Lazarus X+66

Lazarus: X+66 #1-6

by Greg Rucka (Story), Eric Trautmann, Aaron Duran

Six separate stories follow characters old and new from The New York Times bestselling series LAZARUS, shining light into the dark places of the world following the events of The Cull.

Collects all six issues of the LAZARUS: +66 miniseries.

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

168 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2018

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

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been rather lukewarm about Rucka and Lark’s dystopian Lazarus series, until volume 5, The Cull, when you feel things are finally heating up. But that was a year ago, and over those five volumes you are focused on several futuristic families, all of them rich and powerful. The lower, or serf, class, called The Waste, gets short shrift, surprise. The series is being produced so slowly that it is hard to keep invested, too.

But then comes along this volume, and I wasn’t excited about it. It features four different stories, all with different artists (which doesn’t usually interest me) and four different co-writers, one for each take (same potential problem). But this is really what I have been waiting for, the serf stories, the potential for revolution, maybe! All the stories are relevant to the power issues that the very idea of an AI Lazarus explores, but from another angle, and then it turns out all four of the stories are related, too. Nifty writing by Lark and his team, and carefully planned out. I’d say this is heading in a promising direction toward a satisfying resolution.

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

Ah, this series. It never fails to make me all warm and fuzzy inside. Fluffy bunnies, endearingly charming characters, heartwarming scenes, pastel-colored rainbows...Lazarus has it all!



Okay, so it also has a little blood, a tiny measure of violence, some backstabbing, a few assholes, a small number of cunning liars and ruthless bastards…It’s positively delightful, I tell you!

*gets all cuddly-snuggly inside*

So. This volume is a sort of standalone-that-doesn't-stand-so-alone in the series. It's set after vol. 5, the most gloriously delicious Cull, and features four different stories, each of them focusing on secondary characters in the Lazarus universe. Not only does this slightly very cool volume give a lot of insight on how the families that rule this world operate, it also⁠—and more importantly⁠—offers precious information on the serf class (which the main series lack). This adds a bloody shrimping lot of depth to the world, methinks.



♫ Revolution ♫

To be disgustingly honest, I was most miffed when I realized that my girlfriend Forever Carlyle wasn't going to show up in this instalment. But. I found me little self a new girlfriend. Her her name is Casey Solomon. And I 💕lurves💕 her.



Another thing I 💕lurves💕 in this volume is that one of the stories focuses on two characters we hadn't met before, Xolani and Alimah (the Nkosi and Meyers-Qasimi Lazari). What's so special about them, you ask? Ha. Xolani is of African descent and Alimah of Arabic descent. And having a little diversity in a graphic novel is bloody shrimping scrumptious, if you ask me.



Yum.

Also, they kick ass most efficiently and stuff.



Don't tell anyone but I think I'm about to kidnap adopt Alimah and lock her up in my High Security Harem invite her to visit my humble subaquatic abode.

The one thing that disappointed me here is the art. Each issue has a different artist. None of them being Michael Lark. Which sucks big time, if you ask me. I mean, look at what they did to my boyfriend Joaquim Morray!

My Jojo before:



My Jojo after:



Err...I think NOT.

Also, there seems to be a Weird-Prominent Chin Thingie (WPCT™) going on in issue #3:



Oh you poor thing, does it hurt?



I know, I know, it was a stupid question. And of course you guys would know all about painful chins. I mean, just look at you and stuff.

Oh, oh, and look at what they did to my Casey in that issue!





Not sure I'll ever recover from that one *shudders*

Anyhoo and stuff, the art isn't that bad, it's just that it's a pretty big departure from the previous issues and some shrimps have a hard time adjusting and stuff. But I have to unwillingly admit that I actually like Alitha Martinez' work in the Xolani/Alimah issue. And I also have to unwillingly admit that Tristan Jones' work in issue #6 is deliciously creeptastic and adds a lot to the atmosphere of the story and stuff.



Ah, The Zmey, such a fun-loving guy.

➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): no, this volume is not one of those despicable fillers that authors use to keep readers quiet happy while they impatiently wait for the next issue in the series to be released. Packed with background information, X+66 is pretty essential read for fans of the series, as it gives a lot more substance to the Lazarus world. And makes it feel more real. Which it isn't. Thank fish for that.

