There's a reason, once every 6 months, I write an editorial begging you to read Invincible, like this. It's because it is the BEST superhero book on the market. Better than BATMAN, ACTION COMICS, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, or UNCANNY X-MEN. Even some of the slower issues are better than anything else on the shelves. I have no problem saying that. Now that you've realized how much I love and believe in this book. Get ready. This is the easiest 5 out of 5 I have ever given.
The issue starts off with a stand off between Allen, accompanied by Oliver Grayson, and Mark Grayson with Thragg, who is also the father to Oliver. Oliver and Allen have a new strain of the Viltrumite virus to wipe out the Viltrumites on Earth, undercover. The Guardians of the Globe slip in, but Omni-Man has talked Allen down. Cue Guardians fighting everyone and Oliver takes the virus down to Earth. Spoiler time: Mark catches up to Oliver, the struggle over the virus, Mark gets sprayed in the face with it. Mark seems fine and Allen comes down to tell him he needs to be quarantined because the virus is transmitted through personal contact. Mark tells Allen he's ok, but the final page reveals Mark is infected.
The Good
Have I mentioned this is the best super hero book of all time? I love that this series takes chances, kills characters, and changes the game when it gets the chance. There really is no state of normalcy in this series, so it's easy to shake things up in this book without it affecting readership. In fact, readers expect the unexpected because it makes this book so much stronger.
I read this book in trade, so I missed a few issues, but I had no trouble with the issue, since the dialogue caught me up, but it never felt over-explanatory, just good "catchin up" dialogue. The first half of this book is insanely "talky," but it flows incredibly well. Robert Kirkman is amazing at packing an issue (See WALKING DEAD also) with dialogue, which never bogs down the issue. It's smooth and each character has a strong, unique voice.
Ryan Ottley doesn't get enough credit for the amazing artwork he does on this book. He has a great style and is one of my favorite artists when it comes to action. His work is solid and profound, and I loved seeing the fight between Oliver and Mark play out in this issue. And that final page of this issue put shivers down my spine.
I loved the story in this issue. The Viltrumites have tried to destroy Earth before, and by golly, they'll probably do it again, so someone has to end it before it starts, right? It's a big moral dilemma for all the characters. Sure, killing them is better for the overall good of the human race, but then you'd be killing a whole species that really isn't doing any harm to anyone right now.
The Bad
I don't live near Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley, so I can't high five them.
The Verdict
If you don't read INVINCIBLE, you're either crazy, broke, or hate super-hero comics. I think that sums it up. This is an amazing book. It's one of my favorite series and this issue ranks up there for me. I'm going to keep this short and sweet. Do yourself a favor and read this issue, read this series. This is the comic that super-hero fans deserve. I highly, HIGHLY recommend this issue.