Those of you who have been reading Invincible know that change has been on the way for quite some time. We are currently in the middle of the Viltrumite War, a story that has been 6 or so years in the making – ever since the end of the first arc in Invincible when it was revealed who Omni-Man actually was. There has been a lot of change since then, from Mark’s supporting cast to even Mark’s costume, and all of it comes to a head in this war.
However, for those that read issue #72, you know that things aren’t looking so well for our heroes, and for those of who you have read this week’s issue (#73) and perhaps taken a peek at the letter’s column, you’ll have seen word that something big is happening in the pages of Invincible.
With respect to those not caught up, I’ve put all the information behind a cut. However, for those who ARE caught up, know this – if you don’t read the letter column and you don’t plan to, this information is a massive spoiler. We’re talking game changing spoiler here. If you’d rather not know, don’t look. That having been said, let’s talk a bit about what was at the back of the issue.
There were rumors that, when Viltrumite War ended, Invincible would relaunch with a brand new #1 and a volume 2 slogan, much the same way New Avengers has currently re-launched for a new era. While we obviously had nothing to go with that beyond rumors, it was safe to say that SOMETHING big would happen. Then at the end of issue #72, Mark was brutally beaten up by Conquest to the point where his guts were literally strewn across the ground. With the current issue, we saw Mark recovering over a few month’s time as the war goes on without him, before finally revealing who the traitor is.
However, what really was eye catching was a little note at the head of the letter column that read, and I quote:
Now, how did you all like this issue? After the intensity of the battle with Conquest, it’s a welcome change to have a little humor. Plus: this issue is a great chance for you to become fond of Oliver, as he will be taking the role of Invincible after Mark’s inevitable death in issue 75.
Whaaa?? I can’t say that I’m the only one who was caught off guard by that one. To be quite honest, I didn’t think Mark’s death was inevitable at all, especially considering the hero he has become! I assumed he would somehow magically get better because he is a superhero and that’s what superheroes do, but it looks like Kirkman has other plans for him – and that includes him going six feet under.
Of course, this represents a MONUMENTAL change in the Invincible book. It’s the main freaking character dying. Image isn’t like other companies where you can have a book dedicated to one hero and then give the mantle over to another every other month. We’ve had new heroes every now and then, such as Al Simmons being replaced, but this is a pretty big move on Kirkman’s part. Granted, he has shown us that he is not afraid to kill or murder anyone (even babies in stomachs!), so I suppose it’s not that shocking that he’d kill off Mark, one of the most beloved Image characters of their current on-goings.
That being said, my initial reaction is that of shock, and my secondary reaction is that of disappointment that we even had that spoiled for us in the freaking letter column. I’m used to solicits spoiling comics by now, but this is pretty bad of a faux pas direct from the comic itself. This isn’t the first time I’ve griped about this practice in comics, but I’ll be honest – Mark’s death in issue #74 will basically lose the majority of it’s impact considering now we know it’ll happen. I’ll still read it, but I can’t say I’m not rather upset that they felt the need to so blazingly admit that the main character who we’ve read about for 70+ issues now is getting ready for the grave.
That’s just me though. What are your thoughts on this news? Are you upset about Mark’s “inevitable death”?
