Invaders Classic: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1

Invaders Classic: The Complete Collection

by Roy Thomas, Don Heck (Illustrator), Jim Mooney (Illustrator)

Collects Giant-Size Invaders #1; Invaders (1975) #1-22, Annual #1; Marvel Premiere (1972) #29-30; Avengers (1963) #71. The Invaders was Marvel's best and brightest retro revival of the Golden Age heroes of World War II. 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!

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

535 pages, Kindle Edition

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and filled with a modernist connection throughout, the Invaders was the answer to preserving some golden age legends. While a little slow off the top, the introduction of Union Jack and Spitfire allows for some new among the old.

[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.

[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.

[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.