Customer Reviews

Invincible: The Ultimate Collection Volume 4 (Invincible Ultimate Collection)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Man, I thought this book would never arrive! I've been following Robert Kirkman's amazing series Invincible through these deluxe hardcover collections, and after the events in Invincible: Ultimate Collection Volume 3 (Invincible: the Ultimate Collection), waiting a year and a half for book 4 to arrive was almost more than I could take!

As usual, the stories collected in this hardcover were more than worth the wait. There weren't any really cataclysmic events like the Angstrom Levy saga or another confrontation between Mark and his father, but Kirkman definitely keeps things moving. Mark's college career is a wreck, his government bosses are hiding something, his alien half-brother is developing super powers, the Martians are coming, Allen is back (hooray!) and his love life is a 90210-style mess. Honestly, I normally could care less about superhero love stories, but the Invincible/Atom Eve relationship is so darned compelling. Why can't those crazy kids work things out? Sniff.

Between this series and The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman is about the best thing to happen to comics in years. He totally gets what makes teenage superheroes work, his dialogue is brilliant, and he has built a supporting cast that is just as vibrant and interesting as Invincible himself. Of course it doesn't hurt that he has an artist of Ryan Ottley's caliber providing the visuals. Ottley's characters practically leap off the page, and the colors...dear God, the colors! I don't toss around the term "flawless" all that often, but I think it's perfectly applicable to Invincible.

I should also point out that the problems with paper quality that plagued Book 3 have been corrected here. The pages are sufficiently sturdy this time around, which makes it easier for me to justify the book's hefty price tag.

Once again, Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley have delivered another fantastic hardcover collection of one of the absolute best comics on the market today. With luck, we'll be reading these hardcover collections of Invincible (and seeing him on lunch boxes and Happy Meal toys) for decades to come.

Robert Kirkman keeps on writing some of the best comic books out there, with THE WALKING DEAD and with INVINCIBLE, and, for a change, his stuff is even coming out on schedule. Whereas THE WALKING DEAD is a slow burn psychological approach to zombie horror, INVINCIBLE is a study in exuberant superhero storytelling. And, after all these years, INVINCIBLE still feels fresh and exciting and still sits at the top of my pull list.

INVINCIBLE ULTIMATE COLLECTION Vol. 4 collects issues #36-47 (basically, the same issues collected in the TPBs, INVINCIBLE Vol. 8: MY FAVORITE MARTIAN and INVINCIBLE Vol. 9: OUT OF THIS WORLD). As a bonus, ULTIMATE COLLECTION Vol. 4 offers a 48-paged sketchbook with commentary from Kirkman and Ryan Ottley and also reprints the covers to the INVINCIBLE trades, Vols. 8 & 9.

In these dozen issues Mark Grayson finds that the demands on him as a superhero are seriously eating into his personal life. He's been neglecting his academic responsibilities; Mark isn't even certain he wants to continue attending college. His relationship with his girlfriend Amber is going downhill fast. And, after certain recent events (the ones in which he was tossed into all those alternate realities and learned that thing about Atom Eve), he really doesn't have his act together, romantic wise.

For a series ostensibly featuring one central protagonist, INVINCIBLE showcases a sprawling supporting cast, most of which are given evolving character arcs. Kirkman expands on the lovey-dovey soap opera by delving into the relationships between the newlyweds Immortal and Multi-Kate and between Monster Girl and Robot (who is clearly the Reed Richards of the Invincible universe). Matter of fact, Monster Girl and Robot together form a sweet AND bittersweet love story.

On the bad-guy-stomping side of things, there's plenty of movement. I don't think we really have to worry that this series will ever slow down and take a load off. Robert Kirkman is excellent at juggling busloads of plot threads - there's always one or two on center stage, and plenty more brewing in the pot. The current batch of shenanigans kicks off with Mark and his best friend William's search for their long missing buddy Rick. This then leads to an encounter with the cyborged-up Reanimen.

Then there's the four-part arc featuring Invincible, Atom Eve, and the strongest members of the Guardians of the Globe launching into space to avert an invasion by that NASA astronaut guy what got possessed by the more dangerous than you think Sequids, alien squid thingees which share a single intelligence, a sinister hive mind of sorts. This is a pretty awesome deep space adventure, and the heroes find themselves really up against it. But, as the heroes in space make calamari, back home, the leftover Guardians of the Globe face off against the formidable Lizard League, who'd taken over a missile silo - and it doesn't look good for the good guys.

