Invaders Classic: The Complete Collection, Volume 1

Invaders Classic: The Complete Collection #1

by Roy Thomas (Writer), Frank Robbins (Illustrator), Don Heck (Illustrator)

Published in the 1970s, set in the 1940s, the Invaders was Marvel's best and brightest retro revival of the Golden Age heroes of World War II...and now, the series is collected across two massive volumes! Captain America, the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner, plus scrappy sidekicks Bucky and Toro first banded together when the United States entered WWII! Now, relive the heroes' untold tales as they face the evil Axis powers; fall under the Red Skull's spell; and battle U-Man, Baron Blood, Master Man, Warrior Woman, the three-in-one Agent Axis and more!
COLLECTING: GIANT-SIZE INVADERS 1; INVADERS 1-22, ANNUAL 1; MARVEL PREMIERE 29-30; AVENGERS 71

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Marvel, Comic Book, World War II, Historical Fiction

505 pages, Paperback

First published July 18, 2007

About the author

Roy Thomas was the FIRST Editor-in-Chief at Marvel--After Stan Lee stepped down from the position. Roy is a longtime comic book writer and editor. Thomas has written comics for Archie, Charlton, DC, Heroic Publishing, Marvel, and Topps over the years. Thomas currently edits the fanzine Alter Ego for Twomorrow's Publishing. He was Editor for Marvel comics from 1972-1974. He wrote for several titles at Marvel, such as Avengers, Thor, Invaders, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and notably Conan the Barbarian. Thomas is also known for his championing of Golden Age comic-book heroes — particularly the 1940s superhero team the Justice Society of America — and for lengthy writing stints on Marvel's X-Men and Avengers, and DC Comics' All-Star Squadron, among other titles.

Also a legendary creator. Creations include Wolverine, Carol Danvers, Ghost Rider, Vision, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Valkyrie, Morbius, Doc Samson, and Ultron. Roy has also worked for Archie, Charlton, and DC among others over the years.

Reviews

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in WWII.

A nice reading, even though it follows a pretty simple plot and a well known storyline along with the formula that's known to everyone with those type of stories. Cap and Bucky and Namor and a bunch of others are teaming up to fight Nazis.

[Sean O · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite comic series was the 1970s run of "The Invaders" which had the big three of Timely Comic superheroes, Captain America, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner, team up with their side kicks Toro and Bucky to fight Hitler during World War II.

The stories are full of terrible looking Nazis, plenty of action, and some giant sized plot holes. But they're tons of fun.

Roy Thomas is the author of the series, and most of the series is drawn by Frank Robbins, who had a very identifiable style that some people hate, but I think is perfect for a story that harkens back to the 40s.

Recommended to comic book nerds and Captain America fans.

[Jefferson Workman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Robbins is a Master. His kinetic energy, wonky anatomy, and beautiful panel composition, 2nd to Kirby, was heads above artists of the bronze age era.

[Robert Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely/Marvel never really had much of a Golden Age legacy. They really came into their own in the Silver Age and the Lee/Kirby creations created in the 60s. But they had a few characters they revived, namely Captain America, the Sub-Mariner, and the Human Torch.

So, lacking a strong Golden Age pool of stories, they invented them. And Roy Thomas makes good uses of the heroes and WWII setting. It was really like no other book of the 1970s. Captain America & Bucky, the original Human Torch & Toro, and Namor the Sub-Mariner are joined by new British heroes Spitfire and Union Jack. Thomas manages to capture the flavor of the Golden Age, while updating just enough to appeal to (then) contemporary audiences.

The art really takes off under the hands of Frank Robbins and Frank Springer. Other artists on the book are not as effective. It's a much more fluid style and very distinct from other typical hero books of that era.

Thomas would go on to explore similar ground with DC's All-Star Squadron and related books. He almost single-handedly re-imagined the Golden Age for modern times.

On a technical note, the color reconstruction in these collections is spot on. I have several original issues that overlap these (and most of Volume 2) and the color is spot-on. With better paper and printing, the whites are white and the colors bright, but not in a jarring updated way. They are true to the originals.

