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Destructor
Robert Kirkman, el creador de The Walking Dead, y Cory Walker, su compañero gráfico en Invencible, presentan su obra más adulta y personal. Durante sesenta años, Keen Marlowe ha sido un superhéroe. Ahora, su vida de lucha por el bien está a punto de llegar a su fin. Pero Marlowe no piensa jubilarse sin más. Quiere dejar un mundo más seguro para su familia. Y si para ello debe asesinar a cada supervillano que existe, lo hará.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,944 books6,926 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 35 reviews
October 26, 2015
By far the goriest comic I've ever read. The volume of blood, mass of entrails, surface area covered with bodily fluids, and numbers of teeth and eyeballs removed from their respective sockets are off the charts. The Destroyer does not do guns. He rips people apart. He destroys.
The story is on one level fairly simple—an aging super-soldier, pumped up with magic serum and working for the government, races to settles old accounts before his ticker fails him. But the series is really about not going gently into that good night. In every fight with some space monster or killer fem-bot, Keene Marlow, AKA Destroyer, is really going up against the most implacable foe there is: mortality.
Cory Walker's art is as clear and explicit as Greg ("Low") Tocchini's is Euro-vague, with bold lines and a limited color palette. There's nothing nuanced about Destroyer and his honcho Turret: they're up in your grill. They're likely to be elbow-deep in some evildoer's body cavity, of course, spraying viscera all over the page, but they leave you with no doubt as to what's going on.
The story is on one level fairly simple—an aging super-soldier, pumped up with magic serum and working for the government, races to settles old accounts before his ticker fails him. But the series is really about not going gently into that good night. In every fight with some space monster or killer fem-bot, Keene Marlow, AKA Destroyer, is really going up against the most implacable foe there is: mortality.
Cory Walker's art is as clear and explicit as Greg ("Low") Tocchini's is Euro-vague, with bold lines and a limited color palette. There's nothing nuanced about Destroyer and his honcho Turret: they're up in your grill. They're likely to be elbow-deep in some evildoer's body cavity, of course, spraying viscera all over the page, but they leave you with no doubt as to what's going on.
November 13, 2019
0/5 stars. Easily the worst comic book I have read this year. Cringeworthy dialogue, mediocre art, ludicrous story. Simply horrendous .
August 4, 2024
Review
Destroyer
2009
Graphic Novel
Rating: 3/5
The Destroyer is a gripping and intense book that highlights Kirkman’s strengths, but its pacing issues and heavy focus on violence might not appeal to all readers. The story feels like a distant companion piece to Kirkman’s The Walking Dead and Invincible, but forgetting to infuse the character and development of those books. The book is an interesting read that showcases Kirkman’s trademark flair for intense, character-driven narratives. Kirkman’s storytelling excels in creating a dark, immersive atmosphere, and the emotional depth of the protagonist adds a layer of complexity to the action-driven plot. The story narrative has pacing problems and uneven character creation, with certain sections dragging while others move too quickly. Additionally, the character development, although strong in parts, sometimes falls into familiar tropes, which can limit the impact of the protagonist’s journey. The teaming of Kirkman and artist Craig Walker might’ve felt like a dream team given the chemistry on the incredible Invincible series, but this feels needlessly over the top because it can be with the Marvel Max Imprint line. It has sections and panels that are better than others, but it’s a mixed result from this artistic team.
