The reason Invincible Universe: Battle Beast appeals to readers is two-fold. It’s a return to the world of Invincible, and with the animated series making its own return for Season 4, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. It’s also packed with all the bloody, brutal battles that made the original Invincible series a hit; the only difference is that the carnage is dialed up to 11, since Battle Beast is seeking a strong opponent to end his life. With all of that on the table, I can safely say that Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #8 is packed full of those elements.
Most of the issue focuses on the throwdown between Battle Beast and the alien conquerors Colossus and Juggernaut. Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley don’t hold back on the violence. Ottley, in particular, goes as big and bold with his art as humanly possible. A splash page features Battle Beast diving from the sky at his opponents, holding his new sword aloft. Another element I love is that the blade, alongside Juggernaut’s and Colossus’s claws, constantly shatters and regrows. This leads to a full page of Battle Beast stabbing his blade into flesh and snapping it off, watching it grow back in a sheer burst of black humor.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s also another gruesome moment where Battle Beast partakes in an…unusual meal. Readers will need to have a strong stomach to get through that sequence, but what makes it even more hilarious is the fact that he stops mid-battle to do it. Again: this is a massive lion creature with a death wish, who stops a fight to eat something truly disgusting. It’s absolutely absurd, and yet Kirkman makes it work. Ottley also seems to take great pleasure in drawing Battle Beast slurping down blood.
Image
None of this would work as well as it does without Annalisa Leoni. I’ve sung Leoni’s praises before, but her color art is something that has to be seen to be believed. The sky is a bright golden color, making the bloodshed truly sing. Half the panels are filled with neon green blood, most of it coming from Colossus and Juggernaut. Battle Beast stands out in every scene thanks to his snow-white fur, along with his red and gold armor. Not to be outdone, Rus Wooton puts an extra oomph into every sound effect. Every time a blade stabs into flesh, it’s like you can actually hear it.
We also slowly get teased with the appearance of Conquest and the possibility of a fight between him and Battle Beast. Only…said possibility is more or less made possible by Kirkman fully announcing it in the letters page. I’d have loved to keep that element a surprise, especially for long-time Invincible fans who probably flipped when Conquest’s appearance was teased in the first arc.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #8 is a return to form, featuring all the bloody violence and black humor that’s made this title a standout. Probably the only thing that could make it better is if Michael Dorn read the dialogue out loud.
You must be logged in to post a comment.