[Terry Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid 1970s Marvel Comics storytelling comes from Roy Thomas utilizing three legendary characters from the earliest days of the company (Captain America, Namor the Sub Mariner and the Human Torch and their sidekicks) to present how superheroes (and villains) went man to man in their own often surreal battles against the historical backdrop of World War II. A dream project for Thomas, he wastes no time in getting his new series up to speed. The reader is treated to more spies and evil Germans than you can count, along with crazy Nazi cyborgs, maniacal castle dwelling scientists, and hapless German nobodies gifted with super powers for the glory of the Third Reich. History buff and monthly artist Frank Robbins is having the time of his life with joyous (if a bit idiosyncratic) pencils, but he is not assisted by lightweight Vince Colletta inks (Robbins cries out for heavy blacks and solid lines - neither of which are in Colletta's toolbox). Later Frank Springer comes in as the regular embellisher and the art is all the better for his presence. You can sense Thomas is getting his footing during the first ten issue or so, but once he's in full command, each issue is crammed from start to finish with slam bang action. In fact, sometimes too much action to the determent of the cast. This is an excellent start. Let's see how things are balanced with the next volume of Invaders classics!

[C. John Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not to be confused with the television show from the sixties of the same name. That dealt with an invasion of earth by aliens (and did spawn a comic book from Gold Key which has not yet been given the collection treatment). Rather this book contains roughly half the stories Roy Thomas wrote concerning Marvel's super-heroes in World War II. Thomas' main focus is the big three from Timely Comics (Marvel's name back then) namely Captain America, The Human Torch and The Sub-Mariner, along with kid sidekicks Bucky and Toro. However in a four-parter that played out over four comics he used a seven of Timely's lesser heroes. As well he introduced a couple of brand new British characters and slightly revamped one of Timely's other forties heroes. Most of the villains were created for this series but there are appearances by The Red Skull and some lesser villains. As well the Invaders/Avengers crossover is included. As usual Roy Thomas tells some good stories and the art is well suited to the material. Thomas has always been meticulous in his research and it shows in this book. All in all a valuable addition to one's library of comic collections. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that truth be told I have always preferred Thomas' All-Star Squadron books that the did for DC Comics.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Invaders were a 1970's-written superhero team comprised of Captain America and Bucky, The Human Torch and Toro, and Namor of Atlantis, fighting the Nazis in World War Two. There were a few things that struck me as anachronistic, such as the 1970's-era hair styles and I don't believe Captain America would have mentioned getting old enough to collect social security in 1941, and despite the name of the group they don't really invade anything in this first volume, but it was still fun. I believe it was pretty much of a second-tier title in the '70s, mostly produced by second-tier artists, but a good volume for Marvel fans. It's a little funny reading a nostalgic edition of a book from thirty-some years ago that was produced at the time as a nostalgic look back at events from thirty-some years before then!

[Elliot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a real treat - WW2 era heroes and stories but written in the seventies. Rather thrilling stories with simple Nazi baddies, a few Ubermenschen thrown in for good measure. Great artwork and energy makes this a compelling read.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic characters, classic story by Roy Thomas one of the unsung greats in comic books.

Anxiously awaiting a TPB for All-Star Squadron!

[Stephen Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Avengers, the Crusaders, the Invaders, the Liberty Legion, the Red Skull, and a whole lot more.

Nuff Said!

[Timothy Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest marvel heroes of World War II…gathered together to fight the axis powers….

Invaders Classic 1: The Complete Collection the first 22 issues of the original 70s run along with a. Few other scattered stories.

Captain America Bucky, the Human Torch and Toro, and Namor the Sub Mariner join together for the first time…in an effort to straighten out the World War II history of marvel comics and tell new stories.

Considering his work for DC, Roy Thomas was tasked with revisiting some of marvel’s WWII heroes and he worked to not only rewrite or retcon certain elements but also add to the fabric of marvel history. A mix of old characters are reintroduced while many more new ones (some that’s till pop up today) take the stage.

This first volume is focused with mostly battles in the UK and Fortress Europe. Among the new heroes introduced, Union Jack is easily the biggest contribution to marvel history. Baron Blood as a villain is equally as important. The others (including revised versions such as the Mighty Destroyer) would continue to be fixtures of later attempts by marvel to take a look back at their old characters (either in the V Battalion minis, new iterations of the Invaders, or other stories) with limited effect.

Still, other they are equally as hokey as the many other comics of the 70s set during World War II that were out, but with a superhero flair.