#destroyer#2009#comics#comicbooks#comicbookcommunity#comicbooklover#booklover#bookworm#comicbookreview#comicbookcollection#comicbookcollector#comicbookcollecting#dupreewenttothemovies#books#bookrecommendations#readingtime#readingaddict#readingcommunity#readinglist#readingbooks#readingisfun#alwaysreading#ilovereading#lovereading#readreadread#readersgonnaread#robertkirkman#craigwalker#marvel#graphicnovel
Destroyer
2009
Graphic Novel
Rating: 3/5
The Destroyer is a gripping and intense book that highlights Kirkman’s strengths, but its pacing issues and heavy focus on violence might not appeal to all readers. The story feels like a distant companion piece to Kirkman’s The Walking Dead and Invincible, but forgetting to infuse the character and development of those books. The book is an interesting read that showcases Kirkman’s trademark flair for intense, character-driven narratives. Kirkman’s storytelling excels in creating a dark, immersive atmosphere, and the emotional depth of the protagonist adds a layer of complexity to the action-driven plot. The story narrative has pacing problems and uneven character creation, with certain sections dragging while others move too quickly. Additionally, the character development, although strong in parts, sometimes falls into familiar tropes, which can limit the impact of the protagonist’s journey. The teaming of Kirkman and artist Craig Walker might’ve felt like a dream team given the chemistry on the incredible Invincible series, but this feels needlessly over the top because it can be with the Marvel Max Imprint line. It has sections and panels that are better than others, but it’s a mixed result from this artistic team.
#destroyer#2009#comics#comicbooks#comicbookcommunity#comicbooklover#booklover#bookworm#comicbookreview#comicbookcollection#comicbookcollector#comicbookcollecting#dupreewenttothemovies#books#bookrecommendations#readingtime#readingaddict#readingcommunity#readinglist#readingbooks#readingisfun#alwaysreading#ilovereading#lovereading#readreadread#readersgonnaread#robertkirkman#craigwalker#marvel#graphicnovel
July 18, 2024
A quick & fun read filled with the same punchy energy that Kirkman & Walker delivered within INVINCIBLE.
Yes, it feels a bit patchy & unfinished like you're only getting a slice of a larger story, but if you enjoy seeing a special forces goblin soldier beating up thugs & monsters then check it out.
Yes, it feels a bit patchy & unfinished like you're only getting a slice of a larger story, but if you enjoy seeing a special forces goblin soldier beating up thugs & monsters then check it out.
October 24, 2020
Keene Marlow A.K.A. Destroyer, is an aged superhero who can still operate with high efficiency. There is one problem only, his heart is about to betray him. He decides that before dying, the world must become a safer place, so he sets out to kill all his enemies. His son-in-law, also super powered, Turret, comes to his aid. But can they pull through?
The art is nice, with nice colouring by Val Staples. Easy to follow story, with many action scenes and a lot of blood. Five issues though offer little space for the characters to breath and get more depth. A sequel would,be interesting, depending in sales of this one.
The art is nice, with nice colouring by Val Staples. Easy to follow story, with many action scenes and a lot of blood. Five issues though offer little space for the characters to breath and get more depth. A sequel would,be interesting, depending in sales of this one.
November 27, 2022
It seems as though many people who have read this interpret it as "elderly vigilante looking at the end of his life tries to close out his hit list," and that is the paint on the house just like The Walking Dead is "a zombie comic" or Outcast is about demon possession. If you can't see beyond the paint, maybe stick to reading bestsellers.
See, Keene Marlow--the titular character--is a husband, father, and grandfather. His wife was mutilated prior to this story, but throughout this thin volume, she is the strongest character; Harriet Marlow can crush cans with her cybernetic arm, but she carries the weight of her husband's activities with a grace and fortitude I don't think that he even understands. Keene buries his anger, guilt, shame so deep down that it is literally killing him, but his wife transcends it. His daughter and his son-in-law also have prominent roles that are more revelatory about Keene than his bloody battles with the hordes of Horde or kaiju monsters with the intelligence of a dog.
I suppose I get it. The Destroyer was this cool enigmatic Golden Age character that had a little bit of a renaissance in the 70s through Marvel's Invaders book, and people probably wanted to see other Golden Age Marvel heroes and villains. But that would have distracted from the central themes and the nucleus of those ideas: family. Kirkman supplied unknown, disposable villains because this is not another world-shaking Man vs. Man black-and-white bullshit superhero story. It's about a man coping with all of the regrets of his life before it kills him and how the people in his life inform his struggle.
I hid this for potential spoilers because if you haven't read it, you really should give it a shot. However, if you're expecting some watered-down Avengers story, go read a watered-down Avengers trade paperback. This one is going to need a wee bit more sophistication from you, fanboy.
