INVINCIBLE #1

Co-Created, Written
and Lettered By: Robert Kirkman
Co-Created and illustrated by: Cory Walker
Colored by: Bill Crabtree
Published by: Image Comics
website: http://www.imagecomics.com, http://www.funkotron.com

The Concept

The teen super-hero is not a new concept, but rarely is it done as well as it is in Image Comics’ latest title "Invincible". Brought to you by the same creative team that produced that fantastic "Super Patriot" mini-series you didn’t read last year, "Invincible" is the story of Mark Grayson, your average teenager who can’t wait to get into the family business... fighting crime. His father is the Superman-like Omni-Man, Defender of Democracy, one of the world’s greatest heroes. When Mark discovers his powers are beginning to manifest, he becomes eager to begin filling his father’s very large shoes.

My Take

This title takes a much brighter approach to a story of this nature. In spite of the fact that Omni-Man is constantly running all over the world saving lives (which, of course, makes him constantly late for dinner, and causes his wife to often times sleep by herself), the family seems to get along very well. Mark appears to genuinely look up to his father, and Mark’s mother, instead of being bitter about having to share her husband with the world, quips "I hope he brings back something nice for me." when she discovers that he’s in Taiwan fighting evil. Shortly before that, Mark asks his mother to turn on the television and he uses the word "please". Dear sweet God, it’s a well adjusted, respectful teenager!!!! Run for the hills!!!! While not very far removed from having the term "teen" applied to myself, I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see a character like this that isn’t Clark Kent on "Smallville".

Robert Kirkman (Battle Pope), does a good job with both of his duties on this book. As the co-creator and writer, Mr. Kirkman shines with potential. As far as the story and pacing are concerned, this title holds up to any that are in the Top 10 this month, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the name "Kirkman" became as plastered all over "Wizard" as the name "Bendis" in the coming years. There are a few key moments, including the moment where Mark first discovers that his powers are developing, that will give you the same feeling you had when you saw Tobey Maguire climb a wall for the first time in last year’s blockbuster "Spider-Man" film. I found the lettering to be less satisfactory, due mostly to the heavily Chris Eliopoulos influence, and a flub in one panel where a word is obviously missing (shame on everyone at Image Central for letting that slip through - somebody proof read! What are these independent creators paying you for?!?)...but it gets the job done.

Cory Walker’s art is crisp, and clean with a mix of so many different influences that you have to call it his own. Cory really has the ability to tell a story with pictures (which is a lot more uncommon than it should be in comics). The moment I mentioned before where Mark first discovers his abilities, is only one page long...just a quick moment, but Mr. Walker’s art tells it so well that it hangs in your mind like you were experiencing it first hand.

Bill Crabtree handles the colors on both this book and "Firebreather" this month, and while I’ve read a review or two complaining about the coloring in "Firebreather", if it’s anything like the coloring in "Invincible" then I can’t imagine what they're complaining about. Mr. Crabtree’s work does a great job of complimenting Cory Walker’s work without over powering it.

I haven’t had a chance to check out the other titles in Image’s new super-hero line, but if they're half as good as this one, then I’ll be adding them all to my pull list. This is how super-hero comics should be done. The next time you’re in the comic book shop, put down that copy of (insert X title here) that you’re only buying because there’s an "X" in it, and pick up "Invincible". If your shop is out of it, tell them to order it. If they never got it in the first place...slap them. This book is going to find a home, and when it does...this first issue, which didn’t have an exceptionally high print run, is going to be in very high demand...mark my words.

Reviewer: Michael Murphey

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Michael Murphey is a freelance Writer/Creator

Any publishers that would like Michael Murphey to do a review, please feel free to contact him at bossman@glade.net or you can contact Ed Dukeshire on the contact page.

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