ROBERT KIRKMAN: STILL INVINCIBLE

[MattBrady]

by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean

Even though writer Robert Kirkman is still exclusive to Marvel for Comics, he’s still happy doing creator-owned work at Image Comics. And his fan base seems to be growing day by day.

Could he be really… invincible?

After nineteen issues and a story in last year’s Image Summer Special which was part of the Free Comic Book Day initiative, Invincible has proven to its fans that it is not Spider-Man, and the main character, Mark Grayson, is definitely not Clark Kent from Smallville. As the series’ loyal fans enthuse, Invincible is a much-needed breath of fresh air when it comes to superheroes.

Invincible was launched as part of a new super-hero line from Image Comics, a line that included Firebreather by Phil Hester and Andy Kuhn, Venture by Jay Faerber and Jamal Igle, Dominion by Keith Giffen and The Clockmaker by Jim Krueger and Matt Smith. All others have fallen by the wayside except…well, maybe the series is invincible.

April sees the release of Invincible #0, a bargain-priced zero issue aimed at being a jumping-on point for new readers. The 50-cent issue promises to bring new readers up to speed on Mark’s origin, while laying down the groundwork for upcoming storylines.

We caught up with Kirkman for a chat about Mark Grayson and more.

Newsarama: Why put out an origin issue now, more than two years after it first debuted and after three trade paperback collections (with Volume 4: Head of The Class scheduled for March)?

Robert Kirkman: I'm just trying to give potential new readers as many opportunities as I can to give this book a shot. Also, this isn't a straight origin issue with no bearing on what's going on in the series. This is a vital part of the story running through the book, it just happens to bring new readers up to speed. It'll lead right into issue #23 and hopefully bring a lot of people into the Invincible fold. It's half a buck, how can you pass that up?!

NRAMA: Other than a new Firebreather one-shot that was published recently, the super-hero line that was launched a while back seems, well, non-existent. Except for Invincible, of course. Thoughts? Survivor’s guilt?

RK: Doing new comics in this industry is tough. Nobody is denying that. More new books fail than catch on. There's a full graveyard of new characters out there. For every Ex Machina, there's an Automatic Kafka, a Sentinel, a H.E.R.O., a Bloodhound and a Tech Jacket. It's almost impossible to debut a new book these days. I don't even really think it has much to do with quality as much as it has to do with luck. Good books, books I love just aren't catching on. But y'know, you've gotta pat Jim Valentino on the back for being bold enough to give it a shot despite all that. I mean... I certainly have to thank him for it. The industry needs new books, it's going to have to realize that sooner or later.



NRAMA: Invincible started off with classic super-heroism, having contemporary sensibilities and it packed much positivism as opposed to nihilistic, pessimistic and depressing stories that have been a norm these days. In other words, Invincible was fun. Do you still find it a joy to work on Invincible after all these years?

RK: Well, it's only been two, but yeah... I do, and I think I'd enjoy working on this book for ten years. I find no greater joy in comics than getting to stick with a character and watch them change and grow. I'm working on the 23rd issue of Invincible... that's a lot of books. Every time I get a copy of a new issue I put it on the back of my stack of Invincible comics and I admire how thick the stack has gotten. Then I hug and kiss the stack -- because I love this book.

NRAMA: We’ll get this finished up so you can have some private time then…speaking of the tone, despite the upbeat approach, this was a book where anything goes, and the stories and direction have taken a darker tone of late. While you were initially against the idea of deconstructing the super-hero concept, the later arcs have been, well, brutal. In recent issues, you’ve introduced a potential dark future, a new set of potential adversaries, an alien invasion, a status quo change for some of the heroes, new characters. Was this your long-term plan for Invincible from the start?

RK: Oh, yeah. This stuff wouldn't have any impact at all if I'd done it like this from the beginning. Now, I'll argue that the book is still far from grim and gritty but the issues carry more weight now. There's more at stake, there's more going on behind the scenes. The book isn't darker, it's just more serious. If I hadn't led up to that seriousness with 11 issues of light superhero fun, it wouldn't have had the impact it would have had. The book was always working towards this. The reveal with Invincible's father was always the center of the book. I just had to take time to set it up.

NRAMA: Many readers have grown to love Mark Grayson, the mild-mannered, average American teen super-hero known as Invincible. How did you first come up with this lead character? In your opinion, how is he compared to everyone’s favorite wall-climbing, web-slinging, friendly-neighborhood Spider-Man?

RK: I think Mark is more human -- more normal. He grew up with a loving mother and father -- there's not a lot of death in his life like there is with Peter. His messed up superhero stuff happened after he became a hero, not as a catalyst for it. Mark's also a little more relatable I think. He's not a super smart science kid. He gets by with Bs and Cs. Mark is much more average... without being boring in any way... I swear.

NRAMA: Touching on his origin a little, Marks’ also the son of Omni-Man, the most powerful super-hero on the planet. However, unlike Superman, Omni-Man single-handedly destroyed the Guardians of the Globe, a JLA-clone that comprised of Warrior Woman, Martian Man, Darkwing, among others. Will Mark follow in his father’s footsteps? Will we see a Dark Invincible?

