Lazarus, Vol. 4: Poison

Lazarus #16-21

by Greg Rucka, Michael Lark (Illustrator), Owen Freeman (Cover Artist)

The world is at war, and Family Carlyle must fight to defend itself. With Malcolm Carlyle hovering at death's door, the siblings struggle to maintain control. But deception and war go hand in hand, culminating in a final revelation that will truly change everything for Forever Carlyle.

Collects LAZARUS #16-21

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Dystopia, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Thriller

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2016

About the author

Greg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.

Reviews

[✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.82 stars. And a half.

This series =



YES. So much of it. It keeps getting better. And more intense. And bloodier. With lots of delicious scheming and backstabbing and stuff. YUM.

Okay, so I can't really say anything about this scrumptious volume because spoiler spoiler spoiler and stuff, but I can tell you this:

① It's war. And it's glorious.




② Much blood and gore and slaughterish action in this instalment there was.

How delightfully exquisite indeed.






③ Forever Carlyle kicks much delicious ass.

Ruthless sword-wielding, machine gun-totting badass chicks are so beautifully hot. Especially when they chop chop chop and slice slice slice their way through enemy lines.




④ Fierce superwomen abound.








⑤ Forever's Family is the loveliest bunch ever.

Conniving bitches and useless wimps. What an enchanting combination.





⑮ All hail the Bloody Shrimping Holy Cliffhanger of a Plot Twist (BSHCoaPT™).

Spoiler spoiler spoiler

.

» And the moral of this I want to be a Lazarus when I Grow Up so I can Legally Chop Little Heads Off Crappy Non Review (IWtbaLWIGUsIcLCLHOCNR™) is: I may not be a huge fan of the colors and graphics here, but Mother Mary of Anabolic Grace *waves at Sirantha Jax* , I bloody fishing luuuuuurves this series to the Marianas Trench and back.

Chronological Reading Order:
· Volume 1: Family ★★★★
· Volume 2: Lift ★★★
· Volume 3: Conclave ★★★★
· Volume 4: Poison ★★★★
· Volume 5: Cull ★★★★★
· Lazarus X+66 (side stories about supporting characters) ★★★★
· Fracture: Prelude 1 (issue #27, previously published in digital format only and now included in vol. 7) ★★★★
· Fracture: Prelude 2 (issue #28, previously published in digital format only and now included in vol. 7) ★★★★
· Volume 6: Fracture I ★★
· Volume 7: Fracture II ★★★

· Sourcebook Collection Vol One ★★★★



[Pre-review nonsense]

Just reread this one because Cull coming up and stuff.

Soooooo goooooood. Why? Because hot sword-wielding chicks + glorious slaughter + wondrous scheming =



» Full Forever Carlyle I Love Thee So Much I Might Give You an Extra Star When I Finally Write this Crappy Non Review Crappy Non Review (FCILTSMIMGYaEXWIFWtCNRCNR™) to come.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rucka and Lark continue to outdo themselves. The war with Hock is not going well so forever heads to the front lines in Duluth on a special mission with a small team. Rucka handles the battle scenes really well. This is the best story in the book.

Meanwhile, the other Carlyle children struggle to keep their holdings afloat while searching for a cure for their father. And that ending! Wow!

[Kitty G Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is volume 4 in an ongoing sci-fi dystopian series. I can't really talk an awful lot about the series as i don't want to give anything away but I did really like the initial section with the Nun and I felt as though that gave us more clues about the world, the way it operates, and the way of life for people who aren't in the Families.

Forever once again has a spotlight role in the later half of this with some very badass moments and a lot of fighting and craziness. Personally I preferred the one on one fighting of the previous volume to this one where we have a team of fighters fighting another team, but I still think it was done really well.

The colours and style of this aren't my favourite, but they work well to get across the drama and intensity. I also think that the cropping of the panels is always very well conceived and it makes for a choppy and fast-paced story :) 4*s overall

[Danielle The Book Huntress · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tentative truces between the Families are crumbling, in the wake of the concave and the attempted assassination of the Carlyle scion. Outright war in certain contested territories has broken out, and the Carlyle family's holdings are at risk in a war with another family. Forever, the Lazarus of the Carlyle family goes with selected army recruits to reclaim control. Forever is the draw of this series for me. She is a fearless warrior who fights for her family, but follows her conscience. But she's not the only hero in this book. The people who are considered serfs by the families are heroes and warriors in their own right.

