395. Lazarus, Book One: Family by Greg Rucka

Lazarus, Book One: Family by Greg Rucka. Art by Michael Lark.

Lazarus, Book 1

Rating: (5/5)

(US) - (Canada) - (UK)

Oct. 22 2013, Image Comics, 96 pgs

Age: (18+)

"Collecting the first four issues of the Eisner-winning team of Rucka and Lark's critically acclaimed new series about Forever Carlyle, the Lazarus of the Carlyle Family. Included is the previously only-available-online, four-page short, "Family: Prelude." In a dystopian near-future, government is a quaint concept, resources are coveted, and possession is 100% of the law. A handful of Families rule, jealously guarding what they have and exploiting the Waste who struggle to survive in their domains. Forever Carlyle defends her family's holdings through deception and force as their protector, their Lazarus. Shot dead defending the family home, Forever's day goes downhill from there..."

Received an egalley from the publisher through NetGalley.

Wicked!  This starts off no holds barred violent with us learning our main character is not somehow quite exactly human.  Through this violence and her, Eva, the futuristic world is unveiled.  One ruled by families, with small numbers of blood members.  These then work similar to medieval fiefdoms with trained Serfs serving the family and then an overload of expendable population called Waste.  Right away we see Eva's problem with the majority of her family members is that she seems to be having a conscience, this is not allowed in her position and her doctor is doing what he can for her.  This was all great hard-edged stuff, very violent, political, guerrilla warfare like.  But when the family got together in their mansion the huddled tete-a-tetes in corners, the secret meetings, the explosive family gatherings and wild relationships between family members and servants was pure soap opera, making me think of "Dynasty in Space".  Sounds corny when I write it like that but I looooved the dynamics of it all.  By the end of the book we've already got one family member booted out and on the run for his/her life.  Can't wait for this to continue!!

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