Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artists: Cory Walker & Ryan Ottley
I have just started reading this series after buying the first compendium, which I plan to review as individual volumes (as it'd be hard to give too much attention on all the stories without it being a massive review). The first volume was brilliant, and I am really getting into this series, and I hope that it keeps this level of quality.
Plot
Mark Grayson is continuing his life as Invincible by helping an alien, also making college arrangements.
Review
This was a brilliant volume, and a great continuation to the story. Robert Kirkman continues to amaze me with how he can write characters, as he has a great talent for being able to create a character, and keeping them as interesting as possible, and although The Walking Dead is the series I consider that Kirkman has created the best characters in, this is giving it some competition. The way that Kirkman managed to up the pace in this book was also outstanding, as he took this fun series, and has managed to make it very exciting, and explosive, also having unique, and shocking developments as well. There was also plenty of action in this volume, with each and every action sequence being totally amazing, and exciting. There was also plenty of emotion in this story, which really added to the depth, and tone of the book.
The art in this book was mainly by Cory Walker, who did the art on all the issues in the volume bar the last one which was done by Ryan Ottley who would become the series regular artist following that. Both artists did a tremendous job, but I slightly preferred Ottley's art over Walker's. Walker's was just as good as it was in the last volume, suiting the fun style of the series. I was however still not a fan on his method of showing emotions, as although it works with the style of the series it still didn't appeal to me. I think this is the main reason I prefer Ottley's art, as his style also really suits the fun nature of the series, but he does a better job of showing emotion, with brilliant facial expressions. Both artists also did a great job of the action sequences, with them being very exciting, and explosive. I did however find Ottley's to be more dynamic, though there wasn't much between the two artists in this department.
This volume would start with Invincible's father, Omni-Man telling him about an old foe of his that's entering out atmosphere, but that he doesn't have time to deal with him, sending Invincible in his place. The threat is an alien who reveals himself to be a Champion Evaluator for the Coalition of Planets, and that his name is Allen. I found the interaction between Allen, and Invincible to be very entertaining, and interesting, adding a lot of humour to the volume. It also continued to show the fun side of this series in a brilliant way. The fight between Invincible, and Allen prior to their discussion was also brilliant, and very exciting.
This volume also sees Mark checking out the college he will be going to, visiting it with his best friend William Clockwell. I found this to be a very entertaining journey between the two characters, and with the addition of a Reaniman attacking the college it added excitement as well. I also loved how this allowed time to show the friendship between Mark, and William, and how Mark spends his normal life. It also showed how the series is trying to keep some form of realism to it, which I loved and the overall visit to the college was very enjoyable to read.
This volume would also see the first appearance of the Guardians of the Globe, as although they've been mentioned prior, this would see their first official appearance. Now I won't go into much detail about their appearance as to avoid spoilers, but I will say my thoughts on them. I found them to be a very enjoyable bunch of characters, and especially loved seeing the similarities to the Justice League of America, with each character resembling a JLA member in some way. I would however have loved some interaction with them, and Invincible in this volume, but their appearance was still very exciting, as well as slightly shocking.
WARNING: SMALL SPOILER AHEAD!
Atom Eve would also find herself in hard times in this volume, as she is heartbroken to find Rex-Splode cheating on her with Dupli-Kate. This really added a lot of drama to the volume, and the series in general, as along with other events in this volume it would show that this series would start to become a little more serious that it's been so far. This also allows the series to focus more on the relationship between Invincible, and Eve, as although they protest that they are just friends there is obviously a connection between the two characters.
Final Verdict
This was an outstanding volume, and a great continuation of the series. This was also slightly better than the first volume, as with the introducing over it allowed more time for excitement, and fun. The volume did however also have plenty of drama, and suspense, as well as some shocking moments as well. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this volume, and the series from this point is seriously starting to shape up.
