Invincible

[Elijya]

weird enough...i've been doing the same. my friend just loaned me all the trades telling me how i need to be reading this...he was right.

it's not that weird, there're more converts every day

 

[Dread]

Yep, INVINCIBLE's readership increases by as many as a dozen every month. Maybe soon it'll sell within the Top 115.

Kidding, bitter fanboy sarcasm at play; welcome aboard a great book. I wish it sold in the Top 10, like it deserves.

Anyway, reposting my review of the lastest slam-bang issue:

INVINCIBLE #40: One of the few comics that actually lives up to it's title tagger ("Probably the best superhero comic book in the universe"), and a title I eagerly anticipate each month. It melts my cynic's heart to still see a superhero universe done so well in a single title (yes, Kirkman loosely links it to other projects he has done, like CAPES and TECH JACKET, but he hasn't organized some inane crossover). When this book is "quiet", it still is entertaining, but man, when the fat is in the fire, it really PUMPS! This issue, more than some, proves that INVINCIBLE has become more than a book about a young solo hero, but a book about scores of superheroes and the wild, wacky, and violent universe they live in. Kirkman actually manages to almost make his B-plot seem more brutal and thrilling than his A-plot.

Spoiler

The A-Plot is of course Invincible, Atomic Eve, Immortal, Shapesmith, Robot, Bulletproof, Black Samson & Monster Girl vs. the Sequid army that has overthrown Mars and is now set on Earth. Eve is pushed to the limit pulling her Invisible Woman act to save everyone several times, and the Sequids come off as a very unique enemy; not huge tankers like many villians, they have strength in endless waves of tiny numbers smothering beings. So even when everyone can smash dozens easy, the battle has a hectic pace to it, especially as Eve's stamina begins to fail. Elsewhere, Amber is enjoying a "friend" who doesn't bail on dates for every emergency (like filling in at work). She is SO leaving Mark. The B-Plot, however, is quiet gorey. If this were a mainstream book, sure, it'd sell like it deserves, but all the shocks would have been ruined weeks ago, and thus the issue less effective. At first seeming like a random fight to keep the B-List heroes busy (Rex Slode, Shrinking Ray, & Dupli-Kate) tangling with the Lizard League, it turned very gorey, very fast, thanks to the henchman of the year, Komodo. I was genuinely surprised it got that brutal so quick, and that at least one or two of those heroes may not have survived (and in fact been vicously murdered). Rex also shows off some tough-arse grit even in the face of defeat and loss, and he may be more than a jerkwad after all. I think I have an idea of how The Lizard League's leader will bite it, but Kirkman's surprised me before. Sometimes INVINCIBLE seems like a book that is almost too genre predictable with showey action and whatnot, so gorey, tragic battles when you least expect them showcase how dangerous this life is. Plus, got to love the solict for #41 that makes no secret that Invincible beats the Sequids. Kirkman knows how to play it.

While the star is immortal, the side characters are not, and thus shocks come in. He may be a chore on ULTIMATE X-MEN, but here he is god. As always, this series doesn't come out often enough or sell as well for my benefit. Probably my favorite ongoing title.

 

[Eros]

well Dread, Invincible doesnt sell as well as it should because its at image, Plus kirkman ain't exactly as popular as other creators ala Bendis and morrison and Millar etc.

 

[Dread]

well Dread, Invincible doesnt sell as well as it should because its at image, Plus kirkman ain't exactly as popular as other creators ala Bendis and morrison and Millar etc.

Oh, I know. It still stinks.

 

[Elijya]

well Dread, Invincible doesnt sell as well as it should because its at image, Plus kirkman ain't exactly as popular as other creators ala Bendis and morrison and Millar etc.

other Image titles sell better

and Dread, you forgot Black Samson was with them, too

 

[Dread]

Yes, I did. So I editted.

So, what are everything's thoughts on the Lizard League massacre?

Spoiler

As Shrinking Ray was swallowed and not exactly "eaten" or digested, much like Tweety Bird most times he's swallowed, I could see him surviving, and possibly saving Rex's bacon. I suppose Dupli-Kate could have had a dupe somewhere Komodo didn't see, but that is less known. Definately was more intense than I expected.

