Invincible #111 -Review

by Robert Kirkman (Writer), Ryan Ottley (Artist), Cliff Rathburn (Inker)

The Story: Robot shows how far he’s willing to go.

The Review: This series is becoming increasingly brutal. It’s not better or worse than it had been but the threats seem bigger, the tone is darker and the violence is even more unsettling than it’s ever been before. Seriously, it’s giving The Walking Dead a run for it’s money lately…

This issue shows how deeply Robot has been warped by his time ruling over the Flaxan’s in their dimension. In this issue he coldly dispatches one of his oldest allies and mutilates another merely to prove a point to Mark. The best thing about Robot’s descent into villainy and madness is that we’ve got to see it unfold over years, he’d always been cold but now he is displaying a malicious side. The character’s psychology is utterly disturbing in that he seems to divorce himself entirely from any responsibility into his actions. Robot’s journey is a great reflection and parallel to Mark’s team-up with Dinosaurus, the difference being that Mark was able to bring himself back.

Kirkman certainly isn’t afraid to kill his darlings, or tear their limbs off or have them subjected to rape. The writer’s fearlessness with these characters really has set this story up as one with high stakes and a lingering sense of doom, fully taking advantage of the fact that Invincible isn’t a corporately owned super-hero character. It seems likely that things will only get worse before they get better and that can only mean good things for the reader.

Invincible Returns #1 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cory Walker (pencils & inks), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors), and Rus Wooton

The Story: Mark tries to put the past behind him as he prepares for the Viltrumite War.

What’s Good: If anything, you have to respect Kirkman for writing this issue.  The entire book’s motivation seems to be to place some of Mark’s moral, ethical, and emotional issues at a more stable position before heading into the Viltrumite War.  Kirkman could’ve very easily just glossed over all of these character points and just left them by the wayside, to be dealt with after the big event.  That he isn’t content to do so is certainly admirable, and really is the sort of ethic that I wish we’d see more of in comics.

So really, that means that, barring one action scene that is a rather cool reunion with some of the wacky tertiary villains we’ve seen in Invincible, we have an issue that is pretty much exclusively devoted to characterization.  A lot of the grey areas surrounding Mark’s current position are temporarily remedied.  All told, we get to see Kirkman’s very likable leading man in close quarters, as we get to see how his mind moves as he attempts to resolve his fears of self.

While Mark’s introspection is the keystone to this month’s issue, Eve and William also have their moments and remain their very likable selves.  I’ve always loved these two simply because Kirkman writes them so naturally, without frills or gimmicks, and yet they never seem bland or indistinct.

Invincible #68 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors), and Rus Wooton (letters)

The Story: Dinosaurus attacks, Mark meets Eve’s parents, and several old foes of Invincible’s consolidate for their next big attack.

What’s Good: Well, you certainly can’t get on this issue for lack of plot progression.  This is a very brisk read literally jam-packed with action, humor, and happenings.  After last month’s dry affair, it’s also a breath of fresh air.

The issue’s generally strong because it hinges on the chemistry between Mark and Eve, which has been one of the bedrocks of the series for some time now.  Their affection, compatibility, and mutual understanding have always been well done, and this month is no different.  The two fit together as well as ever and their conversations are always a smooth, comfortable read.

Kirkman expands that dynamic outward this month, as Mark meets Eve’s parents.  What ensues is well-executed comedy that’ll definitely bring a smile to your face.  This comes largely thanks to Kirkman’s portrayal of Eve’s father.  The guy’s just the right combination of antiquated patriarchy and unnerving masculine perversion.  Kirkman essentially takes the “man’s home is his castle” complex to its most appalling heights, and it’s hard not to laugh, particularly when it comes to Ottley’s illustration of Mark’s reaction.

Of course, like any of Kirkman’s more dense issues, this book plants a number of very large seeds that impact the comic as a whole.  Mark hints at his more murderous Viltrumite side in a way that’ll have you wondering “what if” and the issue ends with a MASSIVE bombshell that’ll change the landscape of this series for the foreseeable future, if not forever.  Meanwhile, the plots with Conquest and those damned sequids also see substantial developments.

