harvest One. You did what you had to so for your family, you know that, of course. … How are you FEELING?” – James
“Fine, James .. I feel FINE ..” – Forever
June 30, 2019
In a distant post-apocalyptic future America, a handful of powerful family clans horde the few remaining precious natural resources. Forever Carlyle is the powerful genetically engineered guardian soldier of the ruling Carlyle family. But who can protect Forever from her own family?
June 10, 2020
Society of wealthy families control the world. Each family has a super soldier.
Good color artwork,image freebie. Wealthy families control the world. Each family has a super soldier. The lazarus of Carlyle family is called forever......this is her story.
Good color artwork,image freebie. Wealthy families control the world. Each family has a super soldier. The lazarus of Carlyle family is called forever......this is her story.
October 13, 2025
Very short but very intriguing!
That’s the reason why I prefer reading volumes, reading the issues separately makes it feel like just getting a teaser. This being said, it’s intriguing, and makes you hungry for more. I can’t wait to read issue #2
That’s the reason why I prefer reading volumes, reading the issues separately makes it feel like just getting a teaser. This being said, it’s intriguing, and makes you hungry for more. I can’t wait to read issue #2
March 23, 2019
The art is gorgeous. I'm enjoying the character Forever and the warring houses. I'm not hooked yet, though.
February 29, 2020
Well that's an interesting start!
Side note: Somehow the way that douchey Jonah dude is drawn reminders me of Richard Speight Jr. , it's kinda... Uncanny.
Side note: Somehow the way that douchey Jonah dude is drawn reminders me of Richard Speight Jr. , it's kinda... Uncanny.
Read
February 2, 2022seems good.
December 31, 2013
You can read the full review over at The Founding Fields:
http://thefoundingfields.com/2013/06/...
“Violence. Introspection. Honour. Family. All in a handful of pages from Rucka and drawn beautifully by Lark. This is definitely a series to watch out for.” ~Shadowhawk, The Founding Fields
My only prior experience with Rucka’s work is the first volume of his Wolverine run. And that was a really enjoyable six issues, certainly a lot better than some of the recent Wolverine stuff I’ve read, like the first three issues of First X-Men and the first two issues of Savage Wolverine. With Michael Lark however, this is the first time I’ve seen his artwork. After going through Lazarus #1 however, I’m definitely a fan in the making, and I’m hoping that Lark can continue being as good as he was on this first issue with the next few.
And when it comes to Image themselves, I’ve only read three of their titles (Saga – awesome, Higher Earth – so-so, and Planetoid – quite good). Unless we count the Top Cow titles such as Witchblade and The Darkness, given that the publishing credit is shared between the two, with Top Cow being an independent imprint of Image. But yeah, with “Image-only” titles, I’m not familiar beyond the ones I’ve already mentioned. And as part of my drive to branch out of superhero comics/Star Wars more, picked up Lazarus. One, the cover is really good, and as it turns out, it reflects the mood and tone of the internals really well. Second, its a Rucka title, and after Wolverine, I’m always on to try more from him.
With this being a first issue, we see only a slice of this post-apocalyptic setting in which crime families rule the the country, most of which is now just wasteland. Forever, or Eve for short, is the Lazarus of the Carlyle family and she is essentially their best fighter, the one who is supposed to represent their best foot forward in all respects. But nothing is as it seems, because Forever has been cursed with a moral compass and this has lately begun to get in the way of her duties. Without Forever’s knowledge, the Carlyle family is aware of this and they are not pleased at all. So steps need to be taken.
Lazarus #1 gives a tantalising view of Forever’s daily life and the violent politics and daily happenstance of this new world. The book is full of small moments that capture Forever’s character and give us, the reader(s) an insight into what makes her tick and how she feels about her work. The way Rucka has written the book, there is undoubtedly going to be an… outburst soon, possibly as soon as next issues, since things are heating up for her and there is a family war that is threatening to erupt between the Carlyles and one of their biggest rivals.
Lark’s art, for the most part, is some of the best I’ve seen. There is an occasional moment where things are not quite up to the mark and the pencils are indistinct, but such moments are few and far in between. They certainly don’t away all that much from the overall effect of the book. The book has a dark tone throughout, given that there is a lot of violence here, and the setting itself is a near-future post-apocalyptic one, so that lends itself well to the artwork.
Both Rucka and Lark have made a good impression on me with this issue, and I’m looking forward to more.
Rating: 8.5/10
http://thefoundingfields.com/2013/06/...
“Violence. Introspection. Honour. Family. All in a handful of pages from Rucka and drawn beautifully by Lark. This is definitely a series to watch out for.” ~Shadowhawk, The Founding Fields
My only prior experience with Rucka’s work is the first volume of his Wolverine run. And that was a really enjoyable six issues, certainly a lot better than some of the recent Wolverine stuff I’ve read, like the first three issues of First X-Men and the first two issues of Savage Wolverine. With Michael Lark however, this is the first time I’ve seen his artwork. After going through Lazarus #1 however, I’m definitely a fan in the making, and I’m hoping that Lark can continue being as good as he was on this first issue with the next few.