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 ★★★★

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand-alone stories in the world the Lazarus comics, set after Volume 5, Cull. Good story telling, but with other artists. And none of them as good as the original artwork. So that took some getting used to. The only artwork I actually liked was the last story, about the Vasslovka Lazarus. I liked all of the stories, my favourite was probably Issue #4, with the journalist looking for clues of.... not telling you! That one at least will probably have an impact for the main storyline. Although the last panel of the Dragon storyline was pretty ominous as well.

Is this necessary reading for the Lazarus series? No, I don‘t think so. But I haven‘t read what comes after this, so I might be wrong. Did I enjoy reading this? Apart from the artwork, yes! Will I continue? Definitely.

Issue #1 is with Casey Solomon in military training: The lineart looks coarser and thicker somehow.

Issue #2 is Joaquim‘s story. It‘s ok, but again the art is not as good as in the main story. I didn‘t really like Joaquim in this.

Issue #3 is about Joe and Bobbie, Michael‘s parents from Volume 2. I liked this one. It looks at how they adjust to life as serfs.

Issue #4 is about families I don‘t really remember from the main storyline, Meyers-Qasimi and Nkosi. The initial pages consist of panels alternating from family to family with almost exactly the same layouts—I really liked that—and identical conversations, just switching viewpoints as well. Neatly done.

Issue #5 is the story of journalist Seré Cooper, someone else I don’t recall from the main series. She‘s in the doghouse and trying to redeem herself. And she finds something that might just do the trick...

Issue #6 is about The Zmey. Finally, I liked the artwork. The story is gruesome, brutal and borderline on the violence scale for me.

[Artemy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a proper volume of Lazarus but rather a collection of six one-shots, each focused on different sets of secondary characters in the Lazarus universe, and each drawn by a different artist. It's nothing groundbreaking or super-important, but just like all those world-building extras and Sourcebooks that Rucka and his team like to produce, this mini-series does a good job of filling in the blanks that the main storyline doesn't have the time or space to address. It also served as a time-filler for Michael Lark, who needed a break from the main book after finishing volume 5, so by design X+66 is more just a nice addition to the canon rather than something truly essential to the main storyline. Even still, some things that happen in this volume might seem small, but they also might play a bigger role down the line, so it's still worth picking up for those who follow the series.

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collected issues of a six-part mini-series spun off from the Lazarus main series in the midst of the Conclave Wars. We catch up with several side characters to the series: Casey Solomon, lifted by Lazarus Forever Carlyle and in training to be a Dagger to fight in the Carlyle Family's roughest battles; Joacquim Morray, Lazarus of the Morray minor Family; Michael Barrett's family, lifted from Waste to Serf in Carlyle territory but seemingly no happier; the Lazarii of the Meyers-Qasimi an Nkosi Families; top reporter for Carlyle media Seré Cooper tracking a Carlyle Family mystery; and a fable of The Zmey, Lazsrus of the Vassalovka Family.

Interesting and well-told stories, but for me we have gone too far of the main story-line, and I am lost in the details and minutiae (of course, it has also been several years isnce I picked up the last volume).

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taking a break from the main story with a bunch of one shot stories to build on the world or Lazarus. It's definitely worth reading if you're a fan of the book. It's more enjoyable than the Sourcecode books at world building.

[Trike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories set alongside the main story, with varying degrees of impact. These feel sort of like bonus stories set in any regular Science Fiction universe, or perhaps like those of the superhero comic Astro City. The last two are very good indeed, while the other four are interesting mostly for their utility in filling out the world.

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Six different stories more or less loosely tied to the main storyline.

They focus on background characters (Casey Solomon, the Barretts, Seré Cooper...) or Lazari we know (Joaquim Morray, the Zmey) or don't (Alimah, Kolan).
All are correct but none could rightly be qualified as outsanding. Some give insight on characters, some could probably be seen as preludes to some future developments (notably the Barretts) but I don't think not reading them will make future issues a challenge.

The art section (6 different artists) is overall good but again not outsanding.

If you've gone as far as Cull, there's no objective reason you shouldn't read it. Perfectly palatable, it won't enhance your enjoyment of the main course but remains an enjoyable side dish.

