Invincible Universe: Battle Beast had an incredible debut issue. Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley returned to their iconic universe without missing a beat. It certainly helped that Battle Beast is one of the more compelling characters in the Invincible Universe. He is a character that always felt like he had so much more potential to be tapped into. That was proven true with this new series focusing on his journey to find a worthy warrior that will provide him a fight that will satisfy him. We got the chance to check out the next chapter in this story thanks to Skybound and Image Comics providing us an early copy. Find out how it turned out with our advance review of Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #2.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Ryan Ottley
Colorist: Annalisa Leoni
Letterer: Rus Wooton
INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE: BATTLE BEAST #2 SOLICITATION
“THE BEST NEW (NOT QUITE A) SUPERHERO SERIES IN THE UNIVERSE CONTINUES! Battle Beast has entered the Blood Games. This is bad news…but not for him.” – Skybound & Image Comics
REVIEW
There is nothing like a good fighting tournament story. When done right it can be the hypest and most engaging story told in any series. In their own bloody way Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley are able to meet that high with the fighting tournament story they tell in Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #2.
What particularly makes the fighting tournament Battle Beast enters in this issue so engaging is that it speaks to who he is. As a warrior driven by his insatiable desire to finding opponents worthy of fighting there really is no better setting than a fighting tournament for Battle Beast. It is the ultimate status check, especially as we see a wide variety of alien races competing in it.
This also provided yet another opportunity to simply showcase who Battle Beast is. There isn’t a whole lot of depth when it comes to the character. He is very simple because of his desire. Which allowed the fighting tournament we see Battle Beast get involved in really reflect who he is as a character. It was the optimal way to drive home who is and continue the narrative of his desire of finding a worthy opponent growing stronger.
Through this story Kirkman is able to further showcase the greater Invincible Universe. This is where Ottley really gets into his bag. For as great as the action that Ottley draws is, what is even better is how he creates a sense of scale. You really feel how big the Invincible Universe is because of the diversity of character types. It makes the action pop even more when we see Battle Beast fighting a wide variety of alien races.
By expanding on the greater Invincible Universe new avenues to explore the cosmos open up for this series. This in turn strengthens Battle Beast as a lead character as we see the universe responding to his actions. With what he has done thus far it does get you to wonder who will step up next and what his disruption means for those seeing his actions.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #2 taps into the hype of a fighting tournament. The tournament setting was perfect to carry Battle Beast drive to find a worthy opponent forward. This setting also provided an opportunity to see a greater view of the Invincible Universe. That all comes together for an exciting follow-up to the debut of the series.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating 9 Night Girls out of 10
Check out the full preview for Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #2 by clicking here.
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