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Invincible
Invincible, Vol. 17: What's Happening
The new Invincible is still learning his way around his new identity, but evil waits for no on--so, of course, THE FLAXANS have decided to invade our dimension again! Meanwhile, we finally learn exactly what happened between Robot and Monster Girl when they were stranded in the Flaxan Dimension--and how those events are related to the current invasion!
Collects INVINCIBLE #91-96
Collects INVINCIBLE #91-96
148 pages, Paperback
First published January 16, 2013
40 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,752 books6,952 followersRobert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.
In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
April 15, 2023
4 stars! Solid volume that focuses on Rex and Amanda and their long, looooong time in the Flaxan dimension. There's not much of Mark this volume, he's still resting and being frustrated with his powers acting up after being infected with the scourge virus.
There are a few developments with the Viltrumite on Earth, maybe Nolan was right? And a couple of precious panels at the end with Oliver apologizing to Mark. Good stuff.
What I'm ready for it to be over it's the time we've had with the "new" Invincible. There was too much of this character and it all just feet shoehorned in. I don't even remember this character even having lines before volume 16, so yeah, can Mark's power come back soon?
Original review from 2016
3.75 Stars
This volume is fun and refreshing. Does this actually add to the overall plot of the story? Not really. But it isn't a filler either. This volume is mostly focused on Robot and Monster Girl, and what happened to them while they were away in the Flaxan Dimension. Believe me, it's awesome.
I don't want to spoil the surprises, but things weren't as smooth as we would have hoped. What's great is the fact that Kirkman takes his time to develop their story and make us engage. Make us care. Sure Monster Girl and Robot have been important characters, but they have always been secondary ones. This time Kirkman elevates them and adds a complexity to them and their relationship. These flashbacks occur while our heroes are currently fighting this new Flaxan Invasion and the reveals are connected in a perfect way.
The story is great, but that's not the only highlight in this volume. Walker is the artist in the Monster Girl and Robot flashback's story and he does a great job, I personally love the different designs for Amanda. Of course, my personal fave, Ottley is the one doing the work in the present scenes. His work is great as always. Both styles combined in this volume work so perfect together along with the story. It surprises me how much I ended up enjoying this volume with so little Mark or Viltrumite action.
Although speaking of Viltrumites... there's only a little scene between a couple of them. And damn, maybe Nolan is right.
Also, I have to say, I was so pleasantly surprised with how Kirkman wrote Amanda, can he do the same with Eve? Pleeeeeeeease? PLEASE.
There's also a few scenes with our new Invincible. Not really liking this guy, but it's quite the improvement from last volume. I think I just need to give him time.
Lastly, there's something I need to say.Robot, you son of a bitch.
There are a few developments with the Viltrumite on Earth, maybe Nolan was right? And a couple of precious panels at the end with Oliver apologizing to Mark. Good stuff.
What I'm ready for it to be over it's the time we've had with the "new" Invincible. There was too much of this character and it all just feet shoehorned in. I don't even remember this character even having lines before volume 16, so yeah, can Mark's power come back soon?
Original review from 2016
3.75 Stars
This volume is fun and refreshing. Does this actually add to the overall plot of the story? Not really. But it isn't a filler either. This volume is mostly focused on Robot and Monster Girl, and what happened to them while they were away in the Flaxan Dimension. Believe me, it's awesome.
I don't want to spoil the surprises, but things weren't as smooth as we would have hoped. What's great is the fact that Kirkman takes his time to develop their story and make us engage. Make us care. Sure Monster Girl and Robot have been important characters, but they have always been secondary ones. This time Kirkman elevates them and adds a complexity to them and their relationship. These flashbacks occur while our heroes are currently fighting this new Flaxan Invasion and the reveals are connected in a perfect way.
The story is great, but that's not the only highlight in this volume. Walker is the artist in the Monster Girl and Robot flashback's story and he does a great job, I personally love the different designs for Amanda. Of course, my personal fave, Ottley is the one doing the work in the present scenes. His work is great as always. Both styles combined in this volume work so perfect together along with the story. It surprises me how much I ended up enjoying this volume with so little Mark or Viltrumite action.
