Invincible #61 – Review

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

The Story: In the aftermath of the “Invincible War” Mark Grayson, Invincible, struggles with guilt and remorse over the world-wide devastation perpetrated by villains his actions spawned. His girlfriend, Atom Eve, remains in critical condition while he forms uncomfortable alliances with his old allies to recover and rebuild a broken world. Just when things look the bleakest, circumstances grow darker as the viltrumites return to prepare earth for their conquest.

What’s Good: This was a great issue in an outstanding series. Seriously– Invincible never disappoints, but this issue is the cream of the crop. The pacing is perfect and the characters are true to themselves, while the dialogue remains natural and concise. The emotive underpinnings of Mark’s psyche are shown brilliantly, especially in the wordless panels of his search and rescue activity. Additionally, as a result of last issue, Kirkman has cleaned the house of the Invincible Universe, adding some much needed novel dynamics and new plot lines to this series. Many of the characters we have gotten to know over the past 60 issue are dead, missing, or retired, and I think these developments are for the better.

Ryan Ottley is awesome. His work is singularly unique and he nails everything he attempts. See the scene of Invincible lifting rubble as he blocks the sun or the image of him lunging at the Vitrumalite. They are things of beauty. FCO’s coloring is also fantastic.

What’s Not So Good: If I had to really scape for things to complain about in this issue, I guess I would say that some of the hospital scenes were a little cliche and Mark’s interaction with Eve’s parents seemed a little muddled and pointless.  Also, the Immortal is pretty lame and his relationship with Duplikate is fairly boring.

Conclusion: Many times in the past Kirkman has tried, and failed, to create a launching point where new readers could jump aboard this series. But I think this issue is the best spot so far to start reading Invincible.

Long time readers will be ecstatic that the Viltumite angle will be the focus of the next few issues. I personally am putting my money on Mark to finally put a beat-down on a Viltrumite soldier.

Overall Invincible, and Kirkman’s creations in general, are more daring and interesting than the run-of-the-mill comic. He never relies on milking a plot thread or nursing a sentiment issue after issue in an attempt to keep readers buying issues to see where things will end. Instead he relies on creative and daring stories and characters that are susceptible to just about anything to keep his readers hooked. I still hold fast to my opinion that Invincible is one of, if not the best, super-hero comic on the shelves today.

Grade: A

-Rob G.