Rating: 9/10
Writer: Robet Kirkman
Artist: Cory Walker
I have been meaning to try this series for a while now, as with all the great things I've heard about it, plus the fact I love most of Robert Kirkman's work (especially The Walking Dead) I felt it was time to give it a try, so bought the first compendium. I will however be reviewing it in individual volumes (as it'd be hard to give too much attention on all the stories without it being a massive review).
Plot
Mark Grayson grows up with a father who's a superhero named Omni-Man, so when he discovers he has powers of his own he is ecstatic, and becomes a superhero, calling himself Invincible.
Review
This was an amazing volume, and I'm glad to have finally read it, as it's a very fun, and entertaining story. Robert Kirkman does a great job of introducing this new series, and it's characters, as although I know that Invincible first appeared in another series, this allows you to learn everything you need to know. Kirkman also did a brilliant job of introducing a new, and fresh type of superhero, as although I love all the major DC Comics, and Marvel heroes, it's nice to get something fresh, and new for a change. Kirkman also did a great job with the pacing of this volume, as by breaking it down into virtually one-shot issues it allows a new reader like myself to get into the series, and enjoy it without having to retain too much at once. There was also some cool action in this volume, as well as amazing dialogue, with everything feeling so natural, and dramatic, as well as exciting, and entertaining.
I really enjoyed the art on this volume, as although I'm not familiar with Cory Walker's artwork, I found it to be very appealing, especially for this type of story, as although it's nowhere near the best artwork that I've ever seen, it suits the fun style of this volume. The detail in Walker's art wasn't perfect however, as although it wasn't that rough, whenever there was a lot happening in a panel it sometimes looked slightly awkward, especially with the facial expressions. I also wasn't a fan of how he drew the characters eyes at times, especially when he'd use simply a black dot for expression, as although it worked with the tone of the story, it didn't quite appeal to me. The action in the volume was also excellent, being very dynamic, and exciting, as well adding lots of tone, and drama to the story.
With this being the first volume in the series it naturally showed how Mark Grayson became Invincible. Now this isn't one of the most unique origin stories ever written, neither is it anything spectacular, but it was still very interesting, and brilliant for the style of this series. It was nice how there wasn't a big deal made over it, and how it was a sudden development for the character, as although the extravagant origins are nice, they aren't always necessary. Plus given the fact that he has a superhero for a father it would make sense that he himself would eventually develop superpowers.
Talking of Invincible's father, this volume we also get to see a lot of the Omni-Man. I felt that the showing of the Omni-Man showed more of Invincible's routes, as well as adding the family feel to the series. The interaction between Omni-Man, and his son Invincible in this volume was also very interesting, and I enjoyed seeing the differences between the two, as well as the differences in their power. Besides this I also found Omni-Man to a very deep, and interesting character, and his origin story was also very interesting, giving more depth into the rout of Invincible's powers.
This volume would also see Invincible meet a group of superheroes known as the Teen Team, which consist of Robot, Rex-Splode, Dupli-Kate, and Atom Eve who Invincible would later recognise as a fellow classmate at his school. This was the perfect type of group for Invincible to get involved with, as they add to the fun style of the series, and with them being about the same age as him it gives him people that he can relate to. I also found this team as individuals to be very interesting, and as a team even more so, and their interactions with Invincible throughout this volume was amazing, with Eve probably standing out the most due to her being closer to Invincible than the others are.
The main threat that Invincible deals with in this volume is a person who's turning students from his school into human bombs. This story actually starts with the final conflict of this story, but is handled in such a way that teases the reader without giving too much away. The idea itself of a person creating bombs out of students is interesting, and gives suspense, and drama to the volume. The way that Invincible deals with this, with the help of the Teen Team was also very interesting, and amazingly handled, being very exciting, and entertaining, whilst also keeping the fun feel whenever possible.
Final Verdict
This was a brilliant opening volume to the series, and a terrific introduction to the characters, and their world. It's a very fun, and exciting story, with great drama, and some brilliant suspense, as well as terrific dialogue, and character interaction. It also has a lot of depth, as well as some mystery, overall being a very enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this volume, as although nothing spectacular, it is amazing, and is well worth the read.
Rating: 8/10
