Invincible Universe: Battle Beast Vol. 1: Heart of Glory

by Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley (illustrator), Annalisa Leoni (illustrator)

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 25, 2025

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

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well damn, this was way better than I thought it was.

I love Invincible, it's one of my favorite comics of all time. Especially for the superhero genre. And while I miss Mark as our main lead, we got the insane, fiesty, BATTLE BEAST (Thokk) in the building.

This is the story of Battle Beast over the years in Invincible after he beat Mark and all his buddies up. He leaves his home world of Dornn because of an unquenchable thirst for combat, which he views as a curse. This sets him on a journey to find the one warrior mightier than him, hoping for a glorious death in battle.

So we know he doesn't die, but showing how he became stronger, more vicious, was a joy to watch. His savage moments are both fucked up and brutal. We see him defeat powerful foes like the Colossus of Emsiu as he searches the galaxy. Some crazy badass fights, some sick kills, and some hilarious dialogue (especially from his reluctant Ship's A.I.) make this a joy to read.

I do feel the side cast kind of just feels okay. The companion who joins him, saved from the Colossus's world, was just okay. But Battle Beast himself was a delight.

A 4 out of 5.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invincible Universe: Battle Beast Vol. 1 Heart of Glory collects issues 1-6 of the Image Comics series written by Robert Kirkman, art by Ryan Ottley, and colors by

Set immediately after the events of Battle Beast’s first appearance in Invincible #19 where BB destroys the Guardians of the Globe in an epic fight, BB returns to his captured space ship after another disappointing battle. All BB seeks is a death from a worthy challenger to snuff the violent and raging fire burning in his soul. The space ship’s computer AI mourns the crew that BB killed in his takeover. The computer AI and Battle Beast make a pact for the AI to scour their databases for a being who is strong enough to finally kill Battle Beast.

This is a really fun book that doesn’t skip on over the top, barbaric, sci-fi and fantasy violence. The book is full of giant and nasty alien creatures for Battle Beast to rip limb from limb and devour. Kirkman is slowly sprinkling little moments into Battle Beast’s odyssey of death to start teasing character growth of compassion and a hero’s journey. Ottley gets to do what he does best: draw bizarre and awesome aliens in blood and guts soaked intergalactic showdowns.

[FrontalNerdaty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prequel series is a tough story to run sometimes, more so if the fate of that character is well established. However Kirkman and Ottley have risen to the challenge and presented a tale that’s enjoyable without changing what’s to come.
Whilst Battle Beast is the title of the book Kirkman mostly gives his story via other characters. BB is always the main star but he’s light on exposition which is thankfully handled by other characters. BB could be one note but Kirkman writes him akin to how Thor is handled in the MCU wherein we’re laughing with and not at the character.
Ottley’s art has never been better and the violence and gore are extremely well done.

4/5

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first issue for this online back when it came out and when I saw how quickly this TPB was released after the sixth issue I knew I had to get back into it and give it a full read.

Very pleased with it. Having read Invincible I’m familiar with Kirkman and the great art of Ottley. This is the first graphic novel I’ve read that didn’t have breaks between issues. This was slightly annoying when I started since I just wanted to read one issue then leave it, but then ended up reason a bit into the next. But once I had time to pick up and read the full thing I loved the way it flowed. I haven’t yet and don’t plan on getting into reading single issues and it’s arcs like this that make it seem like it would be hell since this all flows so nicely.

The story itself was enjoyable, Battle Beast going to fight different foes with unexpected allies along the way. There’s a good nature to him in there, explicitly stated when he mentions his restraint, and it will be interesting to see how it could develop in future arcs. Rarely a dull moment here, jumping straight in from his Invincible comic debut, to colossus, the blood games, the ambush, the witch, and finally to juggernaut. This comic is full of the action and brutality you expect going in. The cliffhanger was so cool though, with Thragg ordering that Conquest be sent to Fantania where he was maybe fight Juggernaut, and surely encounter Battle Beast. Could be how he ends up where he is when he’s next seen in the Invincible comics after his first appearance, but I guess it kind of depends how much of this they’re making.

Very enjoyable read. Cool graphic novel format with classic Kirkman invincible writing and striking Ottley art. I will be there in like 8 months when the next one is released.

[RunningRed NightBringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spinoff of the Invincible Comic.
I actually liked this, despite, or maybe because, it's a bit over the top.

Battle Beast is a cat person born with an unquenchable rage and lust for battle. His actions tamed his homeworld, ending conflict and turning it to a utopia. Knowing his presence would ruin that peace, he left to find worthy adversaries who could slake his rage and possibly end his life.

We know this cause he likes bringing this up. Several other characters feel obliged to exposit on their backstory and motivations. Like encountering NPCs in a game, or an old Arabian Nights/Canterbury Tales story where everyone the protagonists meet has to reveal the backstory the author came up with.

As I said, I found it enjoyable. Cause BattleBeast's attitude is usually "shut up, let's get to the fighting."

Something I didn't realize when I got it was this wasn't a limited series but the first arc of an ongoing series. So when I got to the last page and it wasn't wrapped up? A little shocked, but I checked Image's website to confirm more issues were coming out in 2026.

You don't have to have read Invincible to follow the story. There is a lot of blood and gore, but it's all aliens so it's not as visceral as say, a Garth Ennis comic book.

