Invincible co-creator and artist Cory Walker is making a brief return to the INVINCIBLE series for an upcoming six-issue story arc (starting at #127). Cory was on art duties for issues #1-7 until artist Ryan Ottley took over starting with issue #8. Although Cory split drawing duties with Ryan in Issues 92-96 and has been contributing behind the scenes continuously, this is his first full-time return since issue #7. Our friends at IGN recently spoke with Cory to discuss his journey back to the series.
IGN: What led to the decision for you to return to the series? Were you feeling the itch to dive back into that world?
Walker: Oh, yeah, I’m always itching for it. You know me. I’m a genuine fan of the book and I’ve always been involved in varying degrees through the years, but as the opportunity began to present itself, this possibility that I could come on and fill-in for a few issues, it was pretty exciting. I have slowly been working on other things and haven’t had a comic on stands since I shared art duties with Ryan back on the Flaxan invasion/Rex and Monster Girl story back in Invincible 92-96, so the prospect of putting ANY comics out relatively soon was a sweet enough proposition, but make it Invincible and I can’t say no.
IGN: Are there any characters you’re especially excited to be working with again?
Walker: It’s a real treat to get to draw Mark and Eve again, as well as little Terra. I think I’m most excited about the new characters we’re introducing, though. I’ve got high hopes that they’ll make a splash and become fan favorites.
IGN: Robert and Ryan just wrapped up the “Reboot?” storyline and had Mark revisit key events from the beginning of the series. How did it feel to see that era of the book come back into play and be reinterpreted through Ryan’s eyes?
Walker: It was great seeing Ryan draw all that stuff! I’ve “joked” with Robert before that he should have Ryan redraw those issues completely. Sadly, I think this is the closest we’ll get, but I’ll take it.
IGN: Would you say your art style has evolved much since the last time you worked on Invincible?
Walker: I don’t know. Not much, if at all, probably. I do think though, that if there is a noticeable difference it is because I’m working all-digital whereas in the past I was inking with real pens on real paper at a real desk, etc. So, I dunno. Some things are almost definitely going to come out looking a little weird, as I haven’t had any digital sequential work published yet. It will be interesting seeing what worked and what didn’t and when I should have maybe zoomed in a little less when inking that tiny figure in the background. Otherwise, though, I don’t think anyone is gonna be confusing me for any other artist or anything. It’s still the same old Cory Walker nonsense.
Welcome back Cory Walker, wish all the best in work with Invincible.