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Outcast #6
Outcast, Vol. 6: Invasion
The town of Rome, West Virginia has always been a hotbed of demonic activity... but with Kyle Barnes gathering allies to oppose them, the forces of darkness must also rally their forces for the coming WAR!
Collects OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #31-36.
Collects OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #31-36.
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2018
7 people are currently reading
522 people want to read
About the author
Robert Kirkman
2,751 books6,949 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 90 reviews
September 9, 2018
The story is still in slow burn mode when it comes to the plot, but this volume does have more forward motion than the last few. It feels like this might be going somewhere...eventually.
There's a new badass bad guy in town, and I really thought he was well done in a three-dimensional sort of character way. The contrast between his home life and the way he treated his kids, versus the ruthlessness of his personality when it came to his job was fun to watch.
The art is still the biggest detraction for me. The majority of the scenes look like dark gobbledygook, and I have an extremely hard time figuring out what's happening in the action scenes. And maybe that's the point? But couple that with the entire cast of characters being almost indistinguishable from one another, and you've lost me. I'm not interested in keeping track of which one was wearing a flannel shirt and which one was sporting a toboggan in order to figure out who's who.
Still.
The ending had a paranormal Waco feel to it that intrigued me, and the discovery of (maybe) more Outcasts roaming around piqued my interest quite a bit.
Besides, I'm a fan of Kirkman and I'm planning on sticking with this one till the bitter end.
There's a new badass bad guy in town, and I really thought he was well done in a three-dimensional sort of character way. The contrast between his home life and the way he treated his kids, versus the ruthlessness of his personality when it came to his job was fun to watch.
The art is still the biggest detraction for me. The majority of the scenes look like dark gobbledygook, and I have an extremely hard time figuring out what's happening in the action scenes. And maybe that's the point? But couple that with the entire cast of characters being almost indistinguishable from one another, and you've lost me. I'm not interested in keeping track of which one was wearing a flannel shirt and which one was sporting a toboggan in order to figure out who's who.
Still.
The ending had a paranormal Waco feel to it that intrigued me, and the discovery of (maybe) more Outcasts roaming around piqued my interest quite a bit.
Besides, I'm a fan of Kirkman and I'm planning on sticking with this one till the bitter end.
August 16, 2018
A terrifying new foe appears in town – the most dangerous Kyle has faced yet: Rowland Tusk, intensely crazy businessman, who will hunt down the Outcast at all costs.
I keep waiting for Robert Kirkman’s Outcast series to get good – it took The Walking Dead about three books – but six volumes in and I’m still waiting! Not that Invasion is bad but it’s also extremely average.
And speaking of The Walking Dead, I’m noticing that Outcast seems to be weirdly morphing into that series. Tusk reminds me of The Governor, the first major villain in The Walking Dead, and the way Kyle and his group are setting up a fort against the building threat feels a lot like the settlements in the current Walking Dead storyline. There’s even a character here who looks exactly like Jesus! Hmm… I guess if it ain’t broke, eh, Kirkman? Still, it shows that he’s a very limited writer.
That said, the comparisons aren’t unfavourable – the Governor was a great bad guy and so is Tusk, who’s deffo the best part of this book. He rocks up to town with his family and then gets after Kyle – hard. He’s such a compelling new character who approaches everything with this buh-roo-tull attitude, whether he’s being attentive to his kids or dealing with flunkies who’ve lied to him. Imagine Terry Crews if he were evil – that’s Tusk!
I also really liked the miniature panels overlaying and connecting the larger panels, highlighting a transition or action smoothly without taking up any extra space on the page. It’s an inspired touch by Paul Azaceta. His art is still a bit too ink-heavy for my blood but I certainly don’t dislike it either.
Besides evil Terry Crews and the associated table-setting, there’s not a whole lot else going on, so it tends to get dull quite often, particularly the few scenes Kyle’s in. It ends strongly though, teasing a potentially brilliant next volume on the horizon.