Ryan Ottley delivers the exact same quality we’ve come to expect out of Invincible.  That said, what takes this book over his average affair is the battle with Dinosaurus.  While Plascencia’s colors are clearly a boon, the giant red dino just looks absolutely awesome.  Having a fight with a giant dinosaur always rates high on the awesome scale, and Ottley makes the most of it.

What’s Not So Good: With so much stuff packed into 22 pages, the pacing of this issue was just all over the map.  The last portion of the issue was simply a string of unrelated major developments with absolutely no real attempt to segue between them.  It was more or less a series of completely isolated and detached two page scenes.

The mood of the book also suffers due to this hectic structuring.  With most of the issue being written in a light, comic tone, Kirkman’s failing to segue to his major developments makes the experience feel fairly jarring and off-putting.  For instance, the massive shocker at the end of the book is of a massively different tone from the pages before it, and it’s hard not to feel like you’ve been pitched a ball from left field.

Also, while I liked Oliver’s new costume this month, what the hell happened to him?  While it’s good to see Oliver finally grow older, I feel like we’ve experienced a sudden five-year leap between issues.  I’m sure Kirkman will use Oliver’s heritage as an out, but that doesn’t stop this from feeling lazy and off-putting.

Conclusion: The book’s pacing is a bit of a mess, but the strength of its characters and the sheer number of developments in its pages more than makes up for that.

Grade: B

-Alex Evans

 

Invincible #65 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors)

The Story: An epilogue to the Conquest arc sees relationships solidified and a preview of threats to come.

What’s Good: This issues serves as something of a breather after the back to back hell-rides that were the Invincible War and the Conquest arc.  Given the non-stop emotional and physical destruction that has been wreaking havoc both on our characters and their world, I suppose an issue like this really was a necessity, as things needed to be slowed down a bit.

As always, Kirkman shows that Invincible’s greatest strength has always been its infectious characters and their decidedly human relationships.  The increased tenderness, comfort, and intimacy between Mark and Eve is enjoyable, as is the heated revelation of the guilt Mark’s mother Debbie feels regarding his injuries.  Both dynamics feel very real.

Kirkman does a good job in this issue, sewing things up.  Rex’s funeral was oddly touching and humorous, with Robot both giving a eulogy and tearfully listening to his own speech from the audience.  It was nice to see Rex’s growth recognized; as Kirkman does a good job of demonstrating the value of the character.

On art, the all-star team of Ottley, Rathburn, and Plascencia continues to be one of the best in comics today, with each man shining in his own right as always.  Several frames are memorable here, particularly the interrupted kiss between Eve and Mark (flying spittle included) and the positively geriatric-looking Invincible at the funeral.

What’s Not So Good: Unfortunately, while this issue is necessary pace-wise, as a single-issue there’s only so high a grade that I can give a purely transitional issue.  In fact, while the little character moments are solid, a good chunk of this issue reads like a Geoff Johns-like preview of things to come over the next year.  All look interesting, particularly the idea that Eve may not have done a perfect reconstruction job, but that doesn’t change the fact that this book serves only as a preview.  Aside from reminding us of still-active elements or informing us of new issues now in play, there isn’t really any forward movement on any of these strands.

Indeed, there are so many future storylines being hinted at here that it would be impossible for any of us to see development this month, so as a result, you get an issue that at times feels scattered, or at least thinly-spread.  Two strands that will probably come to carry entire arcs are only given a single page each.  It seems that this month, Kirkman was more content to reassure that he has a lot left for the series than actually putting out a fully satisfying comic book.

Conclusion: Some solid character moments in what is otherwise a 22-page preview. Nevertheless, it still manages to tantalize.

Grade: B –

-Alex Evans

Invincible #64 – Review

by Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia (colors), and Rus Wooten (letters)

The Story: The fight with Conquest comes to its bloody end while a certain character makes his/her shocking return.

