The Massive is a subtlety. It lies entrenched amongst the indie explosion, but still along the fringes. This is not to imply that it ebbs into the mainstream superhero front, but rather the opposite. The Massive is a comic about the environment, activism, politics, social change, and so much more. It focuses on serious topics framed by a series of cataclysmic events that leaves the Earth alive, but limping. After the world turns its heels against humanity is humanity still supposed to protect its dangerous mistress? Writer Brian Wood would say, “Yes.”
Published by Dark Horse Comics, The Massive focuses on Callum Israel, the enigmatic leader of an environmental activist group, Ninth Wave. Ninth Wave has in times past been considered a radical environmental group that has been unfortunately labeled as a terrorist organization by numerous world agencies due to prior events that are removed from the present storyline.
While out at a sea a world shattering series of natural phenomenon decimates much of the world. Leaving millions dead, coastlines re-written, and the world economy left in ruins. The Massive takes place roughly year after the start of these events, and focuses on Callum Israel’s crew and lead vessel, The Kapital, searching for its lost companion ship, a supertanker by the name of TheMassive. Whilst searching for The Massive, The Kapital, (during Dark Horse Comics’ three-issue introduction) contends with marauders and pirates, missing ports, government agencies, and countless other natural perils that ultimately disable The Kapital from effectively findingThe Massive and their missing crewmembers.
Throughout these issues Callum continuously questions his primary directive, but as the first story comes to close he realizes that now more than ever the world needs an active environmental group. People all over the globe are banding together and piecemealing society with the refuse of the old. In the eyes of the Ninth Wave, it is the greatest environmental movement ever conceived.
The art is a refined series of sketches. Kristian Donaldson’s panels are crystal clear, but they embody the nature of the content beautifully by incorporating muted tones (Colorist: Dave Stewart) and incomplete lines to depict the notion of Armageddon--all the while, being framed by lofty ideals and subtle constructs written by Brian Wood. The writing is simultaneously coherent, but not. I found myself re-reading the issues in order to find out all of the little nuggets of information, but in the end it fleshed out the completeness of the plot that was well worth the re-reads. It was as-if I was searching for The Massive’s own Easter Eggs, and for it me I found it to be quite enjoyable. I loved the subtleties and foreshadowing that came along with the well-conceived plot.
The Massive is not action-packed by any means, and like the slower periods in Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead it instead focuses on the seriousness of the obscene. If zombies existed how would humans stay humane? Brian Wood queries the same-type of question: If an environmental apocalypse occurred would environmentalism still exist?
If you can stand a strong and deep narrative, rather than nonstop action and violence, then pickup The Massive. It is incredibly poignant and just as James Cameron re-packaged environmentalism in his hit film, Avatar, Brian Wood has done the same type of re-packaging except within a different medium. With this in mind I give, The Massive, four-and-a-half stars out of five.
Stay local and buy/order your copy from your local comic book shop. I am positive that they will appreciate the business. If you are a Spokane resident I highly urge that you hit up Merlyn’s Sci-fi and Fantasy Shop on Main in downtown Spokane for your comic and gaming needs. They’re friendly, they’re affordable, and they’re local. Stayed tuned for more reviews...here at the Examiner.
(SOURCE: Indie spotlight: The Massive #1)
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