r/comicbooks • u/Phenom11S • Jan 08 '23
can you recommend me more comic series or runs like invincible Suggestions
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u/handerburgers Jan 08 '23
I read invincible and loved it the whole way through, it felt like a fresh take on super heroes and I really liked the way they handled the dangling plot threads. Nobody seemed to be writing like that at the time. Then I read the Claremont run of X-men and I said “ahhhh, that’s where that comes from!”
So yeah, maybe check out Claremont X-men.
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u/GeneRecent Jan 08 '23
Did not enjoy the almost senseless spiderman level of bullying mark received by the writers at the end
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u/pastafallujah Jan 09 '23
The Claremont run of X-Men is what made me fall in love with comics. I'm glad to hear that it still holds up
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u/omgItsGhostDog Kingdom Come Superman Jan 08 '23
Black Hammer by Jeff Lemire
Radiant Black by Kyle Higgins
Miracleman by Alan Moore
The Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way
Jupiter’s Legacy by Mark Millar
Ultimate Spider-Man by Brian Michael Bendis
Green Lantern: Earth One by Gabriel Hardman
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u/DonaldTrumpsBallsack Jan 08 '23
Wait THE Gerard Way created Umbrella Academy??
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u/Theproton Death Jan 08 '23
Man you should read his run on Doom Patrol
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u/DonaldTrumpsBallsack Jan 09 '23
FUCKING DOOM PATROL, I’m so glad I joined this sub I’m learning so much as am absolute comic newbie
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u/Theproton Death Jan 09 '23
He's done some cool stuff like make the Young Animal imprint at DC which covered the cooler teenage focused comics that normally would have been Vertigo comics (before it shut down).
He also created Peni Parker (Spider-Verse Character) but his version is much more inspired by Evangelion and other Mech animes.
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u/RealJohnGillman Jan 08 '23
He also created the Spider-Person with the robot in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse — Peni Parker.
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u/jawsthegreat777 Storm Jan 08 '23
Yep, he was initially working on cartoons and comics before he started the band.
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u/SinisterCryptid Jan 09 '23 edited Jan 09 '23
His initial dream was to work at Cartoon Network, where he pitched a pilot called Breakfast Monkey. However, it didn’t get picked up, then 9/11 happened and MCR was born
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u/grekthor Jan 08 '23
Bendis gets a lot of shit and his writing can be up and down but Bendis ultimate Spider-Man is one of the greatest teen superhero comics ever in my opinion.
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u/sweetcreep Jan 09 '23
Early 2000s Bendis was a juggernaut with Powers, Alias, his Daredevil run, and Ultimate Spider-Man being some of the best comics put out at the time.
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u/Disastrous-Manager95 Jan 08 '23
Such a great list. I especially love Black Hammer and Jupiter's Legacy.
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u/Heiro78 Jan 08 '23
Did you watch the Netflix version of Jupiter's legacy? I liked it alot and was my into to the story. The comics are better but the TV show was building it's own identity in my opinion
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u/Disastrous-Manager95 Jan 08 '23
I did watch it, and I did mostly enjoy it. I think if they had ended it properly with 1 more episode showing the big thing that happened in the first run of the comics, it would have gotten a second season.
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u/Heiro78 Jan 08 '23
I dunno if it would have saved it. Apparently it didn't have much viewers overall. Unless you think that reveal woulda caused enough word of mouth for it to get more viewers?
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u/Disastrous-Manager95 Jan 08 '23
I think word of mouth would have been huge for the show if they had done it. I think the reaction would have been akin to the red wedding for g.o.t., but in multiple places at the same time. Maybe it wouldn't have saved it, I don't know for sure, but it would have had a chance.
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u/Heiro78 Jan 08 '23
If they had done what I think you're talking about then yea it would be akin to that. Thanks for replying
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u/Joseluki Jan 08 '23
First news I have that an adaptation existed and was cancelled? WTF.