[Rod Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise! This smacks of being a side project intended to give fans something to read while the creators get the main title back on schedule, and I usually hate that kind of filler, but this world and these characters are so intriguing and Rucka is such a good writer that I found this as satisfying as a volume from the main storyline. More please. And soon!

[Andy Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

LAZARUS: X+66

This exceptional series continues with individual stories of key characters.

LAZARUS: X+66 #1

Solomon: “I am the blade my family wields. I am a dagger.”

LAZARUS: X+66 #2

Moray’s Lazarus – you gotta empathise with him. His confrontation with Sister Mercy is … heart-wrenching!

“He is an IT …and IT is a machine.” – Mother to her daughter about her Lazarus ‘son’.

LAZARUS: X+66 #3

Joe and Bobbie are in a world that they morally and ethically disapprove of and yet cannot distance themselves from. The dystopian world that Rucka has made creates an atmosphere like that of “Hunger Games” and “Fahrenheit 451”, and is as intense as anything by Philip K. Dick.

“We had a DAUGHTER. We had this beautiful little girl, her name was Leigh … she’d be almost eighteen, now. Michael’s always been the THINKER, but Leigh she had a POET’S soul. Loved music.
Ain’t a world for POETS, is it?
Fuck, SORRY.” – Joe Barrett

Joe and Bobbie get handed a book with a concealed note informing them of an upcoming ‘resistance’ event. The book is ‘The Complete Poems by Emily Dickinson’, (although the book’s cover has incorrectly spelt ‘Dickenson’).

LAZARUS: X+66 #4
Excellent story about the collaboration and potential betrayal between two Lazari, Alimah and Xolani. This particular issue has the perfect conclusion!

"I will tell my mother that an opportunity did not present itself," - Alimah.

“Goodbye, Mister Nkosi.”
“Until next time, Miss Meyers-Qasimi.”

LAZARUS: X+66 #5

For a recently introduced character this reporter Miss Cooper is a nuanced addition to the meta-narrative and is making her mark like that of any new face in ‘Game of Thrones’. Great tie-in to the wider series. Probably the best issue of the 30+ so far! (& I almost never give a 5/5 star rating to single issue comics).

“I think these were made for JONAH FUCKING CARLYLE, Sua.
HOW the HELL did they end up on the feet of some Hock hillbilly in Duluth?” – Reporter Cooper

LAZARUS: X+66 #6

“Kilometer atop kilometer, through eternal forest, stone bit his feet. Ice filled his boots.
His body sang with fatigue and pain. His skin, rubbed raw, rimed with frost.”

Ghastly and grizzly take on classic Dr Frankenstein versus the engineered Monster creature.

“When the dragon had finished his tale, the hunter did not speak for a long time.
Then, all at once, the hunter sprang to his feet, enraged and outraged both.
‘You are nothing but the vilest monster!’ the hunter cried. ‘Inhuman and cruel!’”
..
..

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it wasn't for the last issue (read as floppies, again) this could have been a five star review.

I do recommend this interruption in the regular series. These side stories are really good for giving some insight as to how the other families, and their respective Lazarus operate. These Lazarus do have personalities.

But,am I the only who who thinks that the Lazarus haven't figured out that they could rule the families, and therefore the world? Unless fail safes were built in by the families, the Lazarus are physically stronger and in some case smarter, and in a a very few cases,

More willing to work together.

p.s. I did forget at least one family built fail safes into their Lazarus.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lazarus is simply one of the best series currently in production and this miniseries, which breaks from current continuity to give us several side stories set in this universe, only helps to further develop one of the more vividly-imagined future society's in all of imaginative literature. Interestingly, Forever Carlyle never once makes an appearance. Instead, we've got stories that focus on peripheral characters and the Lazari of other houses, which serve to build out the story of The Conclave War. The writing is, as usual, excellent, though the artwork varies (each issue has a different artist, though they all seem to be trying to echo Michael Lark). If you're a fan, you'll definitely want to read this collection.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked these short stories about various supporting and bit players in this horrible future of super-powerful Families and their Lazari. Each short fills in more background about the tensions and current war between the Families. Nothing hugely revelatory but enjoyable violent and grim.

[Valéria. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, beside Post-fact drawn by Bilquis Evely, all the other were kinda meh compared to main series. I was never a fan of book like these, where you get just random stories of several characters..

[Chad Jordahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed diving back into the dystopian futuristic medieval world of Lazarus, and I liked these stories from the serf class, they give substance and depth to the world. Each chapter has a different artist, and three co-writers worked with the main writer Greg Rucka, and yet all the chapters fit comfortably into the prevailing Lazarus aesthetic. I didn't like the style choice for the writing in the final chapter, though -- I liked the story and the art, but the Fantasy novel writing style just didn't work for me and doesn't fit the tone of the rest of the book.
I was unhappy that the chapters in the body of the book don't have titles or chapter numbers, and -- pet peeve -- I prefer books to have page numbers.

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely compliments the main series.

[Sam (Hissing Potatoes) · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 6 stories bridging the gap between Vol. 5 and Vol. 6 just got better and better. I absolutely love how the creators mention a character the reader writes off as flat only to turn around and say "HAHA NOPE, THIS CHARACTER IS COMPLEX TOO, HERE'S AN ENTIRE ARC ABOUT THEM." And every story not only develops the characters but feeds into the overall plot, making none of them feel superfluous. The worldbuilding is so complex and believable, the action and characters and themes brilliant, the pacing and storytelling and art perfect. (The horror fairytale vibe in the last story was delivered _exquisitely_. Actual chills.) I wait with bated breath for more.

[Nate]

When I learned that this volume consisted of six short stories focused on side characters, coming right after the shocking climax of the previous book, I fretted. But these stories actually aren’t too bad. Yeah, not as strong as the main books, and with inconsistent art, but decent world building diversions. They even advance the main story somewhat. My favorite is the Sere Cooper story, because I like the character and because it’s gorgeously drawn by Bilquis Evely.

[Rollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the catching up for the move.

[Suzanne Berget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the world of Lazarus. Some great stories in this one. I especially liked the one where we get to see how the grunts view Forever Carlyle.

[Henry Blackwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we have some vignette filler to plug in some gaps between volume 5 and 6. This was pretty cool for the most part even though it wasn’t very necessary. Other than the last issue with the dragon it was pretty interesting. If you’re interested in the world or characters of this story it’s worth a read but it’s very non essential and a bunch of chaff really when you come down to it.

[Stan Pedzick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story continues.

[OmniBen · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Zero spoiler review) See my other review for the full run proper.
I must admit, I found this an entirely frustrating prospect, both in its creation and execution. I just don't know why this spin off series, using different artists and writers existed. Yes, I know that artist Michael Lark was burnt out and needed a beak. I 100% understand and respect this. Although why not simply take a break, and keep the same incredibly talented team creating this story throughout. This book really isn't a spin off at all. It is entirely canonical and tells stories that would have been much better served in a longer, more realised way throughout the story proper. When you are five arcs into an amazing story like this, an abrupt change to proceedings such as this is jarring beyond frustration. Not only to have a different artist drawing this, but a different writer, too! Why? Again, just take a break. There may be those who just want more of this, regardless of the collaborators, although I am not one of them. Something this good should be preserved as much as possible, and the sub standard writing and artwork that made up the first half of this arc is something I do not want associated with this excellent series. The final three issues were both more appropriately written and drawn, but that doesn't change the fact that this should have been Rucka and Lark. I know Lark had a writing credit on each issue, although this was, and I'm speculating here) simply in an advisory role. The guest writer was the one putting pen to paper and responsible for the story as a whole, with Rucka on oversight. When you are so attached to certain characters, both in their appearance and the tone a singular author gives them, to have them not only drawn significantly differently, but written differently, too. I can't put into words how annoying I found this. Whether it was coincidence or intention that the final few issues of the series featured both writers and artists who either naturally or intentionally went for something closer to what Rucka or Lark would have created is up for debate, but I'm glad it happened, and managed to save this run from being truly awful, in my opinion. I know I will reread this series again some time in the future, once it is all said and done (whenever that is?) Although I will never be rereading these first three issues. For those reading this series for the first time too, you will need to read it, as this is canon, and fills in a few blanks from where the series proper left off. Just don't go thinking it will be as good as the series proper. 3/5

OmniBen.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of focusing on Eve Carlyle and the Carlyle family, this issue instead focuses on those who are effected by the Carlyle and other families influences. Case in point, the first story is Cassidy Sullivan's journey into becoming a Dagger, the most elite of the Carlyle fighting forces. The second story goes into Joaquim's betrayal while fighting the Vassalakova's Lazarus in the last issue and how he's dealing with it and what his family decides to do with his decision/emotions etc. The third story follows a reporter who used to be top notch but is now demoted to doing puff pieces about celebrities because of her cover on the Armitage Family's Lazarus, Sir Thomas, shortly before he was killed. But she stumbles upon a much more intriguing story in her research, namely, the fate of Jonah Carlyle who she's come to realize isn't actually dead. There's also a bit where two Lazari fight side by side to learn more about how the Vassalakova Lazarus was created. it's fun to watch them work together and the alliances they form though their families would rather they not. And lastly and most eerily, was the story of the Zmey, the Dragon, the Vassalakova Lazarus and how exactly he came to be.

He definitely has an interesting future ahead of him and I for one can't wait for the next volume to come out. Fantastic series, would highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for something fast paced, thought provoking, commentary on current events, great artwork and just overall a really entertaining read.

[Zare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of mini series issues that run in parallel to the main story arc. In it we follow side-characters and their adventures/challenges that take place in the shadow of the great Family Conflict.

That being said first thing first - art is mixed bag here, not of your standard quality but again this is side-story collection so I guess they wanted to experiment somewhat. In any case definitely not the quality of main story arc. In my case this was not a major issue but if you expect art to be on the same level as in main story ... lets just say beware :)

We follow young recruit in the Carlyle Daggers as she tries to survive ruthless and almost religiously indoctrinated instructors, her parents as they try to find their way in the new environment after getting "lifted" from "waste" level, journalist investigating what happened to one of the Carlyle sons held by Hock Family (and ending up as involuntary pawn used by the Families), Middle East and South Africa Lazarus soldiers in action trying to retrieve forgotten technology of Vassilovka (because we need better monsters right?), we see what happened to Joacquim and why he acted in the way he acted in vol 6 (compared to these families Corleone is a bloody welfare institution) and finally we get the story centered on weirdest, deadliest and definitely craziest Lazarus of them all, Zmey. As expected, this story is bloody weird but again it is not like Zmey is OK in his head right?

Where it not 2020 story would be of pure dystopia and utter defeat of humanity (you know like in almost every 10th SF novel these days). But since it is 2020 book was more depressing and disturbing to me than I would expect. I think people should treat stories like these as warnings not as bloody blueprints.

Recommended to all fans of dystopian SF.

[Charles Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love these comics. Great storytelling. Great art. Would make a great series of dystopian scifi movies.

[Imogene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew, that was intense.
In a wold in which everything (including people basically) is owned by a handful of families, and the only way to survive, let alone prosper, is to please those families WHAT IS THE COST.
Each issue is one story, a single soldier, a Lazarus (General, weapon, soldier, slave, pet) who has flinched just once, a Lazarus who hasn’t and has become a monster. They’re are all also connected.
Issue one was a stand out. Focusing on female soldier who has already been a part of the story, “lifted” chosen by the Family to serve them and given status, we see her go through the most brutal training possible for a soldier. And she is magnificent. I can’t wait to her and Forever meet again. I also can’t wait to see what happens when the Family realise that she is loyal to Forever, not to them. Suckers!

[The Lost Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a little bit erratic in the narrative, but let's be honest: the Lazarus universe is full of pretty cool characters, and the writers of this series know how to exploit them. Also, they don't fear exploring the huge dystopia they have created, and I like that lack of barriers, both geogrpahical and narrative. I like to know so much stuff about other families than Forever's, although I miss her and I'm looking forward for the new numbers involving her.
Again, as always, Rucka's Lazarus is ultimetely enjoyable. No complication, no pretension and lots of fun. I know that this is not the deepest or best scripted comic book ever, but I enjoy its swift storytelling and its characters.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories that expand on the dystopian setting of Lazarus prove just how excellent a series it is. I can’t wait to see how events of this side series affect the main story. Rucka’s writing is so high-calibre that really anything he does these days is worth a read.

[Am Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a good expansion of the Lazarus universe. Rucka's writing is as sharp as ever. The art is handled by different artists with mostly good results. The last story involving The Zmey is particularly good.