Review: Invincible Volumes 16-18

We have officially entered the realm of issues I am reading for the first time! What the hell is going on with these covers?! 

Invincible Vol. 16: Family Ties
Robert Kirkman (writer)
Cory Walker (penciler, inker)
Ryan Ottley (penciler, inker)
Cliff Rathburn (inker)
FCO Plascencia (colorist)
John Rauch (colorist)
Rus Wooton (letterer)

The first thing that stuck out at me in this book was that it was very obvious that the first two issues were not drawn by Ryan Ottley. Cory Walker is great, but his lines are not as clean as Ottley’s, and the difference was noticeable.

Story-wise, seeing Mark argue with Eve makes me sad. Obviously no relationship is (or should be) perfect, but after all the angst of getting them together, anything that comes between them is frustrating.

Especially when it’s something completely avoidable if only characters would talk to each other! My favorite part of this collection was definitely seeing everyone come together to try to save Mark. But I called it a few books ago — you should never trust the guy who talks to a skull.

Rating: 4 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Invincible Vol. 17: What’s Happening
Robert Kirkman (writer)
Ryan Ottley (penciler)
Cory Walker (penciler, inker)
Cliff Rathburn (inker)
John Rauch (colorist)
Rus Wooton (letterer)

“What’s happening?” is a very good question indeed. It’s actually been a few weeks (okay, months) since I picked up the last book in this series, but I was able to jump back into things relatively easily.

The highlight of this collection was absolutely learning what happened with Robot and Monster Girl in the other dimension. It’s a ridiculous adventure and paints both characters in different lights at different times. I was definitely turning the pages for more of that story than the things in between.

Because what’s happening in between basically boils down to two Invincibles means twice the angst. While I’m interested in both Mark and Zandale’s stories…I’d honestly rather just read about Eve. (I am loving an intelligent, beautiful, AND full-figured lady superhero, and I’m kind of bummed that I know she returns to being a stick figure later in the series, based on future book covers.)

Rating: 4 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.

Invincible Vol. 18: The Death of Everyone
Robert Kirkman (writer)
Ryan Ottley (penciler)
Cliff Rathburn (inker)
John Rauch (colorist)
Rus Wooten (letterer)

It’s interesting that the 100th issue of this series doesn’t actually focus on Mark Grayson/Invincible. However, I appreciated this look into Bulletproof’s backstory. And it’s the most hardcore thing I’ve read in a long time! It could only have been improved in one way, and Kirkman kicked it out of the park with the immediate meta follow-up regarding comic writing.

Later, this issue collection absolutely lived up to its title, because there is a lot of death. For once, the Viltrumites didn’t cause it! But they are definitely back, and this time the drama sped along at the same pace it took me to roll my eyes. Something big was building, but I felt it fizzle a bit. Mark’s reaction amidst the crowd shows that he felt the same way.

Rating: 4 (out of 5) stars. Cross-posted to Amazon and Goodreads.