Advance Review – Ryan Ottley Continues To Shine In ‘Invincible Universe: Battle Beast’ #2

It’s really this simple: Ryan Ottley was born to draw Battle Beast.

Only two issues into the new series Invincible Universe: Battle Beast, and Ottley has easily established himself as the title’s raison d’être. Sure comics legend Robert Kirkman is writing the series, but it is Ottley is injecting life into every page and panel.

Look no further than the first page of this week’s issue #2, which starts off with Battle Beast feasting on a poor, unnamed alien. In a half-page splash, Ottley depicts the Beast’s ferocity and appetite as he’s chowing down some alien organs, green blood covering half his face. Later in the issue, BB enters a tournament where he dispatches any manner of foes, all of whom Ottley depicts effortlessly.

It’s not just the big moments either. One page has a partially digested prey on the floor begging for his life, giving Ottley the chance to show off Battle Beast’s enormously clawed feet. Later we see an enormous space station that fills an entire page.

Ottley has plenty of experience with the Beast and these kinds of aliens from his 14-year run on Invincible. But his work on this title is next level and should be celebrated.

With that kind of artwork, the only thing holding back Invincible Universe: Battle Beast is Kirkman’s writing. The story has improved a bit over the premiere issue, but it’s still not that developed. And the characters are fairly predictable, though Battle Beast himself is unique. And it seems that Kirkman is trying to set him on a journey of discovery – though we’ll see how that pans out.

But as long as Ottley continues to deliver pages like these, the writing is almost inconsequential. It’s Ottley who is the real Beast here.

Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #2 will be available in comic shops and digital platforms June 18 from Image Comics.