Ideal for both longtime fans and newcomers, this new ongoing series uncovers the untold story of fan-favorite Battle Beast, who is one of the fan-favorite characters in the Invincible universe. With over 400,000 copies sold globally, Battle Beast isn’t just tearing through enemies; he’s smashing records as well.
In issue #3, the crew’s journey takes them to Fantania, a planet ruled by a dreaded warlord. Driven by blood lust, Battle Beast seeks a worthy adversary. But will this confrontation finally deliver the glorious death he desires? Meanwhile, a betrayal quietly unfolds within Battle Beast’s close circle.When Invincible Universe: Battle Beast last left off, the relentless warrior was surrounded by a fleet of ships determined to finish him for good. As expected, Battle Beast arms himself and carves a brutal path of destruction through his enemies. This issue presents this battle in a distinctive way, cutting between his violent rampage and the interior of his hijacked ship, where the onboard computer remains obsessed with eliminating him. This setup allows Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley to take a distinctive storytelling approach.
Image Comics
Half the issue is completely silent, giving Ottley room to shine. Full pages showcase Battle Beast launching himself through space, systematically destroying enemy ships. One standout moment even features him smashing through a windshield headfirst and ripping a pilot’s head off with his teeth. It’s impressive how Ottley continues to invent fresh, visually striking ways to depict dismemberment without it feeling repetitive.
The rest of the issue alternates between the desperate pilots trying to kill Battle Beast and scenes with the prince accompanying him. These moments give Robert Kirkman room to showcase his trademark humor. The prince dryly points out to the ship’s computer that there could be a more effective way to deal with Battle Beast, as the pilots slowly realize the full weight of their mistake in challenging the infamous Scourge of Twin Galaxies. Panic sets in when one reveals a personal loss, only for the leader to confirm that they’ve all suffered the same brutal fate.
One particularly striking moment adds a note of tragedy to the story. After wiping out the invaders and returning to his ship, Battle Beast is asked what he did to earn such hatred, but he no longer remembers. It’s a sharp blend of dark humor and bleak introspection, revealing the hollowness of his existence. His endless cycle of violence has caused so much destruction that even the reasons behind it have been forgotten. In that light, his desire for death feels even more inevitable.
Image Comics
Annalisa Leoni’s coloring plays a major role in making the issue stand out. She uses a dynamic palette to give each setting its own tone: icy blues for the vastness of space, stark whites for the sterile ship interiors, and a plethora of vivid reds for the intense violence. The highlight, however, comes near the end with a dense forest teeming with rich green vegetation and a wide array of uniquely colored and shaped creatures, brought to life through Ottley’s art. Every issue of Battle Beast reinforces just how expansive the Invincible Universe truly is.
Like most issues, this one comes with a wide range of variant covers, and true to form, they’re all impressive. However, Ryan Ottley’s stands out as the most striking. It’s a burst of violence and cosmic intensity, showcasing Battle Beast mid-fight in the vacuum of space. The contrast between the deep black star field and the splashes of red blood swirling around gives it an almost poetic, chaotic beauty. The dynamic poses and intense energy leap off the page, making it feel like a snapshot frozen at the peak of destruction.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #3 strikes a balance between brutal action and sharp dialogue, pushing the Scourge of Twin Galaxies closer to his next opponent. Kirkman’s script blends his trademark dark humor with subtle notes of tragedy, while Ottley excels in wordless pages filled with graphic, chaotic violence. Leoni’s vibrant color palette enhances the comic’s sci-fi tone, with hues that bring space battles and alien landscapes vividly to life. Amid the carnage, there are also moments of genuine laugh-out-loud comedy.
‘Invincible Universe: Battle Beast’ #3 Review: Silent, but Deadly
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #3 strikes a balance between brutal action and sharp dialogue, pushing the Scourge of Twin Galaxies closer to his next opponent. Kirkman’s script blends his trademark dark humor with subtle notes of tragedy, while Ottley excels in wordless pages filled with graphic, chaotic violence. Amid the carnage, there are also moments of genuine laugh-out-loud comedy.
