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Lazarus Planet (2023) #1

by Mark Waid

CHANGE THE WORLD. Following the explosive (literally) events of Batman vs. Robin #4, the Lazarus Volcano has erupted, spewing dangerous and transformative chemicals into Earth's atmosphere! As these Lazarus clouds rain down upon the planet, people across the globe begin to develop strange new abilities, watch their already-extraordinary abilities change, and witness a whole host of chaos unlike anything the DCU has experienced before! It's up to Damian Wayne to put out the distress call for whoever can still hear come to the ruins of the Hall of Justice and help save the world! Poison Ivy, Power Girl, Cyborg, Batman, and more answer the call...but why could the fate of all life as we know it rest in the hands of...Monkey Prince?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics

32 pages, Comic

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Mark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I am strapping in for the next big DC event! KEEN.

I got pretty into this, pretty quick. The action jumps straight in (and no, I've read nothing that comes before this except for a random issue of Monkey Prince which was entirely irrelevant) and things are already looking grim. I don't know too many of the forces of evil featuring here but I'm recognising most of the heroes which is a fun change for me.

This is dark and the artwork reflects that, with splashes of colour symbolising the out of control elements. It's a softer look than I'd prefer, but I don't mind it here.

This is a great entry into the story and it certainly seems to charge the air with potential for this arc. I'm expecting pretty epic things.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Re-read and updated score*

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this issue better than I liked the entirety of the Dark Crisis.
I liked the tie ins with the Monkey Prince, I liked the tie in with World's Finest, and I liked the Batman Vs Robin tie ins, too, but I also liked that I feel for the most part, you could skip them and still track the story okay.
Or, conversely, that those other stories wrap together to have this one bind them a little more, and this was done for the fans of those and how they've interacted together and are part of one little cohesive universe.
Up to you how you want to take it, but I enjoyed the issue.
I guess I'm going to need Lazarus Planet: Omega.

[John-E-Raps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great classic DC storytelling from a great classic DC writer, and the art in this issue is absolutely phenomenal. I personally am fully able to follow the plot because I read the last few issues of the most recent “Robin” series, as well as “Batman Vs. Robin,” though I’m not sure I’m as invested in the villains as I should be. It seems they were introduced and pumped up in Marc Waid’s “World’s Finest,” and “Monkey Prince.” Neither of these series have I touched. Although I’m compelled to check them out now, so that’s something. I would say, Waid is a master at making single issues standalone. That’s what all classic writers do. Back in the nineties, you could pick up any issue of his run of “The Flash” and enjoy it whether you were following the series or not. Because the great classic writers understand that every issue could be somebody’s first issue. Any comic could be somebody’s first comic. In that regard, I’d say this issue succeeds. But to really be invested in all the characters, I think there is a sizable amount of recommended and suggested reading, because there are just so many interweaving pieces here. Before picking this up, I recommend reading these first: the “Shadow War” crossover, Robin Vol. 3, Monkey Prince, and every issue of “Batman Vs. Robin” preceding this (#’s 1-4).

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another storyline becomes an event. I held off both buying and reading this but decided to just buy it and the Omega issue which act as the bookends skipping the one-shot books in the middle which did not excite me at all .
Waid’s script moves along from Batman vs Robin where the story last ended. We open with Damian piloting a plane along with a wounded Batman, Talia, and Black Alice which crashes at the Hall of Justice. There they are rescued by Super-girl and some others she called in like Blue Devil, Blue Beetle, Cyborg, Zatanna, Shazam ( Mary Marvel) and Monkey Prince.
The team gets split into two squads. One encounters the Silver Horn King and his wolf minions defending the Tower of Fate which when the battle ends turns out hold many of the DC heroes and villains who use magic or have magic-based powers.
The other team heads to the Himalayas and take part in battle with Nezha who is battling Swamp Thing and Poison Ivy. Batman transforms by stories end into a demonic entity with Robin facing off against King Red Bull by himself.
Many moving parts in this issue with solid pencils by Riccardo Federici.
The back-up story left me puzzled and didn’t serve too much.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid start to another event.

Basically after the events of Batman vs Robin and the release of the Lazarus Pit going all over the world, with a demon like king getting loose, everyone has to work together to stop it. Seems typical event like storyline. Damien is the stratagist this time since Bruce isn't doing too well. Some solid moments with newcomer Monkey king, and Power Girl is a badass, but otherwise standard event starting stuff.

[Jennifer Baratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal issue

How the tables turn?
Magical and scientific heroes are in trouble with the Lazarus rain around the world. The artwork is phenomenal and so is the writing.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story but I’m missing too much of the backstory to really appreciate it.

[Parker J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been anticipating this event for months and I'm so happy it started off strong. Always obsessed when DC utilizes their underrated characters

[Heath Fodor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too too much

I have been following the overall plots of this storyline since Robin #1. I hope it gets better. Loved the Monkey Prince story

[David Cassady · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m ready for the DC event but the writing on this issue was kinda bad

[Shawn Ingle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. The story was enjoyable, but the artwork was hit or miss for me.

[romy ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was so messy like wtaf,,,, but diana was so amazing

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75
Disappointed in this. Read Waid's Worlds Finest and then Batman vs Robin, which were excellent, to have better context for Lazarus Planet. But this book's focus was off.

[Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked but... It's ok, nothing special.