A while ago Invincible, being half-Viltrumite, had been designated by the Viltrumite Empire as the agent tasked with preparing Earth for the inevitable takeover. If I remember it right, he was given 100 years to do this. But that doesn't stop the Empire from sending someone to check on Mark's progress (which is, of course, nil). Invincible learns yet again that he's got far to go to match the power and prowess of a mature, full-blooded Viltrumite. And this one's a chick!

And more stuff happens.

Kirkman has a knack for writing interesting characters. Shapesmith is very likeable. Allen the Alien returns, and he's still this cool dude with one honking eyeball. And there's a sighting of Mark's dad Nolan, who was last seen being captured and led away for execution by his fellow Viltrumites. We check in on the progress of that cute little tyke Oliver Grayson, Mark's purple half-brother. Oliver, half born of an alien race with a diminished life span, demonstrates accelerated aging and growth spurts. Mark's powers developed with puberty. With Oliver, it might not take as long. And, heck, even Brit drops in for a cameo.

Ryan Ottley, the artist, keeps laying down fantastic pencils and inks. His stuff is pitch perfect for the mood and the look of INVINCIBLE. I don't think more needs to be said.

What Kirkman has going for him is his ability to tell stories that feel contemporary yet resonate with that Silver Age enthusiasm and clarity. I think, for right now, the best word I can come up with is "joyous." Kirkman's stuff reeks of this joyousness and you can't help but be swept along. And yet the lightness of the tone carries this undercurrent, of epic doings and big consequences. Kirkman is steadily building up Invincible to become the preeminent superhero in his universe, but there are learning curves and stumbling blocks along the way. And it's partly this hook, of watching Mark Grayson grow into his role, that lends his series gravitas.

The lightness of the tone, the cleanness of Ottley's art, the college atmosphere, all these elements lull you so that, sometimes, you forget that tragic, awful things have happened in this comic book. Kirkman is so adept at keeping it real, or as real as you can make a superhero story, and the key is in his writing of dialogue that feels believable and rings true. I'd like to point out, as an example, Mark's conversation with his mother about why he should or shouldn't stay in school. Mark submits a pretty strong and lengthy argument, and he punctuates it with this comment: "You know I don't really need school. What -- am I going to be a dentist? Why would I do that?" To her credit, Mark's mom listens and ponders his words. A real conversation, I dig it. It's little things like that which lend substance and a relatability to all the crazy superhero bluster. INVINCIBLE is one of the best superhero comics out there, if not THE best! And if you haven't sampled this series yet - well, first, what the eff? - and then, second, what are you waiting for? Because if you don't know, now you know.

Invincible is the story of second-generation superhero. For years his father Omniman was hailed as the world's greatest hero but eventually was revealed as an alien invader out to prepare the world for conquest. Now Invincible is trying both to live up to his father's reputation and to redeem his father's legacy.

In this volume Robert Kirkman chooses to build on his existing characters rather than throw too many new things at the reader. Invincible must face relationship problems, an invasion from Mars, the return of his father's people and a new brother who's growing up way, way too fast.

As usual everything is handled in a very grown-up way. Whether Mark is breaking up with girlfriend or fighting a life and death battle it's clear the Kirkman and Ottley have give thought to what will happen and what will make sense.

The little touches really make this special. While having lunch with his mom Mark the college student has a big burger while his mother picks at a salad. Later when Mark catches his best friend trying on his costume he flies home and asks his mom to wash it. Twice.

In terms of both art and story Invincible is a cut above most comics and certainly the best old-fashioned superhero story of this decade.

I grew up loving comics, now I have children and I STILL love comics. A harmless vice of mine. I read the previous three volumes and when this ca,e on Friday the 8th I tore the box open and began to read it from cover to cover. Literally twenty minutes later I am wanting more. Just like The Walking Dead, i will be following this series. Good writers make great books. Kirkman has hit the mark again with this series. I hope they keep it going and do not end anytime soon. Get them all I say! You will not regret it.

Before I talk about this particular book, here are a few things you should know about Invincible:

* Invincible is written by Robert Kirkman and was created by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker.

* The character first appeared in an issue of Tech Jacket - another comic written by Robert Kirkman - in November of 2002. The original issues of Tech Jacket are collected in this book: Tech Jacket Volume 1: The Boy From Earth (v. 1)

* Invincible is published by Image Comics - a company built by and dedicated to comic book writers and illustrators. Creators who publish their work at Image retain full ownership of all properties they create. Because of this, in Image comics you will regularly see things that don't occur in books published by the "Big 2" - Marvel and DC. Namely, characters that die tend to stay dead, and the overall voice of the characters remains pretty consistent, and continuity actually has some meaning.

