Comics
Review: ‘Lazarus’ #1
After a spectacular opening, “Lazarus” #1 becomes a smart and action-packed sci-fi adventure. Within the first few pages, Ruck pulls you into his dystopic world. “Lazarus” has something to say as readers are given a chilling glimpse into the future.
WRITTEN BY: Greg Rucka
ART BY: Michael Lark
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: June 26th, 2013
Minding her own business, Forever Carlyle has suddenly witnessed a group of thieves robbing her house. The robbers have somehow managed to break into the Carlyle family vault. These so-called burglars are not looking for money or jewelry. They are actually there stealing the water and food supply. Forever doesn’t know whether to call the police or tell the criminals to leave. The intruders then make the decision for her. One of the robbers raises his gun and shoots Forever between the eyes. But, this isn’t the end of Forever. This is just the start of a really bad day for her.
Writer Greg Rucka creates a dystopian future that is falling apart. Society has become dominated by the wealthy and political families. What’s interesting here is that Rucka’s writing is heavily influenced by the Occupy Wall Street movement. At its core, the eternal battle between the Haves and Have Nots is a common theme in many sci-fi tales. The poor will always be at war with the rich, but what makes this tale different than most is the main protagonist, Forever.
Forever Carlyle is an attention-grabbing character because readers are going to witness her change. While her loyalties are with her family, Forever is still being influenced by outside forces. Even though she doesn’t want to, Forever is going to change after her meetings with people of different social classes. She is slowly beginning to learn there are different kinds of power. I look forward to seeing how Rucka develops Forever in the next issues.
The pacing of Michael Lark’s illustrations is perfectly executed in the opening pages. Lark plays around with the zombie genre when Forever Carlyle is shot right in the head. When she rises, the creepy blue-toned drawings look like something out of a horror movie. The atmosphere changes when Forever breaks into action, taking down the robbers one by one. The action sequence is quite cinematic, as if already storyboarded to be put on the big screen.
Lark does a great job in his portrayal with Forever. There is so much detail in the clothing and hairstyle so that Forever looks physically tough and mentally withdrawn. Though she is supposed to be cold-hearted, there are moments of vulnerability captured in Forever’s facial expressions. Forever is clearly being affected by the circumstances of those around her. I’m interested in seeing how Lark breaks down her emotional barriers as the cracks on the wall are now settling in.
Ever since I read “Gotham Central,” I’m excited for the creative team-up of Rucka and Lark. I can’t wait to see what they see do with the “Lazarus” series.
4/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Jorge Solis
Comics
‘Curse of the Where Wolf’ Bites Into August Release With Trio of Werewolf Theatrical Screenings [Exclusive Preview]
Larry Chaney‘s hairy misadventures are continuing in the sequel graphic novel Curse of the Where Wolf from creative team Rob Saucedo, Debora Lancianese, and Jack Morelli, and its author is celebrating with a trio of horror’s greatest werewolf films.
The Curse of the Where Wolf hits shelves on August 7 from Encyclopocalypse Publications.
That coincides with the launch of a theatrical screening event in Houston, Texas, featuring a trio of seminal werewolf flicks turning 45 this year: The Howling on August 7, Wolfen on August 14, and An American Werewolf in London on August 21.
Each screening features a “werewolf in film” presentation as well as a book signing from Where Wolf author and River Oaks Theatre artistic director Rob Saucedo.
In the new graphic novel, “Being a werewolf sucks. Reporter Larry Chaney wanted to be a hero. Instead, he became a werewolf. Now, caught between incredible new powers and a desire to eat everything (and everyone) in sight, Larry must find a cure for his curse. Or die trying.”
“With Where Wolf, I wanted to tell a whodunit set in a furry convention, so the story was pretty contained within a very specific setting and genre. With Curse of the Where Wolf, I wanted to celebrate everything I love about the possibility of comic books. Curse of the Where Wolf is a funny book, in every sense of the phrase, but it’s also an earnest look at a person’s struggle to become a better version of themselves, especially when the alternative is to become a literal monster,” Saucedo says of Curse.
The original graphic novel was previously serialized as the first webcomic hosted on Fangoria before being collected by Encyclopocalypse Publications in 2023 and has already been optioned for film, podcast, and television development ahead of launch by producers James Fino (“The Freak Brothers” for Tubi, “Rick and Morty” for Adult Swim) and Charles Horak (First Date for Magnolia Pictures).
Expect Larry to find himself in even weirder situations in the 362-page full color sequel; Saucedo has provided Bloody Disgusting with exclusive art pages from the upcoming graphic novel that showcase lupine humor.
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