Search
Resize text+=

‘Indestructible:’ Advance TPB Review

Indestructible, from Darby Pop Publishing, explores the notion of superheroes as celebrities. It’s an idea that plenty of other comics (and other media) have touched on before, but perhaps none quite so in-depth as this one. In the world of superheroes, those who use their powers for fame and fortune, instead of altruistically helping the helpless, are generally portrayed as self-absorbed and egotistical, or perhaps as having “lost their way” after a prior career of successful civil service. But, Indestructible shows us a world where altruism and self-promotion aren’t mutually exclusive, and the people making money from their abilities can still be the good guys.

Greg Pincus is an ordinary guy living in L.A., the center of celebrity worship. Only in this world, instead of worshipping movie stars, people are enthralled by superheroes. Interestingly enough, superhero culture in this world is practically no different from superhero culture in our own. There are comics from DC and Marvel, blockbuster movies, toy lines, etc. The only difference is, in our world, you’d go after the autograph of Stan Lee or of Andrew Garfield. In the Indestructible world, you’d go after the autograph of Spider-Man himself.

Of course, though this is the world Greg lives in, he has no actual part in the superhero culture, except for the occasional near-sighting of someone who might have powers, or having his date stolen by a member of a super team. Until, through a series of mishaps, everyone on the planet gets the mistaken impression that he’s impervious to bullets.

Suddenly, Greg is swept up in the world of superhero celebrity. The most powerful (and famous) superhero team in the world wants to recruit him. Women who previously ignored him suddenly want to rip his clothes off. Kids want his autograph. An agent wants to represent him and start booking him for public appearances. And, his roommate Barry (who knows the truth) wants to be his sidekick and ride the celebrity wave as far as it will go.  

What makes Indestructible a compelling story isn’t just its depiction of superheroes as celebrities, but its exploration of our own fascination with celebrity culture and how it feeds into the whole superhero dynamic. Just because Greg took a gunshot to the chest without dying, not only is he perceived as a superhero, now he’s people’s favorite superhero. He’s the latest news, so everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon. People know almost nothing about him, so they project on him whatever they want to see. For some, that makes him practically all-powerful. For others, it makes him a target.  

Also included in this first volume are some behind-the-scenes notes and comments from creator/writer Jeff Kline, on the origins and development of certain scenes and images. Indestructible is a funny and exciting look at our own fascination with both superheroes and celebrities. It’s definitely worth a look, and it will be interesting to see where the story goes from here.

Steven W. Alloway, Fanbase Press Contributor

ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=150&d=mm&r=gforcedefault=1

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top