Warning! Spoilers ahead for Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1!
Fans asked, and Robert Kirkman answered, as theInvinciblecreator has confirmed that theBattle Beastspin-off series, which debuts this week, is just the beginning of a greater expansion of the franchise’s comic book universe,with Kirkman promising “new characters, new concepts,” and “new worlds” being added to theInvinciblemythos, some of which will take readers by surprise.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast#1, written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Ryan Ottley, is the official return to the comic canon of the franchise, reuniting the co-creators of the original series for a story following one of their greatest creations.
Referring to Battle Beast as “one of [their] favorite characters,” Kirkman noted that while the great thing about the series, first and foremost, is the way it expands its protagonist’s lore, he also teased bigger things ahead for the world ofInvincible.
Invincible Co-Creators Confirm That Their Return To Invincible Comics Is Focused On Expanding The Universe
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast#1; Written By Robert Kirkman; Art By Ryan Ottley; Available Now From Image Comics/Skybound Entertainment
TheInvinciblecomic series is epic both in terms of scope and longevity;running 144 issues, over the course of fifteen years, the series featured its half-alien hero fighting against his father’srace of alien conquerors, the Viltrumite Empire. In addition to these interstellar foes,Invincibleintroduced a number of enthralling alien charactersand worlds as its action took to the stars over the years; now, that universe is about to get even more in depth, as the franchise returns withBattle Beast.
Considering the success of Amazon’sInvincibleadaptation, many fans expected more comics set in theInvincibleUniverse, but now it has officially been confirmed with the debut ofBattle Beast. As Robert Kirkman wrote in a note accompanying the first issue:
You love INVINCIBLE, too? Sure you do. This comic will give you a lot of what you’re looking for, I promise! Hoping to see some cool cameos and call backs to the INVINCIBLE series, well…just you wait. It’s coming! BUT the main thing that has me jazzed for this series is that while Ryan and I are going to be expanding the story of one of our favorite characters from the series, we’re also going to be expanding the universe in some cool ways. Adding some new characters, new concepts, new worlds, and all kinds of things you might not expect.
In other words, more than justfilling out the franchise’s mythology and populating its universe even further, it is a sure thing thatBattle Beastwill feature some familiar faces, and tie-in to theInvinciblecomicin ways that should be satisfying to loyal readers.
Robert Kirkman Promises “Cameos And Call Backs” Along With New Additiosn To Invincible Lore
Battle BeastInaugurates A New Era For The Franchise
Considering the fact that Robert Kirkman has also confirmed thattheInvincibleTV showwill feature an entirely new storyline next season, moving further away from being a direct adaptation and toward delivering its own distinct take on the mythos,it is clear that theInvinciblefranchise is entering a prolific new epoch, one in which the vast possibilities left untapped by the end of the comic in 2018 are finally going to be explored in more detail.Invincible Universe: Battle Beastis now poised to play a pivotal role in that project.
Battle Beastis the next vital step towards once more immersing readers in the world ofInvincibleand offering a refreshing new perspective on it, as well as a perfect jumping on point for new fans.
Invinciblehas reached a rare level of success for an independent superhero comic, and part of that,even before the Amazon series, relied on the lush, detailed world of the franchise, as much as the appeal of its lead character and dynamic supporting cast. Few series are more deserving of more worldbuilding, andBattle Beastis the next vital step towards once more immersing readers in the world ofInvincibleand offering a refreshing new perspective on it, as well as a perfect jumping on point for new fans.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast#1is available now from Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment.