RK: Only time will tell. I definitely have a grand plan for the series, people will just have to wait and see if it involves Mark turning his back on the people of Earth.

NRAMA: Art-wise, while Ryan Ottley’s work has been critically-praised by critics and fans alike, will series co-creator Cory Walker be back for a guest issue or two?

RK: Cory may come back for a back up or something like that eventually but right now he's busy with his new baby. Cory's always paid more attention to what's really important in life, and I commend him for that. He's a great artist and could be at the top of the industry but he'd just rather raise his kids... and have more. Plus, as you mentioned, the book is in more than capable hands with Ryan Ottley. Ryan started on the book with issue #8 and as of issue #21, he's the artist I've done the most consecutive issues of any book with.

NRAMA: What is it like working with Ryan?

RK: Ryan's a dream come true on a book where I also have to edit and manage as well as write. He's such a pro. I've never had to give the guy a deadline, he's always turning pages in. The learning curve on this guy is just amazing. Comparing issue #20 to issue #8 is just astounding. It's like I've had three artists working on this book so far! I would marry Ryan if I didn't love this book so much...and we both weren't already married... and if I wasn't straight...

NRAMA: Alone time coming right up – promise. Issue #7 featured art by guest artists Erik Larsen, Dave Johnson, Tony Moore, Mark Englert, Cliff Rathburn, Terry Stevens and Matt Roberts. Will we be seeing more guest artists on the book anytime soon?

RK: No. Ryan's kicking so much ass on the book it'd break my heart to see anyone else take over the book for even and issue. I want to have a long uninterrupted run with Ryan, and that means no fill-ins. It's his book now. I'll only get a fill in if he wants it.




NRAMA: Invincible has appeared in Savage Dragon, Noble Causes and will be a part of the upcoming The Pact mini-series. You had also mentioned that Invincible is set in the same universe as your other creations Tech Jacket and Brit. Will we see characters from other books guest star in Invincible?

RK: The characters from Capes appeared in issue #17, and I'm sure Tech Jacket and Brit will show up eventually. Issue #16 tied in with Brit: Red, White, Black & Blue to the point that it almost doesn't make sense without reading both -- but Brit himself didn't appear in Invincible. As far as their own books, I'm afraid I can't do much with them until my Marvel contract is up.

NRAMA: So – what is coming up after the #0 issue brings loads of new readers on board?

RK: Big stuff starts going down with issue #25 and up. Issues #14-24 was setting them up, issues #25-40 is knocking them down. We finally get to see what's going on with Angstrom Levy in issue #24, Mark's secret identity is compromised in issue #22, and Mark starts an off world adventure in issue #25, but not for the reasons you'd think. I'm going to finally start tying up loose ends left around since issue #12 and #13. Mark's going to get beat up a few more times too... that's always fun. The kids love that. It all starts with issue #0 and just builds from there until we have some truly world-shattering events for our main character. It's a perfect time to jump on the little superhero title that could – Invincible.

RK: What else have you got in the works?

RK: More Invincible, more The Walking Dead, more Marvel Team-Up, Fantastic Four: Foes, Battle Pope monthly and in color starting in June, and if everyone behaves, maybe Scott Kurtz and I will get our Golden Agers mini-series out this year. It's really up to Scott on that one.

[samnoir]

As much as I like Invincible, my favourite Kirkman book is The Walking Dead. He's really taken the tired Zombie Horror genre into some very interesting and engaging character driven territory.

I'm also hoping that with his popularity growing, they might release the next volme of Cloudfall. Very under-rated book where Kirkman tackles the Alien Conspiracy genre in the same way he found a fresh approach to zombies in Walking Dead.

________________________________________ _____

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[Zadillo]

I only recently got around to reading both Invincible and the Walking Dead, after picking up the first trades of each.

I've posted about this before, but all I can wonder is "what took me so long?". These are both excellent books, and I have since picked up the later trades and single issues and these are now both on my pull list.

Just great, great stuff.

-Zadillo

[ZeusLegion]

Buy the heck out of INVINCIBLE! It really is a fantastic book chock full of surprises and is exceptionally worth of your three bucks each and every month. If you've never given it a try before, get the #0 issue for 50 cents, you won't regret it.


And, uh, get FREEDOM FORCE too for some old-school superhero fun.

[Peagle8]

Every time I get a copy of a new issue I put it on the back of my stack of Invincible comics and I admire how thick the stack has gotten. Then I hug and kiss the stack -- because I love this book.

Now that I know I'm not alone in doing this I don't feel so bad.

Invincible is one of the best superhero books being published and you get your money's worth each month. Seriously... I’ve run out of things to say about how great I think this book is.

[zarniwoop]

[i]Originally posted by MattBrady
Battle Pope monthly and in color starting in June[/b]

This is awesome!!
I hope it really happens.

[Samuraidaddy]

Why isn't this book in the Diamond Top 100? It's wrong! Do I have to start buying two copies?

[Jeffbot]

Originally posted by MattBrady

Heh. "Studyology."

[GOSD]

If Kirkman writes it, I buy it.

It's just that simple.