Although speaking of Viltrumites... there's only a little scene between a couple of them. And damn, maybe Nolan is right.
Also, I have to say, I was so pleasantly surprised with how Kirkman wrote Amanda, can he do the same with Eve? Pleeeeeeeease? PLEASE.
There's also a few scenes with our new Invincible. Not really liking this guy, but it's quite the improvement from last volume. I think I just need to give him time.
Lastly, there's something I need to say.
May 26, 2021
And just when I thought I wouldn’t get the full story about what happened to Rex Robot and Amanda in the other universe… to think that things could be THAT f**ked up…
Truly, this comic is doing some really great work with the stories. I’m frankly rather flabbergasted. No spoilers. But truly good. Truly. Some really great intricacy and brilliant world building. :)
Truly, this comic is doing some really great work with the stories. I’m frankly rather flabbergasted. No spoilers. But truly good. Truly. Some really great intricacy and brilliant world building. :)
December 26, 2016
More like a 3.5 but still not amazing.
This is a lot of backstory. Finding out the missing years (and they are A LOT of years) between Rex (robot) and Monster Girl. The ending is actually tragic, and the last page is always nice because it sets up the future so well. What is to come is about to get messy thanks to a new villain in the making.
I also enjoyed Bulletproof's background, give us some much needed history and lifestyle to care about him. Poor guy though, he has it rough.
This is a decent volume, not much more than that. However, what's to come of it is very important. All about the long game with kirkman, and building characters we love/hate.
This is a lot of backstory. Finding out the missing years (and they are A LOT of years) between Rex (robot) and Monster Girl. The ending is actually tragic, and the last page is always nice because it sets up the future so well. What is to come is about to get messy thanks to a new villain in the making.
I also enjoyed Bulletproof's background, give us some much needed history and lifestyle to care about him. Poor guy though, he has it rough.
This is a decent volume, not much more than that. However, what's to come of it is very important. All about the long game with kirkman, and building characters we love/hate.
March 1, 2017
Walking Dead is great, don't get me wrong, but I'm convinced that Invincible is by far the best book that Robert Kirkman writes. He continues to expand the world and raise the stakes for his characters in interesting and engaging ways. I can't even comprehend how he's managed to keep what seems at first glance to be a superhero parody so strong for so long. This is one of the best written ongoings of all time, and the Robot and Monster Girl story from this volume is exhibit A.
June 27, 2020
The new Black Invincible has a lot on his hands from Flaxans and Squidmen, through to a villain called The Walking Dread! We also get some not to recent Robot Rex and Monster Girl backstory. The quality and kick ass fight scenes remain consistently good. 8.5 out of 12.
February 22, 2021
Invincible Vol. 17 What's Happening collects issues 91-96 of the series by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley.
With Mark on the sideline and powerless, Bulletproof takes up the mantle of Invincible and has his hands full with a new Flaxan invasion. We also get some flashbacks to Robot and Monster Girl's time in the Flaxan dimension.
This is probably my least favorite volume of Invincible so far, but it is by no means a bad story. My issue with this arc was the constant back and forth time change focusing on Robot and Monster Girl. I like both characters and I even thought the story was interesting, but the time cuts took away from the action going on in the present. It is also very interesting seeing someone else fill in for Mark as Invincible.
With Mark on the sideline and powerless, Bulletproof takes up the mantle of Invincible and has his hands full with a new Flaxan invasion. We also get some flashbacks to Robot and Monster Girl's time in the Flaxan dimension.
This is probably my least favorite volume of Invincible so far, but it is by no means a bad story. My issue with this arc was the constant back and forth time change focusing on Robot and Monster Girl. I like both characters and I even thought the story was interesting, but the time cuts took away from the action going on in the present. It is also very interesting seeing someone else fill in for Mark as Invincible.
October 15, 2021
This one's a little weird. The new Invincible stuff doesn't really go anywhere, and is just stupid to begin with. And the Robot and Amanda stuff was quite uninteresting to me.
Give me Mark or Viltrumites. Not here for much else. But I suppose a little straying off is normal every now and then.
Give me Mark or Viltrumites. Not here for much else. But I suppose a little straying off is normal every now and then.
