This was incredibly disappointing, especially in comparison with the original Invincible series. I was dissatisfied with the writing, the art, the characters, and just about everything else in this book.
Let’s start with Atom Eve and Atom Eve & Rex Splode. I love Eve and Rex. They’re two of my favorite characters in the series. Eve’s backstory is great. Some of the art does objectify her, but issues 1 and 2 show her as such a badass, even as a young teenager. Atom Eve & Rex Splode creates a crazy contrast to this. Eve does not appear by herself in any of these issues. She’s an accessory to Red as he explores his backstory. She has no independent plot line. She exists to be pretty, be Rex’s girlfriend, and have her underwear displayed any time the artist feels like the action just isn’t good enough. She’s flat and ditsy, and it’s disgusting because not only is she such an incredible character but she’s also a teenager. It’s ridiculous that her image is plastered all over this book and the writers couldn’t even show her any respect.
Now, Guarding the Globe. This is actually the worst comic series I’ve ever read. I’m shocked that Kirkman wrote volume one because it’s the flattest, most boring piece of garbage I’ve ever read from him. He introduces a boatload of new heroes to create the new Guardians of the Globe team. And none of these new heroes are interesting, well-developed, or possessing of personality in anyway (with the small exception of Best Tiger). Some of these hero’s real names are not revealed until later in the story, and many of them have no lives outside of the Guardians of the Globe. It’s fucking lazy, and in no way does it engage an audience. Additionally, these comics are filled with sexist imagery and plot lines that are just boring and uninspired. Hey, how was anyone supposed to know Outrun was possessed? Because she acts like a slut, of course! Maybe it would be easier to tell that a character possessed if she had a personality to begin with!!
Invincible Universe was marginally better. I enjoyed some of the characters and plot lines a little more than the rest of those present in this book. It wasn’t amazing, but it was better.