Review – Lazarus #11 (Image Comics)

September 12, 2014

2–3 minutes

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Michael Lark
Release Date: 17th September 2014

And so the road towards the Conclave begins with this issue. We open with a Lazarus from another family approaching Carlyle territory and doing what can only be described as “going through the motions”. This has happened before in the series, but particularly in the latter parts of this issue it becomes almost as though the Lazarus’ (Lazari?) are being controlled somehow, having to do and say specific things, making them seem all the more terrifying and lacking in Humanity as a result.

For the most part of the issue though, Forever goes against this – almost – by asking the always difficult question of “who am I?”. Rucka excels on the series as ever, making us relate to a character who, even though is a trained killer and drone, is still at her core a human. It’s also, as ever, a pleasure to read such a strong female lead, and to have her be portrayed as such.

The addition of Boss as Inking artist, as well as Lark on art duties makes the issue flow beautifully. Even at its goriest moments (which are relatively tame for the series as a whole), the book is still utterly gorgeous. The scratchy, unfinished lines of the series just seems to flat-out work, and give the book a pulpy feel that is normally synonymous with the likes of Sean Phillips or Francesco Francavilla (which is in itself no bad thing!)

A slow burning start to what is going to be an amazing arc, it’s actually what Greg Rucka writes at the end that makes this such a beautiful issue. Rucka himself clarifies that it’s not a eulogy, but it comes across as an explanation of how much of a great man his father is, and I’m sure he’d be immensely proud of what the series is becoming.

Our thoughts go out to Greg and his family in the hope they can find some sort of happiness from such tragedy.

Not going to score this one, it’s just a great jump on point for new readers, and a continuation of something great for the rest of us.

PREVIEW ARTWORK.

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