January 25, 2022
This arc focused on other characters (other than Invincible). Not my favorite.
November 20, 2023
‘Rex’ and Amanda are my favourite characters. They need their own comic to flesh out their whole history.
May 20, 2023
The perfect story about a different dimension.
I always loved that reveal about what happened in the other dimension. Robot really changed there and it Leads into his future arcs that are also awesome.
I don’t even mind the Art style for the flashbacks because I think it’s fitting for that type of a story.
Invincible is the best superhero comic book in the universe.
I always loved that reveal about what happened in the other dimension. Robot really changed there and it Leads into his future arcs that are also awesome.
I don’t even mind the Art style for the flashbacks because I think it’s fitting for that type of a story.
Invincible is the best superhero comic book in the universe.
May 12, 2025
I thought the comic was going to start focusing on the new Invincible, but instead this volume focuses on Robot and Monster Girl's experiences in the flaxan dimension and it's basically the story of their love life. It's kind of cool, actually.
June 22, 2024
What IS happening?
June 12, 2021
I really enjoy stories where people get to live outside their normal timeline for decades or even longer, by experiencing it at a different speed (Inception), or while trapped in a time-loop (Groundhog Day). It's also fun to see side-characters utilized rather than the main ones.
March 22, 2025
Well now I hate a main character.
March 30, 2013
Dinosaurus rescues Mark from the Viltrumites who were planning to kill him once they got a good look at his bloodwork - what exactly did they see there? But their time together is short-lived, as Eve arrives with a complement of superheroes who whisk Mark off to Cecil. His powers aren't what they were, however, and he's no longer invincible. Whether they'll return to him remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the Flaxans have followed Rex and Amanda back to Earth, and they want revenge. While they fight, we learn about the centuries Rex and Monster Girl spent with them and their relationship problems (any relationship that spans centuries is bound to have problems!). No one is really happy in love in this series...at least, not for long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2022
No le tenía mucha fe a este volumen la verdad. No sé si se trate realmente de relleno, pero lo cierto es que es un respiro (necesario, eso sí) del conflicto principal. Mark pasa a ser un personaje completamente secundario en este volumen donde todos los focos se van a Monster-Girl y Robot.
Esto no quiere decir que no haya un desarrollo del protagonista, este va teniendo que sufrir cambios que seguramente influyan en los próximos números, pero que, supongo, serán solo temporales. Me resultó un poco tedioso que Kirkman nos mostrara, por ejemplo, las diferencias de velocidad entre Eve y Mark, pero bueno, es algo corto que si bien no suma demasiado, sirve para mostrar lo que el protagonista ha perdido.
Coincido con otras reseñas en que me gustaría un tomo aparte que se centre exclusivamente en lo que ocurre con Amanda y Rex Robot, tiene mucho material pendiente allí, aunque, claro está, podría ser arruinado si no se trata adecuadamente.
El resto de la historia tiene sus momentos altos y bajos. La invasión final, por ejemplo, tiene algunas incongruencias que la verdad son bochornosas, pero por suerte son sostenidas gracias a la historia paralela.
Se nota el desgaste de la serie, pero por suerte sigue siendo entretenida.
Esto no quiere decir que no haya un desarrollo del protagonista, este va teniendo que sufrir cambios que seguramente influyan en los próximos números, pero que, supongo, serán solo temporales. Me resultó un poco tedioso que Kirkman nos mostrara, por ejemplo, las diferencias de velocidad entre Eve y Mark, pero bueno, es algo corto que si bien no suma demasiado, sirve para mostrar lo que el protagonista ha perdido.
Coincido con otras reseñas en que me gustaría un tomo aparte que se centre exclusivamente en lo que ocurre con Amanda y Rex Robot, tiene mucho material pendiente allí, aunque, claro está, podría ser arruinado si no se trata adecuadamente.
El resto de la historia tiene sus momentos altos y bajos. La invasión final, por ejemplo, tiene algunas incongruencias que la verdad son bochornosas, pero por suerte son sostenidas gracias a la historia paralela.
Se nota el desgaste de la serie, pero por suerte sigue siendo entretenida.
August 31, 2021
Rating: 90
This volume was basically about Monster Girl and Rex and you don't hear me complaining... at all!
