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jennc's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good entry in this series. Exciting, dramatic and kept you on the edge of your seat. The ending confused me - total cliffhanger.
szenekfanni's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
elimds9's review against another edition
5.0
This series continues to be number one in my book. First the art is perfect. So much emotion in each panel.
The fourth installment in this modern feudalism comic. The head of the Carlyle has been poisoned by the head of the another family. Now it is war. Families choose sides. But with the Carlyle's strong figurehead in intensive care, the next generation must step forward and prove they can maintain alliances and direct forces.
Most insight into the Lazarus project and more mysteries introduced about Forever.
The fourth installment in this modern feudalism comic. The head of the Carlyle has been poisoned by the head of the another family. Now it is war. Families choose sides. But with the Carlyle's strong figurehead in intensive care, the next generation must step forward and prove they can maintain alliances and direct forces.
Most insight into the Lazarus project and more mysteries introduced about Forever.
tristansreadingmania's review against another edition
3.0
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.
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.
crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
4.0
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.
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.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, I'm gonna need a breather after this one! While half of the book was a little bit slower and filled with secrets and betrayals, it also contained intense action scenes with amazing hero Forever leading the charge and cutting down the bad guys left and right. And just when I thought the cliffhanger from the pervious volume was bad, THIS ONE happens! But I can't stop reading––I love it!
zare_i's review against another edition
4.0
Carlyle family is now in the all out war against their competitors while patriarch remains knocked out due to the insidious poison delivered by Hock. Drawn out conflict in the continental USA against Hock's and their allies seem to shake the Carlyle allies to the core. But as long Forever is in the fight there is nothing to lose. Right? Hmmm....
As always we have backstabbing, plots within plots, assassinations between these clans and plain people fighting it out out on the frontlines for their overlords.
And Forever is changing, in a subtle ways but she now knows what she is and no longer sees the world through the same eyes.
Story continues int he same tone as before. This is very bleak and dystopian world. Comics are not the ultimate and reference source to learn about the world and society relations (just look at this situation we are now world-wide, governments and serious professional organizations are treating it like it is a bloody video game, pure embarrassment) but they are always good to make people think and wonder and seek additional information through more serious works.
Same applies here - while what we are presented with would curdle the blood of any sane person and can easily be dismissed as weird fantasy it is somewhat sobering when one thinks how people are willing and eager to surrender themselves to respective authority. And when unscrupulous people use this chance then bottomless pit opens up (particularly disturbing is the intro regarding biological warfare).
While Carlyle's do show up as a rather sympathetic lot (when compared to others) it is obvious that neither family is united nor they see the other allied families as allies - they are just tools for the old Carlyle. everyone and everything, including his posterity and Forever.
As the rest of the series so far this is very good graphic novel. Art is the same as in previous books, sometimes a little bit blocky and rigid but in general very detail and photo realistic. Coloring is just magnificent.
Recommended to fans of SF and action/adventure stories.
As always we have backstabbing, plots within plots, assassinations between these clans and plain people fighting it out out on the frontlines for their overlords.
And Forever is changing, in a subtle ways but she now knows what she is and no longer sees the world through the same eyes.
Story continues int he same tone as before. This is very bleak and dystopian world. Comics are not the ultimate and reference source to learn about the world and society relations (just look at this situation we are now world-wide, governments and serious professional organizations are treating it like it is a bloody video game, pure embarrassment) but they are always good to make people think and wonder and seek additional information through more serious works.
Same applies here - while what we are presented with would curdle the blood of any sane person and can easily be dismissed as weird fantasy it is somewhat sobering when one thinks how people are willing and eager to surrender themselves to respective authority. And when unscrupulous people use this chance then bottomless pit opens up (particularly disturbing is the intro regarding biological warfare).
While Carlyle's do show up as a rather sympathetic lot (when compared to others) it is obvious that neither family is united nor they see the other allied families as allies - they are just tools for the old Carlyle. everyone and everything, including his posterity and Forever.
As the rest of the series so far this is very good graphic novel. Art is the same as in previous books, sometimes a little bit blocky and rigid but in general very detail and photo realistic. Coloring is just magnificent.
Recommended to fans of SF and action/adventure stories.
ryan_oneil's review against another edition
5.0
This volume allows a few other characters to emerge more fully while never still keeping Forever at the center of the story.
The plot of the story shifts more to a war story, both at the tactical and strategic levels, which I found interesting. While the world in the story is different in many ways, war is still war. Supplies need to be supplied. Ports still need protection.
Plus, this book ended on a great twist and I can't wait to see where it goes and how it serves the story.
The plot of the story shifts more to a war story, both at the tactical and strategic levels, which I found interesting. While the world in the story is different in many ways, war is still war. Supplies need to be supplied. Ports still need protection.
Plus, this book ended on a great twist and I can't wait to see where it goes and how it serves the story.
helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
3.0
Scientists in this can keep someone alive after they really should be dead. It's like, "Oh, shit, she got hit by a tank! Okay, up reagent factor 42264 and give me static and then pulsing neurotransmitter flooding in 3...2..."
Meanwhile, I have a houseplant that's not doing great and I'm like, "Water? Sun? That's about all I know?"
Meanwhile, I have a houseplant that's not doing great and I'm like, "Water? Sun? That's about all I know?"