Invincible (2021- ) is the best modern superhero show
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*Spoilers Ahead*
Throughout history, DC and Marvel have been the dominant forms of superhero entertainment. Recently, newer and more realistic superhero stories have taken the world by storm. This includes Invincible (2021- ), an Amazon Prime Video series that is an adaptation of the Invincible comic book series (2003-2018) published by Image Comics. With its subversion and more realistic approach to the superhero genre, Invincible (2021- ) is a series you all must watch.
Invincible (2021- ) is a coming-of-age story centered on Mark Grayson, who becomes a superhero under his father Omni-Man's guidance, the world's most powerful superhero. Invincible’s (2021- ) strongest aspect is how it subverts superhero tropes. For example, Omni-Man is a character inspired by Superman, as both are powerful superheroes from an alien race. At the end of the first season, however, Omni-Man’s species, the Viltrumites, are revealed to be a race of conquerors and colonizers, with Omni-Man’s true objective being to conquer Earth. The season ends with Mark battling his father over this, resulting in the deaths of thousands in Chicago.
Omni-Man’s character is a subversion of the ‘Superman figure,’ illustrating how they may not always be heroes. His character illustrates how someone with that much power could just as easily use it to devastate the world and be an absolute horror. Omni-Man is the complete opposite of Superman in every way possible, which helps Invincible (2021- ) stand out amongst other superhero shows.
Another aspect of Invincible (2021- ) that I enjoy is the violence and action. Unlike most superhero media, Invincible (2021- ) isn’t afraid to show how brutal battles with superpowered beings can be. At the end of the first episode, we see Omni-Man fight the Guardians of the Globe, the world’s best superhero team. He leaves the members brutalized, in pools of their blood, and the gore is horrific to watch for the first time. This helps the series stand out among other superhero media. I'm always shocked to see how violent the series gets.
In addition, Invincible (2021- ) does a great job showing the consequences of climatic fights. Buildings aren’t just destroyed— you see civilians hurt, severely injured, or dead. During the climactic battle between Mark and his father, Omni-Man uses Mark’s body to destroy an entire subway car with passengers inside. The scene is arguably the most brutal scene of the entire series, conveying how violent, grotesque, and devastating superhero battles are.
Invincible (2021- ) wouldn’t be as enjoyable if it didn’t have an outstanding protagonist. Mark has aspects similar to Spider-Man, a teen superhero who struggles to balance his everyday life with his superhero duties. These aspects make Mark a very relatable protagonist, helping the audience connect with him more. Mark also has to deal with the consequences of his father's actions, desperately trying to prove that he’s not like his father. Many villains, such as Angstrom Levy and Powerplex, believe Mark is just like his dad, waiting for his chance to conquer.
As the audience, you empathize with Mark and root for him to beat these allegations and wish for things to go right in Mark’s life. The best trait of Mark’s character is how he doesn’t give up. Despite constant losses, tragedies, and targets on his back, Mark never loses hope and continues fighting the good fight. That is why he calls himself ‘Invincible’— not because he can’t be beaten, but because he will never go down without testing the lengths of his durability.
Invincible (2021- ) is one of the best superhero shows of the modern age and the best superhero series of all time. While the series concluded its third season on Mar. 13, with it being so popular, Amazon will likely keep renewing the series until it comes to a proper conclusion. You're missing out if you haven’t watched Invincible (2021- ).