While it's clear that there are good people who are entrenched in this horrible system of lands and people owned by few people who control all the resources. Whose lives seem to mean nothing, but are used as collateral or for what they can provide the family.

I believe this volume examines the whole feudal system, and how their power games eventually become destabilized. They feel safe in their ivory towers, and perhaps they are for a while, but eventually, all things come to an end. And they bring everyone else down with them. But in the meantime, they'll continue to play their game of chess on a massive scale.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Carlyle family is at war with the Hock family, and a lot of people die in the process, as one would expect. Forever is leading the charge. Again, she "dies" in contemporary superhero fashion, there is some concern about this for no apparent reason, because she does come back to life, of course... what's the point of that? Dad Carlyle seems to be close to death, not that we care at all about him or what implications his death will have for anything.

So why keep reading? 1) I am reading Lark's Daredevil run with Brubaker, so it is apparently Lark comics week for me. I like artwork for this dystopian family saga; 2) I am a little intrigued about what one sister, Johanna, might be up to, and 3) though I don't know any of the 99%ers well (known as "the waste" to the rich families), I am somewhat interested in how they might rise up against the very rich families who seem to be in control of the world, but that's not the central issue in this volume. I know, I haven't convinced you (or me) in this review to read on, but I still might. It doesn't take that much time to read.... :)

[ScottIsANerd (GrilledCheeseSamurai) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really been enjoying this series. That said, volume four loses a star. I still enjoyed it - the pace, however, slowed down and I felt a little bit bored from time to time as I was reading it.

It's less stabby, stabby, and more politicking.

I like stabby, stabby.

Don't get me wrong, Forever still kicks some ass, and the politicking that takes place is still intriguing, but I kept waiting for things to really heat up and it never really delivered.

Sure, there's a cliffhanger at the end of the book that's pretty cool, it just didn't grab me by the balls and throw me out a window.

The other 3 books (thus far) have done that to me.

3 stars, for me, is still a good review. I still liked the bloody thing, it just didn't blow my hair back.

My fingers are crossed for the next arc. It could happen, too. There were some interesting things set into play in this volume and I am eager to see how it all pans out.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It‘s war. Lots of blood and death. And a very surprising ending. Can‘t wait to see how that turns out. Excellent fight scenes. Much sword wielding, blood shedding, slaughtering, scheming and holy plot twists. Good stuff.

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The Carlyles and Hocks are in open war, with allies on both sides getting pulled into the conflict. Meanwhile, Sonja, the Lazarus Forever fought at the Conclave, is recuperating under the Carlyle’s medical staff, who are also battling Carlyle’s failing body, trying to keep him alive.
Forever is sent to Duluth to keep a strategic location under Carlyle control; she heads up a team led by the young woman who had been initially rejected by the Carlyles at the choosing process.
While all that was interesting, I found it hard to understand the action in Duluth. And when did Forever stop taking her meds? I don’t remember this detail from previous issues. That it allowed her to slip loose of her orders was good, I think. What was a surprise was the mini-Forever who was awoken once adult Forever refused her orders to return to base.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

THAT ENDING THO! YOOOOOOOO!

So the first issue is to give some backstory...and honestly I nearly quit. I hated the first issue. I didn't care about it, it was drawn weird, way too much reading, it just didn't do it.

But then we got back to the meat of the story. To my girl, and we go through hell with her and a squad to take down another family. It's intense, wonderfully drawn, and really moves the plot forward. Then we get the final shot and it just blows your goddamn little f'ing mind to a million damn pieces! I WAS LIKE WUT DA FUK!?

So yeah, needless to say, pick this shit up already.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this was more of an expository volume. Ok, fine, but that doesn't make it interesting to read. I'll take it back, the first issue in the volume was pretty cool, and I'm disappointed that the story line there seems to have been shuffled off into the background. But there's a fair bit of work here that definitely needed to be done before the overall story was set to move on, and I get that. I think that my bigger stumbling block was actually the in the trenches part of this volume, which I honestly had little interest in. Just couldn't get into it. I'll still keep reading, though, at least for now. There are enough interesting threads left that I want to see how they get resolved from here.