[COREMARK]

I am huge fan of both the Walking Dead and Invincible. Like most, I first tried these books when the first trades hit, and I've been buying the trades ever since. Since this is only 50 cents though, I will cave and pick up the single issue.

[FIG]

I never understood the hype about Robert Kirkmans work at an art forum I go to until I took a chance and bought the first Invincible trade. After that I've been a huge fan of all his work, be it from his Masters of the Universe one shots to his Walk Dead series to Brit. Theres a reason behind the hype guys, his writing is always solid and he writes very realistic, multi-faceted characters. Ryans pencils on the book are really strong too, I think his style is so great, effective and his storytelling skills are noteworthy. Robert always seems to work with really good artists too, guys like E.J. Su, Corey Walker, Ryan Ottley, Cliff Rathburn, Khary Randloph and Tony Moore. That bunch is so good they inspire me.

[Gordon McAlpin]

"It's his book now. I'll only get a fill in if he wants it."

Mr. Kirkman, you just sold a couple of trade paperbacks. It hate hate hate it when artists take breaks for an issue or two every year, and when artists jump ship after a storyline or two, especially when a book has a larger overriding storyline. I'd rather just not have an issue for a month!

Books like Sleeper, Y, Ex Machina ... these are and always will be by the same artist. THAT'S what a comic book should be. One creator or creative team: one vision.

Frank Quitely's inconsistency (and subsequent departure from) Grant Morrison's X-Men run is a perfect example: Quitely's issues were awesome, but the issues without him were at best mediocre. His art made that book as good as it was at first. (Needless to say, I found the end of Grant's storyline disappointing.)

But anyway.

[Kirk Kushin]

I have been a fan of this book from the begining. It's been really cool to see Kirkman really take off. Hopefully all his Marvel fans will give this book a look.

You go boy!

[idkidd]

Ok, now that a great superhero book from Image is finally catching on, I want to see it spread the love to the other overlooked superhero books from Image.

I'd like to see some focused 4 part back ups in Invincible featuring Firebreather, Firebirds or (a natural) Tech Jacket. While I enjoy the bonus stuff currently in the back of the book, I'd like to see these other worthy characters build up a fanbase large enough to support publication. Then, they can do the same for other books

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally posted by Peagle8
Invincible is one of the best superhero books being published and you get your money's worth each month. Seriously... I’ve run out of things to say about how great I think this book is.

Ditto!!!

I was one of those people that played the "waiting for the trade" game after reading the first issue of INVINCIBLE. I decided to give it a shot after hearing so much positive word of mouth about the book online, and liking what Kirkman was doing on WALKING DEAD...

Loved the first tpb, got the second one. Loved it even MORE and was pulling out (what's left of) my hair waiting for the third tpb. Bought the third tpb, loved it and said "forget it, the wait is TOO long between tpbs!!! I'm getting the monthly!!!".

The rest as they say, is history. I managed to pick up all the back issues for cover price over the course of the last 2 months, except for #1, which I sold on eBay sometime back. IDIOT!!!

The is currently my favorite title, it goes right on the top of the reading pile, whenever I get it. Brilliant writing and great artwork.

I loaned my LCS owner the first 3 tpbs. He loved them so much, he decided to pick the monthly up himself! Unfortunately, no other club members are collecting the book either...

I'm also digging Marvel Team Up (MTU) and just bought the tpb of Tech Jacket online. Can't wait to read this Kirkman goody as well!!!

[CaptainTemerity]

Yegads, this is a good book!

Invincible is in my top three favorite comic characters, with Dick Grayson and Kitty Pryde.


Makes me want to write a fanfic. And I HATE writing fanfic.

[Mike S Miller]

INVINCIBLE is without doubt one of the best, most consistent superhero comics on the market.

[Cray_ws]

I think anyone who's been reading Spider-man and is disappointed that Peter Parker isn't going thru the tribulations of teen life anymore and lost its witty charm, should check out Invincible. This book fills that void and more, Invincible is a fun read for anyone who enjoys superheroes.

[Len Cage]

WOW!!! I feel like a tool for not having been reading this.

[stlfan79]

Kirkman=Fantastic
Ottley=Super

so

Invincible=Awesome


I feel like a 1st grade teacher putting stickers on math assignments, but it really is that simple.

[benedict]

Battle Pope? Hmm... i had heard that Kirkman and Moore weren't pals anymore, and it would be a shame to see anyone else draw BP...

[Xaraan]

Originally posted by Ghost of ScooterDoom
If Kirkman writes it, I buy it.

It's just that simple.

I would have to say the same.
He's become one of my go-to writers, I'll always pick up a book with his name on it.

But I have to say that Invincible and Walking Dead are my favorite books of his by far. I can't say enough. If you are not reading these, you should be!

[e_galston]

i might just have to pick this up... as i've heard really good things about the book... and i really love Kirkman's MTU...

[MichaelCoughlin]

Invincible was the best book on the market.

Then I read The Walking Dead. It shouldn't be possible, but everything the man writes is gold!

[Zadillo]

I'm really happy, I just got back from my comic shop where I picked up issues #14-19......... so I will soon be all caught up.

-Zadillo