INVINCIBLE Issue 134, Page 03

Issue #134 can be summarized in three words: parenting, politics, and preparation. While it isn't the most action-packed issue, there are still so many vital moments that transpire within these pages. For the first time, we can see a glimpse of compassion sneak through Thragg's tyrannical disposition. Alan confronts Mark about his overwhelming guilt surrounding Oliver's death, and Nolan finally joins the fold in the war to end all wars. This is also 1 of 15 issues that feature the character Space Racer!

Nothing like some father-daughter bonding time in the corpse cave. I wonder if it smelled? It definitely did, no doubt.

While Page 1 is the eye-catcher, Page 3 is where the real juice is at. In just a handful of panels we get a private glimpse behind Thragg's stone-cold demeanor. Is this a moment of compassion, or a moment of weakness? Are we seeing a crack in Thragg's armor? The Viltrumite race has long been established as a clear-cut representation of the imperialistic ideology, and moments like these show the inherent faults of this belief system. No matter how hard you try to suppress your feelings, the world around you will be a constant reminder that emotions are a part of our nature. Thragg comes from a generation of anger and domination, but Ursaal represents the ushering in of a new era. The question is: does Thragg really care? Or is this moment of comfort simply meant to maintain control over his pawns...

"They were inferior to us. They were lesser beings. Their deaths are inconsequential. These are all things I am completely aware of. I should not care that they are dead... And yet. I care. I am enraged." -Nolan, Issue #29