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Post by wjohnson22 on Feb 17, 2014 14:02:10 GMT -5
Lazarus by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark is just about my favorite ongoing title right now. We are 6 issues into the series, and it feels like we are just scratching the surface as far as learning about this world.
I'm glad that the series is expanding its focus beyond Forever Carlyle, and that we are meeting some characters from the "waste" class. Also, I love the back matter in the single issues that shows a timeline of events leading up to corporate/families takeover, and provides more background about the different corporate/family conglomerates.
On a side note, another Image series, Blackacre (currently on hiatus, 11 issues currently out), has a somewhat similar premise. Instead of the whole world being run by various corporations/families, there is just one walled city of the elite/wealthy. I've read the first arc and its pretty good.
But back to Lazarus... Rucka has continued his trend of writing great female protagonists and creating a pretty believable world. In addition to the world-building back matter, he also includes snippets of news stories to show how some of the genetic engineering concepts discussed in the book don't seem too far from being a reality.
Anyone else picking up and enjoying this series?
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Lazarus
Feb 17, 2014 14:19:46 GMT -5
Post by CaptainSuperior on Feb 17, 2014 14:19:46 GMT -5
I read issues 1-5 as they came out in single issues and really loved it, but I think I'll be moving over to trades for this series. It was really hard to get back into issue 6 after such a long hangover.
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Lazarus
Feb 17, 2014 14:59:14 GMT -5
Post by thephantomwelshman on Feb 17, 2014 14:59:14 GMT -5
I've really been enjoying this so far, I can't wait to see how the storyline evolves with Bobbie and her gang.
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Lazarus
Feb 18, 2014 10:56:23 GMT -5
Post by JediHunter66 on Feb 18, 2014 10:56:23 GMT -5
I read the first 5 as well before also deciding to go to trade reading for this. Great series though, I love reading Rucka's work.
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Lazarus
Feb 22, 2014 17:02:22 GMT -5
Post by hellocookie on Feb 22, 2014 17:02:22 GMT -5
I really love the writing, but the art takes a bit of getting used to. It kind of weirds me out sometimes... that whole oddly realistic but not kind of style.
I think I'm going to have to read it in trade though. Reading this in individual issues gets confusing and I totally forget what's happening month to month. I do really dig it though!
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Lazarus
Feb 23, 2014 22:46:04 GMT -5
Post by wjohnson22 on Feb 23, 2014 22:46:04 GMT -5
I really love the writing, but the art takes a bit of getting used to. It kind of weirds me out sometimes... that whole oddly realistic but not kind of style. I think I'm going to have to read it in trade though. Reading this in individual issues gets confusing and I totally forget what's happening month to month. I do really dig it though! Yeah, I get what you're saying. I usually enjoy Michael Lark's art, but some of the renderings of Forever Carlyle as a child have an odd look. Since she's genetically engineered to age at a rapid rate, I wonder if he's trying to show that she's young, but aging differently than a normal person? Even if this is true, it still looks odd and slightly creepy. Other than that, I really enjoy the art, but those renderings are pretty jarring.
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Lazarus
Feb 25, 2014 9:04:19 GMT -5
Post by pacino on Feb 25, 2014 9:04:19 GMT -5
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Lazarus
Feb 25, 2014 11:07:08 GMT -5
Post by lennyreid on Feb 25, 2014 11:07:08 GMT -5
Amazing read. Forever is a great character that has grown on me. I was probably buying the first couple out of habit but as soon as the family dynamic was laid out I was hooked. Anything with the sibling relationship explored tends to reel me in (like Locke & Key).
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Lazarus
Mar 4, 2014 23:32:06 GMT -5
Post by bookend57 on Mar 4, 2014 23:32:06 GMT -5
I really love the writing, but the art takes a bit of getting used to. It kind of weirds me out sometimes... that whole oddly realistic but not kind of style. I think I'm going to have to read it in trade though. Reading this in individual issues gets confusing and I totally forget what's happening month to month. I do really dig it though! Pretty much this, except I'm not trade waiting for it. It's great, but the extended breaks between arcs had me forgetting some stuff.
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Lazarus
Apr 2, 2014 12:45:39 GMT -5
Post by wjohnson22 on Apr 2, 2014 12:45:39 GMT -5
I just read Issue #7 and am continuing to love this series. The world-building on display is pretty impressive, and I'm loving the in-world ads on the back covers. The Barrett family story line is a total gut punch but I'm looking forward to how their story intersects with Forever.
Anyone else still reading this?
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Post by wjohnson22 on Apr 24, 2014 14:41:13 GMT -5
Bueller? Bueller? Anyone still reading this series? If you're trade waiting, I totally understand. But please let me encourage you to keep reading this series in whatever legitimate form. This issue continues to expand the world-building beyond Forever Carlyle and preview how she will likely end up in Denver and meeting the Barrett family. We get deeper insight into Forever's relationship with her father and siblings, and little windows into the psychological impact of her work and training.
Personally, I really enjoy Michael Lark's art. One issue I have is that the faces of many female characters look a bit similar, but I love the landscapes and many background details that add to the neo-feudal, futuristic atmosphere. And the letters columns in the single issues provides some interesting background on the different families, and it's amusing to read Rucka's responses, especially to some negative reactions.
I don't know if anyone's listening, but I'll keep trying to encourage everyone to keep up with this book!
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Lazarus
Jun 2, 2014 21:16:34 GMT -5
Post by tomoe on Jun 2, 2014 21:16:34 GMT -5
I've finally caught up and can't wait to read the next one. It took me a little while to get used to the art style, but I love the writing and the characters.
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Lazarus
Nov 29, 2014 0:02:53 GMT -5
Post by toxicsooner on Nov 29, 2014 0:02:53 GMT -5
I picked up the first trade of this a couple of weeks ago...AWESOME!!!! I managed to snag all the back issues and I'm caught up. "The Lift" arc may be my favorite story arc I've read this year. I know the art gets some grief, but I can't imagine being done any other way now. Highly recommend this book...
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Lazarus
Dec 2, 2014 12:35:48 GMT -5
Post by lennyreid on Dec 2, 2014 12:35:48 GMT -5
This has slowly become one of the books I do a little kick-in-the-air for whenever it comes out.
What with the world background info and letters page, this is a real cover-to-cover read.
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Post by wjohnson22 on Dec 2, 2014 14:56:08 GMT -5
This has slowly become one of the books I do a little kick-in-the-air for whenever it comes out. What with the world background info and letters page, this is a real cover-to-cover read. Agreed! I love all the backmatter provided. Plus, I really enjoy the in-world advertisements on the back cover.
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