[Chris Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s fitting that Roy Thomas is known for his Alter Ego fanzine as much as his comics’ work, because the Invaders basically functions as fan service of the very best kind. It’s fun and pulpy and ridiculous, but revels in that with Thomas especially delighting in invoking minutiae of Marvel history for plot points. But the real heart of this book is the Annual which not only allows him to revisit an old Avengers story from the other side, but allows him to get many of the original artists back for a quick stint. It’s genuinely lovely, a really nice gesture from a company considerably guilty of not supporting creators enough. It’s the highlight of this lovely edition

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read by veteran writer Roy Thomas and super artist Frank Robbins, whose quirky hyper kinetic artwork may not be to purists tastes but fits this fun take on WWII. The Invaders meet other heroes and villains and fight the Nazi onslaught in their own inimitable way.
nostalgic, fun with great over the top writing and the master of the "Kinetic pose"
Great graphic novel

[Michael Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fun team up group with Captain America and Bucky teaming up with Namor and The Human Torch (not the one that likes messing with The Thing) during World War II, so if you enjoyed the first Captain America movie’s hook of super heroes during that time in history, you might enjoy this.

[Adam Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike DC, Marvel's World War 2 history wasn't marked by no great team battles. DC had the Justice Society and the Seven Soldiers of Victory, Marvel had a bunch of individual battles with the occasional Submariner-Human Torch team up thrown in.

But Roy Thomas had the perfect solution for Marvel: If you don't have a great Golden Age Team history make one up.

So, the Invaders were born. This book collects Giant Invaders #1, Invaders 1-9, and Marvel Premiere 29 and 30.

The books with Giant Invaders #1 and sees Marvel's golden age big three (Captain America, Human Torch, and Sub-mariner) and their kid sidekick (Toro and Bucky) joining forces in a 32 page adventure against the Nazi super soldier replica Masterman. They're urged to join forces on a permanent basis by none other than British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with a goal of invading Hitler's Fortress Europa.

Issues 1 and 2 of the regular Invaders series has them battling Brain Drain and encountering some apparent Norse gods who aren't from Asgard. A mostly okay story.

Issues 3 and 4 of the Invaders have the Invaders up against U-man. Other than the obligatory battle of Namor v. the rest of the Invaders due to the latter's insistence on taking down U-man on his own since U-man had attack at the sea, the serial is more good but not outstanding work.

The middle section of the book is what earns it my 5 star rating including Marvel Premiere #29 and 30 and Invaders #5 and #6. In Invaders #5, all the Invaders other than Bucky are kidnapped and brainwashed by the Red Skull into attacking America's war production. Marvel Premiere #29 sees Bucky taking to the airwaves and calling for all the costumed heroes to gather to form a new team to stop the Invaders and rescue them from the Red Skull's clutches. This is a story that only Roy Thomas could have written. Each of the seven was introduced with a half page explaining their origins and histories in the Golden Age. It was a magical experience reading this, and the rest of the arch with these lesser know heroes in action was just a plain delight, and one of my favorite issues of any book I've read.

Issues 7-9 concludes with the Invaders facing Baron Blood, a vampire for the Nazis. Vampires were pretty big at Marvel in the 1970s with Morbius, so this is a case of what goes around comes around. The story featured the introduction of the Union Jack, who had been a top war commando in World War I. I was somewhat less than impressed with the imaginary World War I superteam he'd been a part of, but maybe it'll come in handy later. Despite his advanced years, he joins the the Invaders.

The one aspect of this story that bothered me was the war weariness setting in for Captain America and Torch in 1942. Mind you, there's some realism here and it may ring true for the era it was was written in the 1970s. But it doesn't ring well with the golden era replication of the rest of the story. This can get too heady too fast, but we'll see how it plays out in Volume 2. Overall, despite the moodiness of the last 3 issues, it's still a great book for those who like World War II stories and the Golden Age of Comics. The important thing to remember is that it is basically a love letter to the Golden Age from the Bronze Age, and the publication era does influence it.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reprints Giant-Size Invaders #1, The Invaders #1-9, and Marvel Premiere #29-30 (June 1975-October 1976). World War II is raging and the Allies greatest heroes Captain America, the Human Torch, and Namor the Sub-Mariner plus their young sidekicks Toro and Bucky have joined together to fight the growing Nazi forces. In battle with villains like the Red Skull and Baron Blood, the Invaders find themselves at odd with the Liberty Legion and finding new allies in the World War I hero Union Jack.

