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The Great Wall: Last Survivor
ABOUT THIS BOOK...
An original graphic novel inspired by the major motion picture The Great Wall from Legendary, Universal Pictures, China Film Co., Ltd and Le Vision Pictures, directed by Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) and starring Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoe. The Great Last Survivor is written by Arvid Nelson (Rex Mundi) with art by Gian Fernando (13 Legends).
What if an army was created to defend our world from an enemy so dangerous, its very existence must be kept a secret? Built to keep out the ferocious Tao Tei, The Great Wall is the most powerful defensive structure ever built; but it is the heroes within that make the wall The Nameless Order. Set sixty years prior to the film, in the mysterious lands of ancient China, tragedy forces young Bao into joining The Nameless Order and upholding the corps’ four Discipline, Loyalty, Secrecy, and Sacrifice. Challenged by rivals, haunted by his past, and tested by desires, Bao spends his life preparing for one singular when he will have to defend the world from ferocious monsters that have come to devour us all.
An original graphic novel inspired by the major motion picture The Great Wall from Legendary, Universal Pictures, China Film Co., Ltd and Le Vision Pictures, directed by Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) and starring Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal and Willem Dafoe. The Great Last Survivor is written by Arvid Nelson (Rex Mundi) with art by Gian Fernando (13 Legends).
What if an army was created to defend our world from an enemy so dangerous, its very existence must be kept a secret? Built to keep out the ferocious Tao Tei, The Great Wall is the most powerful defensive structure ever built; but it is the heroes within that make the wall The Nameless Order. Set sixty years prior to the film, in the mysterious lands of ancient China, tragedy forces young Bao into joining The Nameless Order and upholding the corps’ four Discipline, Loyalty, Secrecy, and Sacrifice. Challenged by rivals, haunted by his past, and tested by desires, Bao spends his life preparing for one singular when he will have to defend the world from ferocious monsters that have come to devour us all.
- GenresGraphic NovelsComics
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 24, 2017
About the author
Arvid Nelson
187 books21 followersArvid has worked on everything from film to video games, but he’s best known for his original comics title, Rex Mundi, published by Dark Horse Comics. The Band of the Crow has occupied his creative memory banks ever since Rex Mundi ended.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 3, 2021
one of the best graphic novels i've read in the past six months. didn't know anything about the movie it prequels, so the bad guys were a surprise.
March 20, 2017
I watched The Great Wall yesterday, so I was really excited when I saw The Great Wall graphic novel. I was even more excited that it was a prequel, and not just an adaptation of the movie. The novel takes place 60 years prior to the movie. It's similar in plot: the monsters come out of the jade crystal once every 60 years. It is up to the Nameless Order to stop the monsters at the Great Wall; otherwise, the monsters would wreak havoc on the rest of the world.
What I especially love about this tale is it takes place during medieval times. The soldiers use bow and arrows, swords, axes, and spears. What is also neat is that the different soldiers are separated into groups. The blue group are the Cranes and they are all women. They use long poles, which they use when they jump off of the wall to pierce the monsters. They are then pulled back up onto the wall similar to a bungee cord. They are by far my most favorite group.
The black group are the Bears. They fight up close with hand axes when the monsters leap onto the wall. What else is neat is that they can also have cords tied to their backs, and the Bears will leap onto the side of the wall and fight the monsters sideways on the wall. It is super cool! The red group are the Eagles. They use bow and arrows and shoot the monsters from afar. They also have fire arrows which they can use to make a ring of fire to trap monsters. The yellow group are the Tigers and they use the machinery inside of the Great Wall to stop the monsters. That's another thing; the wall itself is a giant weapon with catapults and blades that come out. It's super cool to see. The purple group are Deer, and they fight the monsters on horseback. Unfortunately they don't show the Deer much in the film or the book.
All of the groups must work together to fight the monsters; however, the book focuses specifically on two young boys in the Bears and a young girl in the Cranes. We learn about their histories and their relationships to one another. We learn how they grow from kids to adults, and how they train their lives for the cause they are willing to risk their lives for. We also learn that they have been taken away from their families, or their families had been killed. Basically, without families to worry about, they have no fear of death.
