Invincible, Vol. 19: The War at Home

Invincible

by Robert Kirkman

Angstrom Levy returns to take revenge on Invincible and all those he holds dear!

Collects INVINCIBLE #103-108

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics

156 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2014

About the author

Robert 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.

Reviews

[Paz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
Oooooooh, this one I enjoyed so much! Anytime the presence of Angstrom Levy is surrounding Mark, I know it's gonna be a fun time! There's some classic Invincible action. Some surprising moves from a few characters. Interesting choices being made by Nolan. I just needed some of Oliver here, I get he's an adult, but can he join the family for a while?
This volume made laugh so much, I missed the jokes! I also love how depraved other-Marks are. Such a fun read.

Original review from 2016:
4 Stars

Invincible Vol. 19 collects issues #103-108 and it's full of my favorite things. Action, humour and gore + There's some fights and betrayals that I was not expecting. This volume made me yell, but also made me I laughed out loud. Oh Invincible, you really are one of my favorite series.

Angstrom Levy is back and although we've seen him and his plans before, I can't help but enjoy every moment he's on page. Levy is the nemesis, the only person who was capable of hurting Mark's loved ones and the only villain Mark is afraid of. So yeah, it was great to see him back.THE OTHER MARKS THOUGH. What an evil, sick bunch of assholes. I loved them. Ever since the first time they were on page. What an entrance in this volume too! Disgusting, but ugh so great.

There's also a few scenes with Nolan, one of my favorite storylines. Will he fail? He's taking some risky decisions and I can't wait to see what's gonna happen. I mean, I get that you want new ways Nolan, but I would have killed that son of a bitch.

A miracle happen in this volume! I was actually taking Eve's side in this one! Whaaaaaaaaat. Girl has some pretty great dialogue in here and damn, Mark was a bit of an asshole. So yeah, good for Eve! Finally some personality! They have some of their best interactions in this volume. Plus, she handled herself pretty well with Levi. Yeah, respect girl.

I miss Oliver and I miss Allen, he's in here, but only for a few pages. I hope that the Coalition will soon be featured again.

What else can I say? I loved ''The War at Home'' Yeah, it doesn't do much to further the main plot, but I enjoyed every issue. The artwork is excellent as always, it's beautiful anytime characters are in space, it's scary and disgusting when it has to be, and we all know how gory this series is, the action scenes are so well drawn and I don't know man, can I keep praising Ottley? He's one of my favorite artists out there.

I realized how slowly I'm making progress with this series and it's because I really don't want to be in a place where there's no more Invincible for months. The fact that there are only a few volumes out there for me to keep reading is depressing. Can't explain how fun this series is and how much I love every time I pick a new volume. If you're reading this, I hope you're actually reading Invincible, if not. PLEASE GO OUT AND PICK THIS UP.

Robot YOU SON OF A BITCH!!!!!!!

[Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wild super-powered ride. Mark and Nolan seem to be getting along fine here, but damn … what happened to you, Nolan? Lol

Rex Robot is getting more interesting by the second, Levi’s back-ish, and my god that’s just a dollop of the new complications just entering the pot.

I see this getting very dark soon.

Of course, this is Invincible. Dark is rather the name of the game.

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a bad penny, he just keeps coming back, easily the best Earth based antagonist of the Invincible universe... Angstrom Levy! Also, what to do with a thwarted Thragg? Even with Angstrom's machinations Earth, other dimensions, plural Invincibles(!) and gore aplenty issues just can't compete with the Viltrumite story lines. 7 out of 12

[T.R. Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I feel Angstrom Levy's motivations as a pivotal villain are rather lame (You made me ugly, so now I must kill everything?), he still shakes things up every time he comes around. Things get wild.

[Javier Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirkman sigue combinando de forma genial las tramas de relaciones personales (pareja, familia...) con las tramas superheroicas, en este caso tenemos un tomo que quizás sea de transición, el regreso y posterior desaparición de Angstrom Levy hace que Marc se obsesione con rastrear su paradero e ir en su búsqueda, lo que traerá más problemas que soluciones y hace que se enfrente con Atom Eve... todo acaba en un cliffhanger final para tirarse de los pelos si tienes que esperar un mes (o varios) la conclusión.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid volume but kind of feels more build up than anything.