Outcast gets a shot in the arm with an exciting new Big Bad but gets boring whenever he’s not around. Volume 6: Invasion is another alright addition to a still very mediocre title.
I keep waiting for Robert Kirkman’s Outcast series to get good – it took The Walking Dead about three books – but six volumes in and I’m still waiting! Not that Invasion is bad but it’s also extremely average.
And speaking of The Walking Dead, I’m noticing that Outcast seems to be weirdly morphing into that series. Tusk reminds me of The Governor, the first major villain in The Walking Dead, and the way Kyle and his group are setting up a fort against the building threat feels a lot like the settlements in the current Walking Dead storyline. There’s even a character here who looks exactly like Jesus! Hmm… I guess if it ain’t broke, eh, Kirkman? Still, it shows that he’s a very limited writer.
That said, the comparisons aren’t unfavourable – the Governor was a great bad guy and so is Tusk, who’s deffo the best part of this book. He rocks up to town with his family and then gets after Kyle – hard. He’s such a compelling new character who approaches everything with this buh-roo-tull attitude, whether he’s being attentive to his kids or dealing with flunkies who’ve lied to him. Imagine Terry Crews if he were evil – that’s Tusk!
I also really liked the miniature panels overlaying and connecting the larger panels, highlighting a transition or action smoothly without taking up any extra space on the page. It’s an inspired touch by Paul Azaceta. His art is still a bit too ink-heavy for my blood but I certainly don’t dislike it either.
Besides evil Terry Crews and the associated table-setting, there’s not a whole lot else going on, so it tends to get dull quite often, particularly the few scenes Kyle’s in. It ends strongly though, teasing a potentially brilliant next volume on the horizon.
Outcast gets a shot in the arm with an exciting new Big Bad but gets boring whenever he’s not around. Volume 6: Invasion is another alright addition to a still very mediocre title.
August 24, 2018
So you would think that with a subtitle "Invasion" that this volume would be all action, the climax, nearing the end? But nope. You are forced to recall that this is a series written by the endless Walking Dead creator Kirkman. Early on, in the first volumes, I was fearful (not of demons, not me) that Kirkman would make Walking Dead: Demons and it appears he is doing just that. But, Kirkman nods, heh heh heh, you're still reading it, Dave! Gotcha! And it's true, now that I know the characters I will still read, but I am not in love with the pace.
The story is set in Rome (you've heard of the fall of Rome?), West Virginia where Kyle (not religious, but who has anti-demon powers) and a minister (yep, religious, as you would expect with anti-deomn stories) lead the charge against demonic activity. A lot of locals ARE actually demons, natch. At the end of the arc, in the last issue, Kyle faces several of them, with. . . let's say, dramatic effect, so WAR would seem to be on, but I'll just bet the next several issues will involve lots of brooding reflection instead of action. Something happened to Megan, the preacher's son shows up, so that will take time.
The centerpiece of this issue is businessman Rowland who rolls into town with his family, and who menaces everyone. Seems like a formidable foe, especially when he wields a machine gun near the end. This guy I like.
Azaceta's lines are a bit thick for me, but I like the cover art of this one--the colors of the remarkable Elizabeth Breitweiser, again and again--and the image which figures in the story dramatically, that of reaching into a person to take something out, as in demons in Kyle's case. I like Allison's (Kyle's wife) increased active involvement in the Outcast world. I also like Azaceta's cool use of small panels throughout for close-ups on particular things; that's cool. But the story doesn't really move much here yet. I'll keep reading, though.
The story is set in Rome (you've heard of the fall of Rome?), West Virginia where Kyle (not religious, but who has anti-demon powers) and a minister (yep, religious, as you would expect with anti-deomn stories) lead the charge against demonic activity. A lot of locals ARE actually demons, natch. At the end of the arc, in the last issue, Kyle faces several of them, with. . . let's say, dramatic effect, so WAR would seem to be on, but I'll just bet the next several issues will involve lots of brooding reflection instead of action. Something happened to Megan, the preacher's son shows up, so that will take time.
