Comic Review: Invincible Volume 2: Eight Is Enough

Written by Steve

Saturday, 23 May 2009 01:14

Invincible Vol 2 Robert Kirkman is a man who needs no introduction. Who doesn’t know about his heroic efforts to bring peace to the Middle East, his brilliant solution to the world’s financial and environmental crises, or his vital role in the colonization of the planet Mars? What some people don’t know is that the amazing Mr. Kirkman also occasionally writes comic books. Invincible Volume 2: Eight Is Enough is a collection of issues 5-8 of one such comic book.

In Invincible Volume 1: Family Matters, we met Reginald VelJohnson High student Mark Grayson, a normal enough seeming teenager. That is, of course, until he starts exhibiting superpowers, which he inherited from his super-hero father Omni-Man. With help from his father, Mark begins to learn how to be a super-hero.

Volume 2 picks up right where the first left off, with Mark still learning the ropes of the super-hero biz as he prepares to graduate from high school and move on to college. The collection doesn’t have a strong overall story arc (the main point of these issues is obviously to lay the groundwork for future stories), but each issue is very well done. Kirkman knows just how to mix humor, action, comic book tropes, and interesting characters to create an enjoyable story. I think my favorite part of this story was Kirkman’s Whedonesque introduction and annihilation of the Guardians of the Globe (though Allen the Alien was a close second).

Most of the art in this collection is provided by Invincible co-creator Cory Walker, but the last issue is by Ryan Ottley, who took over for Walker starting with issue #8. The two artists’ styles are very similar (though Walker’s work is a bit more stylized), making for a very smooth transition. In addition to the primary artists, chapter 3 features sequences by Terry Stevens, Matt Roberts (with Kirkman’s Battle Pope and Walking Dead partner Tony Moore on inks), Mark Englert (with tracer Erik Larsen), Dave Johnson, and Cliff Rathburn. While most of the artwork is fairly traditional super-hero fare, it is well done and Walker in particular is very good at adding little touches that fit perfectly with Kirman’s brand of humor.

As usual, the trade includes a few extras for the fans: an introduction by Savage Dragon creator Erik Larsen, sketches with commentary by Kirkman, and some bonus Science Dog art. While the sketches are interesting and the Science Dog stuff is Science Dog stuff, and therefore awesome, Larsen’s introduction is my favorite of the “special features.” Written in a very Stan Lee-esque style, the introduction tells the story of how Larsen became entangled with and indebted to Kirkman. The alliteration alone makes it a must-read.

Overall, Invincible volume two is yet another collection of comic book goodness from Kirkman. While the issues are obviously a bridge between the book's first story arc and bigger and better things, they are well-written, well-drawn, and very entertaining on their own merit. Perhaps more importantly, they’ve got me ready to pick up the next trade very soon. Goddamn Kirkman.

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