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It’s new comic book day! What’s everyone excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below. While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
What makes the show Walking Dead so magnetic is its exploration of humanity. This is exactly what makes this whole world that they explore so interesting. The zombies are mere landscape and it’s what we do to each other as humans when everything is gone is what’s so fascinating.
Anyone who has read or watched the many adaptations of Lord Of The Flies experiences the same awe and shock of the ending as it speaks directly to our primal origins. This is where the fight or flight in each of us gets ignited and you never know until you are in that position. In the debut issue of Lazarus: Risen, we find a world at war where our protagonist is rearing to battle.
We catch up with Forever Carlyle, the Lazarus (champion of her family), in a world divided by 16 families who hold power based on wealth and Johanna Carlyle, the current head of her family, whose current power lies in is the fact that it is the main food supplier for most of the world. Forever and Johanna bring out a traitor and broker a deal that helps the Carlyles and the other family. We are also taken to the family’s testing lab in the Sierra Nevadas, where Bethany Carlyle is testing Marisol Carlyle’s durability as a Lazarus, where recovery is extraordinarily fast. We are taken to Puget Sound, in the family’s headquarters where a family meeting reveals Johanna’s plan to go on the offensive to protect the family’s borders. By issue’s end, an old enemy resurfaces, already broken through the border, and looking to end the family’s muscle.
Overall, an engaging story that dips the reader right into this captivating world and the people who inhabit it. The story by Greg Rucka is entertaining and action packed. The art by Michael Lark, Santi Arcas, and Simon Bowland is lifelike and gorgeous. Altogether, an arresting tale that will pull the reader right in.
Story: Greg Rucka Art: Michael Lark, Santi Arcas and Simon Bowland Story: 10 Art: 9.8 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
The Eisner Award-winning team of Greg Rucka and Michael Lark will release Lazarus: Risen #1, which kicks off a new story arc in a new prestige format and with a new quarterly schedule, this March.
Weighing in at 64 pages and packed with extras, Lazarus: Risen #1 continues the story of Forever and the Carlyle Family. Two years have passed since they were betrayed in battle, and the Conclave War now encroaches on every side. As a new era dawns, Johanna Carlyle goes on the attack to ensure the survival of her Family, relying on the loyalty and support of the Carlyle Lazarus—her sister, Forever. And while their united front may be enough to turn the tide, the cracks are beginning to show…
Lazarus: Risen #1 will be available on Wednesday, March 13th.
Eisner-winning series writer Greg Rucka is joined by series designer/writer Eric Trautmann, plus writers Aaron Duran and Neal Bailey, and six different artists for the six-issue miniseries Lazarus: X+66, which sets the stage for Lazarus’s sixth story arc, this July.
In Lazarus: X+66 #1, superstar artist Steve Lieber lends his talents to the trials and tribulations of Casey Solomon as she fights to survive Dagger training. Ever since she caught the eye of the Lazarus, Casey has learned that gaining the Family’s attention can be as much of a curse as a blessing. Will Dagger Selection destroy Casey, or will survival mean something worse?
Subsequent issues will feature art by Mack Chater, Justin Greenwood, Alitha Martinez, Bilquis Evely, and Tristan Jones. Each issue will boast a cover by series artist Michael Lark.
Lazarus: X+66 #1 (Diamond code: MAY170628) hits comic book stores Wednesday, July 19th. The final order cutoff deadline for comics retailers is Monday, June 26th.
It’s new comic book day! What are folks excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below! While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
The creative team of Greg Rucka and Michael Lark will release the second prestige hardcover in their ongoing critically acclaimed dystopian series Lazarus this May. This collects Lazarus issues #10-21, and includes extensive backmatter exploring the Lazarus world as well as behind-the-scenes looks at the creation of the book.
In Lazarus: The Second Collection, sixteen Families have gathered together in the exclusive luxury confines of Triton One to resolve the emerging conflict between Carlyle and Hock, and they’ve brought their Lazari with them. Deception and war go hand in hand, culminating in a final revelation that will truly change everything for Forever Carlyle.
Lazarus: The Second Collection HC (ISBN: 9781632157225) hits comic book stores Wednesday, May 18th and bookstores Tuesday, May 24th, and will be available for $39.99.
Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling short reviews from the staff of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full review for. These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews.
