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. ( )

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. ( )

A collection of tales from the Lazarus universe about other characters than Forever Carlyle. Their stories illustrate the harsh world of Family vs. Waste, and the constant intrigues of the Families. Lazari other than Forever feature prominently: Joacquim Morray struggles with his betrayal of Forever; Alimah Meyers-Qasimi and Xolani Nikosi team up to find information about The Zmey of Vassalovka. In other stories, Serfs struggle with their place in the new world.

The writing is good. It whets my appetite for Lazarus 6. I wasn't such a fan of the artwork though. There were different artists for each of the six stories. This is good for giving comics artists work, but makes things a bit inconsistent. I had the same criticism of Queen and Country. However the artwork is mostly pretty good. ( )

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! ( )

This is a collection of vignettes focusing on several of the side characters from the main LAZARUS storyline.
Characters include Casey Solomon as she becomes a Dagger; Joacquim and how he became a Lazarus; Joe and Bobbie (parents of %%%%) and their life after the Lift; Zmey, another Lazarus, and a few other Lazari and how they navigate their family obligation with who they are.
Each story is illustrated by a different author although the stories are all written by Greg Rucka.
For any fan of this series, you must read this. It broadens and deepens the world the Forever Carlyle lives in, fleshes out many of the side characters and gives their interactions with Forever new meaning. And it shows how the other Lazari live, who they are, and why they do what they do.
I particularly enjoyed the story of Casey Solomon and Joacquim, as they are two of my favorite characters.
A Must-Read for fans of this series…. ( )