The Good
Allen the Alien's character evolution from messenger boy to emissary to hero to leader has kept me interested in this book, and I feel a little conflicted over how he's changed as a person. Seeing him make tough choices that I don't know how I would handle makes me feel that the times ahead are going to be tough. I don't want him to turn into a villain, but he's presenting some much needed conflict that's deeply rooted in the entire series' continuity.
Dinosaurus is quickly warming up to me as a character in this story, and I can see his involvement polarizing Invincible, adding some much needed depth in the process. Personality-wise, I'd like to compare him to someone in the DC Universe to Mark's Superman, but the personality is a little too off for a direct analogy.
I mean, if anything there's a bit of a Superman/Batman dynamic here, as the personalities are so different, but keep each other in check.
The Bad
While the book's final page had me intrigued, I think the reintroduction of major villains is just plain too soon; it's like having the Death of the Green Goblin, then having him show up five issues later. I think it's going to mess with the pacing of this book big time, and force some unnecessary drama when we have enough already.
After months upon months, I'm still not really digging Atom Eve; her role seems to be reduced to chastising Mark and playing the role of the reader, wondering what the hell is up with our intrepid hero. I remember the days where she actually had some depth to her, before her death and subsequent resurrection.
Also, how many times has the Image Universe been laid to waste, only for Mark to fly in an instantly correct the problem? You can't tell me that Dinosaurus and Mark are that powerful that they can instantly beat an opponent that took out two dozen other heroes.
The Verdict
While I haven't exactly enjoyed this book as of late, this book's on a track to improving itself. Props to Kirkman for making an effort to drag himself out of a pit of boredom, confusion and overcomplexity.
There was a couple issues where so many things were happening that I just couldn't bring myself to care. Now that there's some even development in characters and plot (and not too much of either), I feel like INVINCIBLE can progress.
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