Lazarus Planet Revenge of the Gods #1: The Gods Strike Back

Humans are too ambitious, and the old gods are angry. That’s the basic premise of Lazarus Planet Revenge of the Gods #1. And timed as the story is with the end of Lazarus Planet, the idea has promise even if it’s not particularly new.

For better or worse, though, a promise is almost all the issue offers.

Lazarus Planet Revenge of the Gods #1 is split into two stories, essentially setting the table for what’s to come. The first, “Revenge of the Gods,” begins with sequences from around the world of gods terrorizing humans to varying degrees. The most innocuous is Apollo, the giver of prophecy, revealing people’s futures to them. One of the more dangerous is the giant Skadi, going through the Icelandic countryside, shooting her bow at humans and animals alike. The gods want to worship and get loyalty in any way possible. The alternative is that they start dying off. 

The second story in Lazarus Planet Revenge of the Gods #1, “The Stranger,” takes place on Themyscira. Two young men have found their way onto the island to make a documentary for their internet channel. The Amazons respond swiftly to the trespass.

One element links the two stories: a mysterious figure. In the first story, he finds a golden hand in the Potomac. In the second, he arrives to give the Amazons a message. The mysterious figure seems to have knowledge no one else does: a certainty that war is coming.

Lazarus Planet Revenge of the Gods #1 is only tangentially related to the Lazarus Planet event. Wilson connects the two in a general sense–the theme of humanity having too much power, partly due to the Lazarus Volcano eruption. As such, this issue can be picked up without in-depth knowledge of the event. Likewise, it doesn’t require knowing the backstory of DC’s various god characters.

Unfortunately, there is a relatively little story in the issue. The weight of the issue rests wholly on the mysterious figure who knows more than everyone else but seems to be mainly keeping it to himself. Lazarus Planet Revenge of the Gods #1 sets the stage, and it will pique most readers’ curiosity. But that’s all it will do. The narrative succeeds in its potential rather than its actual content.

Tormey’s art in “Revenge of the Gods” is most noticeable in contrast between Wonder Woman, who briefly appears, and everyone else. There is no shortage of sinister looks, even among the other good guys. But Wonder Woman looks cowed and almost defeated in every panel. Whether intentional or not, Tormey sends a message that Wonder Woman doubts the gods can be reasoned with or defeated. Wilson hints at this in dialogue, but the subtext is much heavier-handed in the art.

Bellaire’s coloring sets the mood for “Revenge of the Gods.” The story hops quickly between several places on Earth, and Bellaire makes each of them distinct via her color choices. Those choices also tie the gods in visually to the locations they appear in.

“The Stranger” has a different visual identity. The story, limited though it is, is much more straightforward than “Revenge of the Gods” and doesn’t require as much to be communicated visually. The standout work from the art team here is essentially the depiction of Themyscira which looks quite the paradise. And as a result, it and the Amazons are set far apart from the mysterious figure dressed all in dark colors and a hood.

The lettering throughout the issue is relatively restrained. Brosseau’s work, in particular, doesn’t stand out in any specific way. Carey makes more stylized choices in “The Stranger, ” but not many. But she very effectively imparts urgency and emphasis by using oversize fonts for some words that force the dialogue bubble to shape around them.