What’s Good: Once again, Kirkman brings the brutality. While it’s actually not as hard to read as last month’s issue, Kirkman still shows no mercy, delivering possibly the most vicious headbutting I have ever seen in a comic. He also writes a fantastically vengeful Mark, as it becomes all the more apparent that the angrier Mark gets, the more he sounds like the Viltrumites he opposes.

Kirkman also does a fantastic job of further developing Conquest, who almost shows a kind of vulnerability as he is forced to begin to take Mark seriously. His last line of the issue was brilliant, fully encapsulating what the character is all about: live or die, it doesn’t really matter; it’s all about enjoying the violence.

Ottley, Rathburn, and Plascencia may very well be the best overall art team in comics today, with every man enhancing the work of the others while also shining in his own right. Beautiful, glorious splashes meet dynamic panel layouts with violence that makes you feel every hit. The real achievement on art this month, however, is Ottley’s work depicting facial expressions. He hits every note absolutely perfectly in displaying each character’s respective emotions. Indeed, often times Ottley’s drawings of his characters faces actually do a better job of telling the story than Kirkman’s writing. From the tearful, bloodied Mark, to Conquest’s expression as Mark surprises/ impresses him, this is a masterclass by Ottley, who is the real star this month.

Of course, one can’t discuss this issue without a quick word on the huge swerve Kirkman drops on us this month.  It works especially well given Kirkman’s track record, which would not at all lead you to expect this (and perhaps  makes it more acceptable).  Most fans should be happy with it as it creates a touching moment at the end of the book that almost made my eyes water.

What’s Not So Good: Some fans, however, may find the swerve a bit irritating.  Kirkman has always been treading a thin line with his plot developments, occasionally being guilty of throwing twists out there purely for their shock value. Some may accuse him of that this month, and while I ultimately find this issue satisfying, they may not be entirely wrong. I also can’t help but lament a little over this development, which basically stops the book from going down the darker path that I thought it would. It does provide a heartfelt moment, but one can’t help but ponder the lost opportunities.

Perhaps most criminal, however, is how fast a read this book is. Ottley’s work is incredible, but I can’t emphasize how quickly this book flies by. If you thought last month was lightning, this month is even faster. It really is over before you know it.

Conclusion: About as fast a read as you can get, but definitely a good one.

Grade: B+

-Alex Evans

Invincible #58 – Review

By Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (pencils, inks), FCO Plascencia (colors)

The Story: Robert Kirkman takes us on a journey through the Invincible Universe where we see what all the various characters are up to and what plot lines to expect in the future. Mark and Eve figure out how to make some money so that hey can finally get their own place together, while Oliver continues his rapid development. Also, we see the nefarious plan of Angston Levy coming to fruition as he formulates his ultimate revenge against Mark.

What’s Good: As always, the art is off-the-hook. Opening up an Invincible issue is entirely different than any other comic out there. I can’t think of another book that has such a continuous individualistic style that always distinctively impresses.

This issue does a nice job of setting the book’s various plot lines in motion, and I think we can expect to see the big crossover event that issue 60 mightl be tackling. The last couple pages where we see what Angston is up to is really memorable. Additionally, this book is PACKED with content–lots of panels. You are definitely getting your money’s worth here.

What’s Not So Good: Nothing is technically wrong with this issue in anyway. However, this was one of the more subdued, dare I say, boring issues of this series. I’m fully bored with the Mark and Eve make-out scenes.  I was hoping to see some of what’s happening with Mark’s father and the Vitrimulite saga. When we see everyone else in the Invincible Universe, it feels a bit shortchanged not to see what’s going on there.

Conclusion: Another solid installment of this series. This is a pretty good jumping point to get into this series if you haven’t so far. I’m hoping that Oliver isn’t an accomplice to Angston’s plans, but from some of his dialogue, I’m thinking he is at least complicit. I’ve been saying consistently that this is the best pure Superhero book on the market and this issue does nothing to challenge that notion. If you’re not reading this, please tell me why.

Grade: B+

-Rob G.