[J.M. Hushour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 4 is of only a slightly lesser quality because it's light on story and weighing more heavily on intense and violent action, which is understandable given the direction of the story. Forever Carlyle basically has to capture a city on her lonesome with a group of four soldiers (one of whom is the Lift petition redhead you might have been wondering about). The rest of the Family struggles to cure their poisoned father with a team of doctors (one of whom is the Lift petition dread-locked guy you might have been wondering about). Although more action-focused, the back-channel shenanigans keep you wondering about what the heck is really going on and the ending is neat, if canned.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'd think after 20 odd issues, you'd know pretty much how Greg Rucka and Michael Lark's world is working. They've introduced most of the main characters by now, you'd think, and the conflicts between the Families are spreading, with the inter-family squabbles also causing problems too.

And then along come two cliffhangers in this trade that are complete gut-punches, and then the series goes on hiatus for six months.

God damn it.

[Julio Bonilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

How the mighty have fallen.

Forever Carlyle in war is like the Energizer Bunny: UNSTOPPABLE!

The fourth volume of Lazarus is like a suspenseful movie! Commander Lazarus is in charge of her family, soldiers in the war against Hock, the rival family that poisoned her father. There's a light at the end of the tunnel.

The artwork is very surreal. I had to do a double take on a few panels to realize what was happening.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interludes are a tricky thing. Jason Aaron and Pia Guera did them with grace in Scalped, giving us meaningful snippets of backstory on some already-great secondary characters. John Layman and Rob Guillory OTOH used them as spacers and ego-masturbation in Chew.

Rucka and Lark are using them here to give us side-Story illustrations to help with their rapid world-building, and it’s both helpful *and* makes the story a little more relatable than “tales of the super-rich”. Telling us about one of the selfless, self-aware nuns ministering to the faceless millions is a particularly nice touch.

But the real news is we get ourselves some kick-ass war stories, and big payoff for the Lift’ed Waste we met back in volume 2.

I gotta say, Rucka slings some mean combat and military lingo - this shit feels real in ways his politicking and dystopian sci-fi worldbuilding do well, but not masterfully.

Tense, sparse and action-soaked, this volume alone would make Lazarus an APB first-rate action movie series. Forever sees some *shit*, and the rest of the family falls apart as Daddy/mastermind languishes in a coma.

[CS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bullet Review:

When thinking how to review this one, the one word that popped in my head was "safe". This was a "safe" entry in the Lazarus series. I wouldn't say anything new or exciting is learned - the trajectory of the story goes exactly where you think. It's still enjoyable, but it's nowhere near as exciting as volumes 1 and 2.

Full Review:

The stories really start to branch off as this ensemble cast in 3 different locations reacts to the war. It's been about 3 months since volume 2. Casey Solomon is promoted to a corporal (wow, that was fast!) and is on the frontlines of the conflict; Michael Barrett is going to Stanford, but is pulled out to deal with Malcolm Carlyle's medical condition; Sister Bernard (the nun from Volume 2) has a mission to Cuba to meet up with the doctor who has the cure to Malcolm's disease - and that doesn't even include our usual team of Forever and the family, namely Stephen and Johanna.

To be honest, while this was good, it wasn't astounding. There weren't any really new developments in the story - other than that final page where you learn something about Forever that may be unexpected (it was a surprise - but also not that unexpected either). On one hand, it's nice to not have to flip to the beginning to review the who's who in the families - but on the other hand, so many of the stories go in directions you expect. Stephen isn't a great leader - but duh, Johanna is. Of course, Casey and Michael would turn out to be Chekov's guns - only an inept author wouldn't bring them back up. And while I enjoyed Sister Bernard's return, I felt it was almost too little too late.

It's also sad because I felt we are kinda losing that thread of Forever learning about her history and who she really is. Her role almost feels secondary - even though she's technically the title character. She doesn't find out anything new in regards to the random message she received about her parentage; we see some great action sequences of her, to be fair, but what makes Forever's story most interesting, to me, isn't just her fighting. It's her discovering her background, it's as much her humanity as it is her fighting skill.