Written by Roy Thomas and mostly penciled by Frank Robbins, The Invaders Classic Volume 1 collects most of the Invaders early appearances. The series presents them in a nice recolored version, but the edition is currently out-of-print.

I like the Invaders. They first appeared in a time-travelling adventure in Avengers (1) #71 (December 1969) and unfortunately, that issue isn’t collected here. The team is kind of a reworking of the All-Winners Squad which included Captain America, Bucky, Human Torch, Toro, Sub-Mariner, Whizzer, Miss America, Blonde Phantom, and Angel. Here both Whizzer and Miss America become members of the Liberty Legion who first appear in this collection in Marvel Premiere #29 (April 1976). Since the Invaders however, the All-Winner’s Squadron has kind of been reconned into existence in various Marvel titles.

Union Jack is a particular favorite of mine. The character’s basic costume is fun and I always wish some version of him would catch on in a regular modern title. In Volume 1, Falworth’s identity as Union Jack is introduced in The Invaders #7 (July 1976) and revealed to be a World War I hero…which of course leaves him too old to be a regular character for the series. He returns (briefly) and is quickly decommissioned. This of course was rectified in The Invaders Classic Volume 2.

Frank Robbins was an artist during the classic age of comics and brings this sense of classic style to a series based in the Golden Age of comics. His art’s style and weight help this series feel like it could have existed in the Golden Age…though such fleshed out writing wasn’t the norm in the 1940s when this comic is set.

The Invaders Classic Volume 1 is a great addition to fans of classic Marvel Comics. The series is full of fun characters that are familiar, yet different from those which exist today. The Invaders Classic Volume 1 is followed by The Invaders Classic Volume 2 which contains the next series of The Invaders comics.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not reviewing EVERY trade I read this year. Just the ones with 12 issues or more. (If all of them counted, I'd have passed my goal by now.)

Maybe it's because I've read most of Roy Thomas's other World War II set comic series (DC's All-Star Squadron) but the Invaders falls a little flat to me. There are a lot of reasons why this could be the case. The first being Thomas was in his early 30s when he wrote this. All-Star Squadron was written with the hardened sense that comes with age. The second is there is such a thing as being TOO reverent. Thomas is almost the original Lee, Kirby and Simon fanboy and it shows. Every page is a salute to their golden age Marvel stories. But this reverence kind of bites him in the ass as he seems to bend over backward to try to reconcile things with stories that even in the 1940s weren't that great. The third is that he keeps the sort of Golden Age aesthetic and ethos in tact. Considering the early to mid 70s was around the same time as the Englehart Captain America/Nomad, Steve Gerber's stints on Man-Thing and Howard the Duck, X-Men was starting to come back under the guiding hand of Len Wein. All of which weren't afraid to look at society and war through something other than rose colored glasses.

Not to say most of the stories don't have a certain degree of charm. They do. They are very fun. Especially the four parter that introduced The Liberty Legion. But one thing bugs me. That four parter hinges on the idea that the original Human Torch (the android) could be hypnotized. However, two or three issues later when they fighting Baron Blood, Human Torch is said to be impossible to hypnotize because he is an android. And if were any other writer that Roy 'Reparitive Retcon' Thomas making such an obvious error I'd let it slide.

So, Roy if you're reading this somehow... just between you and me... vampire hypnosis/mind control relies on magic and presence of a soul, the later of which android doesn't have. No Prize, please.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but you might not unless you have a deep love of the Marvel universe or deep nostalgia for Silver Age comics or Golden Age characters. Reading this is an exercise in nostalgia, and this was written as an exercise in nostalgia. The writing is 70s Marvel boilerplate, angst and arguing in long, wordy sentences. The art, by Frank Robbins and some other familiar bullpen names, is typical of the Buscema/Romita house style, workmanlike and effective, but it rarely sings, except for a few panels by Robbins when Namor first hits U-Man or Baron Blood elbows the plane window.

It's fun to read, to see Roy Thomas bring Golden Age characters back to life or to draw silly inspiration from Wagner's Ring Cycle (which he would adapt in comics form decades later). But much of it isn't very good, or just uninspired. The plots are weak, with the exception of the Baron Blood two-parter, and the characterization is non-existent except for typical Marvel angst. One story ends in an unexplained deus ex machina, a lame tie in to Skull the Slayer, a Marvel title so obscure that even I haven't heard of it, and I spend most of my formative years memorizing the most obscure details of the Marvel universe.

