LAZARUS Book One

LAZARUS Book One 

Writer: Greg Rucka

Artist: Michael Lark

$9.99, Image Comics, 96 pgs.

ISBN 978-1607068099

It is the near future. The fantastically wealthy Carlyle Family is one of a handful of clans that rule the world. There are no politics but Family politics, no means to power except money and birthright. Those who serve the Families as Serfs are provided for, while the masses live as impoverished slaves: the Waste. Forever Carlyle is her Family's sworn protector, theirLazarus, bioengineered, cybernetically enhanced, and trained to be a one-woman death squad. Forever loves her Family. She defends her Family. But Forever has doubts, not only regarding the society into which she was born, but also about the loyalty of others within her Family's house... 

LAZARUS is one of the best American comics running. Like many works of science fiction, it's allegorical of the issues facing people today. What makes LAZARUS great, though, is that writer Greg Rucka never forgets that his characters must ring true, that their world must be a believable construct, not a mere soapbox. LAZARUS is tightly-plotted, tense, and emotionally powerful; artist Michael Lark's action scenes are brutally realistic and drive home the viciousness of the world he and Rucka have created.

This is a series that later generations will recall as being among the best of its era.  

TIPS FOR LIBRARIANS: This bargain-priced first volume is about as a worthwhile a use of your collection development dollar as you're likely to find. If you have patrons who question whether or not comics can ever be an intelligent or meaningful art form, LAZARUS--written by an award-winning novelist--may well change their mind (a useful tip if you ever find yourself having to justify your collection to those who don't understand its value).

READERS ADVISORY NOTES: Fans of science fiction, dystopian fiction, action, intrigue, and strong female lead characters are almost certain to enjoy LAZARUS. It's a very adult series, though, so it's definitely not for everyone (see below).

CONTENT ADVISORY: Graphic violence, adult language, mature themes

Review©2014, C. Michael Hall.