jcschildbach's review against another edition
4.0
Good stuff here, although I think I may have been exposed to a bit too much hype, which lessened my enjoyment of it at least a little. Still, it's pretty fun, sort of a tongue-in-cheek take on a standard superhero-coming-of-age story until various big plot twists are revealed. In the mean time, there are lots of difficulties with aliens from other worlds and other dimensions, giant monsters from who-knows-where, supervillains, and trying to figure out if Invincible is or isn't dating/in love with a classmate/superhero teammate. Kirkman doesn't waste a lot of time explaining anything other than the necessary plot and background, while keeping the main focus on the relationships of the characters. The drawing and color work is also pure eye candy, with a unique, clean style and some great character and monster designs.
athnyx230's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
jessjarbinks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
joaocorreia's review against another edition
5.0
never have i ever seen a better page-to-screen adaptation
riley_ng15's review against another edition
4.0
Đọc với tâm thế là xem cái meme hot rầm rộ một thời như nào nhưng ai dè lại bị cuốn vô cốt truyện. Bên cạnh đó có mấy chương tác giả nhét easter egg vào cũng hay, chủ yếu là nhắc đến những bộ comics khác
ostrava's review against another edition
4.0
I've been watching the TV adaptation of the comic and having a blast with it. So here's the deal: this first installment has a lot of flaws and I would have difficulties to care where it not for the aforementioned adaptation, because it virtually fixes all of them. The pacing, the uneven characterization of the supporting cast...not that the show is perfect by any means, but it fixes the comic.
There's a marvel of a story here, pulled back by a few missteps, but that shouldn't be a worry as the TV show corrects them all. So the story is for now, in good hands. My advice? Unless the team working on it screws up... watch the TV Show, skip the comic book, but if you do read the comic book, don't worry as it's still a compelling superhero coming of age story suitable for a modern audience.
PS: I'm surprised by the lack of Amber, or William still being in the closet, or the other numerous fixes that in hindsight weaken the comic book. Also, Eve and Mark aren't as cool, and characters like Alex could support their own show, but here, they're wasted potential. It truly is a 5 star comic book, but it doesn't quite get there
There's a marvel of a story here, pulled back by a few missteps, but that shouldn't be a worry as the TV show corrects them all. So the story is for now, in good hands. My advice? Unless the team working on it screws up... watch the TV Show, skip the comic book, but if you do read the comic book, don't worry as it's still a compelling superhero coming of age story suitable for a modern audience.
PS: I'm surprised by the lack of Amber, or William still being in the closet, or the other numerous fixes that in hindsight weaken the comic book. Also, Eve and Mark aren't as cool, and characters like Alex could support their own show, but here, they're wasted potential. It truly is a 5 star comic book, but it doesn't quite get there
hulttio's review against another edition
4.0
Invincible: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 1
This book hails itself as one of the greatest superhero stories of all time—and though I don’t read a lot of those, I am inclined to agree. After watching the animated adaptation some time ago, I figured I would give the original comic a try. I definitely appreciate that choice, and my library for providing me this lovely ‘ultimate collection’ copy, because the comics were a blast.
True, the adaptation does certain things better than the comic—and don’t shun me just yet. I think some of the subtleties, like character development and backstory, get more breathing room in the show. The comic is fairy fast paced, to the point where some plot elements felt like they were arranged quite haphazardly; I suppose that is partially an effect of any serialized story.
What Invincible does exceedingly well, though, is the same in both media. Get ready for a story that will subvert your idea of superheroes. In this world, superheroes are a mundane part of ordinary life, just are the catastrophic, existential threats that plague Earth. Fortunately for us boring humans, individual actors and groups, like the Guardians of the Globe, are there to save the day. How much loyalty can we expect of these guardians and whose interests do they have at heart?
Yet, the nice thing about Invincible is that it shies away from only pandering to big picture type questions. At its heart is the story of Mark Grayson, who is essentially just a teen, living his life. Okay, that admittedly sounds really cliché, but the story doesn’t neglect to display the complexity of Mark’s inner life as well—worrying not just about his grades and college prospects, but also about his budding superpowers and coming into himself as a young man. He is written in a fairly believable way, too—not as a mini adult, but as a teenage boy who is far from having all of the answers, aside from his ideals. (And where do kids typically get their ideals, hm?)
All in all, this was a great hype read for the upcoming second series of the show. I will continue to read the comic volumes as my library deigns to provide them to me, but I can’t belie my preference for the animated show. Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, and J.K. Simmons truly bring these characters to life in the best way. (Not to mention that incredible soundtrack…)
This book hails itself as one of the greatest superhero stories of all time—and though I don’t read a lot of those, I am inclined to agree. After watching the animated adaptation some time ago, I figured I would give the original comic a try. I definitely appreciate that choice, and my library for providing me this lovely ‘ultimate collection’ copy, because the comics were a blast.
True, the adaptation does certain things better than the comic—and don’t shun me just yet. I think some of the subtleties, like character development and backstory, get more breathing room in the show. The comic is fairy fast paced, to the point where some plot elements felt like they were arranged quite haphazardly; I suppose that is partially an effect of any serialized story.
What Invincible does exceedingly well, though, is the same in both media. Get ready for a story that will subvert your idea of superheroes. In this world, superheroes are a mundane part of ordinary life, just are the catastrophic, existential threats that plague Earth. Fortunately for us boring humans, individual actors and groups, like the Guardians of the Globe, are there to save the day. How much loyalty can we expect of these guardians and whose interests do they have at heart?
Yet, the nice thing about Invincible is that it shies away from only pandering to big picture type questions. At its heart is the story of Mark Grayson, who is essentially just a teen, living his life. Okay, that admittedly sounds really cliché, but the story doesn’t neglect to display the complexity of Mark’s inner life as well—worrying not just about his grades and college prospects, but also about his budding superpowers and coming into himself as a young man. He is written in a fairly believable way, too—not as a mini adult, but as a teenage boy who is far from having all of the answers, aside from his ideals. (And where do kids typically get their ideals, hm?)
All in all, this was a great hype read for the upcoming second series of the show. I will continue to read the comic volumes as my library deigns to provide them to me, but I can’t belie my preference for the animated show. Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, and J.K. Simmons truly bring these characters to life in the best way. (Not to mention that incredible soundtrack…)
carlozkingz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.0
jimmypat's review against another edition
4.0
I've read some of these issues before and, while I enjoyed them, I always felt that the pacing of the book seemed incredibly odd. Reading the first 13 in a row, some of the odd pacing makes more sense and the book seemed to start really gelling by the end. Very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next volume.