Invincible: Perfect Strangers (Comics) | Review

Have you ever wondered what happens when a teenage superhero story decides to grow up alongside its protagonist? Invincible: Perfect Strangers delivers that exact evolution, transforming what could have been another formulaic superhero coming-of-age tale into something far more sophisticated and unsettling.

The transition from lighthearted superhero adventures to darker, more complex storytelling doesn't happen overnight in most comics. However, writer Robert Kirkman (Battle Pope: Genesis, Haunt: Beginning) makes this shift feel natural in Perfect Strangers.

For readers who've been following Mark Grayson's journey from the beginning, this compelling volume serves as both a satisfying reward for their patience and a stark warning that the easy days are officially over for good moving forward.

Invincible: Perfect Strangers collects issues #9-13 and focuses on Mark Grayson's continued development as both a superhero and a young man grappling with increasingly complex and challenging situations throughout his journey.

The volume explores how Mark navigates the challenging process of following in his father's footsteps while discovering increasingly uncomfortable and disturbing truths about what that seemingly heroic legacy actually means for his uncertain future.

The storyline introduces several key elements that become crucial to the series' mythology, including significant character introductions and the beginning of what makes Invincible such a compelling deconstruction of superhero tropes.

The narrative cleverly balances Mark's typical teenage concerns– relationships, identity, family expectations– with increasingly serious superhero responsibilities. What sets this volume apart from its predecessors is how Kirkman begins to peel back the layers of the seemingly perfect superhero world Mark has inherited from his father.

The "perfect strangers" of the title refers not just to new characters entering Mark's orbit but to the growing and deeply unsettling realization that even the people closest to him might not be who he originally thought they were at all.

Character development takes center stage as Mark encounters new allies and enemies who challenge his worldview. The volume introduces several future mainstays of the series while advancing ongoing storylines involving the Guardians of the Globe, Cecil Stedman and Mark's complex relationship with his father, Omni-Man.

Each meaningful interaction builds toward shocking revelations that will fundamentally change how readers perceive the entire series moving forward, making this volume absolutely essential reading for understanding Invincible's later developments.

The pacing expertly balances intense action sequences with intimate character moments throughout the entire storyline, never letting either crucial element overshadow the other or diminish the overall impact of the narrative experience.

Kirkman demonstrates his growing confidence as a storyteller, knowing when to pull back for quieter character beats and when to unleash spectacular superhero action that makes the series visually striking. The volume also begins exploring themes of identity, legacy and moral complexity that has become series hallmarks.

Artwork by Ryan Ottley (Amazing Spider-Man: Back to Basics, Amazing Spider-Man: Friends and Foes) adds tremendous power to both the dialogue and action sequences, particularly in the graphic, bloody scenes that punctuate the series' darker moments.

His dynamic art-style perfectly complements Kirkman's increasingly sophisticated writing, creating a visual language that can handle both intimate character moments and spectacular superhero battles with equal skill. Ottley's character expressions convey subtle emotional nuances that enhance the script's psychological depth.

The artwork particularly shines during action sequences, where Ottley demonstrates his mastery of kinetic storytelling. Fight scenes feel genuinely impactful, with a sense of weight and consequence that many superhero comics struggle to achieve.

Bill Crabtree's coloring work deserves special recognition for creating a vibrant yet grounded visual palette that supports both superhero spectacle and intimate moments while enhancing emotional impact and maintaining Invincible's unique aesthetic identity.

Invincible: Perfect Strangers represents a crucial turning point that transforms the series from a promising superhero comic into something truly special. While the first volumes laid groundwork, this collection is where Kirkman and Ottley find their stride, creating a superhero story that feels both familiar and genuinely surprising.

For comic readers seeking superhero stories that respect both the genre's conventions and their intelligence, Perfect Strangers delivers exactly what the medium needs more of: thoughtful character development wrapped in spectacular visual storytelling.

The volume expertly sets up future storylines while telling a complete, satisfying story in its own right, making it an absolutely ideal entry point for new readers curious about what makes Invincible such a critically acclaimed and beloved series.

Invincible Vol. 3: Perfect Strangers is collected in trade paperback and Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 2 hardcover. For readers who prefer digital, it's available through ComiXology, Kindle and other major e-Book platforms.