In 2021, Invincible stuck a ferocious landing: Amazon’s adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s superhero epic became a household name. J.K Simmons’ performance as Omni Man propelled the character into the infamy of Homelander and Thanos. Steve Yeun proved equal in his performance as Mark Grayson, Omni Man’s heroic son. Come November 3, these iconic characters return for Invincible‘s second season.
This continuation has been in the works as soon as the first season concluded. There wasn’t much debate over Invincible‘s prospects: critically acclaimed and star-studded with actors from Mark Hamil to Seth Rogan, the show’s producers confidently asserted they could adapt the rest of their source material. With a track record laid before them, Amazon’s executives renewed Invincible twice more.
Robert Kirkman has substantial material to adapt from his original work – Invincible‘s run began in 2003 to a conclusion in 2018, spreading 144 issues over 15 years. His long-running work draws on superhero tropes while reconstructing them in new ways. While Invincible‘s setting might seem like a DC ripoff at first glance, there’s much more than meets the eye.
What helps to differentiate Kirkman’s work from familiar Silver Age trappings is the art’s refusal to pull any punches, bloody as they are. One fan, senior Carlos Flores, helpfully elaborates:
“Characters die. They die – nobody censors it. You see what happens to them, which makes the series much more interesting.”
Invincible doesn’t revel in the gore characters create like The Boys, but the show doesn’t avert the viewer’s eyes. Superpowers in play are realistic: super strength snaps fragile civilians like twigs while villains rend flesh with wondrously horrible might. Omni Man and Mark aren’t invincible – even the intro gets bloodstained!
Viscera isn’t the only thing that sets the series’ tone. Morality isn’t simple in Invincible – even Omni Man has facets to his character rich with conflict. Heroes and villains might point in their role’s moral direction, but straight arrows bend and warp under the pressures of crime fighting and worse. Cole Brunger, senior comic collector, weighs in on this:
“The way the story’s written reminds me of Watchmen more than Superman, for example. Yeah, there’s action, but never without buildup of motivations you don’t see elsewhere.”
These fans will get what they want as anticipation builds for Invincible‘s next debut – amplified by what viewers have seen so far. This July, showrunners unveiled a prequel centered around Atom Eve – Mark’s love interest and superhero ally.
Critically acclaimed, reviewers praised the episode for quality animation and story. Fans were joyous, especially since they hadn’t expected any content until the second season premiered. One fan, senior Jean Rodriguez, recalls their excitement:
“When I found out the prequel premiered, I was surprised, but that turned to excitement when I watched the episode. It was really good in everything from voice acting to fight scenes!”
Many expect Invincible’s second season to soar even beyond Atom Eve’s lofty heights. If the series succeeds in this goal, its reputation will be invincible indeed.