Got a solid moment with Armstrong but it feels like "Been there done that" and the fallout really just builds up the next volume. This is actually where I stopped read, not cause it's bad (Invincible is never bad, always good to amazing) but they didn't release anything past this when I got here.

Really this is a build up volume. So on to the next one.

[Maria Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The return of Angstrom Levy and the other Marks! I believe it's this volume where Mark reflects on how many of his alternate universe doubles have gone evil and wonders what that means about him as a person. A great question, really.

[Dr Rashmit Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super fun , and it always is super fun whenever Angstrom Levy shows up . In the whole run of Invincible , I feel like his is the only decent villain run . Of course that may well change after the events of this book .

There was a lot to like here, the feeling of helplessness and despair that maybe Atom Eve will be given the same treatment that DC gave Kyle Rayner's wife was a real scary aspect of the book , towards the end the turn of one character was really something I didn't see coming at all.

There are two aspect in this book that I didn't like and for which I am deducting one point and reducing the score from a perfect 5 star to 4 star , The first being the fact that it's 19 Volumes and Invincible hasn't really defeated a single villain by himself , in fact most of the big baddies are dealt with thanks to some other heroes work and the villains he does take down , they are mostly left unseen . The second aspect being that there's a possible change in Mark's character coming up and I am absolutely dreading it , but this change has come about some what out of nowhere and it just feels weird .

Either ways it's a near perfect title , once again .

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect end to a perfect villain.

This volume marks the end of angstrom levy. Though I will admit that the final encounter with my favorite villain was a little bit disappointing in retrospect, you just can’t deny the impact he had on invicible as a character and the series as a whole. Even in his final moments not being able to speak or do anything he creates so much character development and catalyzes future story’s. It’s similar to Dinosaurus that the sudden change of heart just felt unnatural even when the idea behind it was great. But with angstrom levy we are at least not lacking the consequences which is great. Also aside from his final appearence he was a great villain. I feel like he influenced invincible more than any other villain and he started the great invincible war. Angstrom Levy is invincibles best villain.

Anyway the ending of the volume was awesome and I love robot so I’m excited for what comes next.

Invincible is the best superhero comic book in the universe.

[Jessy Goat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 90

HOLY FUCK THAT ENDING!

But first... the rest of this volume. The opening with Angstrom was a bit of a let down for me while reading it. "Really? He gives up that quick?" But now having seen the ending, I get why Kirkman wrote it that way and I'm not complaining.

The rest of the volume isn't anything amazing. Just some interesting things with Eve and Mark, a sweet interaction between Mark and his dad and an invasion by lava monsters. Just good Invincible stuff.

But my god that ending! I was utterly shocked. I'm so hyped to see what's gonna happen next. Rex is one of the most interesting characters in this series for sure.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invincible Vol. 19 The War At Home collects issues 103-108 written by Robert Kirkman with art by Ryan Ottley.

Angstrom Levy is back to kill Invincible and everyone he cares about!

Another great arc. It's amazing that Kirkman has kept the book consistent for so long without the story getting stale. There is a pretty big cliff hanger ending to this volume.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're doing some retreads here, but with some minor tweaks. But, it feels natural. Almost like the super-villains are kind of like ex-girlfriends that keep coming back in your early twenties.

[Ostrava · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the fuck just happened...

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark has had family issues before, but things are even more confused and dangerous. This volume, as the previous one, is full of beautifully rendered slaughter and space battles and the engaging relationship between the various characters that compels the reader forward through more blood-smeared pages as we have come to expect from Kirkman!

[Alex E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I am late to the game but, Invincible is quickly becoming one of my favorite modern comics that I have read. And that due in large to the fact that Kirkman takes time to set things up. He builds the story slowly, allowing characterization to take center stage and allows the relationships between the characters drive the drama.

This volume see's the return of Angstrom Levy, which is a bit old hat, but Kirkman changes things by not having a violent showdown as we have in the past, but to further the character development of Eve to show how much she is sacrificing for her child and for her and Marks relationship.

And while the seeds of the twist ending have been being sown through the past few volumes, it still took me by surprise due to the history Invincible and this person have together. Cant wait to see where this goes.

Ottley's art as always is on point, I dont think I've seen a bad panel from him in quite some time. In fact one of my favorite panels of his was in this volume. Its an epic double page spread of Invincible flying into battle with a giant subterranean creature, where the Guardians of the Globe and other heroes are there already, fighting the giant. Its an amazing piece of art.

Definitely read this if your'e reading through the series, like all other volumes, you cant miss it.

[Des Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first five issues are meandering subtle catch-ups, leaving a bread-crumb trail made out of confusingly tired tropes and red herrings; but this all culminates in an incredibly well plotted and appropriately built head in #108. It's always been the nature of Invincible to hand us a more quiet story arc between big reveals, but every seemingly meaningless step taken here works for something bigger, leaving the characters in a place I'm very excited to see them explore. Ottley's art is gorgeous as always, taking Kirkman's story to new heights with every character design and splatter of gore. Kirkman's best book continues to soar to new and daring heights.

[MatiBracchitta · Rating 4 out of 5]

El cómic sigue teniendo una calidad superlativa tanto en el apartado gráfico como narrativo, aunque a esta altura seguir alabando la labor de Kirkman y Ottley es sumamente repetitivo.

Yendo a la historia particularmente, nos encontramos con una especie de número de transición. Esos volúmenes que nos sirven para que se abran nuevas subtramas a desarrollar en futuras entregas. En este caso, se desarrolla el embarazo de Eve, vemos el regreso de Angstrom Levy, el exilio de Thragg, la aparición de Battle Beast, y, sobre todo, la transformación definitiva de Robot.

Rex vuelve a llevarse los focos cuando se nos muestra la forma en que su personaje adquirió una sed de poder que le hace transformará en el principal antagonista de los siguientes números.

Todo esto perfectamente hilado para que la historia resulte no solo atrapante, sino entretenida e interesante. Quizás el final se veía venir demasiado, y por eso el gusto amargo que no arruina la calificación, pero lo cierto es que llegando a los números finales Invencible sigue manteniendo su vigencia y nivel.

[Noah Zunker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this 5 stars and then reconsidered after flipping through everything again. I have to admit, the cliffhanger was fantastic at the end, but man oh man do I not love the Angstrum plot line. He is just so powerful and so nuts, it has so much tension and fear, which is great. It makes him one of the very worst villains for Invincible, but it also makes him so difficult to actually deal with that it pushes Mark down really dark paths. And I get that is the story, I just don’t love that.

The very best of invincible is when he beats a villain through words and actions, and Angstrum (to this point) just refuses that. That did make his conversation with Eve fantastic, though, and I’m excited to see that in the show. But I don’t like him being such a dick to Eve and whatever Anissa is up to.

5 star cliffhanger but 4 star otherwise

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume was quite good, we start with Armstrong Levi returning and then attacking eve and things happen where Mark meets an alternate version of himself who was trapped and they became cannibals and then they escape and after a speech Levi becomes good but this alt Invincible has plans for him and escapes to his dimension. In the present we have things going on with Doc Seismic and the Mauler twins return and a good reunion with his parents and then he goes on the hunt for Levi knowing this threat can come again but then Robot shows his real colors and we have the biggest twist of this series. This volume was quite amazing and changes so many things for so many characters and the art is just gorgeous to look at.

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welp, shit goes down. It appears we have someone plotting to take over Earth, and it's not the Viltrumites. HonestlyI kinda suspected this would happen, but I was hoping I would be wrong. I guess I'll have to see how Mark gets out of this one.

[Camilo Guerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esto es Invincible !!!, mientras la historia avanza, te importan mas y mas los personajes, todo rodeado de golpes muy bien puestos, ¿ secreto guardado a nivel interplanetario?; ¿peleas que te sacan los ojos?literal, esto y mucho mas, nos da un tomo muy disfrutable.

[aaroh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the last few volumes. The ending was a bit unexpected but not THAT surprising since it's in line with Robot's character and his motivations. Just didn't think he'd go that far. Let's see how this plays out.

[Kris Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a lot of others say, this felt like more build-up. Also, felt like there should have been more done with Levy, but that is how this series goes sometimes.

[Hal Incandenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il colpo di scena finale mi ha lasciato così: dhjejeb djdjeheo irodoofjejek 😱😱😱

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great volume. Goated plot advances more, more amazing Mark and Eve moments… ‘nuff said.