[Trike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a ridiculously over-the-top ultraviolent comic soaked in blood and gore and viscera and I’m here for it. Battle Beast is a goofy one-note character who is sort of an anthropomorphic lion mixed with DC’s Lobo whose only goal is to slake his overwhelming fury in bloody battle and hopefully die while doing it. As a result, Kirkman and Ottley put him through increasingly titanic battles where he eviscerates everyone and everything in his path. It’s just dumb fun set in the Invincible universe.



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[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invincible has always been my favourite Robert Kirkman Image book, and seeing him return to the universe with Ryan Ottley in tow is just like catnip for me.

Battle Beast himself is fairly flat as a character to begin with, which is why we get some supporting characters to bounce off of him, including a very sarcastic computer, but across these first few issues we do get a glimpse behind the anger to the beast that lies within. This book could have a very short shelf-life, but Kirkman's clearly in for the long haul given how much he's seeded to start us off.

And no one draws senseless violence and carnage like Ryan Ottley. Just beautiful in its disgusting-ness.

[Patrick Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished Battle Beast Vol 1 heart of glory by Robert Kirkman & Ryan Ottley. I have missed being in the Invincible universe, since I binge read whole series back in 2019-2020. Well, I do miss Mark, the other characters it’s awesome to be in Battle Beast company and see him just search for a worthy opponent.he just wants to fight everyone and everything till he kills them or they kill him. We are not this almost has like a fantasy feel as well. Amazing art as usual, Ryan Ottley truly one of the best artists working in comics. I hope this series keeps going so I could keep reading it. I give it a four out of five stars!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well you get exactly what you expect from a side story like this. If you want Battle Beast ripping and tearing all the aliens then you'll have a great time. This does try to drive home the motivation of a character like him, as simple as a raging berserker can be. But this story fundamentally is going to be too basic to have any depth. Hopefully you don't expect any. It's bloody, violent, and the OG team is back fleshing out more of the character. it's great for what it is, but it's very plain, and the whiney prince got on my nerves a bit.

[Harry Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. So short. Looking forward to more. The dark fantasy elements in the invincible universe are so cool. The expansive vistas on the planet are truly top level art work. I love the villains character designs so decrepit and aggressive and brutal.

Some of the wildlife on the planet reminded me of the scavengers reign series.

As someone that wasn't going to read this because Battle Beast is a caricature in the animated series it's absolutely worth your time if you felt the same way.

[Elijah Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a gift due to being a fan of the Amazon animated series of Invincible. I have not read the original comics of Invincible but this volume 1 does not disappoint as it shows off the vicious character of Battle Beast.
The art is gruesome and shows off the notable artistic styles shown in various Kirkman works.
I enjoyed how they develop the perspective of the mighty Battle Beast and I can’t wait to see how they grow this character in future issues with more intense combat!

[Josh Cleverplacehölder · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn’t get much more straightforward than this: Battle Beast is seeking someone worthy to battle and, hopefully, kill him. But to no avail. And as he’s a 7’ cat, he eats his kills. Whether you find this gross, twisted, or hilarious (or perhaps all three?) depends on you. But if you think the gore in Invincible is a lot, you ain’t seen nothing yet!

[Daniel Pineda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Battle beast is easily one of my favorite characters in the invincible universe, so this first volume absolutely satisfies the craving to read more. The story starts after his first appearance in invincible with the order, so not exactly a deep dive into his background but still very entertaining nonetheless

[Edward Correa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
El arte es épico, con colores increíbles y escenarios maravillosamente detallados a pesar de una línea gruesa que normalmente no se asocia con este detalle. La historia es interesante y divertida. EL único detalle que podría criticarle es que los personajes son un poco planos, pero en general es una lectura que vale la pena.

[Mee Too · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in issue format and by the end of issue 1 i was really uncertain by the middle of #3 i knew i was hooked! Cant wait for the next volume.

Its like if Lion-O behaved like Conan and venom. Buddy gives zero 🖕🏽’s 😆

3.8⭐️✨⭐️

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book has striking plot resemblance to Predator: Badlands and that's not a bad thing at all, because they're both pretty great. they were obviously made in parallel and released at the same time independently, but it's pretty funny how similar they ended up being.

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome return to the invincible universe in the modern age of comics. From the art to the adventure this is a great story to be told and is an interesting character to follow on his raging battle journey.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

It looks cool, but that's all there is to it. Watch Battle Beast fight almost non-stop and effortlessly defeat every single challenger who steps up. It's fine for a single issue, but it gets old real quick.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked it up on release day, tore through it in the evening. Don’t think I’ve ever read a trade paperback this fast.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salty.

[Adam Tarrant]

It delivers on exactly what one would expect and want from a Battle Beast comic.

[Derek Schoonover · Rating 5 out of 5]

A million stars.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

pure violent perfection across the stars

[Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich mag welche Ziele die Charaktere verfolgen. Obendrein war es auch witzig.

[Connor Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conquest being in this series will be absolutely peak

[Zach Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

always great to be back in the invincible universe. I was skeptical because of how one note Battle Beast is as a character, but Kirkman has found a way to keep the story interesting with new characters. Ottley is the best in the biz at gore.