The centerpiece of this issue is businessman Rowland who rolls into town with his family, and who menaces everyone. Seems like a formidable foe, especially when he wields a machine gun near the end. This guy I like.
Azaceta's lines are a bit thick for me, but I like the cover art of this one--the colors of the remarkable Elizabeth Breitweiser, again and again--and the image which figures in the story dramatically, that of reaching into a person to take something out, as in demons in Kyle's case. I like Allison's (Kyle's wife) increased active involvement in the Outcast world. I also like Azaceta's cool use of small panels throughout for close-ups on particular things; that's cool. But the story doesn't really move much here yet. I'll keep reading, though.
February 4, 2020
Say what you will about Kirkman, one thing he is very good at is ratcheting things up. That's what he does here, with the new big bad in town Rowland Tusk. Tusk is absolutely brutal but also a devoted family man. It's an odd dichotomy that works very well. Kirkman seems to be heading to the home stretch as he shifts the series into new frontiers again with the end of this volume. No more hiding for our intrepid Outcasts.
July 23, 2018
Ok finally I’m excited about this series again! This volume was definitely one of the best volumes to date. Rowland Tusk is a great villain and he’s livened the comic up a bit. I’m excited to see where the comic will go from here, I just wish I didn’t have to wait so long! I would recommend this series.
October 7, 2018
Four years in a row I'm reading new volumes of Outcast in October, and it's become one of those things I'm looking forward to every year. And what an excellent volume it was this year! Definitely the best in the series so far. Outcast strayed a bit from its "small town exorcist" premise and widened its scale significantly, but I think it works well. The entire volume is Robert Kirkman's masterclass in tension building that culminates in an absolutely awesome burst that I was waiting for since volume 1, so now it feels like it's all been worth it. And now that we know the series is ending in just 12 more issues (or 2 more volumes), I absolutely can't wait to see what Kirkman has in store for the grand finale. I've said it before and I'll say it again — Outcast is Robert Kirkman's best and most consistent series, and volumes like these make me happy that I've been sticking around with it.
October 5, 2018
After a lull in the muddled middle volumes, this series seems to be on solid footing, with the last volume and this one actually moving stuff along and upping the drama. The characters are still pretty generic, but the story is starting to go in some bold directions as reverberations from the quiet little war with demons are finally heard far and wide.
I'm actually looking forward to the next volume for the first time.
I'm actually looking forward to the next volume for the first time.
September 8, 2021
This was another great one.
We start with the Demons/Supernatural ones gathering in that Rome town led by Rowland and we follow him as he barks order and they are on the hunt for Kyle and where they might be hidden plus following Kyle and Reverend Anderson as they are giving more people shelter near the church and you can feel the tension in the air between the two, privacy vs helping attitude, kidnapping of a close one and rescuing her and the ultimate confrontation, new power, new confrontations and maybe new allies in the future.
This was a great volume and kicks the gears towards the endgame in a great way and good to see the way Kyle has evolved and also his powers plus I am loving what the author does with the antagonists and showing them for the real threats they are and something more sinister maybe coming, The Merged is almost here! Plus the art was decent for the most part tbh not that exciting but okay for this series.
We start with the Demons/Supernatural ones gathering in that Rome town led by Rowland and we follow him as he barks order and they are on the hunt for Kyle and where they might be hidden plus following Kyle and Reverend Anderson as they are giving more people shelter near the church and you can feel the tension in the air between the two, privacy vs helping attitude, kidnapping of a close one and rescuing her and the ultimate confrontation, new power, new confrontations and maybe new allies in the future.
This was a great volume and kicks the gears towards the endgame in a great way and good to see the way Kyle has evolved and also his powers plus I am loving what the author does with the antagonists and showing them for the real threats they are and something more sinister maybe coming, The Merged is almost here! Plus the art was decent for the most part tbh not that exciting but okay for this series.