We got teased throughout the last couple of volumes that something major happened with Rex and Monster Girl in their time on Flaxan. Never could've guessed it was this complex though. Props to Kirkman for basically summing this epic story that takes up centuries in one volume and making it work. I was also really intrigued by the romance between Rex and Amanda.
Also, interesting to see one of the Viltrumites saving some people in London. For me that was foreshadowing enough, recalling back to what Nolan said about that there was a chance the Viltrumites would become less evil because of humans. What I didn't need was that one page were Kirkman puts it in our faces. Still very interested with where he's gonna go with this tho!
This volume was basically about Monster Girl and Rex and you don't hear me complaining... at all!
We got teased throughout the last couple of volumes that something major happened with Rex and Monster Girl in their time on Flaxan. Never could've guessed it was this complex though. Props to Kirkman for basically summing this epic story that takes up centuries in one volume and making it work. I was also really intrigued by the romance between Rex and Amanda.
Also, interesting to see one of the Viltrumites saving some people in London. For me that was foreshadowing enough, recalling back to what Nolan said about that there was a chance the Viltrumites would become less evil because of humans. What I didn't need was that one page were Kirkman puts it in our faces. Still very interested with where he's gonna go with this tho!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2021
This was fun as it answers what happened to Monster Girl and Robot in the Flaxan Empire and wow it was big and it goes into so much detail of how they sparked a rebellion and inspired people to take arms against the Zaxal royal family and how Amanda might have not liked Rex going in that direction, planned with Zaxals and had a child too and how they escaped that dimension and how it relates to the threat as of this moment and its intriguing to read through though there are some confusing things but overall good and we see Mark still powerless unable to help and overall a good Rex-Amanda story but we also see something going on with Rex maybe becoming a villain. Good volume as it focuses on some other characters and great family drama with Zandale!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2021
This volume has Mark adjusting to his new post-Invincible life, which is neat. But most of it is focused on Monster Girl and Robot- how they're dealing with some current fallout in the modern day, and a flashback to their time on the Flaxan homeworld. Unfortunately I hate Robot and everything about him, and Kirkman's attempts to make me empathize with him are wasted. Even when he does something that might be considered good, he turns around and is a jerk right after that.
January 20, 2022
La historia comienza con Eve tratando de encontrar a su amado, donde muestran distintos momentos en paralelo sin mayor importancia hasta que llegan donde estaba escondido Dinosaurus con Mark. En esta pelea lo más importante es la destrucción completa del brazo de Mark al tratar de pegarle a Allen para que parara la batalla. ¿Por qué es relevante? Porque es parte de lo que mencionaba anteriormente, el camino del héroe sin poderes, donde debe lidiar de una forma u otra este proceso que no será fácil.
En paralelo, nos cuenta una historia extraordinaria, y no se le toma el peso, dado que suceden muchas situaciones en paralelos, si bien esto ocurre en varios capítulos, el ritmo no le favorece, pero si a la intriga. Si tuviera un compilado solo de las historias de Rex y Amanda en el mundo de los Flaxans sería increíble, añadiendo incluso una que otra nota sobre que lo pensaban al momento de escribir esta historia. Como deben ir lidiando años, décadas y siglos de sus vidas en esa inter-dimensión, pero manteniendo los mismos cuerpos, dado que su crecimiento celular era mucho menor, es para mí, la mejor historia por lejos de Invincible.
Además, toda la historia de amor entre los dos, aunque se odien, se amen, se vuelvan a odiar, se vuelvan a amar. Ósea, estuvieron siglos en otra dimensión, es completamente entendible todos esos sentimientos que tuvieron, y más aún todo lo difícil que fue para ellos sobrevivir a eso. Y como guinda de la torta, mientras van contando el pasado de ellos (o vida interdimensional), aparece un nuevo villano que termina siendo hijo de Monster Girl, tremendo. Porque claro, en la historia que cuentan tanto Rex como Amanda llegaron a conclusiones completamente diferentes sobre como dirigir un imperio, donde Rex era demasiado frío y pragmático, anteponiendo el objetivo por sobre vivas de otros seres, y Amanda era todo lo contrario, creía que no era necesario ir por ese lado. De verdad, es increíble esta historia, si antes me gustaba Rex (Robot) y Amanda, ahora aumentaron muchísimo el nivel de aprecio que tengo por estos personajes.
