When you ponder over the greats as it pertains to animated television shows, you think of classics like Marvel’s “The Spectacular Spider-Man” or DC’s “Batman: The Animated Series.” The only dilemma lies with the fact that both these shows concluded production well over a decade ago and left viewers eager for new programs. This was until March of 2021 when “Invincible” released its first few episodes onto Amazon Prime Video. The breath-taking action sequences and complex storyline left fans in awe and quenched that thirst for a new-exciting animated series.
Creator Robert Kirkman first began his journey with the Invincible universe in 2003 when he wrote and released the first of what became 144 comic issues to the public. Now, Kirkman and the rest of his animators and illustrators have brought their ideas to streaming platforms in the form of a six-time Emmy award winning TV show based on those very comics.
The show follows teenager Mark Grayson, or Invincible (Steven Yeun), as he begins to develop superhuman abilities and learns what it takes to become a superhero alongside his father – Nolan Grayson, or Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons). Now this may seem like the beginning of a stereotypical superhero origin story, but the show quickly takes a dark or rather mysterious turn after the abrupt death of Earth’s Guardians of the Globe, a team of the planet’s greatest and strongest heroes, by the hands of Mark’s own father, Omni-man.
The show does a profound job with its portrayal of the two alter-egos of Nolan Grayson, one being a loving father and husband to Mark and his wife Debbie (Sandra Oh), and the other being a merciless, remorseless killer. While Omni-man’s motives aren’t exactly present until later in the first season, this action lays the groundwork for amazing character development when it comes to the show’s main character – Mark – as he’s chosen to join and eventually lead the new and improved Guardians of the Globe.
This development is highlighted as he becomes close with another superhuman teen, Atom-Eve (Gillian Jacobs), along with other members of this new team assembled by Mark’s new boss – Cecil Stedman (Walter Goggins). I also admire the ongoing relationship built between Cecil and Mark as Cecil continues to express his interest to help train Mark into becoming the best Invincible he can be.
By the end of the first season, all the build up and anticipation of a fight comes to fruition as the show released an exhilarating finale, which included incredible fight sequences between Invincible and Omni-man as Omni-man attempts to convince Mark to help him and the Viltrum Empire (Omni-Man’s home planet) take over Earth and annihilate all living organisms. This battle tested the morality and judgement of Invincible, who had to choose between his father and the millions of innocent lives that he’s grown to live around. This eventually proved that Invincible cared too much for the people of Earth, which leads Omni-Man to fly off with tears streaming down his face as he looks at all the destruction he’s left in his path on this planet he briefly called home.
The next season consists of even more thrilling storylines where we see how Mark learns to balance his personal problems and his superhero missions as he looks to take the next step and become the true defender of Earth with the help of Cecil and the rest of the Guardians of the Globe. This is interrupted as he is greeted by an unknown entity that invites him to a planet far away where “urgent help” is needed. When Mark lands he is greeted by the one and only Omni-Man, which leaves Mark and viewers alike stunned. As Omni-man looks to repair the relationship with his son, he is captured for treason by the Viltrum Empire and Mark is warned of a greater Viltrumite threat to Earth later on if he doesn’t carry out the same plan assigned to his father.
I enjoyed the emotions portrayed in these scenes as Invincible has to put his previous feelings of anger aside to focus on helping save the people of his father’s new homeland and fight alongside his dad against these powerful Viltrumites. The rest of the season sets up another exciting batch of episodes to rave over each week, with season three set to release new episodes weekly from Feb. 13 until Mar. 13.
Overall, the show has captivated audiences and critics alike, myself included, as the show sits at a 99 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and an audience score of 89%. With that being said, I recommend watching this series while it’s still young as Kirkman previously said he plans to create eight to 10 seasons before the show concludes. “Invincible” is great for those who are interested in the crime-fighting and superhero genre as it will keep you on the edge of your seat each week, constantly praying each episode doesn’t end.