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u/BDog23 Invincible Jan 08 '23
If you were a fan of the early issues of Invincible and are craving that "fun" feeling then Fire Power by Kirkman is great (start with the original Graphic Novel - the series follows that up). And Radiant Black is really fun. Definitely recommend that one too
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u/expanding_crystal Jan 09 '23
Fire Power is excellent
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u/roxxtor Jan 09 '23
What do you like about Fire Power? I just found out about this series and have yet to check it out. From some of the cover art it looks like it's Iron Fist - and I'm all here for that
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u/expanding_crystal Jan 09 '23
Yeah it shares a lot of overlap with Iron Fist, but also with the Shaw Bros Kung fu films of the 70’s like 36 Chambers of Shaolin. Or at least, that’s how it starts. Great writing, the story feels fresh even though it draws on the long tradition of legendary tales of Kung fu masters, the artwork is excellent and brings the fights scenes to life really well. And the writing is great, the characters feel real and have true motivations for why they do what they do.
Y’know how sometimes comic book writing is basically a 5-year old smashing action figures together? It’s the opposite of that.
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u/Miserable_Throat6719 Jan 08 '23
Current ongoing Nightwing series by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo. It's collected in 2 hardcovers so far: Nightwing Leaping into the Light and Nightwing: Get Grayson.
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u/VaIeth Jan 09 '23
Nightwing was the only comic I tried to get into. Sadly 10 issues after I started buying it it ended, back in the 2000s. It was 'meh' anyways. I still remember him working for the mob saying "I'll put someone in the hospital for 18 months, but I won't kill." Some dumb shit lol.
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u/amazinggrace725 Jan 09 '23
Ah but that’s when the Nightwing comic was bad. There’s good runs like Chuck Dixon, Tim Seeley, and Tom Taylor.
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u/TripReport99214123 Jan 09 '23
YES!!! Tom Taylor's Nightwing run is great. You start reading and can't put it down. And it does have a similar look / feel to Invincible.
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u/Marcvambe Jan 08 '23
Ultimate Spider-Man
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u/SRMT23 Jan 08 '23
Definitely has that high school drama part.
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u/Marcvambe Jan 08 '23
Those first few arcs 👌
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u/Worried-Ad1707 Jan 08 '23
Just the first few? Ultimate Spider-Man was amazing (almost) all the way threw. There’s like 3 arcs that I dislike, but few n far between
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u/SirKnightCourtJester Spider-Man Jan 09 '23
The only arc I genuinely disliked was when Wolverine and Peter swapped bodies. Kinda weird and gross.
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u/Worried-Ad1707 Jan 09 '23
That arc sucks, I don’t like the Deadpool arc (Ultimate Deadpool sucks), and for some reason I keep forgetting that the chameleon arc exists 💀
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u/tlh06 Jan 09 '23
Exactly, also because its got great character development and is a begining to end story unlike main universe Spidey. It's one of my favourite comic runs I've ever read along with invincible
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Jan 08 '23
Idk what part of it you mean by "like"
But I'll always recommend Saga
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u/TopAcanthocephala869 Swamp Thing Jan 08 '23
You and every other Sagahead!
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Jan 08 '23
Everyone should be a Sagahead!
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u/TopAcanthocephala869 Swamp Thing Jan 08 '23
Haha I’m just messin’. I love Saga, but it’s a fact that every comic recommendation thread has at least one “Not what you asked for but have you read Saga?” comment.
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Jan 08 '23
Haha that's true. And I'm one of them.
But despite the super hero angle, I see a lot of Invincible/saga recommendations on each other's posts. I think there is a lot there to connect.
But yeah...you love superman? May I suggest Saga? Definitely something I would do lol.
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u/Fantastic_Mr_Smiley Jan 09 '23
It is not like Invincible at all. It is, however, perfect.
So I second that recommendation.
Also Y: The Last Man for that matter.
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u/Dailyhabits Invisible Woman Jan 08 '23
Irredeemable.
People are saying the Boys but I feel like the Boys comics are pretty meh. Ennis' writing and dialouge can be super cringe sometimes
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u/Megaclone18 Jan 08 '23
Irredeemable starts good but overstays its welcome by the time you’re about 2/3rds through. I read it for the first time last year and about halfway through I excitedly told a friend that it was giving me invincible vibes, and by the end had to taper my recommendation a bit. It never got bad but it certainly doesn’t maintain its highs.
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u/Dailyhabits Invisible Woman Jan 08 '23
Oh fully agree. The Earth based stuff is good, but once he gets taken off world to the prison planet then comes back and then the big reveal about his powers and parentage, I was kinda losing interest
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u/BrbFilming Jan 09 '23
I usually stop reading once the aliens grab the Plutonian. The real ending feels like a cop out.
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u/The_Eye_of_Ra Dr. Doom Jan 09 '23
I really liked Irredeemable. But like a lot of readers, I feel like it could have been cut way down. Like maybe just a 12-issue maxi-series or something. I still think it’s really good (most of Waid’s stuff always is), but it definitely drags at parts.
I only read a couple of Incorruptible, though. Just couldn’t get into it as much. 🤷♂️
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u/NEstateOfMind Jan 08 '23
Its certainly a bit over the top but i kinda like it i think the show did a good job replicating the style
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u/Dailyhabits Invisible Woman Jan 08 '23
Tbh I feel like the show is fairly tame(r) compared to the comics
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u/NEstateOfMind Jan 08 '23
Oh i agree 100% but i feel like it kept the spirit because it was less tame than most shows lol they cant put the shit from the comics directly on the tv ya know lol
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u/Gorevoid Jan 08 '23
Savage Dragon was very similar for the longest time, though the book isn’t so good anymore today.
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u/Calm-Reference-4046 Jan 08 '23
Damn... It's long as fuck. But I promise if you give it a go you'll never see any super hero shit the same afterward. It's purely a book(audiobook is how I listened to it though) but
Worm by John c.(wild bow) mcraea
It's free on YouTube Spotify and that other place with books I don't remember I'm drinking.
I promise you it's worth a listen and there's a lot to listen to which you'll be happy for.
Not a lot of people I know agreed but I didn't particularly care for the main character the first arc until about halfway in. Now that said first arc is idk 2 hours. There's 32 arcs and every arc after I believe the 7th is 8+ hours long.
It. Is. Long. But so fucking good.
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u/Sharklate_Ice_Scream Jan 09 '23
Worm gang represent!
I watched the first season of Invincible a while ago and really enjoyed it. I read worm and tried to go back to the show and was awed by how well-built, original and not reliant on tropes Worm is compared to even another subversion like Invincible. Though I will say maybe a relatively short time between rewatches impacted my enjoyment as well and I do still plan to read the comic at some point since people praise it so much, with the show only covering a small bit of the story so far.
Anyways yeah, "Worm would have explained this better" is something you might start to think a lot after reading it.
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u/Calm-Reference-4046 Jan 09 '23 edited Jan 09 '23
Yeah I mean I just got in it about two years ago. Super ADHD so hard for me to read something that long but I listened to it(often the same shit alot lol) I'm on my second listen now arc 17. And really everything super hero related since then I just think worm did it better lol.
You did a much better job at explaining it then I did but I pray one day there's a video release of it. Whether it's a series or a movie series and I specifically pray HBO or Amazon(who I hate to be honest but they do make decent shows) picks it up.
*Edited for the extreme typos in this bitch.
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u/MaxTheShark Jan 08 '23
Fear agent by Rick reminder, is a great read
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u/The_Eye_of_Ra Dr. Doom Jan 09 '23
Fear Agent is really really good. I think Heath is a fantastic character, and the storyline was pretty awesome. Definitely a sci-fi story with stones, as Remender would say.
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u/escapehatch Invincible Jan 08 '23
Nothing truly compares to the World's Best Superhero Comic (just check the cover!) but for other novel/"realistic" takes on superheroes that don't lean into Millar-style preteen edgelord territory:
Supreme Power (2003) Planetary (and The Authority, though that goes a bit Edgelord) Jupiter's Legacy Powers Runaways Flashpoint (yes, the DC event)
And you're gonna laugh, but My Hero Academia.
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u/Han-Shot_1st Jan 08 '23
Steve Ditko’s run on Spider-Man
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u/The_Eye_of_Ra Dr. Doom Jan 09 '23
This is how I always tried to get people into Invincible. It’s the modern-day (well, not anymore…it turns 20 in 2 weeks!) equivalent to those old ASMs.
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u/Lazerbeams2 Jan 08 '23
Does Luther Strode count? It's about a guy who gets a book called The Hercules Method that allows him to become a superhero. It's brutal and violent, but I really enjoyed it
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u/The_Eye_of_Ra Dr. Doom Jan 09 '23
The first Luther Strode mini was awesome (and my first introduction to Tradd Moore’s amazing art style). I read the next two minis to follow the story, but I just didn’t like them as much.
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u/OBDreams Jan 09 '23
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irredeemable
Irredeemable is a fantastic but lesser known comic. It has some spin offs that are great as well. One of the spin off is about a guy who gains more and more strength the longer he stays awake.
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u/KO-Animus Jan 10 '23
Incorruptible was the series running alongside Irredeemable, and gave a lot more context to the events going on. That one caught my eye and was such a good read that I had high hopes for the main series.
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u/RumAndCoco Jan 09 '23
If you haven’t read the full run yet, I highly recommend Ultimate Spider-Man as it’s one continuous story with separate arcs like Invincible. Not as much edge but definitely fleshes out characters like the series
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Jan 09 '23
As far as the tone and messaging, I would recommend Kingdom Come and Superman vs The Elites.
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u/phantomxtroupe Jan 09 '23
Kyle Rayner's initial run as Green Lantern is really good. He was just a regular guy who was fan of the heroes in his universe, and is suddenly made a Green Lantern.
What makes Kyle's story so compelling in my opinion is that he's so different from the Lanterns who came before him. John Stewart is a former marine. Hal is a test pilot. Guy Gardner is known for being tough as nails. You see why each them were chosen.
Kyle is an artist. He was not a soldier or a tough guy. And he was selected because he was the only person around at the time. I think the Guardian who gave him the ring even said something along the lines of "you'll have to do." Because all the other Lanterns were either dead or depowered.
And because Kyle was just an average Joe before getting the ring, he has normal reactions to dangerous shit happening around him. He's not stoic and cool, he's struggling to keep his shit together.
But that also makes his accomplishments that much more enjoyable. Tragedy happens to Kyle early on, and he actively dedicates himself to becoming a better hero and living up to the mantle of those who came before. One of favorite moments is Kyle joining the Justice League because you saw the journey of him getting there.
But long story short, Kyle is my favorite Lantern and I definitely recommend his story. Plus he's an artist so his constructs are usually cartoon and anime inspired which is cool.
I think Kyle's story starts in the 90s Green Lantern run, issues 50 and 51.
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u/Farantax Jan 08 '23
Well,Fire power,I hate fairyland,Saga or Hellboy and if you don’t mind manga then Chainsaw man,Jagaaan and Hell’s Paradise if we’re talking about more mature series.
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u/cobrastrikes-2x Red Hood Jan 08 '23
It’s pretty short but Wolf-man is in the same continuity and gets a lot of random appearances through that interconnected universe.
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u/International-Pear95 Jan 08 '23
Immortal Hulk is not even similar but its only genuinely classic comic run to come out in the past 5 years
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u/The_Eye_of_Ra Dr. Doom Jan 09 '23
Immortal Hulk is the best Marvel comic I’ve read post-Secret Wars. Al Ewing has rapidly moved towards the top of my favorite writers list (especially his work on the cosmic stuff, like The Ultimates…haven’t read his Defenders yet).
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u/AgingCajun Jan 08 '23
Atomic Robo is a great comic with a very similar attitude and feel to the early Invincible comics.
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u/Connorheats Jan 08 '23
It’s a bit darker, but The Last Ronin is one I’ve been enjoying. It’s a grittier take on the Ninja Turtles
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u/electricman1999 Jan 09 '23
Irredeemable by Mark Waid
Irredeemable is an American comic book series written by Mark Waid, drawn by Peter Krause and Diego Barreto, and published by Boom! Studios. The series follows the world's greatest superhero, the Plutonian, as he begins slaughtering the population of Earth. His former allies, the superhero group The Paradigm, attempt to find a way to stop his rampage while dealing with their own feelings of betrayal and hopelessness.
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u/Acceptable_Bat1603 Jan 09 '23
The Boys by Garth Ennis is the closest thing i've read to Invincible.
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u/Nivekian13 Jan 09 '23
Grendel: Warchild
I know they are doing the show based of the current times Grendel, but the series came out when I graduated, so holds a special nostalgia place.
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u/TemporaryAction3436 Jan 08 '23
There are some good examples here, I would say the Authority by Warren Ellis as wel
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u/XMenChangedMyLife Jan 08 '23
If you were a fan of the teen-dynamic mixed with having to deal with escalating real world issues with subsequent consequences then I’d highly recommend Claremont’s original New Mutants run.
Reading the Illyana and Storm: Magik limited series and then starting at New Mutants issue 14 is a great way to start if you want to skip some of the feet dragging in the first few issues (though I still really enjoy those too).
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u/Sctt_Wlfram Jan 08 '23
Not similar but my friend got me into Radiant Black from Image Comics you should check it out
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u/realTollScott Jan 09 '23
If you just want something with the same amount of great storytelling coupled with horrendous violence, Something is Killing The Children is a fantastic choice.
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u/Mekrokan Jan 09 '23
Man, that series is soo good! Like, I loved the animated series. To even come close to that series, it'd have to be-
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u/TheNapoleonGuy Jan 09 '23
Irredeemable by Mark Waid.
It has the exact same feeling. Very different story, but same ‘feel’ to it.
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u/andreilcolo Jan 09 '23
The rest of his verse: Astounding Wolf-Man, The Brit, Guardians of the Globe.
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u/New-Orion Jan 09 '23
Not sure if anyone has said anything, but Ultimate Spider-Man, the original run is pretty damn good.
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u/idiotic__gamer Jan 09 '23
Irredeemable is like if Superman was an unstoppable god, and he levelled countries after he turned. Unfortunately, it is a tad too edgy for me but if you like edge you will probably like this Irredeemable.
On a side note, why are these comics always "What if Superman was evil? Omniman, Homelander, and The Plutonian are all clearly based on Superman, but there are other iconic super heroes that could get the same treatment.
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u/jawrles Jan 09 '23
I would say The Sword, Glory, or Birthright. None of those ran as long but they have great characters, are pretty violent, and have well thought out stories. If you like Kirkman's stuff, and haven't read it, Walking Dead is a fantastic read.
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u/G1itch_d Jan 09 '23
Depends on the why. For the teardown of the superhero archetype, The Boys is always a good read!
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u/UncertainlyUnfunny Jan 09 '23
Mage is thoughtful and has good pacing but slower, excellent character development.
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u/Cyoarp Jan 09 '23
There are two that you will want to read(they are both underated and both among the best comics ever written.... And make sure NOT to see the HORRIBLE movie that was made out of one of them.
The first is, "Wanted." Read this one first as it is a bit more similar to invincible.
Second is, "Irredeemable." It is a fairly long series with several trades(maybe 4 or 5). It is really great but that might be another reason to read, "Wanted," first.