Nice to see Invincible supporting Eve from Immortal's badgering. Jeebus, that guy's intense. You'd think with that temper, he was a Viltrumite.

 

[PhotoJones]

Spoiler

You'd think with that temper, he was a Viltrumite.

do we know for sure that he's not? that could be interesting...

 

[Dread]

do we know for sure that he's not? that could be interesting...

Indeed. That would be a bit of a monkey-wrench. However:

1). He doesn't have a mustache, and isn't female. I suppose it could be shaved, but that's like a bald Shi'ar. It never happens. He'd be like Nappa, who was the only Saiyen without spikey hair.
2). Viltrumites can heal quickly, but so far have not been revealed to be capable of surviving being murdered so long as their parts are reconnected, as Immortal has. In Trade #7, Lucan (the only one of those 3 Viltrumites who was named) was slain from injuries far less than what Immortal has suffered. Immortal has been torn in two and decapitated and been able to survive so long as he was reconnected. Viltrumites so far have not been shown to be capable of that. They are killable. They just are incredibly tough; much like Saiyens (or Golden Age Kryptonians).

I think Immortal is a seperate class, as he is sort of a more heroic version of Vandal Savage, for the moment. But one never knows...after all, Viltrumites have bred with other species before...

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

I was just at my LCS, and I was scanning through some comics and I noticed they have the guide to the Invincible Universe A-k and K-W or something like that.

1. It said that Invincible has a typical strength range (height, weight, somone his age, exercise etc) of around 30 tons. I thought he was a lot stronger than that.

2. It said Omni-Man can easily lift (press) more than 100 tons. I thought he was a lot stronger than this too.

3. Why do other comics seem to use the stupid Marvel strength rating system?!

 

[Dread]

I was just at my LCS, and I was scanning through some comics and I noticed they have the guide to the Invincible Universe A-k and K-W or something like that.

1. It said that Invincible has a typical strength range (height, weight, somone his age, exercise etc) of around 30 tons. I thought he was a lot stronger than that.

2. It said Omni-Man can easily lift (press) more than 100 tons. I thought he was a lot stronger than this too.

3. Why do other comics seem to use the stupid Marvel strength rating system?!

1). The beginning of the second handbook has Invincible at around 70 tons as an "update". He was likely around 30 tons for the first two HC's or so.

2). 100 tons is the highest "ton class" in Marvel's strength system, and almost every character in this class can and has lifted more, the The Hulk.

3). It uses Marvel's strength system because it is easy to understand, they are homaging the classic handbooks of the 80's, and because it makes VS. debates online easier when everyone has the same frames of reference. Whereas DC lacks this so sometimes determining things like whether Superman is stronger than the Hulk is a matter of opinion and who gathers the most panel scans.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

1). The beginning of the second handbook has Invincible at around 70 tons as an "update". He was likely around 30 tons for the first two HC's or so.

2). 100 tons is the highest "ton class" in Marvel's strength system, and almost every character in this class can and has lifted more, the The Hulk.

3). It uses Marvel's strength system because it is easy to understand, they are homaging the classic handbooks of the 80's, and because it makes VS. debates online easier when everyone has the same frames of reference. Whereas DC lacks this so sometimes determining things like whether Superman is stronger than the Hulk is a matter of opinion and who gathers the most panel scans.

1. I figured that, but I didn't know there was anothe one out. Thanks for the info. I mean when he was helping re-build whatever planet it was he found his dad on and they (artist) made him appear to be in better shape after his dad informed him that he had to exercise to keep his abilities at their peak. One page had him lifting a huge stone column that had to weigh more than 30 tons.

2/3. I know that, but I would assume they would have gone with their own system. Forget paying hommage, go your own right. imho. I get what you're saying, but at the same time they could use something different as scale. If they didn't want to put exact numbers they could have said something like "The exact upper limit of Omni-Man's and all adult virtumite's strength levels are unknown, but Omni-Man has been seen easily lifting....a train that weighs at least 120 tons, or a cruise liner that weighs over 1200 tons."

Something like that would work, imho.

