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Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1

Scheduled to arrive in stores: January 17, 2023
Cover date: March 2023

Cover: David Marquez and Alejandro Sánchez
Variant Covers: Jen Bartel, Nathan Szerdy, Mario "Fox" Foccillo, Prasad "Pressy" Rao, Ariel Colon, David Marquez and Alejandro Sánchez

Reviewed by: JP Rocha

Click to enlarge

"Gone Dark"

Writer: Nicole Maines
Artist: Skylar Patridge

Dreamer works to track down Dr. Fate, giving us some backstory to "Lazarus Planet: Alpha". In Alpha Shazam (Mary Marvel), Zatanna, and Power Girl along with Cyborg and Blue Beetle attempt to free the magical items trapped in Dr. Fate's tower.

"Electric"

Writer: C.S. Pacat
Artist: Scott Godlewski

Jon Kent confronts a looter as they both get mutated by the Lazarus volcano's fallout.

"Breakthrough"

Writer: Frank Barbiere
Artist: Sami Basri

The Lazarus storm affects Lexcorp Tower and Mercy Graves, giving her nanite tech powers.

"Deus Ex Magicka"

Writer: Leah Williams
Artist: Marguerite Sauvage

Power Girl is lost and presumes herself dead after her fight with The Silver Horn King during "Lazarus Planet: Alpha".

Story - 2: "Gone Dark" is the best of the four stories. This story takes place during last week's "Lazarus Planet: Alpha". The story seems to have the most connection on the main event storyline.

"Electric" is an average origin story for Blue Electric Jon Kent and an anti-hero with volcanic powers named Ash.

"Breakthrough" was the most outrageous of the four stories. A lightning storm from the Lazarus Volcano explosion strikes Lexcorp Tower. Somehow lightning strikes Mercy, breaking through a glass window that Lex says cost at least $50,000. That lightning throws Mercy into several different Lexcorp mech suits that give her nanotech powered abilities which she uses to kill three mutated lab animals. One of the giant mutated lab rats has a sword at the end of its tail and impales Mercy with it. Shockingly, this does not kill Mercy. Instead, she learns to control her new nanite power by making weapons with her hands and rallying to kill the mutated lab animals.

"Deus Ex Magicka" was the worst of the four stories. Power Girl is written out of character and swears three times in this short story. Power Girl thinks she is dead because she sees her life flashing before her eyes. She is also having confidence issues which is new to this character. Also, the end of the story reveals that Power Girl has gained psychic powers which will be picked up in "Lazarus Planet: Omega" and "Action Comics".

Art - 3: Skylar Patridge's art looks good and is a good fit for this story.

Scott Godlewski's art is not bad, but the characters, especially Jon, look a little wonky.

Sami Basri is stylized, but it works well for the "Breakthrough" story.

Marguerite Sauvage has the best art in this book. She has a good ability to show expressions and emotions of the characters.

Cover Art - 4: It seems David Marquez and Alejandro Sánchez are doing the main covers for the "Lazarus Planet" event and that is a good thing. David Marquez is one of the best cover artists at DC right now.

Jen Bartel Variant Cover Art - 3: The best of the variants, this cover features Dreamer.

Nathan Szerdy Variant Cover Art - 2: Static image featuring Mercy Graves. The art is not bad, but the layout is basic.

Mario "Fox" Foccillo Variant Cover Art - 2: A stiffly drawn layout of Superman and Jon Kent reacting to a Lazarus overcharged female character, that I believe is supposed to be Power Girl.

1:25 Variant Cover Art - 3: The Superman crest melted into the side of the Lazarus island volcano. It is cool looking, but I would not recommend it.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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Mild Mannered Reviews - Specials Comic Books

Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton #1

Mild Mannered Reviews

2023

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