Alex
Dead Vengeance #2, is set during the 1940’s and reads, in the very best of ways, as if it was a Golden Age comic that has been produced today. The concept of a reanimated corpse who may have been murdered solving their own murder is strangely compelling, and is presented here with a fresh take and enough humour to make it worth adding to your pull list. Overall Rating: 8 Recommendation: Buy
We Stand On Guard #5. The lines continue to blur in the thought provoking miniseries that asks some tough questions about the nature of war. Overall Rating: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Hercules #1* – There’s something really fun about this comic, with Hercules trying to move past his drunken reputation and revive the heroic reputation he used to have, by using less conventional mythological means. The comic is fun, and I’m a fan of the direction ol’ Herc is headed in. Overall Rating: 8 Recommendation Buy
Extraordinary X-Men #1* was …okay. The entire issue felt like a giant prologue for the rest of the trade, so based on this comic I’d probably wait for that. Or pick it up next month depending on how the second issue rates. Art is great, though. Overall Rating: 6.75 Recommendation: Wait To Read
Brett
Atomic Robo and the Ring of Fire #3 – It feels a bit like Pacific Rim for kids, but that’s not a bad thing as I’m still having fun reading the series. Giant robots and giant monsters + Atomic Robo! What’s not to love. Overall Rating: 8 Recommendation: Read
Axcend #2– On the surface the comic might seem like a goofy video games and comic mashup, but it’s really an examination of gamer stereotypes and personalities. It’s getting interesting. Overall Rating: 7.25 Recommendation: Read
Black Science #17 – I just love this series and it’s many realities and complete crazy ideas. This issue kicks off a newish arc and could be a good starting point and it’s ideas somehow get even more out there. And that ending! Overall Rating: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Deadpool # 1 – I didn’t enjoy last volume, and I didn’t enjoy this first issue of this volume either. The story doesn’t interest me. The humor doesn’t get me to laugh. And the character feels like he’s beyond over saturated. No thanks! Overall Rating: 5 Recommendation: Pass
Exit Generation #2 – The series is shaping up to be a fun read. Just one of those comics you can pick up and have fun. I’m liking how the characters are shaping out, including a female Han Solo-ish character this issue. Fun is the key word. Overall Rating: 7 Recommendation: Read
Johnny Red #1 – I went in not expecting a whole lot, but writer Garth Ennis does do some solid war comics. I was blown away by this first issue which not only has a great story (and way to tell it), but also solid art too. A fantastic surprise. Overall Rating: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Klaus #1 – I’m not the biggest Morrison fan, but this series’ first issue surprised me. It’s a combination of Conan with a bit of holiday magic. But the art by Dan Mora really stands out, outshining the story. Overall Rating: 8 Recommendation: Read
Lazarus #20 – The comic continues the political and military maneuvering as it’s all out war. The series is never disappointing. Overall Rating: 8 Recommendation: Read
Nailbiter #17 – I seriously love this serious about serial killers all from a small town. This issue kicks off a new story arc which isn’t quite new reader friendly, but a good starting point. One of the first comics I read each time I get ahold of it. Overall Rating: 8.25 Recommendation: Read
Rasputin #10 – We’re given lots of insight in how Rasputin is still alive and working as an American political adviser. While I wish the mystery was played out a bit more, it’s all very interesting and somewhat what I expected. A series that’s such a great idea, and really entertaining. Overall Rating: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #46 – What always surprises me about IDW’s Transformers is how it gives so much depth to the characters that’s lacked at times elsewhere. This issue is all about confronting stereotypes post war and if a Decepticon can change his stripe. Overall Rating: 8.40 Recommendation: Read
Velvet #12 – Fuck Bond, give me Velvet. Overall Rating: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Elana
Paper Girls #2 – Top notch creative team has a huge hit on their hands. Issue 1 was super accessible but issue 2 is super emotionally charged. I love the realistic female characters and dialogue . The strong sense of time and place as a Cleveland suburb in 1988 is outstanding. It’s one of the most solidly rooted pieces of fiction around. This cliff hanger though has got me on edge and I genuinely don’t know what’s next. Overall Rating: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy
Monstress #1: It’s beautiful & terrifying & a necessary fantasy book. In terms of unique world building and feminist sensibility plus accessibility to non comics readers I think Image has a new Saga sized hit on their hands. Overall Rating: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy
The Humans #9 – The series has been getting more nihilist as things go downhill for our protagonist biker-chimp-Vietnam-vet. He cannot leave his ghosts behind and immersing himself in a world of greater violence sure ain’t helping. It gets hard to read at times but it’s true to the character and the world he inhabits. The art is tight as ever. A few particularly haunting panels this issue.
