Admittedly, when it comes to the Invincible comic books, I was late to the game, having started and finished the series around 2019. After reading it, I noticed that Conquest and Battle Beast didn’t fight. Granted, the brawl Battle Beast had with (SPOILER) ends up becoming one of the best fights of the series. In fact, a debate can even be made that it was the best.
Battle Beast (whose real name is Thokk) and Conquest not interacting was a travesty. They're both obsessed with combat and soaking in their opponent's blood. I’ve seen them both eat pieces of the people they’ve beaten. That's why it's shocking they never met other than in the Viltrumite War. Even then, it was Mark Grayson (Invincible) doing the fighting. Thankfully, writer Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley gave the people what they wanted in Invincible Universe: Battle Beast.
What made Battle Beast vs Conquest great
Fights in any genre start long before the first punch is thrown. In wrestling, it begins with a lot of trash talk. Eventually, one of the wrestlers goes too far and makes the rivalry heated. In movies and TV shows, a good rivalry will be built up with an intriguing storyline. Both can be applicable in comic books.
There are times when comic book readers anticipate a fight because two of the characters are well-liked or have powersets and personalities that will make for a great battle. This is why people wanted to see the Viltrumite’s craziest soldier go up against the alien that defeated Invinicible and then the Guardians of the Globe. Not only did it not disappoint, but it was exciting before the first drop of blood was spilled.
Before the two intergalactic gladiators fought, they sized each other up. Conquest asked Battle Beast who he was and if his people were warriors like him. Battle Beast says they are warriors, but none of them rose to his level. Meanwhile, during the middle of the conversation, King Salaka is trying to keep the peace. Of course, the two bloodthirsty combatants pretty much ignored him and kept talking trash to look for weaknesses. Fun fact: none was found.
Eventually, Conquest says that he wants to see "how hard it is to make this pussycat bleed.” Naturally, Battle Beast wanted this. However, before he could get his sword, Conquest attacked Thokk and began their fight in the air.
Now, I’m not going to do a play-by-play because it wouldn’t do this fight justice. Plus, you should really buy this issue and Invincible Universe: Battle Beast No. 9. Both show how to promote a comic book brawl, build it up, and execute it. It also gave readers just enough to anticipate what was coming next. That’s why I’m saddened that I have to wait until July to see what they Thokk and Conquest do to each other. Nevertheless, knowing how good Ryan Ottley and Robert Kirkman are, the wait will be worth it.
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