The Only Living Boy #5: To Save a Shattered World

The Only Living Boy #5

by David Gallaher, Steve Ellis (Illustrator)

Desperate to stop the Dreaded Lord Baalikar from stealing the transformative powers of the Chrysalis, young Erik Farrell assembles the endangered tribes of his new homeworld to liberate the Hive City. Enemies become allies as Morgan and Phaedrus stage a dangerous rescue, while Princess Thea makes a decision that will forever alter the fate of the Patchwork Planet.

David Gallaher and Steve Ellis bring their best-selling series to a dramatic close in this startling finale of The Only Living Boy.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy

72 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2017

About the author

Author David Gallaher has received multiple Harvey Award nominations and won The Best Online Comic Award for his work on High Moon for DC Comics. David was an early pioneer of digital comics developing projects for Marvel's Iron Man, Captain America, and Spider-Man as well as Box 13 - the first comic designed specifically for the iPhone - for ComiXology. He has served as a consulting editor for Attack on Titan, Sailor Moon, and Fairy Tail for Kodansha. He is represented by the Hill Nadell Agency.

Reviews

[Kadi P]

A messy conclusion with far too much back and forth; it was all over the place! It seemed like no one knew what they were doing the whole time, which was true, and then everyone had their turn grandstanding, doing a shouty speech whilst facing off against Baalikar. In the end, they won by being defeated. Which you wouldn't expect if you hadn't spoilt it for yourself like I already did by reading some of the sequel series first.

Still, even with the surprise loss mingled with the victory at the end it wasn't enough to save this mess of a graphic novel from itself. It felt too quick and easy a fight whilst also being too difficult. Not a satisfying win nor ending. But it did well in leaving the story open enough for a sequel series which I will be reading next...

[Garret Hubler]

I'm reading this digitally on Tapas... so far I'm at the part where Baalikar rips out Bear's eye! Gah!
Have loved reading this as a webcomic. You can tell that Gallaher & Ellis put their heart into it.

[Jim Short]

I'm happy to finish the story but this volume seemed less well-made than the previous four. I felt like the graphics were a bit confusing to follow. The story seemed drawn out and repetitious in the middle while the finale came about exceptionally quick.

[Betty Grabble]

Brilliant ending, to what has been a very fun series. Steve Ellis has one of the best imaginations in all of comics.

[Mike Oates]

** spoiler alert ** Just read the whole five book series in one sitting yesterday. Tremendous work by Gallaher and Ellis, who I discovered from their Marvel work. Looking forward to more (will there be more?). The third and fifth volumes are the STANDOUTS, 5/5 stars. Absolutely mortified by what happens to Bear and Thea!

[Aaron White]

This was a great set of graphic novels. I loved the world the authors built, I only wanted more detail. This could have been very fun as a written novel that was very profusely illustrated. I would have loved all the filling in that could have taken place in a medium that allows for more. However, the art could not be removed from this story, it is essential. I loved the art, it was creative, imaginative and lots of fun. I'd read any other books by these authors.

[Michael]

The story is losing some steam. At least Erik is not the only human left.

[D.T. Henderson]

A big-banging ending! Each volume I'm reminded of how much I enjoy Morgan. the little romance between Phaedrus and her is a bit expected, but their dynamic is fun

This last volume wraps things up and presents a heavy sacrafice. I like these characters a lot, so I'm happy to keep reading about them.

Zandra is a cutie-pie, and, yes, Erik's whole world did kind of change after meeting her (because they basically kick-start the series), but they legit had like one conversation. I'm interested in seeing her character and their friendship develop more.

[John Smith]

Just grabbed my copy on Kindle. OMG!!!!!!!!!! That ending!

[Tom Bourne]

Brilliant ending! Poor Thea! Great to see Zandra back.