See, Keene Marlow--the titular character--is a husband, father, and grandfather. His wife was mutilated prior to this story, but throughout this thin volume, she is the strongest character; Harriet Marlow can crush cans with her cybernetic arm, but she carries the weight of her husband's activities with a grace and fortitude I don't think that he even understands. Keene buries his anger, guilt, shame so deep down that it is literally killing him, but his wife transcends it. His daughter and his son-in-law also have prominent roles that are more revelatory about Keene than his bloody battles with the hordes of Horde or kaiju monsters with the intelligence of a dog.
I suppose I get it. The Destroyer was this cool enigmatic Golden Age character that had a little bit of a renaissance in the 70s through Marvel's Invaders book, and people probably wanted to see other Golden Age Marvel heroes and villains. But that would have distracted from the central themes and the nucleus of those ideas: family. Kirkman supplied unknown, disposable villains because this is not another world-shaking Man vs. Man black-and-white bullshit superhero story. It's about a man coping with all of the regrets of his life before it kills him and how the people in his life inform his struggle.
I hid this for potential spoilers because if you haven't read it, you really should give it a shot. However, if you're expecting some watered-down Avengers story, go read a watered-down Avengers trade paperback. This one is going to need a wee bit more sophistication from you, fanboy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
Keene Marlow is the Destroyer, a superhero with impenetrable skin and superstrength. The only issue is that he is dying. His goal is to take down as many bad guys as he can, this time for good, before the end comes, even if he has to ignore the rules.
May 8, 2019
I'm giving this one an extra star just for the art. Walker draws beautiful people and horrible gore and I am here for it!
It's a sweet story of an elderly superhero, truly elderly! Grandchildren, heart problems and a low sodium diet. But he still kicks ass and plans to kick ass until the very end. There's really not much more to it than that. He's kicking ass and taking names and we get to witness that. No weird plot twists, no surprises. Just an old man finishing his job.
I loved the mixed race family. Not a peep about the fact, it just is. The proper way stuff like this should be handled and normalized.
It's a sweet story of an elderly superhero, truly elderly! Grandchildren, heart problems and a low sodium diet. But he still kicks ass and plans to kick ass until the very end. There's really not much more to it than that. He's kicking ass and taking names and we get to witness that. No weird plot twists, no surprises. Just an old man finishing his job.
I loved the mixed race family. Not a peep about the fact, it just is. The proper way stuff like this should be handled and normalized.
October 17, 2023
In my experience the Marvel MAX imprint was just an excuse for writers to use a lot of foul language, and artists to draw a lot a blood and gore. While the language in this book is surprisingly tame, there is quit a bit of blood and a fair amount of gore. That’s not really my thing, but it fit into the boundaries of the story, and it wasn’t too over-the-top.
This is the story of an aging super soldier trying to tie up loose ends - kill all his arch villains - before he dies so that his family will be safe after he is gone. It’s a quick read, and it’s not very a very deep story, but it makes sense and feels more real than a lot of comic books. It was worth reading.
This is the story of an aging super soldier trying to tie up loose ends - kill all his arch villains - before he dies so that his family will be safe after he is gone. It’s a quick read, and it’s not very a very deep story, but it makes sense and feels more real than a lot of comic books. It was worth reading.
June 12, 2017
I enjoyed the Kirkland Walker team up on the invincible .Here the story is just Ok as is the art. The main character is interesting . But to discover a character at the end of is career as a hero without the the background behind it makes it difficult to feel or care for him. Like the part involving is brother .
The violence is there like in the invincible , But following Mark from the beginning help understand the choice he had to make or the motivation behind them. As opposed with the destroyer.
The violence is there like in the invincible , But following Mark from the beginning help understand the choice he had to make or the motivation behind them. As opposed with the destroyer.
July 25, 2020
A short, fun, and ultra violent book from the creators of invincible.
What happens when you've been a superhero for so long but you know times almost up? Well, you kill all your old arch nemesises of course! The book doesn't shy away from being as over the top as possible but never comes off as mean spirited. I had a blast reading it and think It's definitely worth a read if you have the chance too!