* Invincible is one of the most popular comics published by Image. This comic and other comics written by Robert Kirkman have had such strong sales that Image invited Robert Kirkman to share in ownership of the company. He accepted.

* Invincible is an on-going comic series that has been published on nearly a monthly basis since 2003.

* Invincible story arcs have been collected into many TPBs. The first 13 of these all share titles with sit-com television shows from the 1980's.

* Invincible exists in a shared universe with other popular Image comic book characters, including Spawn, Savage Dragon, Superpatriot, Brit, Youngblood, Shadowhawk and others.

* Invincible's costume design features a large "i" on the front of it - mirroring the company logo of Image comics.

One other note: I will attempt to avoid spoilers as much as possible in this review. I enjoyed this book and feel you would best enjoy it if I don't tell you the entire plot summary in this review!

This book collects the eighth and nineth story arcs of the Invincible comic book, which are also collected, separately, in the books Invincible Volume 8: My Favorite Martian (v. 8) and Invincible (Book 9): Out Of This World (v. 9).

This Invincible collection is the best of the first four, and introduces my favorite "villains" of the series: The Reanimen. The Reanimen are cybernetic creations of D.A. Sinclair - another scientist-type guy that you'll see more of in the future. The Reanimen are some of the toughest opponents that Invincible has faced, yet, and one of them is his friend!

This collection also introduces "The Lizard League" - a knock-off of Marvel's Serpent Society. (Though many of Kirkman's characters are very similar to the more popular characters in the Marvel and Dc Universe, it doesn't bother me as much as I first thought it would.) The Lizard League throws down with the Guardians of the Globe, while the other heroes of Earth try to fight off the Sequid invasion of Earth.

Lots of action throughout the entire book, and Ryan Ottley does a great job bringint it to us with his pencils. This volume does not disappoint! If you liked the first three volumes, you'll surely enjoy this one!

Ne'er have I lain eyes upon a more beautiful work of literary non-fiction. Robert Kirkman and crew continue to build upon their success of what is probably the best superhero comic book in the universe. Invincible/ Mark Grayson continues to grow as a superhero and as a kid trying to grow up. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn't completely suck. If you don't enjoy this, then I have to say there's little hope for you, and you should be medically induced into a coma and pushed off a cliff.

As someone who has been reading comics since the 1950's, Invincible is a fairly new (started in 2003) addition to the genre, but I can honestly say that this is the best 'new' comic I've come across in years. The creative team behind this collection of Invincible issues (#36 thru #47) - Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (penciler, inker), Bill Crabtree (colorist), and Russ Wooton (letterer) - continue to amaze in what they have produced, a superb blend that plays on the established traditions of the superhero genre while bringing in original takes and twists that make it all fresh and new again.

The lead-in lines inside of the dust jacket pretty much set the tone for the series:

"Girls, acne, homework, super-villains. When you're a teenager, it helps to be INVINCIBLE"

...while the lines on the back of the dust jacket set the stage for this fourth volume:

"No longer just the boy whose father tried to take over the world, Mark Grayson, Invincible -- is working his way up the pecking order on his way to becoming the premiere super-hero in the world. Super-villains, technologically reanimated super-corpses and alien invasions are only a few of the things Invincible must face in this non-stop thrill ride collecting some of the most action-packed issues of the series thus far."

A lot of this issue deals with revelations, both to Invincible and to the reader, as the various plot threads established in the previous volumes come to fruition and/or take highly unexpected turns. And Mark/Invincible's life just seems to get more complicated as he deals with growing problems in his relationship with Amber while his feelings for Eve seem to be growing in another way. And on top of everything else, his younger half-brother, Oliver, is developing super-powers sooner than anyone anticipated.

And as always, the collection has as an added treat another Sketchbook section at the end with all kinds of artwork and commentary showing the creative process the team went through developing and promoting the comic.

Highly, highly recommended for anyone who enjoys quality work in the superhero comic genre.

Robert Kirkman can spin an entertaining yarn. Love the Invincible series. Can't wait till I read the next story. A great collection of stories.

Not much to stay, if you've liked Invincible so far, you'll definitely love this installment. Can't wait for the 5th to come out :)

Stop scrolling down here and reading reviews you already can see everybody gives these 4 or 5 star ratings. There is a reason for that because these comics are some of the best pieces of literature EVER written! Amazing art, story, & characters! I'm going to stop typing now so you can scroll back up and do what you should have done 5 minutes ago and thats to click the freaking BUY button!