En paralelo, nos cuenta una historia extraordinaria, y no se le toma el peso, dado que suceden muchas situaciones en paralelos, si bien esto ocurre en varios capítulos, el ritmo no le favorece, pero si a la intriga. Si tuviera un compilado solo de las historias de Rex y Amanda en el mundo de los Flaxans sería increíble, añadiendo incluso una que otra nota sobre que lo pensaban al momento de escribir esta historia. Como deben ir lidiando años, décadas y siglos de sus vidas en esa inter-dimensión, pero manteniendo los mismos cuerpos, dado que su crecimiento celular era mucho menor, es para mí, la mejor historia por lejos de Invincible.
Además, toda la historia de amor entre los dos, aunque se odien, se amen, se vuelvan a odiar, se vuelvan a amar. Ósea, estuvieron siglos en otra dimensión, es completamente entendible todos esos sentimientos que tuvieron, y más aún todo lo difícil que fue para ellos sobrevivir a eso. Y como guinda de la torta, mientras van contando el pasado de ellos (o vida interdimensional), aparece un nuevo villano que termina siendo hijo de Monster Girl, tremendo. Porque claro, en la historia que cuentan tanto Rex como Amanda llegaron a conclusiones completamente diferentes sobre como dirigir un imperio, donde Rex era demasiado frío y pragmático, anteponiendo el objetivo por sobre vivas de otros seres, y Amanda era todo lo contrario, creía que no era necesario ir por ese lado. De verdad, es increíble esta historia, si antes me gustaba Rex (Robot) y Amanda, ahora aumentaron muchísimo el nivel de aprecio que tengo por estos personajes.
May 21, 2022
We took a sharp detour into Rex and Amanda’s lost history and focused on it for a majority of this volume! We also focus heavily on Zandale and the secrets he is (not so successfully) hiding.
I’m glad we get the history that was alluded to so often before, but I’m hoping we twist back around to the scourge virus and all that entails soon!
I’m glad we get the history that was alluded to so often before, but I’m hoping we twist back around to the scourge virus and all that entails soon!
March 23, 2025
4.5/5.
Not much focus on the ‘new’ Invincible, so that’s an immediate plus. I get the point of this arc, but like… Bulletproof sucks, bro😭
Most of the focus goes to Robot / Rex and Amanda’s time with the Flaxans, which is still enjoyable to read imo, with a decent bit of drama. I’m fiending for Mark to get back to business tho😈 should be in the next volume, I think.
Not much focus on the ‘new’ Invincible, so that’s an immediate plus. I get the point of this arc, but like… Bulletproof sucks, bro😭
Most of the focus goes to Robot / Rex and Amanda’s time with the Flaxans, which is still enjoyable to read imo, with a decent bit of drama. I’m fiending for Mark to get back to business tho😈 should be in the next volume, I think.
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May 10, 2024This is the first volume that really dropped the ball, in my opinion. Invincible has no powers and is out of the book for the most part, and the whole Rex/Monster Girl storyline with the Flaxans was just kinda boring. Really hoping things swing back around soon.
April 6, 2017
Love the stuff about Robot and Monster Girl.
July 31, 2019
Very mixed feelings about the alternate dimension stuff, but at least the concept of working over multiple generations was interesting.
July 28, 2021
very fun yeahh !!!
August 27, 2021
bisexual monster girl!
bisexual monster girl!!
bisexual monster girl!!!
bisexual monster girl!!
bisexual monster girl!!!
July 16, 2023
About time they gave us the Robot & Monster Girl flashback. It was quite well done and the big reveal was TOTALLY unexpected. It might pop up again in the future because of that ending, and I'm guessing it most likely will since they need to wrap up the Monax plotline.
November 19, 2023
the Rex and Amanda backstory was i n s a n e
May 11, 2024
This one one of the best volume from the whole series. Just right amount of fights and talks, fun and misery, things were explained. Almost feel sad that this whole thing is getting close to the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews