Image has been hinting (which is to say, screaming from the rooftops) at the possibility of a major character death (or deaths) in Invincible‘s big 100th issue, which is due in January. Invincible #98 features the beginning of that story, “The Death of Everyone”. Here’s the official description from Image:

The countdown to issue #100 begins here – with the story that will change EVERYTHING for Invincible! Mark’s powers have finally returned, just in time for every life on Earth to rest in his hands. But what will happen when everyone learns that what is happening… is Mark’s fault?

Honestly, this issue feels rushed. It’s as if certain plot points need to be hit, and Robert Kirkman only has one issue left after this before the big one-double-oh. After briefly meeting with Zandale about his role as Invincible, Mark visits Dinosaurus, who tells him he’s decided to destroy Los Angeles. Most of the issue is spent with Mark and the Guardians attempting to save the city. We see no reaction or fallout from Mark regaining his powers at the end of last issue. While the fact that Invincible is partly responsible for Dinosaurus’ actions is addressed, it doesn’t come to anything (but that could obviously change).  There’s no clever writing (at least that we can see), no sense that anything really important is happening, no urgency. The writing’s not really bad, it’s just a bit dull. Ho-hum. Average. Blegh.

Ryan Ottley‘s art is more exciting than the story. The characters’ appearance and “motion” match the urgency of what’s happening better than any of the dialogue does. There’s one beautiful double page near the end of the book, but going into detail would be a SPOILER.

After all the hype about issue #100, I was hoping the first installment of this important story would feel more, well, important. Maybe after the plot catches up to where it needs to be, things will even out and the story will improve, hopefully in time for the big anniversary issue.

3/5