Lazarus Planet: Next Evolution is published by DC Comics and features stories by Chuck Brown, Brandon T. Snider, Ram V. and Delilah S. Dawson. Artists on the collection include Alitha Martinez, Lalit Kumar Sharma, Laura Braga, Ro Stein, Mark Morales, Ted Brandt, Rain Beredo, Matt Herms, Alex Guimarães and Romulo Fajardo Jr. Letters are by Dave Sharpe and Troy Peteri.
Lazarus Planet: Next Evolution is available in comic book stores and on digital platforms now.
Synopsis
HEROES WILL BE FORGED! Good and bad, yin and yang…all sides of humanity will be transformed by the Lazarus event…and in the DC Universe one thing’s for sure: heroes will always rise. In this special we’ll explore some of the amazing new powers gifted to the freedom fighters of the future…and we’ll see what perils these villain-vanquishing virtuosos will face. What secret does Flatline seek from the heart of Talia al Ghul’s HQ? Can Red Canary bring order to an out-of-control city? What secret does the heroic Dead Eye hold that will haunt him forever? And enter into a brand-new legend with the fantastic debut of Vigil!
Review
We’re deep in to the Lazarus Planet event now. An Earth-spanning event which is most certainly not leaving any stone unturned. As we reach this latest chapter, another anthology, it’s clear that DC is really doing some soul searching when it comes to ensuring all of its Earth-bound characters are included.
Lazarus Planet: Next Evolution focuses on a mix of newer and more established characters. Using the latter to help forward the narrative of the former. First up is a cool little story featuring Red Hood and written by current Detective Comics scribe, Ram V. Jason is on the trail of a shipment of Lazarus Resin, not something you want in the hands of the wrong people. Teamed with the excellent Lalit Kumar Sharma, Ram uses Hood to introduce a mysterious new group of assassins known as The Vigil. The story is incredibly fast-paced, perfect to open an anthology which has huge aim.
Next up is Flatline, undoubtedly the breakout star of Damian Wayne’s recent solo title. Writer Brandon T. Snider and artist Laura Braga pick up the character in Japan as the Lazarus storm is landing. She’s on the hunt for the source of a mysterious voice and it brings her face-to-face with Ubu, former bodyguard of Ra’s Al Ghul. Much like the previous story, Snider appears to be setting up a future storyline for Flatline. A final page twist certainly sets up a very interesting turn events for the characters but it doesn’t seem intrinsically tied to the wider event. It could easily have found itself utilised elsewhere without the green rains and still held all of its impact.
Next, it’s over to Chuck Brown and Alitha Martinez to introduce us to a brand new character known as Deadeye. Deadeye has ties to Amanda Waller with whom he meets on the Astral Plane. Brown chooses carefully never to reveal Deadeye’s identity but he certainly takes cues from Deadshot in terms of his look. He faces off a shapeshifting villain known as Everyman who is attacking his home of Lesotho. That is until the Lazarus rains fall and supercharge the villains powers. This one is certainly more heavily tied to the wider event, balancing out setting up a brand new character with driving home just how dangerous the Lazarus rains can be.
Finally, writer Delilah Dawson and the art team of Ted Brandt and Ro Stein return to the character of Red Canary. Having only been introduced in the pages of Dark Crisis #3, Red is another character who is still finding her place in the DCU. The self-titled story definitely gives such much needed context to her character and rounds out the anthology brilliantly. Those expecting some kind of huge twist to her secret identity will be sadly disappointed. Dawson side-steps controversy and shock to instead bring us an intriguing new character with a bright future ahead.
Verdict
A solid anthology with four wide-ranging stories, each setting up potential futures for their character. At times it feels a little tangential to the Lazarus Planet event but its easy to dismiss thanks to solid writing and captivating artwork.
⭐⭐⭐.5