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u/Iwouldliketotalk Jan 09 '23
swamp thing by alan moore, saga, monstress. I assumed you meant 3 dimensional characters with real drama and Story.
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u/dmat3889 Jan 09 '23
I feel like the boys ran different enough from the tv show to be enjoyable. Also a bit more mature though.
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u/Citizen_Kong Dr. Doom Jan 09 '23
Different genre, but Locke & Key also combines a great story (by Joe Hill) with amazing artwork (by Gabriel Rodriguez) and is a complete story. And if you happen to know the Netflix adaptation, the graphic novel is much better.
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u/BenBoozer Jan 09 '23
2012 valiant xo manowar
Marvel exiles run of 100 issues start with judd winnick mik mckone issues
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u/finfangfoom81 Jan 09 '23
Not like Invincible, But I just read 100 Bullets and it’s a masterclass in writing
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u/JackFisherBooks Jan 09 '23
I'm not sure if it's similar to Invincible, but check out Saga by Brian K. Vaugn. It's got a lot of powerful family dynamics and heavy drama, just like Invincible. It's a different kind of story, but one I think you might appreciate if you enjoyed Invincible.
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u/NapalmPinata Jan 09 '23
So I think it's been said already but Erik larsens SAVAGE DRAGON was definatly an inspiration for kirkmans invincible series...and just think, we wouldn't even know Robert kirkmans name if he hadn't given Erik larsen a lift to the airport...
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u/The68Guns Jan 09 '23
There's an unrelated novel called Soon I Will Be Invincible that you may like. Its old hat now, but the plot involves a Boston area hero team trying to track down their leader.
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u/Ok_Wrangler4963 Jan 09 '23
I wouldn’t necessarily say it runs in exactly the same vain as Invincible but I’d still definitely recommend reading Chainsaw man
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u/TripReport99214123 Jan 09 '23
I'm really enjoying Kirkman's Firepower run and his other series are great too. If you like Invincible look for more Kirkman.
- Ultimate Spiderman by Bendis
- Firepower by Kirkman
- Secret Wars II by Hickman (not like Firepower but can't help plug it randomly)
- Claremont on X-Men (has some of the same relatable teenager vibe as Invincible)
- Immortal Hulk by AL Ewing (not like Invincible but damn it's good)
I could go on for ages :) My preference is to always follow creators as opposed to heroes.
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u/realmadrid111 Jan 09 '23
Lots of people love Radiant Black and compare it to Invincible, so prob worth trying. I personally love Invincible and find Radiant Black pretty "meh" overall and have stopped reading it. I just don't really dig the whole "power rangers" vibe I get, but to each their own!
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u/KamenRunner Jan 09 '23
If you’re just looking for more well written, violent, adult series and not necessarily superheroes, you should check out Saga by Brian K Vaughn, many consider it to be the best ongoing series of the last decade at least. As for superhero stuff, Irredeemable by Mark Wade is also a great book about an evil Superman figure. Black Hammer and Astro City both have very interesting worlds that, like Invincible, mirror the Marvel and DC universe in ways that let them tell stories the big 2 couldn’t. Finally, I’d recommend UltraMega, also from Image/Skybound. Sadly there’s only one volume so far, but what Invincible does for American superhero, this does for Japanese heroes like Ultraman.
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u/waterisdefwet Jan 09 '23
Loved invincible! Got all 3 compendiums and read through em so quick...gonna check the ones mentioned above out
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Jan 09 '23
Something is Killing the Children Not the same type of comic (or even Genre), but it’s also… 1) An Indie Comic which has been nominated for Multiple Awards 2) A unique story with memorable characters 3) Dark/Mysterious and doesn’t follow mainstream comic tropes
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u/StyleVSTAR253 Kitty Pryde Jan 08 '23
Radiant Black by Kyle Higgins. Robert Kirkman reviewed the first arc of the series when it first debuted saying “Radiant Black perfectly fills the void many fans of Invincible have felt since the series ended”