January 5, 2019
Bullet Review:
I got the distinct feeling that this was basically Kirkman doing the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" version of Walking Dead. There's a compound led by Rick Grimes - I mean, Kyle Barnes - that has to hold up against the zombie invasion - I mean the body snatchers.
Also, most boring rescue mission EVER. I didn't realize they could waltz into a hospital and take the invasion's key captive with so little pizzazz. I've had farts that were more exciting that that "plot".
But...this isn't as bad as Remender's Black Science or Deadly Class.
I got the distinct feeling that this was basically Kirkman doing the "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" version of Walking Dead. There's a compound led by Rick Grimes - I mean, Kyle Barnes - that has to hold up against the zombie invasion - I mean the body snatchers.
Also, most boring rescue mission EVER. I didn't realize they could waltz into a hospital and take the invasion's key captive with so little pizzazz. I've had farts that were more exciting that that "plot".
But...this isn't as bad as Remender's Black Science or Deadly Class.
September 30, 2019
It finally dawns on Kyle et al that they're not hiding so much as preparing for war.
Not much to say other than to note that Sydney was a better bad guy than Tusk. Where Sydney was terrifyingly demonic and unknown, Tusk comes off as a very capable...person. He's ruthless, and he's smart, but he's just not as scary as his predecessor.
Plot points:
Not much to say other than to note that Sydney was a better bad guy than Tusk. Where Sydney was terrifyingly demonic and unknown, Tusk comes off as a very capable...person. He's ruthless, and he's smart, but he's just not as scary as his predecessor.
Plot points:
Read
October 23, 2018I still love the concept and the atmosphere, but oh how I wish for a strong developmental editor for this series. We could be moving along so much more quickly if we wouldn't repeat the same beats (i.e. Kyle going "but I just wanted to live with my family > okay I guess I'm ready for war") and make so many of the same speeches.
August 28, 2018
This graphic novel (part of a series) details the battle between good and evil.
Some of the graphics were a bit dodgy, but the storyline was good.
Overall rating 3.5
Some of the graphics were a bit dodgy, but the storyline was good.
Overall rating 3.5
September 8, 2019
For those of you complaining that this is a slow series with a plodding plot, this installment will probably change your mind - Things happen! We're building towards something great and all the pieces are falling into place. Kirkman is doing a hell of a job on this series and we readers get to bask in it.
December 7, 2018
Another decent volume the story keeps on cruising along, as per usual a few big cliff hangers at the end. I think anyone that truly enjoys walking dead will like this well enough.
Solid horror themes quite suspenseful at times. I think it's possible the art quality has dropped even further but the style suits this story well I feel like Maleev does a similar style but pulls it off way better
Solid horror themes quite suspenseful at times. I think it's possible the art quality has dropped even further but the style suits this story well I feel like Maleev does a similar style but pulls it off way better
March 6, 2023
First read: Najlepší book z celej série.
Re-read: Najlepší book z celej série.
Re-read: Najlepší book z celej série.
October 28, 2023
Outcast Vol. 6: Invasion collects issues 31-36 of the Image Comics series written by Robert Kirkman with art by Paul Azaceta.
With a powerful new adversary in town who is removing all obstacles to prepare for the final Merge, Kyle, his friends, and his family face their biggest obstacles yet.
This volume escalates everything very quickly. After reading the first volume, I never thought the book would get to the scale it is at now. I wasn’t able to put this volume down and I am immediately going to jump into Volume 7 as I am really hooked now
With a powerful new adversary in town who is removing all obstacles to prepare for the final Merge, Kyle, his friends, and his family face their biggest obstacles yet.
This volume escalates everything very quickly. After reading the first volume, I never thought the book would get to the scale it is at now. I wasn’t able to put this volume down and I am immediately going to jump into Volume 7 as I am really hooked now
April 28, 2025
Wow! That ending was fantastic. The stakes are raised and with only two volumes to go, I cannot wait to see how this ends. I have loved the slower pace of this story and pace at which things are revealed. The characters are well written and having them all together now is such a treat.
