Invincible is back and kicking off the war that has been brewing since the first arc. It’s about to be Invincible and his powerful space-based allies against the nigh unstoppable Viltrumites.
Summary: The issue starts off with a relatively generic fight scene against the recurring enemy Flaxans, a race from another dimension that ages rapidly in Invincible’s home dimension. This means that while they attack regularly, they’re really doing so with generations of preperation and can be a huge threat down the line. They are stopped here, but Robot and the Guardians of the Globe follow them home to end the threat.
Omni-Man (Invincible’s father) and Allen the Alien meanwhile recruit Tech Jacket, an earlier Kirkman creation with trades available at your LCS or local Barnes and Noble. Omni-Man then talks to his wife, who cannot forgive his betrayal and determines to bring Oliver, his second son, with him to the war. Finally, before leaving Earth, Invincible says goodbye to his girlfriend Atom Eve who is unbeknownst to him pregnant with his child in an emotional scene where she can’t admit the possibility of his death.
As soon as our heroes get to space, their ship is assaulted by three Viltrumites, including Conquest, a major villian who Invincible thought he killed when Conquest was thought to have murdered Atom Eve. Invincible’s stunned reaction to Conquest is this month’s cliffhanger.
Thoughts: This is about as good a set up issue as you could possibly work. We first get a set up of the status quo on Earth. From his relationship with Atom Eve, to the constant attacks, to the security business he and Eve are providing, to the relationship with his family, nothing is left untouched in very few pages and nothing feels slighted in terms of importance. I particularly love the hectic feel of a trip long awaited but approaching more quickly than characters can deal with. The Flaxans are set up here as a nuissance, but can become an amazing threat pretty much the instant Invincible returns to Earth, as that’s foreshadowed perfectly. Also done perfectly, and without the benefit of a current ancillary title is the introduction of Tech Jacket into the main cast. It really adds to the shared universe aspect that this powerful being is suddenly thrust into a war that isn’t his own. Once in space, we get a few good moments and a Star Trek parody that are immediately crushed by two revelations- one immediate, one that takes a moment. First, Mark’s shock at seeing Conquest builds an incredible sense of dread and makes next month an “oh shit” immediate must-buy. Next, which requires paying attention, the heroes are now stranded in space and Oliver isn’t trained at holding his breath long term. If you don’t think Invincible’s poor training of his brother will be a factor, you haven’t been reading much Kirkman.
The issue isn’t all good, though, and one scene in particular can use work. Invincible and Atom Eve’s goodbye simply feels forced and is cliche ridden. There are surely better ways to get over how distraught and near denial Eve is than with the forced device of having her refuse to hear Invincible might not make it. Sure, real life is often cliche, but this is art and presenting it in such a familiar manner makes it lose emotional impact.
Rating: 8/10 – One emotional misfire cannot derail the best set up issue for a crossover I’ve ever read. Invincible is a must read comic and a joy every month.