This comes across as a harsh critique, but again, this volume is perfectly serviceable and "good". It's just in comparison to what's come before that it pales. Things are gradually happening, there are changes, it's just not as exciting as Volumes 1 and 2.

I am still going to continue this series, as I do still enjoy it. I just hope Volume 5 gives us something a bit more.

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woah amazing storytelling and ending. Only downside was the first issue. I felt like it was out of place, not very relevant and stylistically completely different (pages of words/transcripts etc). This series is a must read!!

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better with each subsequent volume. It doesn't get reflected in my rating because volume 1 got 5 stars, and that's the top rating one can give any book on Goodreads. But you know what I mean. Each volume builds on the one(s) preceding it, and it only makes waiting for the next volume(s) harder, because the series is so good. For people like me, who wait for the stylish deluxe hardcover edition(s) - which include cool bonus features - the waiting period is even longer. But as I've mentioned in reviews of earlier volumes of Lazarus, the wait-for-deluxe-hardcover is more than worth it.

One thing I noticed with this fourth volume was the apparent 'emancipation' of profanity. Indeed, this volume strikes me as the one with the most coarse language (not to mention F-bombs) since the series' beginning. Not complaining: just noticing. Lazarus is a 'Mature' series, after all.

What I liked about this arc was the 'return' of Casey and Michael, arguably two of the main protagonists of Lazarus, Vol. 2: Lift. Some time has passed between the two arcs, and it is nice to see how these two characters' situations have progressed. And what can I say about that manipulative b*tch Johanna? Intrigue after intrigue, with this vixen. You can tell Rucka is doing a great job of writing this character when the readers despise her so much. And when it appears that- spoiler alert - she's taking over control of the family, I realise I'm conflicted about how I feel about it. Am I worried/disappointed because I don't like her, her constant intriguing, and her backstabbing? Or am I relieved, because with her in charge, at least the Carlyle family has a chance of winning the war? See what I mean? Great job, Mr. Rucka.

As for Michael Lark's art, all I can say is that the quality is constant, and still a very good fit with the mood of the series.

As for the last page of this book? I was not expecting that. I really can't wait for the next hardcover - and since its expected publication is in all likelihood at least a year away, this gives me time to re-read the series from the start, and savour every moment.

***

Read as part of Lazarus: The Second Collection, which also collects Lazarus, Vol. 3: Conclave.

[MusicalTati]

FUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!! Seriously!? How long do I have to wait for volume 5?! Dammit to hell! Just when you think you know what's going to happen. Just when you think you've seen the worst of the gore. Just when you think folks can't get more twisted.

THIS SHIT HAPPENS!!!!

And I'm loving every minute of it! The more characters that get introduced, the more I see into this dystopian sci-fi world that is dysfunctional & fucked to such a terrifying, yet great extent, the more I love it! The families. The lazari, the serfs, the waste. It's all amazing. And Forever Carlyle kicking ass over & over & over again is the damn cherry on top of the cake! I only had a couple of issues with this volume. Bethany & Forever looked super pouty-mouthed at the beginning, which I don't think completely meshes with their character. I would've liked for some parts of the interlude to have been a tad bit bigger. The script & size made it not the easiest to read. And I just don't like that bitch Johana. This series would not normally be my cup of tea. But I'm drinking every single drop of this series up! Seriously! What's the release date for volume 5????

[Jason]

Wait, what? The next issue doesn't come out until JUNE? Rucka goes from an arc that takes place over a few days in one location and jumps ahead a few months so that we're in the middle of a war between two families, and things are happening everywhere. We get to know a couple of the Carlyle siblings a bit better (still not sure what Johanna's got up her sleeve-sheesh) and get a few well-drawn, written, and executed battle scenes but Rucka's still keep us hanging when it comes to a few major mysteries he introduced in the first arc, and he ends this one with a pretty major WTF. Let's hope he doesn't make the same mistakes that LOST did, haha. Solve the mysteries on our plates before dishing out too many new ones.

