CLUSTER 2
For a book I wasn't planning to pick up, I'm quite enjoying it.
Our cast was stranded at the end of the first issue. This isn't a spoiler, it's kinda the premise and in all the marketing material. While the first issue pointed out why no search or rescue would be conducted, I don't think anyone in the audience actually believed it when the characters said it. So a search gets underway this issue. But that's not all. Something else appears to be going on, but we'll have to wait until next issue to learn more. I'll be picking it up to see where this title goes.
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| Lady Killer 4 |
LADY KILLER 4
After this issue, I really need this to continue as a series of mini series. Josie's making moves all over this issue, barely standing still long enough to take a breath, and every second of it is brilliant. I love the art, the writing's fantastic, and there's only one issue left. If you've missed the series thus far, wait for the trade. Trust me, it'll be worth it.
LAZARUS v3
I've mentioned before how I tend to read comics in bed. There's a whole stack I've been making my way through this week, including several trades. I brought Lazarus to bed last night, thinking I'd read an issue or two before crashing. I wound up reading the whole thing.
In this volume, we find out what happened to Jonah, since last we saw him way back in volume one. A gathering of the families follows, with plenty of posturing, backroom negotiating, and general politicking. The stand-out scenes for me here were seeing the various Lazari interacting and Forever's continuing quest for the truth. It's all brilliant and I can't wait for the next installment.
THE DYING AND THE DEAD 2
This is the team building issue. If you've ever seen a heist movie, you should be familiar. The main character from issue one goes around collecting old friends and acquaintances for... well, no one actually says, "one last job" but since so many are dying or near death already, it's kind of implied. If this really is a team book, that means at least one of the following will happen by the end of the first arc: a new member will join, a member will die, or one member will betray the others.
It may sound like I didn't enjoy the issue, but I actually did. Thankfully, with this out of the way, the book can get back to what made the first issue great.
LADY MECHANIKA 0 - 5
I bought a couple issues of this when it was originally printed, years back. Loved the art, but didn't think too much about the story. Reading it from the beginning with the recent Collected Editions was a real eye-opener - the story is actually good! For years I've thought Lady Mechanika was just an excuse for drawing steampunk and attractive women. In reality, it's a fun adventure book with a lead reminiscent of Tomb Raider. She's smart, more than capable, and yes, attractive. She also has a cast of villains and supporting characters, and a world with history that grows more defined with each issue.
The next series, The Tablet of Destinies, is out this month. Benitez has help this time, which should lead to a more regular release schedule that plagued the original series. The art, already detailed and gorgeous, is even more so in Tablet. You can see a preview in issue five. It's already on my pull list, and I recommend anyone into steampunk give it a look.
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