What happens when you've been a superhero for so long but you know times almost up? Well, you kill all your old arch nemesises of course! The book doesn't shy away from being as over the top as possible but never comes off as mean spirited. I had a blast reading it and think It's definitely worth a read if you have the chance too!
July 30, 2023
Bastante diver, cortito y tal.
Otro de Kirkman con mucho gore y violencia y cafradas.
Destroyer es un medio antihéroe de hace un chorrón de años y del que no he leído nada en mi vida. Aquí, como esto es de MAX, hay sangre todo el rato y tal. Me gusta mucho el traje rollo goblinesco y que directamente el vejete este se acabe dando de hostias con la (o las) muerte(s). Y eso.
Otro de Kirkman con mucho gore y violencia y cafradas.
Destroyer es un medio antihéroe de hace un chorrón de años y del que no he leído nada en mi vida. Aquí, como esto es de MAX, hay sangre todo el rato y tal. Me gusta mucho el traje rollo goblinesco y que directamente el vejete este se acabe dando de hostias con la (o las) muerte(s). Y eso.
September 3, 2019
This could have been so good but instead was a piece of shit full of violence just for the shock of it. 2 stars because of the art (which is amazing) and the premisse, which I still think it could be something special.
July 30, 2020
Unfortunately a boring story about an aging vigilante agent superhero type who has limited time to live still trying to take down bad guys.
June 30, 2019
I had no idea what this story was before. It was interesting.
April 13, 2011
I love a good Kirkman and Walker story. Walker's art style is amazing. He makes the Destroyer look awesome. It's hard to make a guy look hard as nails when he's almost hundred. I guess if you're Clint Eastwood you can look tough as nails, but this guy isn't Eastwood. Plus all the little jokes that hint back to Invincible in the book is great. Like the kid wearing a Science Dog shirt in issue one. Then the Destroyer is reading a Nolan Grayson book later.
I felt the story was a great violent story. Going in you shouldn't except some great epic literary story. This is a fun action pack comic. It's the story of how one hero decides to save the earth before his time is up. He does it with his fists, the one thing he has relied on for almost one hundred years now. Why change a working system. I loved the story and how his family life is effected by his choice to be the Destroyer all these years.
A great story. Loved every minute of it.
I felt the story was a great violent story. Going in you shouldn't except some great epic literary story. This is a fun action pack comic. It's the story of how one hero decides to save the earth before his time is up. He does it with his fists, the one thing he has relied on for almost one hundred years now. Why change a working system. I loved the story and how his family life is effected by his choice to be the Destroyer all these years.
A great story. Loved every minute of it.
February 22, 2015
Bueno, para ser un comic que se lee en 20 minutos no está mal. 25 si contamos el capítulo extra. Lástima que, pese a unos dibujos aceptables y a unos diálogos llevaderos, la historia no va mucho más allá de un superhéroe jubilado matando, descuartizando, triturando, torturando, asesinando, diseccionando, acribillando, masacrando, reventando, eliminando y todos los demás gerundios sangrientos que pueda haber a sus enemigos, hasta que lo reemplaza su yerno y la violencia continúa.
El capítulo extra, que cuenta la historia desde la óptica de un periodista alemán no nazi en la segunda guerra mundial, venía bastante bien. Hasta que cierra con la hipócrita frase de "Nadie debería tener miedo de la verdad"... dicha justamente por un estadounidense asesino de masas.
En fin... A seguir trabajando.
El capítulo extra, que cuenta la historia desde la óptica de un periodista alemán no nazi en la segunda guerra mundial, venía bastante bien. Hasta que cierra con la hipócrita frase de "Nadie debería tener miedo de la verdad"... dicha justamente por un estadounidense asesino de masas.
En fin... A seguir trabajando.
