Invincible writer-creator Robert Kirkman has his own thoughts on why the comic series was so successful and could hold its ground against new Marvel and DC releases.
Along with series artists Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, Kirkman sat down for an exclusive interview with CBR discussing Invincible's 20th anniversary. During the conversation, Kirkman said, "I think it's hard to pinpoint exactly why anything is successful. If any of us knew or could do that, more things would be successful." The writer attributed Invincible's own good fortune on "a lot of luck and right place, right time," but added that its self-contained nature as "counter-programming" against Marvel and DC events made it stand on its own.
"It was a simple self-contained superhero story, or whole universe, that provided the same excitement and grandeur, possibly even at a larger scale, all in one book," Kirkman explained. "It was unique. It came out alongside Civil War and Blackest Night in the era of the mega-crossover. So as counter-programming, I think it really stood apart."
Marvel's Civil War and DC's Blackest Night, Explained
Invincible launched its first issue back on Jan. 22, 2003, and ran for 144 issues all the way through early 2018. In his response, Kirkman referenced Marvel's Civil War and DC's Blackest Night, the former being a mid-2000s event in which a massive conflict between Captain America and Iron Man divides the superhero community, and the latter a late 2000s, Green Lantern-centric event where DC's heroes have to face an army of Black Lanterns. Both are regarded as some of the biggest comic book events published, but Invincible also sold new issues alongside others, like Final Crisis, Flashpoint, Secret Wars and more.
Invincible Crossing Over With Marvel and DC
While it only takes place during one issue, Invincible did cross over with both the Marvel and DC Universes a few years into its long run. 2006's Invincible #33 throws the titular hero across the Multiverse, causing him to meet Spider-Man while he fights Doctor Octopus, but also speak with Batman briefly. Though the Dark Knight isn't fully shown and only appears for a single panel, Invincible's interaction with Spider-Man was fleshed out in Marvel Team-Up #14, written by Kirkman and illustrated by Walker.
Even during the age of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the live-action DC Universe, Invincible has experienced a revamped level of popularity. This has been attributed to the animated adaptation of the comics on Prime Video, which is set to release its second season in late 2023. The show makes some changes from the source material, and Kirkman promised that in the future, he may be writing some original Invincible episodes with stories never seen before in the comics.
All issues from Invincible are collected in three compendiums and other formats. Season 1 of Invincible is available to stream now on Prime Video.
Source: CBR