The Massive

In a post-war, post-crash, post-disaster, post-everything world, the environmental-action trawler Kapital scours the earth’s oceans for its mysteriously missing sistership, The Massive. Captain Callum Israel, a man who has dedicated his life to the ocean, now must ask himself—as our planet dies—what it means to be an environmentalist after the world’s ended. Callum and his crew will come up against pirates, rebels, murderers, and thieves as they struggle to remain noble toward their cause. Can you save a planet that's already doomed?

Another end of the world book from Dark Horse was almost guaranteed to be a winner for me right from the get go.  Regardless, I still went into volume one of The Massive unsure of what the final verdict would be.  Fortunately, my initial feelings turned out to be true, and this first collection of books starts off strong and really delivers.

This wonderful story that seems to only be starting in this initial volume is already packed full of greatness.  Bit by bit we are saturated with this new planet Earth at its end, and it is creatively approached unlike most apocalyptic settings.  The world’s demise is explained here and there, oh so vaguely, and the completely feasible events make it all the more gripping.  Along with a very solid backdrop, we are introduced to quite an eclectic group of survivors, with quite an assortment of history.

The artwork does an equally good job of adding to this world of devastation.  It really makes us feel like we’re living in the worn out, gritty world as it stands now.  Coupled with the effective line jobs, the color palette really locks in how the environment needs to be portrayed.

Wrapping up the book, we’re also given some nice bonus material at the end of the volume.  Originally in Dark Horse Presents, we get a set of three stories providing history on a few of our main characters.  I always find it a pleasant treat when readers can get extra content like this in a book, especially background stories.

It probably goes without saying, but I will say it anyways and strongly urge that this become a future purchase.  Just what was included in Volume 1 was enough to sell me on this title, and I definitely think it can do the same for many others.  You don’t need to be a big post-apocalyptic fan to enjoy this, but you’ll certainly do so even more if you are.

For more information on The Massive comics or other Dark Horse books, check out Dark Horse Comics.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.