Lazarus #5 Explores Life on the Edge During the Post-Apocaplypse

REVIEW: Lazarus #5

Published by Image Comics

Written by Greg Rucka

Art by Michael Lark & Brian Level

Colors by Santi Arcas

The opening salvo of the second story arc gives us some more world building of this frightening new America; an America that the Carlyle family owns a sizeable chunk of, despite neglecting much of it. Rucka deftly balances the political intrigue that Forever has to navigate with a story about the lower class who have to get by without the luxuries that the ‘families’ are afforded.

Rucka once again just nails it with the characterization of Forever. While a flashback scene might have come off as a ‘seen this a hundred times before’ scenario, it really informed Forever’s true feelings about her ‘father’ and how deep her loyalties lie. The ‘B’ story involving some farmers in Montana did slow the narrative a bit, but was a much needed piece of this puzzle that highlighted the face of the everyman just trying to get by in this post-apocalyptic world of haves and have-nots.

Artist Michael Lark gets some assists with the heavy lifting by Brian Level. If ever a swing artist was a perfect fit for a title, this was it. Barring some more smoothed-out textures and faces, it was nearly impossible to tell the difference. This is possibly due to Arcas’ palette. The mood was perfectly set in each sequence, especially the harsh rains of Montana, by the colors that were employed.

Another strong outing by creators that know how to craft a mystery and political thriller, but never forget that character comes first. – 4 out of 5.