Title: Invincible.
Compendium: One.
Writer(s): Robert Kirkman.
Penciller(s): Cory Walker & Ryan Ottley.
Inker(s): Cory Walker, Ryan Ottley & Cliff Rathburn.
Colourist(s): Bill Crabtree.
Letterer(s): Rus wootan.
Publisher: Image Comics.
Format: Paperback – Omnibus.
Release Date: August 30th 2011.
Pages: 1092.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781607064114.
My Overall Rating:
So much is assumed when it comes to superheroes. So strong. So powerful. So many resources within arm’s reach to do just about whatever they want. So much care for people they don’t even know. What would that all be like from the eyes of a very human person whose father is off doing amazing super-things to keep the world safe? What would it all be like if that very human person someday got similar powers for himself? Co-created by writer Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and artist Cory Walker (who draws the first seven issues), this beloved comic book series follows a young hero’s journey to discovering the very busy life of a superhero while going through all the cumbersome and mundane obstacles that young adults are bound to face in life. This compendium collects issues #0-47 (the first nine trade paperbacks), an Invincible story from the Image Comics Summer Special, and The Pact #4.
What is Invincible (Compendium One) about? The story follows Mark Grayson, a senior who goes to a normal American high school, who is pretty close to graduating and getting ready to head to college. He has a part-time job that sucks the life out of him but he understands that he needs to make ends meet. Although he seems quite normal, maybe even boring to some, there’s one thing that makes him stand out from the rest of the world: his father is the most powerful superhero on the planet and he’s known as Omni-Man. As a kid, his father revealed to him that he was part of an alien race called Viltrumites and that someday he too would develop powers like him, from superhuman strength to high-speed flight. Fortunately for him, he discovers these powers at the age of 17. Unfortunately for him, he also discovers a terrifying secret regarding his father that will leave a permanent mark on this young hero’s life forever.
“Okay, son… I’ve decided to tell you the truth. I think you’re old enough to know where I really come from.”
— Robert Kirkman
This comic book series is a fantastic homage to superhero stories. With the first couple of issues, writer Robert Kirkman draws upon the rich and diverse superhero worlds established through both DC Comics and Marvel to present his own universe. At first conveying a parodic tone, reeling readers into this world by teasing them with innumerable references, it is only upon the grand reveal regarding young Mark Grayson’s father that the series flips the tropes upside down and redirects his narrative to focus on the myriad of characters he’s established, especially his young and growing protagonist. His series isn’t just about casual superhero action through an episodic story-telling format, although there is plenty of that brilliantly interspersed throughout this compendium, but rather looks into these characters’ plights and their day-to-day quandaries. From dealing with psychological trauma to unraveling love interests, the series brilliantly explores these characters on an intimate and individual level while building up the overarching story revolving around countless villains trying to wreak havoc on Earth despite all the heroes it houses.
If its appropriately paced story-telling and incredibly ensnaring cliffhangers weren’t enough to keep readers going, its wonderful artwork will surely draw many readers’ attention. Impactful, colourful, and expressive, the artistic design for this comic book series never drops in quality. Mostly advocating larger panels, giving the characters much more room to breathe (or rather to talk), the artwork strategically flows by investing more time on character-to-character interactions, while occasionally rewarding readers with intense and epic action sequences that are highlighted periodically with gore, and crowned by beautiful splash pages. Speaking of characters, the sheer imagination, although sometimes simply inspired by already beloved superheroes from the two known giant comic book publishers, is quite impressive, never failing to tickle readers with thanks to the creative team’s silly artistic concepts. The universe in itself is also without frontiers and continuously explores various settings, often also sending readers to intergalactic universes that naturally expand the lore, fantasy ideas, and science-fiction elements. While the series does take some time before truly taking off, it’s safe to say that once it does, it’s hard to ignore its potential.
Invincible (Compendium One) is a grounded, vivid, and at times graphically violent young adult’s coming-of-age story that juggles the young hero’s everyday life with superhero duties requiring him to save the world.
Roars and Echoes 
Fab review, Lashaan!
All right, I’m sold 😉 I’ll check this one out! 😀
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Thank you so much, Ola! I do hope you’ll have the patience to keep going just to see where Kirkman is going with his Invincible universe! 😛
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I saw this was available on Prime. It sounded like they were making fun of Superman AND somehow trying to turn him into a bad guy. I have no idea if that’s actually the case, but that’s the vibe I picked up from their little blurb associated with it.
Naturally, I decided to pass.
Do you think you’ll watch the tv version?
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Hahah I remember when you mentioned being interested in it when I first mentioned the release of the show on Prime. I can understand that impression you got from the show. Omni-Man is indeed an alternate take on Superman but his character becomes his own once the major plot twist happens. After that, the focus isn’t on him much and more on Invincible as he learns to become a superhero and a young adult.
I’m not too big on TV series for a couple of years now; I prefer to invest my time in movies instead. Their length makes it harder to squeeze into my schedule. I did keep Invincible on my list but for now, I’d rather finish the comics more than anything. Maybe someday I’ll be inspired to go through the animated series.
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Excellent review but… I am sorry to say that I am not sold on the artwork! 😉😉😉
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Thanks for sharing, Sophie! 😀 😀 😀
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This sounds great. I like the concept and I’m already curious to know what he discovered. I like those colour combination used for art. Amazing review, Lashaan!
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You’d be surprised by what he learns. It really changes the whole story around once you discover that reveal. 😀 Thanks for reading, Yesha!
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Not going to lie, I had no idea this series existed before I watched the trailer for the Amazon show and people seemed so excited for it. I still haven’t read or watched it yet, but your review makes me excited to do so someday soon 🙂
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It definitely makes me happy to share this review with you then! And if you actually end up giving the comic book a try, I do hope you’ll enjoy it! I can definitely see you enjoying this though. Thank you so much for reading, Kat! 😀
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Wow, another very long one, over 1000 pages. I hate the spines on those but I do like getting more story in one place without having to collect so many seperate volumes. This one is completely new to me so thanks for the introduction. You certainly paint a picture that leaves me curious to give it a try.
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I am totally with you there, my friend. I prefer my omnibuses to be hardcovers. At least then, it will all come down to how I manipulate with kindness my books rather than an inevitable spine crack on paperback omnibuses hahaha I’m glad to introduce this series to you, Todd. I am curious to see how the series comes to an end once I get around to finishing the series with compendium 2 and 3! Thanks for reading, my friend.
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Man, I really enjoyed the Amazon series (stoked it’s been picked up for a second AND third season) – which you really should check out my good man (only eight episodes to squeeze in)! That and your review have definitely got me interested in checking out the source material…it’s going on the list for sure!
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I definitely recommend the comic book series, especially in its ultimate edition or compendium format (I think the paperback edition will make its pacing flaws stick out too much). I’m convinced the show probably can’t focus on the more intimate, personal relationship elements as much as the comic.
I honestly didn’t know it was just 8 episodes until you mentioned it hahahah I’ll definitely keep it on my list though. I’ll probably try and finish the comic book series (2 more compendia to go) before trying the show though.
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Well I can’t comment on the comics but I found the series focused quite closely on the character relationships so it may be worth your time!
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My fiance started watching the show and said it was really good!
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I’m glad to hear that! Hope you get the chance to try it someday too then. 🙂
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