February 2, 2020
Better than the preceding volume, but still not up to the standard Kirkman set with TWD.
April 5, 2023
Ohhh es wird spannend!
July 21, 2019
Loved the end of this. Excited to see where this is going!
September 10, 2018
More, please. This volume was well-paced and highly engaging. Things are really moving now and at this rate, it makes me wonder how long this series will last. Is there an end in sight?
July 30, 2019
I'm sure I start each Outcast review the same way: this series is absolutely begging for a "Previously..." segment at the outset. I never have any idea what's going on or who the characters are for the first 50 pages. Once I get my bearings again, it's great stuff! But have mercy, Outcast, meet me halfway.
Anyway, Invasion really picks up the pace for this sometimes glacial series, the volume ending with a literal bang. It's also a weirdly close analogue to The Walking Dead - with Kyle's safe haven growing, the pastor has started building a wall. Like, y'know, to keep the zomb- I mean, demon people out. Still, the writing is engaging and the art is weirdly appealing, even though it's pretty clearly phoned in for the less important scenes.
Anyway, Invasion really picks up the pace for this sometimes glacial series, the volume ending with a literal bang. It's also a weirdly close analogue to The Walking Dead - with Kyle's safe haven growing, the pastor has started building a wall. Like, y'know, to keep the zomb- I mean, demon people out. Still, the writing is engaging and the art is weirdly appealing, even though it's pretty clearly phoned in for the less important scenes.
September 11, 2018
Seems like things are gearing up for a final push here. Much of the volume revolves around the introduction of Rowland Tusk, family man who loves to embarrass his kids, and who just happens to be the replacement for Sidney from earlier volumes (i.e., demon commander). When an ill-advised supply run goes wrong and Megan must be rescued from the local hospital, events lead to an armed standoff at what has become a walled compound around Kyle's house. Not sure where this is going or how much story is left, but things are starting to get a bit more tense and exciting (and it's, frankly, about time).
July 11, 2019
It feels like quite some time since I read Volume 5, so I thought that may have been why I was feeling a little ho-hum about this one. Turns out it was about 50% ho-hum humdrum, 40% eh, and 10% "A-HA! THIS IS WHY I KEEP READING!"
A new fella is in town. A lovely family man who drops his children off at school with an "I love you all." Turns out he's not such a sweetie pie. He likes to bully people (and by bully I mean pull their tongues out for sucking at their job) and is on the hunt for Kyle.
Said Kyle is hiding out on the farm but is acting like a bit of a pansy. Don't worry, he sort of gets his groove back (not like Stella - a different groove).
The art is not my bag. It's often hard to see what the hell is going on and sometimes feels all over the place.
3 Stars
A new fella is in town. A lovely family man who drops his children off at school with an "I love you all." Turns out he's not such a sweetie pie. He likes to bully people (and by bully I mean pull their tongues out for sucking at their job) and is on the hunt for Kyle.
Said Kyle is hiding out on the farm but is acting like a bit of a pansy. Don't worry, he sort of gets his groove back (not like Stella - a different groove).
The art is not my bag. It's often hard to see what the hell is going on and sometimes feels all over the place.
3 Stars
February 11, 2019
A feeling of connection. Escalation
November 22, 2018
Okay, this is still very slow placed and it will probably take another three volumes to get anywhere with this but the plot is FINALLY getting somewhere. Also I love me some good-guy-groups from around the word banning together, so if this is where we are going hell yes.
As usual Kirkman does A+ villains. Rowland is great.
As usual Kirkman does A+ villains. Rowland is great.
September 24, 2020
Weakest volume so far with some boring stuff in the middle but a good cliffhanger segue into the next volume. I think the story needs to just wrap up because now it feels like a forced continuation.
September 7, 2018
One of my favorite Outcast graphic novels. Volume 6 did not disappoint!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews