Throughout 144 issues of Invincible, Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley introduced a plethora of characters that truly made the series “The Best Superhero Comic In The Universe.” That roster grew to include characters from other books that Kirkman was working on, like The Astounding Wolf-Man and Tech Jacket, and heroes who could stand toe to toe with the residents of the Marvel or DC Universes. But there’s one character who stood out the most: Battle Beast. The snow-furred, utterly vicious warrior became not just a fan favorite, but a favorite of the creators…and now, with Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1, his story can finally be told.
Picking up in the aftermath of Invincible #19, which saw Battle Beast utterly curb-stomping the Guardians of the Globe, he retreats to his ship…and is surprised to learn that its computer is sentient, and utterly resents him for killing the previous crew. The two come to an accord: Battle Beast seeks a opponent who can end his life, and the computer wants to see him dead. Thus, the duo travel the universe for opponents “worthy” of Battle Beast.
Reading through Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1, I was genuinely impressed with how Kirkman immediately shifted from the bright, superhero-filled world of Invincible to a sci-fi landscape. While Invincible always had sci-fi elements, they only became more prominent in the book’s later years; here, there are multiple reminders that Battle Beast isn’t human, and that there’s a whole universe full of different aliens out in the stars. Still, Kirkman keeps some elements intact, like Battle Beast recalling his origin or the intense fight scenes that are packed into the book.
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The biggest draw of the book is the reunion of Kirkman and Ryan Ottley, with Ottley giving those fight scenes their signature gory flair. Again, Battle Beast #1 is a reminder of how much Ottley’s grown as an artist; the level of detail he packs into each page is incredible. He also takes the chance to draw new types of aliens, including the foe that Battle Beast faces in this issue. It’s not human by any stretch of the imagination, as it possesses four eyes, a mass of obsidian muscles, and bony spears poking out of its body that rivals Wolverine’s. Since this is an Invincible comic, Ottley doesn’t skimp on the gore. Battle Beast uses his weapons, including his massive broadsword, and even his teeth to rip chunks of flesh out of his opponent.
What gives Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 its sci-fi flair is Annalisa Leoni, who boards the series as colorist. Leoni currently works on Void Rivals – another Kirkman sci-fi title – and she brings the same otherworldly flair here. A prime example is the planet where Battle Beast has his first major fight; the skies are streaked with red, and so is the ground beneath Battle Beast’s feet, but the reader’s eyes will be drawn to his snow white fur and jet black armor. It once again provides a contrast to the opening pages, which are more in line with Invincible’s bright and vibrant world.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 reunites the Invincible creative team, and presents a new side of Invincible’s world while giving a fan favorite character his due. As an Invincible fan, I can safely say that it’s great to be getting new stories set in Invincible’s world, and hopefully this has the same lasting power as the original series.
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