And when it comes to Image themselves, I’ve only read three of their titles (Saga – awesome, Higher Earth – so-so, and Planetoid – quite good). Unless we count the Top Cow titles such as Witchblade and The Darkness, given that the publishing credit is shared between the two, with Top Cow being an independent imprint of Image. But yeah, with “Image-only” titles, I’m not familiar beyond the ones I’ve already mentioned. And as part of my drive to branch out of superhero comics/Star Wars more, picked up Lazarus. One, the cover is really good, and as it turns out, it reflects the mood and tone of the internals really well. Second, its a Rucka title, and after Wolverine, I’m always on to try more from him.
With this being a first issue, we see only a slice of this post-apocalyptic setting in which crime families rule the the country, most of which is now just wasteland. Forever, or Eve for short, is the Lazarus of the Carlyle family and she is essentially their best fighter, the one who is supposed to represent their best foot forward in all respects. But nothing is as it seems, because Forever has been cursed with a moral compass and this has lately begun to get in the way of her duties. Without Forever’s knowledge, the Carlyle family is aware of this and they are not pleased at all. So steps need to be taken.
Lazarus #1 gives a tantalising view of Forever’s daily life and the violent politics and daily happenstance of this new world. The book is full of small moments that capture Forever’s character and give us, the reader(s) an insight into what makes her tick and how she feels about her work. The way Rucka has written the book, there is undoubtedly going to be an… outburst soon, possibly as soon as next issues, since things are heating up for her and there is a family war that is threatening to erupt between the Carlyles and one of their biggest rivals.
Lark’s art, for the most part, is some of the best I’ve seen. There is an occasional moment where things are not quite up to the mark and the pencils are indistinct, but such moments are few and far in between. They certainly don’t away all that much from the overall effect of the book. The book has a dark tone throughout, given that there is a lot of violence here, and the setting itself is a near-future post-apocalyptic one, so that lends itself well to the artwork.
Both Rucka and Lark have made a good impression on me with this issue, and I’m looking forward to more.
Rating: 8.5/10
August 12, 2016
The cover art is stunning, so I had high hopes for this book. I'm impressed by Micheal Lark's outstanding illustrations. But the story fell a little short. I was hoping for more substance and intensity, considering its context. Maybe it will build up in the next volume.
I particularly enjoyed the added commentary at the end of each issue, more than the actual story. It was interesting to find out how the idea for this book was developed and how both artists ended working together.
I particularly enjoyed the added commentary at the end of each issue, more than the actual story. It was interesting to find out how the idea for this book was developed and how both artists ended working together.
February 20, 2015
I found this intro to the book to be lacking in contextual understanding. That didn't bother me so much—I don't mind cryptic plots—until I just read the synopsis of the first issue, which implies that I should've gotten a whole lot more meaning from the issue, which I certainly didn't. That being said, I'm a fan of dystopian future settings, see the potential of the plot, and have heard great things about the run so far, so I'll stick with it for a while.
October 9, 2013
Got this from NetGalley.
Figured out that the word "Family" was the book title and not a reference to the intended audience.
Definitly not for families.
Although good, the art was a little too graphic for me.
(I didn't make it past the first two pages.)
I get the feeling if artist had been seen drawing this book in high school, he would've had an appointment with the in-house psychologist.
Figured out that the word "Family" was the book title and not a reference to the intended audience.
Definitly not for families.
Although good, the art was a little too graphic for me.
(I didn't make it past the first two pages.)
I get the feeling if artist had been seen drawing this book in high school, he would've had an appointment with the in-house psychologist.
April 9, 2016
There are so many reasons why I should like this: it's a dystopian, it stars a kick-ass chick who doesn't die, and she has a cool name. Plus I like the cover.
Forever takes care of her Family, which includes killing and getting killed.
There was something missing here. Something that kept me from connecting with any of the characters and the story.
This was just okay.
Forever takes care of her Family, which includes killing and getting killed.
There was something missing here. Something that kept me from connecting with any of the characters and the story.
This was just okay.
September 2, 2016
An action packed story with an interesting premise, but not necessarily a new one. The writers are very creative with their method of conveying a world where select families rule and a strict class system treats the majority of people like worthless garbage. What I am excited for, is to see this story widened to the international level, involving more of the ruling families.
July 10, 2015
I really enjoyed this comic. I love dystopian stories in general, and this really lived up to the genre. The build-up to the end and the reveal that Eva is the old man's daughter was pretty good (if I interpreted this right). Can't wait to read more!
May 15, 2016
I loved it.
I stumbled upon it quite by accident (a gift from Comixology) but fell in love immediately with the art and concept, and immediately went out to buy volume 1.
Was very surprised to find out it had been made by the author of my current other fave series, Black Magick.
I stumbled upon it quite by accident (a gift from Comixology) but fell in love immediately with the art and concept, and immediately went out to buy volume 1.
Was very surprised to find out it had been made by the author of my current other fave series, Black Magick.
August 8, 2014
Greg Rucka surgically introduces us to the world of Lazarus using the voice of a coroner relaying an autopsy. Read more at http://boundingintocomics.blogspot.nl...
August 31, 2014
I'll bite...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews