I knew if I stuck by Greg Rucka’s latest creator-owned title Lazarus, it would pay off. Up until now, the story has been a bit slow, mired in a few general sci-fi clichés. I waited with patience because Rucka had impressed me so in the past. In Lazarus #4, the world of the Carlyle family splinters. Family against family, betrayals, lies, deception, and a lot of combat. Issue #3 is where Rucka’s story really opens up.
A brief history lesson. Democracy has fallen and the world is a different place, split into large sections where families own and control the lives of all in their areas. Those of importance are within the family, the rest of humanity are referred to as waste. Each family has a Lazarus, a member of their family given special abilities and special privileges. Each Lazarus can heal, fight, shoot, and is bred to be incredibly intelligent. Forever Carlyle is the Lazarus for the Carlyle Family. When last we left her, she was returning from trying to avert a war between the Carlyle and Morray family. In route, the Lazarus was blown up.
Who could do such a dastardly deed? Forever’s brother Jonah, who, with his sadistic and conniving sister Johanna, have decided to take out Forever and try to topple their father, gaining control over the Carlyle family. Problem is, Forever survives the attack and, as her healing capabilities begin to kick in, she starts unleashing hell on the soldiers sent to finish her off. Looking to save her own skin, Johanna has her trusty manservant beat the hell out of her and promptly blames it on Jonah, who is now running for his life from Forever. As the issue closes, an email is sent to the Lazarus, one that could pit Forever Carlyle against her family.
Rucka has picked up the pace with Lazarus #4. The stage has been set, the political ideology explained and the players in their roles. Now Rucka can unleash that same ability to combine interesting storytelling with taut action he displayed in Punisher. Character development is a bit iffy still. Forever has layers, but her family, thus far, are little more than broad sketches baring very little depth outside of easy definitions of “bad guy.”
The art from Michael Lark jumps off the page in issue #4 unlike it has before. The detail work is still there, the thin lines and sketching are still solid, along with the shading. However, Lark brings the movement of the story to new heights. Forever’s battle against the soldiers coming to kill her is epic. Panel after panel the violence is extreme, and swift. It really helps to bring home the power that Forever wields.
(4 Story, 4 Art)
