Invincible Ultimate Collection Volume 6 HC [Hardcover]

Title: Invincible Ultimate Collection Volume 6
Publisher: Image
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artists: Ryan Ottley, Corey Walker (pencils), Cliff Rathburn (inks), FCO Plascencia, Dave McCaig (colors), Ryan Ottley, FCO Plascencia (covers)
Collects: Invincible #60-70, Invincible Returns #1
Price: $34.99

It's time, again, for my yearly dose of Invincible! Since these collections only come out one time a year, and I tend to read them through in only one sitting, a year seems like an awfully long time to wait for them, but they are usually satisfying when I get them.

Kirkman's super hero book has all of the conventions of traditional super-hero books, and a few contrivances that I could do without, but it remains, overall, a very strong book for fans of the genre. Volume six of this series contains the two TPBs Invincible Volume 12: Still Standing and Invincible Volume 13. The first story arc deals with the re-emergence of old foe Angstrom Levy, who is finally ready to launch his plan of revenge against Invincible - whom he blames for all of his problems in life. Angstrom's been working behind the scenes for quite some time, now, using his teleportation and time/space portal abilities to comb alternate realities for allies powerful enough to help him take out Mark Grayson and his own allies. Who better to take out Invincible than evil alternate-reality versions of Invincible? With his army assembled and ready to go, Angstrom unleashes them on the unsuspecting world and every available hero is needed to try to stop them. There's plenty of action in these issues, and quite a few fatalities. The epic team-ups and battles are over far too quickly, in my opinion, and it seems like this story was rushed a bit. Why it was rushed, I can't tell you, but that seems to be the case. Still enjoyable, but over too quickly. Also in the first half of the book is the titanic battle between Invincible and Conquest (one of the Viltrumite Empire's biggest brutes.) Oh, what a battle! Fantastic fisticuffs between these two titans that have to be seen, first-hand! I'll leave it to you to see this for yourself...

The second half of the book introduces a few new villains, including Dinosaurus and Universa, reveals what has been going on with a few other villains who were beat down in past issues, shows us the evolution of Mark's younger brother Oliver (who desires to be called Kid Omni-Man), and gives us the culmination of the Sequid invasion of Earth. There's a lot going on throughout the whole book, which is very satisfying. I like it when writers keep multiple plot threads going throughout a series. It keeps the readers engaged and in anticipation of the fruit of these seeded storylines.

Ottley turns in some great artwork, again, and is joined by Invincible co-creator Corey Walker of penciling duties for a few issues, which was nice to see. This book has become less "cartoony" over the years, and I love the art team on the book, right now, but it was still nice to have the series' original artist come back to play in the sandbox for a while.

A great, fun comic endures for another year! If you've been reading this series at all, you'll have to make sure to read this book! If you haven't been reading this series, why not? Give it a try and see what all the talk is about!

Writing: 7/10
Artwork: 8/10
Cool Factor: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

Keep this in mind when you think Kirkman. All of the comics he writes he seems to get you to really into the characters. Loving and caring for the story arcs to come he always seems to tug at your heart strings by getting Invincible into some deep dookie in this latest volume.

Since it launched some seven or eight years ago, Invincible has been building toward the long promised "Viltrumite War," involving a confrontation between the teenage Mark Grayson and an entire race of aliens bent on the domination of Earth. While the story of that war is chronicled in the issues that follow those collected here, writer Robert Kirkman and artist Ryan Ottley produce one of the most tense, most action packed, most jaw-droppingly beautiful collection of Invincible stories since the series began in the pages of this volume. Simply put, Invincible is one of the best series being produced by any comic company bar none, and Invincible Vol 6 contains some of the best stories of that excellent series.

Based on two major arcs, namely an invasion by 'alternate reality" evil Invincibles and a brutal confrontation between Invincible and a foe far more powerful than our titular hero, Vol. 6 is a resounding success due to basically two things - it radically ramps up the tension and stakes involved for our hero and it is also maturing, finally beginning to advance that long gestating plot involving the invasion by the cruel Viltrumites.

Kirkman is a master here, enjoying himself with action sequences that are both stunning in their violence but that also resonate because they ring true, and smaller, more comedic or personal moments between characters that lend the world a believability and internal coherence that is admirable. The art by Ryan Ottley is just incredibly beautiful and pitch perfect for the tone Kirkman is striving for, and remains a huge part of the books success. Invincible will be significantly less entertaining when Ottley leaves, if he eventually does.

This volume also is an incredible steal at the price Amazon offers it. Containing roughly a year's worth of stories, it is oversized and hardcover, looks fantastic on the shelf and will provide hours of reading entertainment. It's simply one of the best ways to experience those stories, and I think, provides far more value for money than other editions that are available. My highest possible recommendation!!!!

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