Invincible #49

Coming quickly on the heels of the last issue, "Invincible" #49 keeps the action (and intrigue) coming hard. Writer Robert Kirkman is setting up some big changes for the 50th issue of this series and the long laid seeds of Darkwing and the Reanimen come to fruition. Artist Ryan Ottley continues to impress with is great layouts and action sequences. I really like what he does with the title character.

I cannot recommend "Invincible" enough. I didn't hop on the bandwagon at the beginning. I was out of comics then. I did notice the "Invincible" section at the San Diego Comic Con. That's what got me interested. After picking up the first TPB, I was hooked. Everyone that I've loaned that TPB too has loved it. I'm now reading the "monthlies" and find that this series is a breath of fresh air. Of all of the Kirkaverse titles, this one truly stands out.

Invincible #48

Robert Kirkman goes back-to-back week's following up last week's tasty "Walking Dead" with an action packed "Invincible". To be honest, I wasn't really sure where we left off, but Kirkman gets you back up-to-speed quickly. The opening sequence with Mark and his friends lead me to believe that this issue would be more story driven. I was wrong. After the first couple of pages, Kirkman kicks into high gear. I wasn't quite sure if I was reading setup or advertisement during the cross company splash pages. However, they do play into the story and show who's who in the "Kirkaverse". Kirkman's dialogue continues to be good with villains monologuing and heroes "spouting silly lines". Both of which, Kirkman pokes fun at. Ryan Ottley's art started off shakey but tightened up during the climactic battle sequence.

This issue has me looking forward to issue #50. Having read all of the TPBs and now going month-to-month, I don't think Kirkman and company can put this book out fast enough.

Youngblood #1

I bought the first "Youngblood" series when Rob Liefeld and Image published it in the early 90s. I enjoyed it a lot then but it seemed to disappear off the map. It is nice to see the guy who was the leading impetus for the formation of Image Comics back with the company along with his premiere title "Youngblood". This time Liefeld is handing the reigns over to writer Joe Casey and artist Derec Donovan. My first impression of this book is that the art and story telling are similar to that of Robert Kirkman's "Invincible". While the first issue is all setup as the government puts the team back together, I liked the reality TV aspect of the story and Shaft's attitude towards the reformation of the team. I'm not sure that the supporting team members are all that compelling but I like Shaft's characterization.

While this first issue did not blow me away, I'll stick around for a few more issues and see if Casey can work some magic on this old Image throwback team.

Invincible #47

As with "The Walking Dead", I finally caught up in TPBs on "Invincible" to go real time and buy the monthly. Both of these fine Kirkman books have been added to my monthly pull list. "Invincible" #47 is a "catching up" issue that bounces all around the Invincible universe catching the reader up on the various plot lines that Kirkman has been threading since the beginning of the book. I'm really interested to see how Allen the Alien and Invicible's dad team up in prison and bust out. Kirkman is excellent at putting little moments in this book that ring true to life. The exchange between Mark and his roommate after he catches his roommate doing something embarrassing is truly hilarious. Ryan Ottley's art continues to be pitch perfect for this series. He does an excellent job of capturing both action and dialogue scenes. The little facial expressions he uses for the characters provides me a good chuckle as well.

Kirkman has created a the best new superhero character (and universe) in a long time. If you haven't checked out "Invincible" I recommend you pick up the the TPB or issue #42. This comic rates high on my must read list every month and Kirkman generally never fails to impress.

Invincible

Once again stepping outside of the DCU, I wanted to point you in the direction of "Invincible" from Image Comics. I did not start reading this comic in monthly form. I went the the San Diego Comic Con this year and when I was walking around checking out the art and such I stumbled upon "Invincible". Now, back in the day, I was a huge Image fan. I consumed pretty much everything the company put out when it started up in the 90s. However, my taste for comics and media in general changed and I went away from both Image and Marvel. When at the Con I usually check out the other companies to see if anything they have to offer peaks my interest. That's when I hit upon "Invincible".

I got the volume one TPB and now 6 TPBs later both me and my son are really enjoying writer Robert Kirkman's Invincible adventures. Artist Corey Walker really laid down the foundation for "Invincible" with his excellent art and, when he left the series, Ryan Ottley continued to provide solid art to back up Kirkman's inspired story. I don't want to give any spoilers away as if you pick up this TPB I want you to feel the excitement that I felt while reading it. I bet if you pick up volume one you will be hooked in no time. The series really picks up speed in volume 2 (issue #7).

I have since followed Kirkman to his very scary "The Walking Dead" series and the "Marvel Zombies" hard cover. Kirkman has rapidly jumped to up my list of top writers in comics.