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Battle Beast is back and still not dead, despite every attempt (even from his own ship). Following the brutal takedown of the Colossus in issue #1, our favorite death-craving gladiator is in pursuit of an even bloodier challenge: a being called the Juggernaut. But first, he makes a pit stop for weapons, rest, and a little detour through the galaxy’s most savage tournament: the Blood Games.

Battle Beast #2 is a vicious arena where Battle Beast thrives, and readers feast. This issue kicks off with Battle Beast doing what he does best, looking for someone, anyone, strong enough to kill him. After leaving a crater where the Colossus once stood, he teams up (loosely) with Salaka, a half-dead prince who promises that the Colossus’s sister, Juggernaut, could give him the fight he so desperately wants. But first, a pit stop: a weapons outpost straight out of a space-western fever dream. It’s there that Battle Beast discovers the Blood Games, a galactic gladiator pit where the strongest fight for… well, survival mostly. Naturally, he signs up without hesitation.

As you flip the pages, the book explodes with alien chaos. Limbs fly. Entrails flop. Ottley gives us that over-the-top brutality that Invincible fans crave, but it’s more than just gore; it’s a universe teeming with life and death. Annalisa Leoni’s coloring work deserves real credit here: blood isn’t just red, it’s a whole damned rainbow. Each alien death is as artful as it is grotesque.

Image Comics

There’s something weirdly joyful about watching a character this bloodthirsty throw himself into every possible meat grinder and walk out smiling. You’d think the novelty would wear off after a few splashes of alien intestines, but Kirkman keeps it smart. There’s a rhythm to the madness. He balances carnage with just enough world-building and gallows humor to keep it engaging. The rapport between Battle Beast and his ship’s computer, who is actively trying to kill him, by the way, is one of the book’s funniest undercurrents. Imagine HAL 9000 with a vendetta and a smart-ass streak.

And Salaka, the prince tagging along, might be half-dead, but he’s the emotional thread here. He’s not just some tagalong; he gives the story some propulsion. The Juggernaut subplot is a solid hook for the next arc, but in this issue, it’s all about the Blood Games. Honestly, that could’ve been the whole comic, and I’d still be sold. The only minor gripe is that it tries to jam in a bounty hunter subplot that feels like it could’ve waited. It doesn’t break the pacing, but it nibbles at the space that could’ve been used for more tournament mayhem.

The good? The art is a non-stop visual punch to the face. Ryan Ottley knows this universe like it’s coded in his DNA, and his creatures are as imaginative as they are doomed. Leoni’s colors add depth, energy, and some surprising beauty to all the chaos. The story continues to expand the Invincible universe in fun ways, dropping cameos and references (hey there, Star Trek parody crew!) that fans will eat up.

Image Comics

The not-so-great? The bounty hunter thread cool idea, but kind of undercooked in this issue. It dilutes the focus a bit, especially when the Blood Games are right there being awesome. Also, as other reviewers have pointed out, there’s the issue of stakes. We know Battle Beast isn’t dying anytime soon. So, unless the series can pull a clever twist or explore deeper emotional angles, the fights might eventually risk becoming a little one-note. Right now, though? It’s still a damn good tune.

Battle Beast #2 is a brutal, hilarious, and visually stunning ride through one of the most satisfying fight arcs in the Invincible universe. It doubles down on what made the first issue great and throws in enough new material to keep things moving. If you like your space operas drenched in gore and carried by one of the most ferocious anti-heroes in comics, this one’s a no-brainer.

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Battle Beast is back and still not dead, despite every attempt (even from his own ship). Following the brutal takedown of the Colossus in issue #1, our favorite death-craving gladiator is in pursuit of an even bloodier challenge: a being called the Juggernaut. But first, he makes a pit stop for weapons, rest, and a little detour through the galaxy’s most savage tournament: the Blood Games.

Battle Beast #2 is a vicious arena where Battle Beast thrives, and readers feast. This issue kicks off with Battle Beast doing what he does best, looking for someone, anyone, strong enough to kill him. After leaving a crater where the Colossus once stood, he teams up (loosely) with Salaka, a half-dead prince who promises that the Colossus’s sister, Juggernaut, could give him the fight he so desperately wants. But first, a pit stop: a weapons outpost straight out of a space-western fever dream. It’s there that Battle Beast discovers the Blood Games, a galactic gladiator pit where the strongest fight for… well, survival mostly. Naturally, he signs up without hesitation.

As you flip the pages, the book explodes with alien chaos. Limbs fly. Entrails flop. Ottley gives us that over-the-top brutality that Invincible fans crave, but it’s more than just gore; it’s a universe teeming with life and death. Annalisa Leoni’s coloring work deserves real credit here: blood isn’t just red, it’s a whole damned rainbow. Each alien death is as artful as it is grotesque.

Image Comics

There’s something weirdly joyful about watching a character this bloodthirsty throw himself into every possible meat grinder and walk out smiling. You’d think the novelty would wear off after a few splashes of alien intestines, but Kirkman keeps it smart. There’s a rhythm to the madness. He balances carnage with just enough world-building and gallows humor to keep it engaging. The rapport between Battle Beast and his ship’s computer, who is actively trying to kill him, by the way, is one of the book’s funniest undercurrents. Imagine HAL 9000 with a vendetta and a smart-ass streak.

And Salaka, the prince tagging along, might be half-dead, but he’s the emotional thread here. He’s not just some tagalong; he gives the story some propulsion. The Juggernaut subplot is a solid hook for the next arc, but in this issue, it’s all about the Blood Games. Honestly, that could’ve been the whole comic, and I’d still be sold. The only minor gripe is that it tries to jam in a bounty hunter subplot that feels like it could’ve waited. It doesn’t break the pacing, but it nibbles at the space that could’ve been used for more tournament mayhem.

The good? The art is a non-stop visual punch to the face. Ryan Ottley knows this universe like it’s coded in his DNA, and his creatures are as imaginative as they are doomed. Leoni’s colors add depth, energy, and some surprising beauty to all the chaos. The story continues to expand the Invincible universe in fun ways, dropping cameos and references (hey there, Star Trek parody crew!) that fans will eat up.

Image Comics

The not-so-great? The bounty hunter thread cool idea, but kind of undercooked in this issue. It dilutes the focus a bit, especially when the Blood Games are right there being awesome. Also, as other reviewers have pointed out, there’s the issue of stakes. We know Battle Beast isn’t dying anytime soon. So, unless the series can pull a clever twist or explore deeper emotional angles, the fights might eventually risk becoming a little one-note. Right now, though? It’s still a damn good tune.

Battle Beast #2 is a brutal, hilarious, and visually stunning ride through one of the most satisfying fight arcs in the Invincible universe. It doubles down on what made the first issue great and throws in enough new material to keep things moving. If you like your space operas drenched in gore and carried by one of the most ferocious anti-heroes in comics, this one’s a no-brainer.