November 5, 2012
I feel like one of those pretentious hipster whenever I discuss any of Kirkman's writings, but The Walking Dead, while good, is not a good representation of his ability (and cleverness) as a writer. Destroyer takes a "hero" (whose suit looks like The Punisher and Green Goblin had a mix up at the laundry mat) who is going out with one last hooray before he retires (which is being forced into for health reasons). Marlow, the man behind the Destroyer persona and mask, decides that since no one is qualified to fill his shoes once he retires, he needs to eliminate all of his former nemeses. Fantastic read, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous (Walker is a brilliant illustrator).
August 14, 2009
It begins with a great premise: an old, outdated hero learns his days are numbered, and sets out to kill every villain who might hurt his family after he's gone. It's an end-of-life crisis that is at once shockingly violent and mildly adorable, given that our ruthless killer is a little old man with a doting wife. And that dichotomy carries it through several entertaining chapters, at which point it has one of the worst endings Robert Kirkman has ever concocted. It's not even convoluted; it's perfunctory, and barely feels like an end.
April 9, 2014
What if Captain America never got frozen? What if he kept on doing the government's work, fighting the good fight, even he was nearly one hundred and his heart couldn't take it anymore?
I guess that's how I'd describe Destroyer. It's a pretty interesting stand-alone story, with the extreme graphic violence Kirkman has gotten us used to with his other titles.
Some of the one liners fall flat and I wonder if there was a more creative way of solving problems other than killing them (seems to be the solution to everything, just read the ending)... but I'm sure if I was younger I wouldn't care.
I guess that's how I'd describe Destroyer. It's a pretty interesting stand-alone story, with the extreme graphic violence Kirkman has gotten us used to with his other titles.
Some of the one liners fall flat and I wonder if there was a more creative way of solving problems other than killing them (seems to be the solution to everything, just read the ending)... but I'm sure if I was younger I wouldn't care.
April 16, 2015
I didn't have high expectations for this book because it's outside of what I usually like, but the storyline sounded a lot like action movies that I grew up on, so I wanted to try it out. I liked the story alright and thought Destroyer's personal ending was kind of interesting, but it didn't really feel like there was really much *new* to the idea of a guy trying to kill all his enemies so they don't hurt his family after he's gone. It was good for the type of story it was, so if you love brutal murders & fight scenes, this might be something you'll like!
June 11, 2010
Robert Kirkman often tells good super hero stories, but this tale hits very good. Keen Marlowe is an old man who's heart is about to give out. After decades of fighting monsters and super villains he decides to kill, not imprison, every villain who might come after his family after he's dead. There is gore, but gore in the way that makes sense for when people who can punch through steel walls hit people.
May 28, 2013
There is a lot to like about this superhero story. The idea of a retirement aged superhero who is staring down mortality, wanting to finish his work before dying, wanting to make his family safe and correct his wrongs, is interesting and fun. The final chapter is especially good: what happens when the reaper comes for a superhero?!
August 3, 2013
Why did i pick up this book ? cos it was written by Kirkman
Did I like it ?
Very much !!!
Why ???
It was the same old superhero about to die / retire - but this one is a grandpa waiting for his death to come knocking any day now - who's appetite for violence is as insatiable as his interest in potato salad or playing with his grand daughter.
Did I like it ?
Very much !!!
Why ???
It was the same old superhero about to die / retire - but this one is a grandpa waiting for his death to come knocking any day now - who's appetite for violence is as insatiable as his interest in potato salad or playing with his grand daughter.
January 10, 2013
I liked it! The art grew on me- the violence was not what grabbed me but the character's ended every scene completely covered in something- goo, blood, whatever. This was part of destroyer's whole hearted attitude to his work. Interested to read more about this character and turret.
March 12, 2013
A fun read, even though I have no idea who this character is or was but this was a nice intro to the character and to a action packed book. It stinks I dont know who he is but it was a good action read
January 13, 2017
Kirkman riprende l'originale versione del primo personaggio inventanto da Stan Lee quando ancora non era Stan Lee. A mio avviso rende abbastanza come serie dell'etichetta MAX, però non raggiunge la sufficienza coi disegni e per certi versi mi sa di what if "The Punisher have yet a family".
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews