The Massive #1 Discussion

**DaronK** · 06-15-2012, 09:59 AM

So I decided on a lark to go back to my comic shop yesterday and see if there were any cool indie books out that I missed on Wed. Somehow I had overlooked Brian Wood's The Massive and decided to give it a go.

Man am I glad I did. This book is fantastic. The story is fresh, the writing is tight, and you get a nice introduction not only to the world but also the three main characters. On top of this, the art is fantastic.

Lastly, the last couple pages are filled with back story on the world and the main character. And unlike so many other books this extra content feels like it's truly extra and not taking away from the actual comic pages.

What surprises me most is that no one's talking about this book. If you haven't picked it up, do yourself a favor and give it a look.

**NinjaMic** · 06-15-2012, 11:41 AM

I'm interested enough to continue but I wasn't blown away.

**SavijMuhdrox** · 06-15-2012, 11:55 AM

Just checked out the preview on Dark Horse's website.. I am gonna check this out. One can only take so many comics about people flying around in capes.

But the cover art is gorgeous though.

http://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/Previews/20-024

**Seresecros** · 06-15-2012, 12:42 PM

Really, really boring. And the characters and plot didn't go anywhere by the end of the first issue. Desperately uninteresting

**The Steve Rogers** · 06-16-2012, 10:36 AM

I just picked up my copy but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I saw that CBR gave it 5 stars.

**Regino** · 06-17-2012, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by NinjaMic

I'm interested enough to continue but I wasn't blown away.

I feel the same. I don't understand how this got a five star review. It is a decent story. I probably will get the next one as it kept my interest enough. The problem is that it went so slow. We got introduced to some characters, but they were pretty vague. I want a more compelling character study, but hopefully the second book will go further in that regard.

**SavijMuhdrox** · 06-18-2012, 05:51 AM

argh. my shop only ordered like 3 copies and they were gone.. gonna have to wait a week or so to get in on this.

it's shame really, that the small shops won't order too many books. I know why they do it.. but argh.. i'll just have to wait.. no biggie.

**transvestitegod** · 08-03-2012, 07:41 PM

The various cataclysmic events that screw the world up is just silly. It's the most fantastical manner I've ever seen realism portrayed in, and I'm a fan of The Dark Knight Trilogy.

Still good though. Wood's writing is on-point for the most part as usual, and Donaldson's art was very captivating.

**Rory426** · 08-09-2012, 09:09 AM

I've read 1-3 of this. Think I'll leave it there though. The first arc is wrapped up there and while I like it, I can't justify keeping going with it.

**Full-Page Bleed** · 08-10-2012, 05:01 AM

I was excited about The Massive given the subject matter and how much I've enjoyed most of Wood's previous work, but after reading #1 & #2 I couldn't really find a reason to carry on with it.

It all just seemed too low-energy, with not much escalation of the action building up to the 'climax' of the arc in #3.

The characters didn't do much to make them worth following, either; we just had to rely on their backstories to believe they were interesting.

Attractive artwork, colouring and publication design, though.

(I wrote a review of #1 & #2 on my blog)

**The Adventurer** · 08-10-2012, 10:41 AM

I sort of in the same boat as Full-Page Bleed. The series just doesn't feel like it has any energy, which sucks because this could be as desperate and grim as Battlestar Galactica but comes across more leisurely like Falling Skies. Once again we have a series that has a compelling concept, great style, but an unfocused unenergetic story.