In short, you'll enjoy this as part of a the mosaic of the Marvel universe, but not so much on its own merits.

[The other John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was purely a comic book fan-boy purchase from the Friends of the Library sale. I really enjoyed Roy Thomas' work on DC Comics, All-Star Squadron, so naturally I would pick up this collection of Marvel Comics' Invaders series. I mean, they both tell the tales of super-heroes during World War II and all, right? Yeah, sure. For the record, let me state that while The Invaders does offer an enjoyable read, it's not quite a classic--even by comic book standards. Frank Robbins art is dynamic, but it's a style that I've never quite enjoyed. And the writing is somewhat formulaic. Fortunately Mr. Thomas did better when he tried his hand with another group of wartime heroes. But none of this is important when there's a collection to complete, eh?

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

While, in hindsight, Invaders is the trial run before Roy Thomas strikes gold with All Star Squadron, at the time, it blew me away, as a kid.

A super hero team, set during WW2, featuring a whole bunch of heroes I only kinda, sorta knew about: Wait, Namor used to be a good guy before he fought the Fantastic 4?
There were other Human Torches?
Was the Liberty Legion a real thing from the 40's?

It is a bit of a mess, but it is a fun, pulpy mess, that makes decent use of marvel history and attempts to fix and fill in some gaps.

Plus, Frank Robinson's art was so different from most guys drawing for marvel. The heroes looked heroic and bright, but everything else had a gritty, war torn look to it, that just perfectly captured the time period.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy Thomas updates the World War II adventures of Captain America and friends for the 70's. The stories and art are not brillant, but entertaining for what they are: light hearted superhero entertainment wrapped in a thin veneer of history. Features the Red Skull, Captain America's archnemesis in a fairly dull story, and "Brain Drain," a disembodied Nazi Brain with robot body who falls in love with a female alien, believing her to be Brunhilde from Wagner's Ring of the Neibelungen. No, really!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favourite series from when I was a nipper. It is sort of nostalgia times two for me. A comic book exercise in nostalgia written by the great Roy Thomas in the 1970s harking back to the heroes of the 1940s that I now look back on fondly over three decades later. Frank Robbins' art suited the era and included quite a lot of authentic 1940s equipment/vehicles. Yes, some of it is quite silly looking back at it now but when I was eight I thought it was just wondrous.

[Sineala · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all of the Invaders issues on Marvel Unlimited, which is approximately the contents of this trade. It's good classics comics fun -- brainwashing, vampires, and all that stuff. I think my favorite issue has to be the annual, which depicts the time travel from Avengers #71 from the Invaders' POV,

I don't know that I would necessarily have bought the trade, but hey, now I can say I have read a comic about Asbestos Lady.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another 70’s Marvel title that I was interested in (even had issue 1 and the Giant Sized 1) but I never followed regularly. This debut volume also includes the formation of the Liberty Legion, a second WWII hero team in the MCU. I liked the beginning of the title’s run.

[Christopher Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy Thomas loved these characters and it shows.

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories are okay, but I just don't care for Frank Robbins' art style

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

my favorite marvel book in the '70s. roy thomas' writing hasn't aged well. frank robbins' art is still perfect

[Devero · Rating 5 out of 5]

In dubbio tra le 4 e le 5 stelle, opto infine per le 5 stelle perché a distanza di anni ancora mi mandano in visibilio queste storie scritte da Thomas e disegnate da Frank Robbins. Quando poi c'è Frank Spinger alle chine è davvero il meglio.
Grandi storie ben orchestrate, chiaramente scritte con un amore immenso verso i protagonisti. E Frank Robbins è uno di quei disegnatori che oggi ci sogniamo, con la sua capacità di disegnare i veri aerei da guerra e carri armati, fucili, mitragliatori e divise militari e ogni oggetto dell'epoca.
Certo, alcuni storcono il naso verso il dinamismo esagerato dei suoi personaggi, ma a me piace, è sempre piaciuto. Fin dai miei lontani anni in cui nelle buste dei super-eroi Corno trovai per la prima volta alcuni spezzoni di queste storie.