Up to now, Invincible Universe: Battle Beast has been about one thing: throwing the bloodthirsty alien warrior at the biggest and baddest opponents the universe can cough up. He’s fought a colossal giant, crushed fleets of starships, and even survived a no-rules tournament. But issue #4 switches gears, dropping Battle Beast and his unlikely companion Prince Salaka onto the prince’s ravaged homeworld. What follows isn’t the usual gore-fest, but a mix of fantasy, mythology, and character depth that opens up surprising new territory for the series.
Battle Beast #4 is a slower burn compared to the last three issues, but it’s one that uses its pacing to expand the scope of the series. We open on Prince Salaka’s homeworld, a planet scarred by strange vegetation, predatory creatures, and ruled by the vengeful sister of the colossus Battle Beast killed back in issue #1. Kirkman leans hard into fantasy here: forests teeming with alien flora, mutant bird-like creatures that feel ripped from a twisted version of Final Fantasy, and, most unexpectedly, a witch. Yes, a literal witch, one who uses shapeshifting and sorcery to trap our heroes in a twisted game of survival. For a series that’s leaned heavily into sci-fi and brutal combat, this sudden introduction of magic could’ve felt jarring, but instead, it’s a surprisingly smooth fit within the Invincible Universe.
Image Comics
What really hooked me about this issue isn’t just the setting shift, but the way it slows down to let the characters breathe. Battle Beast has always been defined by his single-minded obsession with finding worthy opponents. He doesn’t need layers of complexity to be compelling, he’s basically a force of nature. But here, Kirkman puts him in situations that reveal slivers of his heart. There’s even a moment where he befriends some of the planet’s strange beasts, which is equal parts hilarious and weirdly endearing. That mix of dark humor and brutality is one of the series’ secret weapons, and this issue uses it to give the carnage some contrast.
Then there’s Prince Salaka, who’s proving to be the perfect foil. Where Battle Beast is blunt force, Salaka is measured and political. The backstory of his planet, its fall under a tyrannical ruler, and his quest to reclaim it adds depth to what could’ve easily been another excuse for more punching. Their dynamic works because Salaka can take the focus at times, which only makes it more satisfying when Battle Beast inevitably reclaims it with sheer presence. This balance also keeps the issue from feeling like it’s riding entirely on the main character’s shoulders.
Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t wall-to-wall action. In fact, that’s one of the knocks against this issue. There’s a definite “filler episode” vibe, like when an anime slows down to explore side plots before ramping back up to the main showdown. Depending on what you want out of Battle Beast, that could either be frustrating or refreshing. Personally, I liked the detour. It builds out the mythology, sets up future conflicts, and gives Ottley room to go wild with creature design and atmosphere.
Image Comics
Speaking of Ryan Ottley, his art is once again top-tier. The way he leans into fantasy this issue is a blast. You get panels filled with grotesque vegetation, creatures that straddle the line between majestic and monstrous, and a witch who starts out like a classic sword-and-sorcery pin-up before morphing into a nightmare fuel form. Annalisa Leoni’s colors elevate it further: the forest glows with alien yellow-green hues, the witch’s spells crackle with eerie green energy, and even the few bursts of blood feel deliberate, splashed in red for maximum impact. And while the gore is lighter here than in previous issues, the visual storytelling doesn’t lose any punch.
Battle Beast #4 might not scratch the itch for readers craving nonstop bloodshed, but it does something arguably more important: it proves this series has legs beyond endless brawls. By blending sci-fi, fantasy, and mythology while also fleshing out Prince Salaka’s story, Kirkman shows there’s a bigger canvas here than just “Battle Beast finds someone to fight.” It’s slower, yes, but it’s also richer, more atmospheric, and at times laugh-out-loud funny. This issue shifts gears, layering in worldbuilding, humor, and even magic without losing the raw edge that makes Battle Beast work. It may feel like a side mission, but it’s a damn good one that sets the stage for bigger things ahead.
‘Invincible Universe: Battle Beast’ #4 Review: Meets Magic in a Monster-Sized Surprise
Battle Beast #4 might not scratch the itch for readers craving nonstop bloodshed, but it does something arguably more important: it proves this series has legs beyond endless brawls.
