Comic books generally follow a plot line that can, over time, become predictable, especially if you’re a long time collector. Yet, every once in a while, a creator will come along and shock his fans with a plot twist so breathtaking that they come back craving more. This is definitely the case of “Invincible #100.”
When opening a comic, one typically expects an opening panel, detailing the setting, emotion, composition and feel of the events about to unfold, yet Robert Kirkman has to go to a whole new level when opening “Invincible #100.” Closing the “Death of Everyone” story arc, this latest installment cuts straight to the chase by killing an icon character in the Invincible universe, in a manner that can only be described as shocking. And if you’re squeamish in the least, the initial opening sequence is not for the light of heart.
But, past the gratuitous violence, “Invincible #100” is a solid story that brings closure to many of the loose ends that have formed over the past year, because Kirkman can sometimes take the story in totally new directs one issue to the next. Issue #100 brings resolution to Mark Grayson’s gutsy call partnering with a genocidal mastermind, Dinosaur.
Kirkman also does a fine job of weaving in all of the old faces in the Invincible brand that have become commonplace. From The Immortal and Dupli-Kate, to Robot, to Omni-Man and Bulletproof, this story weaves the arc’s wide selection of moving parts into a tale that boils down to Invincible’s coming of age. And for icing on the cake, Kirkman also leaves a few surprises at the end to hook readers into the next issue.
As far as the art was concerned, Ryan Ottely once again shines in issue #100, with every detail and line showcasing fraught emotion. And, one cannot overlook the consistency in which Ottely has shown from one issue to the next, from stylish journeys into space to scenes that can make one want to recoil.
On the grand scale of titles released this month, the big run up to Invincible #100 amounted to a four out of five stars. The story wasn't perfect, but it sure was an entertaining ride.
Comments