[Ignacio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Después de las puñaladas en el palacio de la entrega anterior, Rucka redirige la narración hacia las dinámicas dentro de la familia Carlyle y las relaciones con sus aliados, y lo intercala con un relato bélico con Forever contra las cuerdas, intentando evitar la derrota de su ejército. Rucka es un tipo muy de tirar de fórmula y con un perfil medio, pero vuelve a demostrar su fiabilidad al armar el relato y variar la trama. Imprime un pulso fantástico que se sobrepone a la escasa verosimilitud de la situación bélica.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more than five stars, because I swear each volume of Rucka and Lark's Lazarus gets better and better, and it started out as a five star work. From the ability to pace and draw a compelling, dramatic small squad combat scenario, to the surprising but naturalistic plot twists in the political goings on behind the scenes, this is simply the most compelling book on the market these days.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storylines converge as "Eve" Forever Carlyle enters the Carlyle-Hock war while new serfs battle or rush to save Martin Carlyle's life. Several revelations come to life -- Forever, questioning whether her emotions are her own or imposed by drugs, has stopped taking the medications designed to activate her immortality/survival mechanisms. And frighteningly, there appears to be another Forever in training, only this is a 13-year-old version identical "clone"!

[Elfo-oscuro · Rating 4 out of 5]

excelente final!! segun avanzas conociendo mejor a las familias mas te engancha. Gran historia de Greg Rucka

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally got around to reading the 4th Volume. Wow! One of the better collections and they all have been great. What a series. Reminds me a lot of the cable series "The Badlands" in a way (dark future thing).

But this dark future has hi-tech. I like Forever (Eve). She is one efficient Lazarus. No waiting around for me, as I have already read the first of the five stories in the 5th Volume: Cull.

This series is screaming for either a movie (at least 2) or a well done (in style of "Westworld") cable series.

Well done, top notch art and story, what a great combo!

[Koen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, sh*t just got real !
.. Ok, it already was, but this volume just kicks it to another new level !!

Oeh, and what a twist at the end... So, I'm done talking.. On to the next one ;)

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing series. The fight sequences are simply glorious and the characterization is top-notch.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of exhilarating. I'm not a big fan of combat sequences, just don't care all that much. And this book has a lot of combat. But also the text that goes with the combat actually works. And in the end caring about the characters pulled me through. That winter combat art really put you in the spot. And plots within plots within plots. And as side characters keep getting added, the world becomes richer. Hate the idea of having to wait for the sequel but it's on hold.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume started a bit slow, then picked it up and slammed it home. Fast paced, with a good dose of action and political intrigue. Another fun volume.

[Tristan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Carlyle and Hock factions engage each other in a full-blown war. Terrific execution of the action sequences (legendary Lark at the top of his game), but I would have preferred a further exploration of the world (how this dystopian future actually came about, background information) and considerably more focus on the characters instead. Too many underdeveloped narrative strands as of now, which confused the whole thing.

Perhaps I just want something from Lazarus it was never planned to be. It certainly is a daunting task for a comic book series. However, to me truly great tales in the hard sci-fi tradition always need a solid, plausible world, history and well-established characters first before progressing to more large-scale events (in this case, war). Those elements separate the excellent from the merely good. It went from micro to macro a bit too soon in my opinion. This really should have been reserved for volume 5 or 6 (out of 10, hypothetically).

Rucka does seems to know where he is going though, so I'm more than willing to give him some leeway here. It's far too soon to judge. So yes, definitely still on board.

[Travis Duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

very close to 5 stars. Rucka has created a really well refined story that has plenty of action and backstory to keep you interested. Forever is a great character and has a bit of mystery that keeps you guessing to her history. I think story speed or pace is crucial on graphic novels and Rucka has a great understanding of balance with the Lazarus plot. The art is well done even a little gritty and the colors are well chosen with a subdued feel. This has become one of my more favorite Image series that stays consistent.

Plot recap with spoilers below ( so I can look back if I need to):




The war has started after Hock has poisoned the Carlyle father. Hock used Jonah's DNA to create a crazy strong poison that is slowly killing him. The Carlyle side of the war is losing the battle but Forever is tasked with a crucial mission to take out key defenses. Forever succeeds and turns the tide but at the end we discover that Forever has a clone that is much younger training at the compound.