If there is one man who successfully managed to build an empire out of his work in comics, it is Robert Kirkman. Who could have guessed that a person writing a parody book about an alcoholic womanizer Battle Pope could end up managing comics, TV, film, and video games with an entertainment giant Skybound only 10 years later!
Robert Kirkman - Bringing the Zombies Back to Life
Why does Kirkman’s work draw so many people in? Perhaps it is the fact that he can juggle different genres and tropes with ease and always give them a fresh spin. He brought zombies into the 21st century in the pages of The Walking Dead in the same way he reinvented the classic superhero story with Invincible (both of which have spanned successful TV shows and countless spin-offs).
More likely, it is because the heart of all of his work is his characters - deeply relatable yet deliciously complex. No matter what circumstances they find themselves in, Kirkman will find a way to ground them and make them painfully human. And remorselessly, he will keep throwing new situations at them, keeping the reader on the edge of the seat with every new issue.
Robert Kirkman Essential Reads
Invincible
Mark Grayson’s dad is Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on Earth… or is he? With Invincible, Kirkman toyed with the superhero tropes while telling a heartwarming story about family and growing up.
There are so many possible ways to read Invincible that we've written a blog entry explaining all the different formats and we even have a dedicated landing page with all different formats! But if you want the whole story at once, the Softcover Compendium are the cheapest option.
The Walking Dead
What George A. Romero did for zombie movies, Kirkman did for the comics. This was one of the early examples of me screaming “THE BOOK WAS BETTER” at my friends!
If you binge watched the show then you better binge read The Walking Dead Comics. The four Walking Dead box sets contain all 32 volumes of the paperback — and they look pretty nice on your shelf. If you want the most bang for your buck, the softcover compendiums are the way to go.
Marvel Zombies
If you enjoyed a foray into Kirkman’s TWD universe, then it will be no surprise Marvel called in Kirkman to start up their own Zombie universe. With the upcoming animated adaptation, NOW is the time to delve into Marvel’s undead!
The complete Marvel Zombies by Robert Kirkman is available in one beautiful Marvel Zomnibus.
The Irredeemable Ant-Man
Hank Pym has been on a road to redemption for quite some years now - but what happens when a person who cannot be redeemed gets a hold of his equipment? Enter Eric O’Grady! This maxi-series is a fun read, and Kirkman really flexed his writing chops trying to endear a (much) less-than-likeable protagonist.
Outcast
Another horror outing for Kirkman is the story of Kyle Barnes, who's dealing with demonic possession. It mixes the trademarks of Kirkman's writing - interesting characters and family dynamics - and a note of sci-fi.
Outcast is available in four Hardcover Editions:
- Outcast By Kirkman & Azaceta HC Vol. 1
- Outcast By Kirkman & Azaceta HC Vol. 2
- Outcast By Kirkman & Azaceta HC Vol. 3
- Outcast By Kirkman & Azaceta HC Vol. 4
But the much cheaper option would be the Softcover Compendium:
Oblivion Song
The themes of survival and sci-fi are pushed further and mixed together in Oblivion Song. After 300,000 people of Philadelphia are transported into a parallel dimension, scientist Nathan Cole will need to do his best to bring them back.
Oblivion Song is available in three Hardcover Editions:
But again, the much cheaper option would be the Softcover Compendium:
Fire Power
If you are a fan of Iron Fist and Avatar: The Last Airbender, this book will scratch the itch for you! While the story sounds run-of-the-mill (a man gave up his power to live a family life, until one day…), Chris Samnee’s art should be enough to get you to take a peek at it!
Fire Power is available in two Hardcovers that are part of our Bargain Bins Deals and really cheap!
Void Rivals
The latest of Kirkman’s outings, Void Rivals serves as the start of a new Energon Universe - spanning Transformers, G.I. Joe, and other Hasbro properties. While completely original, the story of Void Rivals and their fight for survival is sure to pull on everyone’s heartstrings!
You can't escape Robert Kirkman
Kirkman was one of the first indie comic writers whose properties hit the mainstream – and they hit it hard. With adaptations of The Walking Dead and Invincible being as big as they are, he has cemented himself as one of the most prolific comic writers of the 21st century. Love him or hate him, one thing is certain – you cannot, and maybe should not avoid him!
