Advance Review — ‘Invincible Universe: Battle Beast’ #8 Ratchets Up The Action

If the last issue of Invincible Universe: Battle Beast suffered only a cameo appearance from the titular character, this latest chapter makes up for that transgression in spades.

This eighth issue gives readers plenty of the Beast as well as his allies and enemies to fill up the comic. And it even continues the long tease of a new adversary ripped out of the pages of the original Invincible title.

Writer Robert Kirkman gives his audience a little bit of everything this time around, including an extended battle scene beautifully rendered by artist Ryan Ottley (who clearly seems to be having fun with this title).

That battle with siblings Colossus and Juggernaut (X-Men vibes much?) takes up most of this installment, which is not a bad thing. Any chance to see Battle Beast fight is welcome. And when he (and others) dispatched an opponent, there’s always some visual quip – much like a James Bond pun. Instead of a witticism, though, the Beast often feeds on an adversary vital organ. In this issue, we see snacks made of a heart and brain. Somehow Kirkman makes the situation both charming and believable without being over the top. (Well, maybe a little over the top…)

The chief complaint about this title since the beginning has been that the Beast is just too powerful and doesn’t have enough vulnerabilities. That concern shows up here, despite battling twin baddies who represent an enormous threat. But Kirkman looks to be upping the ante by introducing a new level of baddie in the near future. We don’t want to see Battle Beast die (though that is his wish), but at least make a fight out of it.

Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #8 — written by Robert Kirkman, illustrated by Ryan Ottley, colored by Annalisa Leoni, and lettered by Rus Wooton — will be available in comic book stores and on digital platforms on Wednesday from Image Comics.