Wed Sep 3, 2008 5:35PM3 comments ›
Wed Sep 3, 2008 — by Karl Cramer
Review: Invincible the Series
Does animating the Invincible comic itself work?
During the 2008 San Diego Comic Con, MTV New Media debuted their new animated series based on Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker’s Invincible comic. Published by Image Comics, Invincible tells the story of Mark Grayson, a young man who inherits his father’s superpowers. It’s been released through various outlets: iTunes, Xbox, Amazon, MTV2, MTV.com, and MTV Mobile.
Instead of creating brand new animation, the series has decided to use the latest editing techniques to “animate” Cory Walker’s actual comic book art. Just use existing comic art and let the camera to give the illusion of movement. To younger viewers this may seem innovative, but it’s been done as far back as the Marvel Comics based cartoons from the 1960’s. It was used again, very artistically by MTV, when they brought The Maxx to television. Even more recently The Watchmen has been done in this style.
While the story and art deserve all the critical praise that the Invincible comic has received over the years, Invincible the Series’ biggest stumbling block is its editing. The MTV produced show has the same pacing as MTV’s promo spots, wildly kinetic with lots of flashing graphics and texts. Never let the eye settle for minute. This is fine for 15-second ad, but watching a full show like that is taxing.
In a one step forward, two steps back move, the show decided to include the actual word balloons from the comic. But instead of letting people read it, the text has a subtle shake to it. To emphasize energy, I guess. While nothing sits still on the screen, you would expect the parts you want people to read to be motionless.
A good way to judge an animated show’s sound is to close your eyes and listen. Does the soundtrack still create images of the action? In Invincible’s case, the answer is yes, but barely. The voice acting and sound effects are serviceable. They don’t do anything cringe worthy, but neither do they stand out. No Kevin Conroy or John Di Maggio here.
If the production calmed down, this could’ve been a great show that brought quality comic books to video formats. But as it is, I couldn’t stand watching this for more than a few episodes. And like I said, I’m a fan. Imagine the effect to someone who’s browsing MTV2 late at night.
Watch the first episode for yourself below. Let me know if you think I’m right or wrong in the comments section.
Jump to comments (3) 
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Comments (3)
Matt Raub (6:22 PM on Wed Sep 3, 2008)
I didn't hate the volume(?). I think it's a little rudamentary, but I consider this a step up from radio shows and a step back from fully animated shows. I was a big advocate of the Marvel Animated comics back a few years ago. They put out DVD's of full storylines, like Kevin Smith's Daredevil run, Ultimates Volume 1. etc. They were pretty good, I just would like to see something like that expanded.
Coming from an abbreviated crew of the people that worked on Clone High (Another great MTV animated series), Invincible wasn't all that bad. It kept my attention, without doing the typical MTV-blow-crap-up-till-you-are-high thing, which I also enjoyed. I do find it strange that MTV offers the episodes free online, but iTunes makes you spend $$ on them, but no bother.
Here's to hoping that the Watchmen episodes improve and get some freaking female voice actors!!!
Ross Torez (11:47 PM on Sun Sep 7, 2008)
It could have been made to be even more aggressive. The only boring parts were when the panels actually "stood still". The constant motion and the shaking balloons made the still parts less boring since it is working in a 2D convention. Soundtrack I thought was decent for what the book was but the music was right on. Note, writing dialog to be 'read' and writing dialog to be 'said' are very different talents. This could have benefited from a stronger adaptation of the comic dialog which is glib at times, and that hurts the soundtrack. Altering dialog to be 'said' and less lazy panels would fix it.
John Tucker (12:24 AM on Mon Nov 17, 2008)
I'll argue that Invincible is probably one of the greatest comics I've _ever_ read in my entire life. i've been with the series since it came out back in the day, and actually have my issue 1 framed at home. I work in a comic shop and I recommend Invincible to everyone that comes in, and 16 subscribers are getting Invincible every month because of it. I think Invincible is phenomenal, and deserves every bit of praise it's ever gotten...
...But this TV show has got to be one of the most awful, disgusting and horrendous things I've seen in a while. I think I'm actually still in denial about that actually being Invincible. I'm sure an Invincible TV Show could be done right, but that isn't the way to do it. I can't believe anybody wants to have their comics read at them. Kirkman, you're a genius, and someday I hope to meet you and buy you a drink or 10 for your creations, but I can't agree with this one. I do wish you the best of luck with it.
Tucker