Christ, I'm an idiot.
I enjoyed the first issue of this series, but it didn't stand out as particularly new and unique enough a super-hero title to follow closely. I thumbed through an issue here or there, but I didn't pay much attention to the book, even when my Fourth Rail partner Randy Lander was singing its praises. Now that I've read this recap special (wisely priced so anyone can afford it), I realize I missed out on some exciting and novel super-hero storytelling. As much as I enjoy Robert Kirkman's work on The Walking Dead, it's clear that Invincible is why Marvel Comics wooed him to come and write for its stable of characters.
Mark Grayson and Amber Bennett seem like a typical college boyfriend and girlfriend. He's even snuck up to her room where they have a heart-to-heart talk. Of course, what sets them apart is the nature of their intimate conversation. Amber has just discovered her boyfriend is a super-hero, and Mark has decided the time for secrets between them is over. Mark tells her about his father -- Omni-Man -- and about how he developed powers like his dad's when he turned 17. He speaks of how he became Invincible, his adventures with his fathers... and his big battle against him.
I really like Ryan Ottley's style. It reminds me a bit of the work of fellow Kirkman collaborator Cliff (Fantastic Four: Foes, Brit) Rathburn, but it's softer and more focused. Ottley has an angular style, but he employs thin lines that softens it. I love the designs he and previous penciller Cory Walker have developed for this series. Ottley captures the youth of the title character and his girlfriend quite well, but he doesn't make them look like little kids either. Their transition between childhood and adulthood shines through clearly. The colors are strong for the most part, but there are a couple of instances when elements are miscolored. Fortunately, it's not so glaring as to distract from the story.
The framing device that allows the title character to go into Full Exposition Mode actually makes sense, so the reader doesn't mind the obvious recap nature of the script. But what really allows the reader to get involved with the characters, to see this as something more than an extended origin profile, is the emotion. Amber's shock, awe and sympathy and Mark's wonder and sorrow make this come to life as a key moment in their relationship as opposed to pure information.
The flashbacks make it clear that Kirkman has been doing some novel and innovative things when it comes to the plotting for this series. What started out as a typicl teen super-hero title has apparntly evolved into something unpredictable and full of personality. I'll be hunting past collections and keeping an eye out for future issues. 8/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
