In Short

Invincible presents an enjoyable coming of age story focused on Invincible, a young man just beginning to realize his super heroic legacy. Since his father, Omni-Man, is the most powerful superhero on Earth, Invincible has the best tutor and confidant imaginable in the form of his loving dad. While it initially appears to be a warm and fuzzy family story this series has more than its share of dramatic events and surprises. Fans of well written super hero fiction that borrows characters and concepts from other publishers (DC in this case) to tell similar but different stories will enjoy this one.

The Physical Thing

This full color 400 page hardcover showcases average production values. While the art is good and the book well put together the $34.95 price tag makes it a below average deal in terms of cost. The 13 issues will fly by in about two hours of enjoyment making it a pricey entertainment choice.

Under the Cover

I’m using spoiler tags here and I really mean it. Reading these spoilers will notably decrease your enjoyment while reading this collection.

The whole collection has a strong four color feel. The characters wear colorful costumes, protect Earth from silly looking humanoid aliens, and battle super villains. Underneath this four color shell is excellent writing that both embraces and mocks four color comics at the same time. Perhaps the clearest example of this is the occasional use of DC super heros throughout the book. While there is no Wonder Woman there is War Woman. No Flash but a Red Rush. You get the idea, the whole Justice League appears along with a few other nods towards DC characters.

This isn’t unusual. Many other comics have borrowed from mainstream publishers. One example of this is Supreme, an alternate telling of the Superman mythos from an expert writer. In Invincible these characters are minor footnotes meant to bring forth the four color feel while showcasing the actions of certain characters. The prime example being where Omni-Man rips apart the Guardians of the Globe like tissue paper. The idea of Superman being an invader simply pretending to be a good guy until it is time to weaken Earth’s defenses is very entertaining.[/span]

What really sets Invincible apart from many other super hero comics is the extent of the characterization. Invincible, the teenager, has believable reactions to finally inheriting his legacy. His problems still involve romantic interests and other common themes of super hero teen comics, but there is a stronger focus on how the character connects to his family and chooses to use his powers. Many common super hero tropes, such as secret identity, are laughed at and used for fun.

The writing is very strong all the way through. Every character feels unique and the reader can easily empathize with their problems. Invincible’s mother, in particular, clearly has difficulty dealing with the danger her family is constantly in. After Omni-Man reveals his true motives, that he is not a hero sent from a distant world but a conqueror, it is very clear that her entire being has been shattered.[/span] Even the minor villains, who have just a few lines, possess their own interesting personalities.

The situations the characters are confronted with are gripping to say the least. While the entire first half of the collection focuses on set up and the more mundane problems a young superhero encounters the second half is even more of a page flipper. Upon confronting his father over the truth of their existence, that his father is an alien conqueror and Invincible is expected to treat humans as nothing more than pets, everything becomes tense and tinged with sadness from then on. The panel involving Omni-Man fleeing Earth with tears in his eyes is something I’d like to have on my wall as it speaks volumes about the sorts of conflicts between culture, family, and belief that people are placed in every day.[/span]

Finally, the collection includes sketches, writers’ notes, and other such information in the back to provide fans with insight into the creation of the comic. While I’m not a big fan of these inclusions, this one appears well put together. Examples of the writing before it was illustrated are provided, which is particularly nice for those that wonder how comics like this are written to begin with.

My Take

This is one of the best comic book series I’ve ever read, and I consider myself to be broadly read. The series provides an excellent mix of drama, humor, and action while focusing on an identifiable character. I’ve already ordered the second volume and look forward to seeing what happens next with Invincible.