A Bit Hard to Follow...
Having read a number of comics over the years, I've come to expect that there will be issues where you buy it and when you read it, discover you have a difficult time following what is happening.
Such is the case with INVINCIBLE # 74.
I purposely chose this title today due to a few reasons. I had wanted to read this comic since I'd heard about it, it was less expensive than any Marvel or DC title at the comic book shop and I also purposely chose it to review to see if I could find a comic I could follow mid-stream.
ALIENS:
Sadly that wasn't the case. Let's just say all I could deduce was there was some type of Intergalactic Council meeting with ALIENS, that were was a war between ALIENS, and that there was a betrayal by ALIENS.
I am capitalizing the word aliens because that's what this comic is primarily about. Yes I understand there is a family involving some super types but guess what? Their super code names aren't even mentioned. How the H is anyone supposed to follow what is going on in this story? No intro blurb on the front page, no expositions or even some minimal background info to help a new reader along. An entire page was devoted to displaying the faces of several ALIENS as seen via a Com-Link--no, make that a page and a half. Actually, the reader already can deduce the first character is talking to the Planetary Council ( or whatever) as there is a hovering com-link camera and a wall of monitors featuring the ALIENS. It is redundant. I bring this up because that is space that could have been used to bring the new reader up to speed with WTF is currently happening.
This is a pet peeve of mine. A new reader should be able to at least deduce SOME of what is happening. Hardly the case here. I am far from being unintelligent; I am not the sharpest tool in the shed but I sure as hell am not the dullest. This comic made me FEEL like a tool because I still don't know what the heck is going on. Add to this, there is a back up story featuring--someone--fighting--something--and none of it made any sense either. The art didn't help, it seemed to be a bit muddled with exception to the depiction of a female ALIEN.
I know, some will say, get back issues, or read about the character here on ComicVine. NO, I shouldn't have to go that route. I am just asking for a little tidbit of info pertaining these characters and the story. You won't find that here.
THE SAVING POINT OF THIS COMIC:
. The art in this comic is fantastic. There is such clarity in everything concerning the art for INVINCIBLE but not so much for the back-up story oddly. The colors are vibrant, I like the look of most of the ALIENS. It isn't easy depicting Science Fiction concepts in comics, but the artists here do it well. Just to add, this comic was affordable, an entire US dollar less than any Marvel or DC book at the shop.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
For someone just jumping on, you may be a bit confused. I figured out a few things, mind you, but I am thinking of this in terms of most new readers grabbing the comic and trying to read it. Its a bit chaotic. Maybe there are other issues that aren't so muddled, perhaps I chose the wrong jumping on point but all I ask is, in the eternal words of DR. EVIL, "Someone throw me a friggin' bone here. Anybody?"