I did enjoy getting to watch Queenie , Cha Cha, Snacks and the other biker chicks (but really mostly Queenie) throw down and fight and beat up the fuzz. Overall Rating: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
Fight Club 2 # 6 – This is a great comic that lives up to its premise: an examination of the modern construct of masculinity. Smart, twisty with extremely brutal humor. It’s utterly fearless and a lot of fun. If you liked the book or the movie you need to drop everything and pick this up. Overall Rating: 8.75 Recommendation: Buy
Mr. H
Amazing Spider-Man #3* – This run just keeps getting more fun and we are treated to the best issue yet. Anytime you get Spidey and Johnny Storm under the same roof it’s high tide hijinx. Slott really nails the dynamic between these two. He understands their brotherly bond quite well. It was cool to see the new home of Parker Industries is the former Baxter Building. Watching Spidey and Torch argue and fight throughout the issue was very entertaining and the art by Giuseppe Camuncoli was stellar. Really liked the touching scene at the end as well as a great cliffhanger. Another W for this title. Overall Rating: 9 Recommendation: Buy
Well, there you have it, folks. The reviews we didn’t quite get a chance to write.
Please note that with some of the above comics, Graphic Policy was provided FREE copies for review. Where we purchased the comics, you’ll see an asterisk (*). If you don’t see that, you can infer the comic was a review copy. In cases where we were provided a review copy and we also purchased the comic you’ll see two asterisks (**).
Lazarus has enjoyed a relatively long run under its publication by Image, and it has done so almost completely through the use of its titular character, the Lazarus protector of the family Carlyle, holding the spotlight for a vast majority of the time in the series. There have been other moments which have examined the post-apocalyptic world which the character lives in, as well as other asides some as the Lift for the elevation of regular citizens into something more, but Forever Carlyle has maintained most of the focus, whether it be her general appeal as a female superhero or whether it be the questions which pertain to her background. A little of that changed in the last issue with the closing panels as Forever was shot and presumably killed with a head wound that she did not seem to be getting up from. The question then becomes exactly what is this series without its main star.
Not surprisingly it is still a lot, and for the first time this gives the other characters time to shine. With Forever out of commission, the squad questions how to proceed, as after all they were supposed to be a small unit on a covert operation, and without Forever they don’t seem to have much hope for the success of the mission. Casey, once lifted in Denver and now a soldier, refuses to back down as she takes command and forces the mission to completion. Meanwhile Michael at the Lazarus compound works feverishly for a solution to the various medical problems, the most obvious of which is Forever’s supposed death.
The change in focus works really well here as the secondary characters get more of the spotlight for the first time in this series. Of course as the series has a presumably preset path upon which it is going to unravel some of the mysteries of this world, it would be nearly impossible to tell this story focusing solely on the main character. Her future allies seem set in the discussion of where she is going and only the question is of how she will get there. In the mean time this was an excellent issue to draw some of the focus away from her only in this series and to put it elsewhere. It adds another layer of complexity to the series and helps to elevate by doing so.
It’s new comic book day! What are folks excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below! While you wait for shops to open, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Dead Vengeance #2, is set during the 1940’s and reads, in the very best of ways, as if it was a Golden Age comic that has been produced today. The concept of a reanimated corpse who may have been murdered solving their own murder is strangely compelling, and is presented here with a fresh take and enough humour to make it worth adding to your pull list. Overall Rating: 8 Recommendation: Buy
really an examination of gamer stereotypes and personalities. It’s getting interesting. Overall Rating: 7.25 Recommendation: Read
Paper Girls #2 – Top notch creative team has a huge hit on their hands. Issue 1 was super accessible but issue 2 is super emotionally charged. I love the realistic female characters and dialogue . The strong sense of time and place as a Cleveland suburb in 1988 is outstanding. It’s one of the most solidly rooted pieces of fiction around. This cliff hanger though has got me on edge and I genuinely don’t know what’s next. Overall Rating: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy
