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mrmokek's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Tl;Dr good story, dated writing, a typical superhero comic but is far more accessible than most
Started reading the comics after watching the TV show and the best way I can sum up their relationship is that the comics provide great bones but the show really fleshes them out
I actually really like the art style (though, as expected, the comic unashamedly doesn't do anything exciting with its form and prioritises just getting the story out)
The story is fast paced and unlike most Marvel and DC it doesn't rely on other comics in the universe to provide context for all the different characters and storylines, which I personally Love (and for this reason I'd strongly recommend it as a first comic if one wanted to get into superhero comics but didn't know where to start)
I can't write a review without mentioning that it is, as can be expected, very much a Product Of Its Time (casual homophobia and misogyny, occasional r slurs, female characters catered to an overpowering male gaze, etc.) - this is a comic written for and by cishet white men from the 2000s
This is annoying and unpleasant yes but I do love picking it apart
Similarly if you enjoy analysing comic conventions/tropes, Invincible is an excellent vessel for that because of its parodic nature (god I hate that I'm like this) - it's really interesting to see what it's comfortable parodying and what it continues to conform to, especially in relation to the show
Started reading the comics after watching the TV show and the best way I can sum up their relationship is that the comics provide great bones but the show really fleshes them out
I actually really like the art style (though, as expected, the comic unashamedly doesn't do anything exciting with its form and prioritises just getting the story out)
The story is fast paced and unlike most Marvel and DC it doesn't rely on other comics in the universe to provide context for all the different characters and storylines, which I personally Love (and for this reason I'd strongly recommend it as a first comic if one wanted to get into superhero comics but didn't know where to start)
I can't write a review without mentioning that it is, as can be expected, very much a Product Of Its Time (casual homophobia and misogyny, occasional r slurs, female characters catered to an overpowering male gaze, etc.) - this is a comic written for and by cishet white men from the 2000s
This is annoying and unpleasant yes but I do love picking it apart
Similarly if you enjoy analysing comic conventions/tropes, Invincible is an excellent vessel for that because of its parodic nature (god I hate that I'm like this) - it's really interesting to see what it's comfortable parodying and what it continues to conform to, especially in relation to the show
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Homophobia, and Ableism
rainbowofcrazy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a fan of the animated show first, the comic series has been really enjoyable! It's slow to start, but if you've seen the show, you know that's how it rolls. Once it shifts, good lordie, you're in for a ride. This collection goes weeeeeelll beyond what's been shown in the show. (Good gawd. There are still two more compendiums to read!?) The animated series has a LOT of content to work with!
It's cool to see the similarities and differences between the two. Some scenes are straight out of the comics, and some scenes have been adjusted, and, dare I say, they've made certain things even better in the show. That isn't to say that the comic is worse, but it's impressive to see how the source material has evolved and expanded with the show.
The art style is a little weird at the beginning, but it evolves and gets better along the way. So much happens. SO MUCH. I'm excited to see how the show tackles it all, and I'm excited to read the other compendiums. These are HEFTY collections, you'll need breaks, but 100% worth the read.
It's cool to see the similarities and differences between the two. Some scenes are straight out of the comics, and some scenes have been adjusted, and, dare I say, they've made certain things even better in the show. That isn't to say that the comic is worse, but it's impressive to see how the source material has evolved and expanded with the show.
The art style is a little weird at the beginning, but it evolves and gets better along the way. So much happens. SO MUCH. I'm excited to see how the show tackles it all, and I'm excited to read the other compendiums. These are HEFTY collections, you'll need breaks, but 100% worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
calhudak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Cursing, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
goodthingsread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I picked up this compendium because I downloaded the Invincible game app and thought the characters looked interesting. I enjoyed the opening issues, though I enjoy superhero origins and B-level hero stories generally. As things got more complicated, I got more interested and really zoomed through the next thirty or so issues. I thought the twists were interesting and I do enjoy Mark as a character, though I do wish I could get more information on the supporting heroes. Allen the Alien is great, but the little hints that we see of the others don't satisfy my itch. The art is good, though the fights are definitely bloody and full of gore. There are a few moments that are dated: Mark uses r*tarded as an insult twice and three times something is "gay" (granted, the first time is when Mark is carrying William bride-style while flying, but it still feels very much like junior high circa 2003 humor). Basically, I enjoyed the book, blazed through it, and I'm very interested in continuing and seeing what else happens in this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity, Slavery, Child abuse, Grief, Body horror, War, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
Minor: Genocide
beans_and_books0509's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Gore
landonc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Slavery
kinsportch's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Torture, Colonisation, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Slavery, and Alcoholism
Minor: Gun violence
maxor76's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It's almost embarrassing how quickly I finished reading this, it was very easy to get pulled in and end up reading for hours longer than I meant to.
Genuinely I think the only real problem I have with the book is that you can read it having a blast and loving Mark and then rarely, out of the blue, he will call something "gay" or "retarded" and it sucks all the energy out until you turn the page.
Other than that huge character flaw (also yeah other people occasionally call things gay, it's a bit of a recurring joke) it's very solid. Invincible is such a cool superhero and I love his outfit. It's a very fun satire of comics while also being a super interesting world on its own. I look forward to reading the next compendium.
Genuinely I think the only real problem I have with the book is that you can read it having a blast and loving Mark and then rarely, out of the blue, he will call something "gay" or "retarded" and it sucks all the energy out until you turn the page.
Other than that huge character flaw (also yeah other people occasionally call things gay, it's a bit of a recurring joke) it's very solid. Invincible is such a cool superhero and I love his outfit. It's a very fun satire of comics while also being a super interesting world on its own. I look forward to reading the next compendium.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Bullying and Slavery
Minor: Car accident, Homophobia, and Death of parent
whailey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, Body horror, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Bullying, and Genocide
Minor: Addiction
shermansays's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Homophobia
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