 

[Dread]

1. I figured that, but I didn't know there was anothe one out. Thanks for the info. I mean when he was helping re-build whatever planet it was he found his dad on and they (artist) made him appear to be in better shape after his dad informed him that he had to exercise to keep his abilities at their peak. One page had him lifting a huge stone column that had to weigh more than 30 tons.

2/3. I know that, but I would assume they would have gone with their own system. Forget paying hommage, go your own right. imho. I get what you're saying, but at the same time they could use something different as scale. If they didn't want to put exact numbers they could have said something like "The exact upper limit of Omni-Man's and all adult virtumite's strength levels are unknown, but Omni-Man has been seen easily lifting....a train that weighs at least 120 tons, or a cruise liner that weighs over 1200 tons."

Something like that would work, imho.

You have a point. The solicts all but admit that the point of the Invincible Handbooks is to instantly compare them with the Marvel classic ones, but as you noted, their "rating scale" on strength and other "stats" can be fairly limiting. But, it was a quirky read, especially if you don't feel like flipping back through past tomes to recall some minion's name.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

You have a point. The solicts all but admit that the point of the Invincible Handbooks is to instantly compare them with the Marvel classic ones, but as you noted, their "rating scale" on strength and other "stats" can be fairly limiting. But, it was a quirky read, especially if you don't feel like flipping back through past tomes to recall some minion's name.

Well that kind of bums me out a little admitting that they are making direct comparisons to Marvel's characters. That was part of the reason I liked Invincible so damn much, Kirkman seemed like he has a pretty good grasp on continuity and building a whole new super hero universe not based on Marvel or their standards.

It was the little things like Invincible getting winded and his dad having to tell him that he has to work out to stay in top shape and push the limits of his abilities and powers. It was like, what a concept, and the fact that he has a real life unlike most Marvel character's we can not relate to. imho.

It's not a big deal and I will read through them I am sure, but it just seems so out of character for Kirkman to do something like that and put some kind of limit on his characters. imho

 

[Dread]

The Handbooks were done with tongue-in-cheap. The stories are still how they are. He just wanted to add some attention to Invincible, add another product from the line to sell, and homage the old 80's Marvel HANDBOOKS. Homage.

 

[BAH HUMBBUG!]

The Handbooks were done with tongue-in-cheap. The stories are still how they are. He just wanted to add some attention to Invincible, add another product from the line to sell, and homage the old 80's Marvel HANDBOOKS. Homage.

Ahhh

 

[HR-PUFF&STUFF]

i think that we should all give Rex Slode a hand after ish 40.t:

 

[Elijya]

The Handbooks were done with tongue-in-cheap. The stories are still how they are. He just wanted to add some attention to Invincible, add another product from the line to sell, and homage the old 80's Marvel HANDBOOKS. Homage.

Tongue-in-Cheap? Rex Slode? And I just came from a thread in community about Alex Baldwin

Is it type-o day on Hype?

 

[Anubis]

You forgot to put "the" before Hype.....

 

[gdatruth]

damn...loved this book. by far my favorite last week.
- i love develpoping love trinangle between Mark, his girlfriend and atomic eve. Interesting to see her interactions in a normal relationship and how the grass is greener. It seems like Mark is getting closer to eve, but i hope not bad happens to her long-term cause she seemed to be really exerting herself.

- the sub-plot with Rex was awesome. After 40 issues rex is finally showing redeeming heroic characteristics. You can tell he still has feelings for Kate. and hopefully there is another duplicate out there.

Both stories left me edge of my seat and hopefully i wont have to wait too long for the conclusion in 41

 

[Anubis]

She'd be pretty stupid to have not left a copy of herself behind, just in case.

 

[Elijya]

remember, she does have a brother, Multi-Paul, that we have yet to see

 

[Dread]

remember, she does have a brother, Multi-Paul, that we have yet to see

True, but Dupli-Kate is a better name.

 

[Anubis]

Only because she's a ****.

 

[Dread]

With the launch of ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN by Kirkman (another fun book), anyone think it is inevitable that Wolfy teams with Invincible?

Image's main site claims issue #41 comes out this Wed.

 

[HR-PUFF&STUFF]