Sagoh
By Jackson McCoy | May 13, 2026
The Invincible universe is currently experiencing a creative and commercial renaissance that few comic book franchises manage to achieve decades into their existence. While Mark Grayson’s journey remains the beating heart of the series, the peripheral stories of the Image Comics/Skybound Entertainment library have begun to carve out their own formidable legacies. Among these, the Battle Beast spinoff has emerged as a titan of the industry. As fans prepare for the highly anticipated clash between the feline warrior and the Viltrumite juggernaut, Conquest, in Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #10, the conversation has shifted toward a singular, inevitable question: Who should be the next antagonist to step into the spotlight?
The answer, written in blood and across the ruins of planets, is Conquest.
The Main Event: The Collision of Two Titans
On June 17, 2026, the long-gestating confrontation between Battle Beast and Conquest finally arrives in Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #10. For years, readers have speculated about the precise chain of events that led to the imprisonment of Battle Beast—the very cell from which he was eventually liberated by Allen the Alien.
This issue serves as more than just a bridge between plot points; it is a masterclass in high-stakes storytelling. The brawl promises to be a defining moment in the Invincible canon, pitting two of the most relentless combatants in the galaxy against one another. It is the ultimate expression of the series’ core ethos: the pursuit of perfection through violence. As Battle Beast continues to push the boundaries of what a spinoff can achieve, the narrative weight of this upcoming issue underscores why characters like Conquest are ripe for an expanded, standalone exploration.
A Chronology of Carnage: The Rise of Conquest
To understand why Conquest warrants his own series, one must look at his trajectory within the Invincible mythos. Introduced as a force of nature, Conquest was not merely a villain; he was a manifestation of Viltrumite imperial philosophy. Unlike other antagonists who relied on political maneuvering or psychological warfare, Conquest was the blunt instrument of an empire that valued strength above all else.
Throughout the original Invincible comic run, Conquest served as the primary foil for Mark Grayson, pushing the hero to his absolute limits. His presence signaled that the stakes had moved beyond planetary defense to existential survival. With the success of the Prime Video television series—specifically the brutal, globe-spanning fight featured in the Season 3 finale—Conquest has been thrust back into the cultural zeitgeist.
The television adaptation successfully translated the visceral nature of the comics to the screen, but it also added layers of depth that were previously only hinted at. The "blood heart" sequence and the subsequent, chilling monologue delivered by Conquest have humanized the monster, revealing the crushing weight of his immortality. He is a creature defined by a millennia-long history of conquest, and the audience has only seen the tip of that blood-soaked iceberg.
Supporting Data: The Commercial Viability of Spinoffs
The success of the Battle Beast comic series is not merely a fan-driven phenomenon; it is a fiscal reality that provides a roadmap for future expansion. Since its inception, the Battle Beast title has defied industry trends. In June 2025, Skybound Entertainment and Image Comics were forced to issue a third printing of the debut issue—a rarity in a market often saturated with one-and-done titles.
The data supports the longevity of these stories:
- 2025 Performance: Battle Beast ranked among the top 50 best-selling comic series for the full year of 2025, a testament to the enduring appeal of the Invincible brand.
- 2026 Momentum: As of March 2026, Battle Beast #7 secured a spot in the top 20 best-selling comic books.
- Market Positioning: It holds the distinction of being the third most successful Image Comics release and the second-most successful non-Marvel/DC comic on the market.
These metrics demonstrate that fans are not just interested in the core Invincible title; they are hungry for the deep-lore exploration that spinoffs provide. The financial stability of the Battle Beast series suggests that a Conquest solo series would not be a risky venture, but a calculated expansion into a character with a pre-established, massive audience.
The Creator’s Perspective: Robert Kirkman’s Balancing Act
The potential for a Conquest series is bolstered by Robert Kirkman’s own philosophy regarding superhero longevity. In a March 2025 interview with Variety, Kirkman addressed the common industry trap of "over-exposure," where characters are brought back until their narrative utility is depleted.
"If a character becomes popular at Marvel or DC, they bring them back over and over and over again until they are less popular," Kirkman noted. "By trying to make Invincible something that celebrates traditional superhero storytelling but also tries to play against type, no matter how popular Conquest got, we’ve told his story. That’s all you get."
However, Kirkman’s subsequent comments leave the door ajar: "There’s a lot left on the table that I would love to get to at some point."
This duality—the commitment to a closed, meaningful narrative versus the desire to explore "what is left on the table"—is exactly why an Invincible Universe: Conquest limited series makes sense. It would not be an endless, cyclical resurrection of a villain. Instead, it would be a focused, finite exploration of his origins, his rise through the Viltrumite ranks, and the psychological toll of a life spent in perpetual conflict. It honors the character’s legacy while providing the depth that fans crave.
Implications: Why Now is the Time for ‘Conquest’
The transition of Conquest from a primary antagonist to a potential lead character carries significant implications for the Invincible franchise.
1. Thematic Depth
A Conquest comic would allow writers to tackle themes that are difficult to explore within the faster-paced medium of the main series. Issues such as the crushing isolation of an immortal warrior, the moral decay inherent in imperialistic expansion, and the search for "the perfect death" (a theme mirrored by Battle Beast) could be examined with nuance.
2. Filling the Narrative Gaps
The Invincible timeline is vast, spanning thousands of years of Viltrumite history. We have seen glimpses of Conquest’s past, but a standalone title would provide the "missing manual" to his character. How did he become the enforcer he is? What were the battles that defined him before he arrived on Earth? These are questions that, if answered correctly, would enhance the reader’s appreciation for his appearances in the main series.
3. Maintaining Franchise Momentum
The success of the Battle Beast series has proven that the Invincible brand is robust enough to carry multiple concurrent titles. By launching Invincible Universe: Conquest, Skybound can maintain the high engagement levels the franchise has enjoyed since the Season 3 finale of the show, keeping the momentum alive while the main Invincible storyline continues its own progression.
4. Cultivating a "New" Classic
The reaction to Conquest’s arc has already spawned a subculture of fan art, original character variants, and deep-dive discussions on platforms like Reddit and Instagram. This is the hallmark of a character who has transcended the page. By giving him a dedicated space to breathe, the creative team can turn a "villain" into a complex anti-hero or tragic figure, further cementing his place in the pantheon of great comic book characters.
Conclusion
The demand for more Invincible content is at an all-time high, and the evidence provided by the market, the creator’s own words, and the sheer narrative potential of the character makes the decision clear. While Battle Beast #10 will likely go down as a seminal moment in 2026’s comic calendar, it should be viewed not as a peak, but as a precursor.
The stage is set. The audience is waiting. The history is written in blood. It is time to stop teasing the history of the Viltrumite menace and start printing it. Invincible Universe: Conquest is not just a good idea—it is the logical, necessary evolution of the universe Robert Kirkman built. It is time for the conqueror to have his own book.
Evan Lee Salim
Dwi Wanna