The art style reminds me of Avatar: The Last Airbender, a mix between Japanese and American style graphic novels. Unfortunately, the book's artistry is not as beautiful as the film's. The film feels poetic and beautiful. The book tries, but it falls short. I can't blame the artists however. They obviously don't have the same budget as that of the film.
All in all, I like The Great Wall: Last Survivor. I'm a fan of the story, so it was nice reading about some of the history. Do I feel this is a must read? No. Although exciting, the story doesn't really add much. It is a good story, don't get me wrong; however, they could have done much more. I do look forward to reading more.
What I especially love about this tale is it takes place during medieval times. The soldiers use bow and arrows, swords, axes, and spears. What is also neat is that the different soldiers are separated into groups. The blue group are the Cranes and they are all women. They use long poles, which they use when they jump off of the wall to pierce the monsters. They are then pulled back up onto the wall similar to a bungee cord. They are by far my most favorite group.
The black group are the Bears. They fight up close with hand axes when the monsters leap onto the wall. What else is neat is that they can also have cords tied to their backs, and the Bears will leap onto the side of the wall and fight the monsters sideways on the wall. It is super cool! The red group are the Eagles. They use bow and arrows and shoot the monsters from afar. They also have fire arrows which they can use to make a ring of fire to trap monsters. The yellow group are the Tigers and they use the machinery inside of the Great Wall to stop the monsters. That's another thing; the wall itself is a giant weapon with catapults and blades that come out. It's super cool to see. The purple group are Deer, and they fight the monsters on horseback. Unfortunately they don't show the Deer much in the film or the book.
All of the groups must work together to fight the monsters; however, the book focuses specifically on two young boys in the Bears and a young girl in the Cranes. We learn about their histories and their relationships to one another. We learn how they grow from kids to adults, and how they train their lives for the cause they are willing to risk their lives for. We also learn that they have been taken away from their families, or their families had been killed. Basically, without families to worry about, they have no fear of death.
The art style reminds me of Avatar: The Last Airbender, a mix between Japanese and American style graphic novels. Unfortunately, the book's artistry is not as beautiful as the film's. The film feels poetic and beautiful. The book tries, but it falls short. I can't blame the artists however. They obviously don't have the same budget as that of the film.
All in all, I like The Great Wall: Last Survivor. I'm a fan of the story, so it was nice reading about some of the history. Do I feel this is a must read? No. Although exciting, the story doesn't really add much. It is a good story, don't get me wrong; however, they could have done much more. I do look forward to reading more.
February 28, 2021
As the cover says, it's a prequel to a film, which I haven't seen so I read it with no prior knowing of it's backstory or main concept.
Here's my non spoiler review:-
1. Nothing much to think about. Pretty much direct to the point and a great surface reader.
2. Gripping action, amazing story and top notch modern comic styled art that will keep you glued to the book.
3. Will give you that, "36th chamber of Shaolin" vibe throughout.
4. It also teaches moral and basic values throughout, which are quite prominently understood and you don't need some extraordinary brain to dig it out.
5. A must read for all action graphic novel lovers. Also, will not disappoint a reader, who is not a fan of action genre.
6. Overall I am satisfied and was worth a read.
Thanks:)
Here's my non spoiler review:-
1. Nothing much to think about. Pretty much direct to the point and a great surface reader.
2. Gripping action, amazing story and top notch modern comic styled art that will keep you glued to the book.
3. Will give you that, "36th chamber of Shaolin" vibe throughout.
4. It also teaches moral and basic values throughout, which are quite prominently understood and you don't need some extraordinary brain to dig it out.
5. A must read for all action graphic novel lovers. Also, will not disappoint a reader, who is not a fan of action genre.
6. Overall I am satisfied and was worth a read.
Thanks:)
January 23, 2021
The wall must hold. It trembles but holds.
August 20, 2023
This more of a historical and look threw the life of the Nameless prior to the movie.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews