Battle Beast’s Brutal Quest for Death Revealed!

Battle Beast’s Brutal Quest for Death Revealed!

The Invincible universe is packed with powerful beings, but few are as unforgettable or as terrifying as Battle Beast. This hulking, humanoid alien is on a relentless, universe-spanning mission: to find someone strong enough to kill him. His obsession with violence and his sheer destructive power quickly made him a fan favorite, even though much of his past remained a mystery. Now, we’re getting a clearer picture of his origins and his bloody journey through the comics and the animated series.

From Planet Dawn to Galactic Scourge

Battle Beast wasn’t always known by his fearsome moniker. He was once Throck, hailing from the planet Dawn. Upon reaching fighting age, Throck discovered an uncontrollable rage and a thirst for violence. He channeled this inner turmoil by ending all wars on his home planet, essentially by killing everyone in his path. This extreme act led to peace and turned him into Dawn’s greatest hero and champion. However, with no more conflict to resolve, his rage only grew stronger. Fearing he would destroy his own planet, Throck left Dawn to seek a worthy end for himself among the stars.

More Than Just a Killing Machine

What makes Battle Beast so formidable? Beyond his addiction to violence and unending rage, he is immortal and can heal from almost any injury. He also possesses incredible super strength, agility, stamina, and reflexes. He’s strong enough to rip Viltrumites apart with his bare hands and is an expert in all forms of combat. Known as the Scourge of the Twin Galaxies, he has killed so many that he can’t even remember why. As a gruesome detail, he also eats his victims, a habit that adds to his monstrous persona.

First Encounters in Comics and Show

Battle Beast made his first appearance in Invincible issue #19. He joined Machine Head’s crew on Earth, hoping that Invincible and the Guardians of the Globe would provide the challenge he craved. However, Battle Beast easily defeated Invincible and the other heroes without breaking a sweat. He let them live only because he was disappointed they weren’t worthy opponents. This brutal encounter was adapted in Invincible season 1, episode 5, serving as one of Mark Grayson’s first major defeats.

His next significant appearance was in issue #55, where Nolan (Omni-Man) and Allen the Alien broke him out of a Viltrumite prison. Battle Beast joined them, not out of loyalty, but because he was thrilled to be killing again, especially Viltrumites, whom he heard were supposedly unkillable. The animated show depicted this in season 2, episode 4, showing him floating in space, brutally beating a Viltrumite to death and begging for more violence.

A Growing Legend in the Ultra-War

In issue #73, Battle Beast was found frozen in space by the Coalition, surrounded by body parts but still alive and eager for more. This led to his involvement in the Viltrumite War in issue #75. For Battle Beast, the war was simply an excuse for more murder and a chance to finally die. He kicked off the battle by smashing the Viltrumite Thula with his mace, eager to start the fight. During the conflict, he took on seven Viltrumites at once, using Thula’s body as a weapon and reveling in the bloodshed. However, he was humbled for the first time when Grand Regent Thrag swatted him away.

The Hunt for Thrag and an Honorable Death

After a period of absence, Battle Beast reappeared in issue #106, found by Space Racer killing people on an unknown planet. Space Racer brought him back to the Coalition, where he learned Thrag was alive and was tasked with killing him. This was music to Battle Beast’s ears. His actions, while violent, also involved liberating people from oppressive rulers, showing a strange code of honor. He only kills those he deems worthy of giving him a challenge.

The long-awaited rematch between Battle Beast and Thrag occurred in issues #115-120. This brutal, five-issue fight saw them decimate the planet Thrax, battling non-stop for days. Blood and guts filled the landscape as Battle Beast reveled in every moment. Thrag, barely alive, called him a maniac, but that’s precisely why fans love him. In a surprising twist, Battle Beast even helped Thrag fight off attackers sent by Space Racer. He also sliced his own gut after Thrag was injured, unwilling to gain an unfair advantage. Finally, in issue #120, Thrag exhausted Battle Beast’s rage and crushed his heart, granting him his death. In his final moments, Battle Beast thanked Thrag for freeing him from his curse and for being a worthy opponent.

The Legacy of Battle Beast

Even in death, Battle Beast’s influence lived on. A prophecy on his home planet of Dawn spoke of another who would share his curse. In issue #144, the final issue of the series, it was revealed that Battle Beast had a daughter named Battle Beast II. She inherited his bloodlust and became the strongest warrior on Dawn, swearing revenge on the Viltrumites for her father’s death. This unresolved storyline offers potential for future stories.

The show has a lot of room to explore the vast period between Battle Beast leaving Dawn and his first appearance on Earth. The ruler of Dawn mentioned in issue #66 that Battle Beast had been gone so long that many believed he no longer existed. This gap allows for numerous untold adventures. Additionally, a Battle Beast ongoing comic series by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley details his adventures between leaving Earth and his return in issue #55, depicting him fighting monsters and alien warriors across the galaxy.

Battle Beast remains one of the most compelling characters in Invincible, and the show has a perfect opportunity to expand on his complex history. His popularity suggests we might see more of him, perhaps even a spin-off series, continuing the legacy of this honorable, albeit terrifying, warrior.

Source: INVINCIBLE Battle Beast Explained | Full Comic History, Show Differences And Origin Story Breakdown (YouTube)