'Invincible' Isn't Just Another Superhero TV Show

An animated TV series adaptation of the comic book series of the same name, Invincible follows Mark Grayson as he finally gains his superpowers at 17 years old and kicks off his superhero career as “Invincible”.  But being the son of Nolan Grayson a.k.a. Omni-Man, the greatest superhero in the world, Mark also has to deal with the added burden of living up to his father’s legacy on top of the struggles of juggling his high school life.

Giving you with such a synopsis, it comes off as very cliché.  Actually, if you go into this show knowing nothing what it’s going to be about, you will think that it’s just another superhero show.  For it’s not just Omni-Man that is an obvious analogue of Superman.  Many of the characters, organizations, institutions, and dynamics existing in its world are reminiscent of those found in the DC Comics universe.

But to have the initial perception that it’s just a cliché superhero show is the best possible condition for someone who’s going to watch this show for the first time.  For soon enough, it will utterly blow the socks off such a viewer, as it awesomely turns the genre on its head.

This ideal situation is something unlikely to attain at this point.  Invincible has been out for quite a while now (I actually watched it last May, but it’s only now that I’m reviewing it; I’ve been too busy and lazy lately), and spoilers are now all over the Internet.  I myself didn’t get such pleasure, as I had already read the comics prior to watching this show.  But if somehow, dear reader, by some improbable good fortune, you have avoided any information about what this show is really about, then don’t miss this opportunity of going into it blind.  Stop reading this review, and just go watch it.  And revel on the outstanding surprises.  If you love the superhero genre, and crave for something exhilarating fresh out of it, you will find Invincible to be a delightful treat.

Invincible offers many cool twists and turns.  While the eponymous character does undergo a stereotypical learning-how-to-be-a-hero arc, there are several other intriguing and subversive things happening around him that bring striking layers and a sense of unpredictability to the overall narrative.   (Key spoilers from here on.)

The most fundamental of all the twists centers on Omni-Man.  Belonging to a powerful and advanced alien race called Viltrumites, Omni-Man has a backstory that unfolds similarly to how Superman, as the Last Son of Krypton, made Earth his home and became its champion – at least, on the surface.  But this is actually a ruse.  The truth is, the Viltrumites aren’t really a benevolent race, but imperialistic, ruthless, Spartanic, and bent on conquering the universe, and Omni-Man’s real mission is to bring Earth into submission under Viltrumite rule.

Shocking reveals and interesting spins are not just what makes Invincible an engaging superhero story.  Terrific storytelling and characterizations are involved as well.   And it organically has a sense of suspense, high-stakes drama, and even great comedic timing and dark humor.

The voice acting (especially J.K. Simmons as Omni-Man) and animation are praiseworthy, too.  It’s just such a well-rounded production that manages to nail everything it needs to nail in order to be a worthwhile show.

Another notable aspect of Invincible is its graphic violence.  The opening “Invincible” title card spells this out when it gets splattered more blood with each passing episode.  However, while it’s unapologetic about its brutal visuals, it’s not at all gratuitous.  Similar to The Boys, it simply shows the plausible carnage and horrific collateral damage that can come about in a world where super beings go to battle with each other.  There is no violence for merely random violence’s sake.  Any depiction of decapitation, death, and destruction serves the purpose of effectively realizing the emotion, scale, storytelling, or thematic impact of the battle, deed, or event being shown.  There’s no denying that the graphic violence totally further adds to the entertainment value, though.

All in all, Invincible is fantastic.  However, there’s one thing in it that I really hate, and that’s Amber Bennett.  As Mark’s love interest, she’s supposed to be liked by the audience.  But being a manipulative, full-of-herself SJW, she was just infuriating in almost every time she appeared on screen.

Omni-Man may have done some pretty horrible stuff as the villain, but it’s Amber who comes off as the most despicable character in this show.

But, yeah, Amber notwithstanding, Invincible is fantastic.