[water · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.3 stars.. idk if i wanna buy it

[Dani Wladdimiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creo que este volumen tienen una de las cosas más interesantes de la historia completa de Invincible: Angstrom y Rex (Robot). No es que las demás historias no sean interesantes, porque de todas maneras siguen en paralelo lo de Thragg, Amanda y la historia con su hijo, el embarazo de Eve, pero todo eso no se compara con lo despiadado y sin filtro que puede ser Angstrom.

Cuando llega al tablero este personaje, hace cosas horribles, porque sabe la identidad de Mark, y aquí es cuando realmente sientes la amenazada, ese personaje maquiavélico que juega sus cartas poco a poco, tomando a Eve por rehén. Además, mucho no puede hacer, si utiliza sus poderes le afectará al bebé, y, por otra parte, Mark está contra la espada y la pared, no tiene muchas alternativas. Y ahí es cuando saltamos a Mark yendo a una realidad con otros Marks completamente desquiciados, siendo caníbales dado que no tienen otro alimento con que el que sustentarse. Me parece un poco extraño, porque es una realidad donde no existen otros mundos, no puedes viajar a otros planetas, pero bueno, creeremos que Angstrom tiene tanto conocimiento que todo es posible. Posteriormente, al regresar nuevamente Mark con otro ser y se lleva a Angstrom, queda completamente paranoico, pensando que todo es posible, y es totalmente cierto, si existe realmente la posibilidad que Angstrom vuelva, puede ser quizá que cuando nazca su hijo o hija, la tome como rehén o incluso peor, la mate con tal de verlo sufrir. Así que le pide ayuda a Rex, mientras todo esto ocurren en paralelo a otros eventos.

Dentro de las cosas destacables, y más destacables es el viaje de Amanda sobre comprender lo que le ocurría a Rex, y saber también que él mandó a matar a los opositores de su reinado. Así mismo, Rex nos va dando indicios poco a poco que ha ido cambiando, que ve las cosas de otra manera, hasta que al final de este volumen ocurre otra situación increíble. Rex deja a Mark en la otra dimensión, y se arranca, ¿para qué? Para querer lograr un objetivo mayor, que sabe que Mark estará desacuerdo. Si estos dos personajes, Angstrom y Rex, no son los mejores, están cerca de serlos, porque realmente se roban el comic cuando los potencian.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's called "the war at home" because Angstrom Levy comes back and battles Invincible, also Invincible goes to other homes and wars there, also there's a build-up to whether Nolan will be a good emperor or if Mark should take his place. But all of that boils down to one thing: Mark is an asshole and I hate reading about him. Every time it pivots to a different character it's more interesting, but then you have Mark very obviously being a controlling idiot. And Kirkman plays at "ohhhh maybe it's because he's supposed to be evil like in all these other realities" but it never feels like I'm supposed to cheer for him. He does stupid things, gets called out on those thing being stupid, keeps doing them, things go wrong, then he does more stupid things to make up for it, even if he gets called out on these further things being stupid, and then when they go wrong he does even more stupid things. He does nothing but make bad decisions, ignoring or hurting everyone close to him.

[Michael Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invincible never disappoints. This volume manages to follow up the ridonkulous events from the last one with plenty of impact. The story keeps things moving, has plenty of high points, and even gives a few moments of rest amid all the action.

I'm loving Eve lately. Ok, still. Never really stopped. She's just got some great character moments on this book. Unfortunately, Ottley does some weird things with her face, but it still fits with the overall style.

I love how the book flows so easily from action to comedy to romance to intrigue. It hits so many different notes incredibly effectively. I love the way it brings back old characters and introduces new ones. It ties up plot points and starts whole new ones. If you're remotely interested, pick it up from the beginning so you can get the full effect.

[Anchorpete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow... Volume 19.

That is pretty incredible.

I love this book, and yet I find that Kirkman has qualities that vex me, the same way that Bendis does. I love so much of the work they put out, and I have read 100s and 100s of comic book issues that they have written, yet there are often times where I feel like they have a limited range, and yet are so very successful.

Both Kirkman and Bendis can get preachy in their books, where their characters have these long diatribes. Luckily, this particular trade is devoid of any of those diatribes. It has quite a few funny moments. It is one of those trades that tells a collection of short stories, between the larger, epic stories. It was still a lot of fun, with some great horrific, violent moments.