"Lazarus" volume 1, Family, is an updated version of Game of Thrones' conflict among the elite

Forever Carlyle is a true badass.  I mean, if there was a movie about her, she'd be played by Michelle Rodriguez, no doubt, with just the right amount of attitude and necessary violence (it is no wonder the actress is a fan of this series, for she probably already sees herself as the heroine in question).  Forever isn't exactly human: she's a hybrid of woman and robot, and as a result, is practically invincible.  In other words, she's a Lazarus.  I'd hate to be the guy who stands her up, or even hints at playing with her emotions.

Writer Greg Rucka and artist Michael Lark's Lazarus: Family is the first Trade Paperback of this serial, which is original and engrossing aplenty to keep one turning the pages.  We are introduced to a world of the future where food is scarce, and only the powerful and rich families are able to get by; the remaining citizens on the planet are simply scavengers and petty criminals who've barely enough to eat.  The Morray family is quarreling with the Carlyles over crops and theft and what not, and this is leading to a near conflict.  Consequently, one of the sons, Jonah Carlyle, insists on starting a war with Morrays, a suggestion his patriarch brushes off, especially when he sends Forever on an important assignment, neglecting Jonah in the process.  The conflict that ensues is nearly equivalent to the one we see on HBO's Game of Thrones on a weekly basis, where the rich and the powerful begin to wage war against each other over petty differences such as titles, bragging rights and pure jealousy.

Rucka does an impressive job of creating a whole new world that we're not necessarily used to, and even better characters who are more human than they first appear.  Lark's illustrations are murky and a bit fuzzy, but still more or less perfect for an action series such as Lazarus.   Based on the cover of the first issue - which is what attracted me to this series to begin with - Lazarus delivers action, blood, double crosses, betrayal and best of all, great drama.  In other words, it's goes about its business as well as it possibly could.
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