Skybound & Image Unleash ASTOUNDING Surprises for Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1!
The excitement for Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 just hit a new high! Today, Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics pulled back the curtain on the full, mind-blowing contents of their unprecedented Blind Bag program for this record-breaking new series. Co-creator/writer Robert Kirkman (the genius behind Void Rivals and The Walking Dead) and co-creator/artist Ryan Ottley (The Amazing Spider-Man) are reuniting for this monumental issue, their first collaboration on the Invincible property since 2018. This debut, set to hit comic book shops on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, is already the talk of the town, and for good reason. As avid followers of incredible artwork and storytelling, we at Comic Book Addicts knew this would be big, but the reality is even more thrilling.
Unveiling the Secrets of Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 Blind Bags
Fans were already buzzing about the innovative blind bag program for Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1. This concept alone offered a thrilling chance to snag any of the solicited covers from A through I. However, Skybound and Image Comics had even bigger plans. Today, they confirmed not one, not two, but three incredibly rare and sought-after secret covers intermixed within the blind bags. This is the kind of news that sends ripples through the community, and you can often find enthusiasts discussing such major reveals on forums and fan sites like those found when exploring great Comic Book Addicts discussions.
The secret treasures collectors might find are:
- A brand-new printing of Invincible #19. This isn’t just any reprint; it’s the first appearance of the fearsome Battle Beast himself! For collectors and long-time fans, this is a golden opportunity to own a piece of Invincible history.
- A special advance edition of Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #2. That’s right, some lucky fans will get to read the next pulse-pounding issue in its entirety, weeks ahead of its official release. Talk about bragging rights!
- And, in a truly historic collaboration with Marvel Comics, a reprint of Marvel Team-Up #14. This legendary issue marks the first meeting between Invincible and Spider-Man and notably features artwork by Invincible co-creator Cory Walker!
Robert Kirkman expressed his own astonishment at the scope of these surprises: “With every launch we do at Skybound we always try to roll out the red carpet and do something special, but I’ll be honest, I never knew we’d be able to do something THIS special!” He continued, “Reprinting Invincible issue #19, cool. Releasing an advance version of Battle Beast issue #2 on the same day, crazy! But actually reprinting a Marvel comic, especially one as rare and sought after as Marvel Team-Up 14… well, it’s so amazing I can hardly believe it actually happened!”
The demand has been overwhelming. Even with nearly 400,000 copies ordered globally, Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 sold out at the distributor level well before its May 14th release. But don’t despair if you missed the initial wave! A new, second printing is slated for release in June. This upcoming printing will feature three new, distinct covers by superstar artists Ryan Ottley, Jason Howard, and Ryan Sook, ensuring that the hunt for stunning comic book covers continues.
This new ongoing series is perfectly crafted for both die-hard Invincible followers and those new to its universe. It promises to delve into the secret story of the crowd-favorite warrior, Battle Beast (also known as Thraxxa), fulfilling what many consider the most demanded Invincible narrative of all time. Cursed with an insatiable thirst for violence that endangers everyone he holds dear, Battle Beast scours the cosmos. His quest? To find a warrior mightier than himself, hoping for a death that will prevent him from harming others. Yet, even in a universe teeming with formidable Viltrumites like Invincible and Omni-Man, it seems no one can halt the galaxy’s deadliest combatant… unless he takes an unthinkable step.
The creative minds bringing this saga to life include:
- Writer: Robert Kirkman
- Artist (Cover A, J, K, Second Printing Cover A): Ryan Ottley
- Colorist (Cover A, J, K): Annalisa Leoni
- Artist (Cover B): David Finch
- Artist (Cover D): E.J. Su
- Artist (Cover E): Kael Ngu
- Artist (Cover F): Arthur Adams
- Colorist (Cover F): Tanya Lehoux
- Artist (Cover G): Jonboy Meyers
- Artist (Cover J – Die Cut Mask): Andres Juarez
- Artist (Second Printing Cover B): Jason Howard
- Artist (Second Printing Cover C): Ryan Sook
- And of course, the historic Marvel Team-Up #14 features art by Invincible co-creator Cory Walker.
The legacy of Invincible is monumental. Created by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker, Invincible #1 first graced comic shops on January 22, 2003, earning immediate critical acclaim. Ryan Ottley joined as the new series artist and contributing creator with issue #8 later that year. Over its fifteen-year journey at Image Comics, Invincible spanned an epic 146 issues, spawned multiple spin-off series, and even crossed over with a certain friendly neighborhood superhero from Marvel.
This rich comic history translated brilliantly to the screen. In 2021, the Invincible animated series premiered on Prime Video, rapidly becoming a global sensation. Praised for its fresh storytelling, the show has captivated audiences through its recently concluded third season, with a fourth already confirmed. It holds “Certified Fresh” rankings on Rotten Tomatoes and even snagged the Golden Tomato Award for Best Animated Series in 2023. Co-produced by Skybound Animation and Amazon MGM Studios, the series, available in over 240 countries, follows 17-year-old Mark Grayson’s tumultuous journey as he inherits his father’s superpowers, striving to become Earth’s greatest defender while confronting unimaginable challenges.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 (SRP: $3.99, unless otherwise noted) officially lands on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. You can find it at your local comic book shops and on digital platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
The full list of first printing covers includes:
- Cover A by Ryan Ottley & Annalisa Leoni (Lunar Code: 0125IM287)
- Cover B by David Finch (Lunar Code: 0125IM288)
- Cover C Blind Bag: Various (Lunar Code: 0125IM289)
- Cover D (1:10 Incentive) (Connecting) by E.J. Su (Lunar Code: 0125IM290)
- Cover E (1:25 Incentive) by Kael Ngu (Lunar Code: 0125IM291)
- Cover F (1:50 Incentive) by Arthur Adams & Tanya Lehoux (Lunar Code: 0125IM292)
- Cover G (1:100 Incentive) (Foil) by Jonboy Meyers (Lunar Code: 0125IM293)
- Cover H (1:1000 CGC Signed/Graded) (Foil) by Ryan Ottley & Annalisa Leoni (Lunar Code: 0125IM294)
- Cover I Blank Sketch Cover (Lunar Code: 0125IM295)
- Cover J (Battle Beast Die Cut Mask Cover) (Foil) ($4.99) by Ryan Ottley, Andres Juarez & Annalisa Leoni (Lunar Code: 0125IM296)
- Cover K (1:2000 Ryan Ottley Original Art Sketch Cover) by Ryan Ottley (Lunar Code: 0125IM297)
And for those who missed out or simply want more, the Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 Second Printing (SRP: $3.99) arrives in comic shops and on digital platforms on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
The second printing covers are:
- Second Printing Cover A by Ryan Ottley (Lunar Code: 0125IM940)
- Second Printing Cover B by Jason Howard (Lunar Code: 0125IM941)
- Second Printing Cover C by Ryan Sook (Lunar Code: 0125IM942)
The release of Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1 is shaping up to be a landmark event in the comic world, not just for the return of a fan-favorite character but for the sheer audacity and excitement of its blind bag program and the historic reprints contained within. Skybound and Image Comics have truly outdone themselves, delivering a must-have collectible and an unmissable story.What are your thoughts on these epic reveals for Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1? Which secret cover are you hoping to find? Head over to our Twitter page and let us know your reactions and theories!
