Prime Video’s Colossal 4-Part Superhero Series Keeps Getting Better Prime Video logo Pop culture may have reached an oversaturation point with superhero content, but Prime Video's Invincible is among the boldest comic book adaptations ever and certainly one of the most faithful. The comic series of the same name by Robert Kirkman wasn’t a satirical riff on the archetypes of Marvel and DC, but a darker look at how Earth’s heroes might fit into a larger mythology that involved threats from other planets and dimensions. The worldbuilding of Invincible might be unmatched, but at its heart, it's a very personal story about a young hero coming to grips with his legacy and responsibility. Mark Grayson , known by the superhero name “Invincible,” is a complex character with the power to save the world and the potential to destroy it. It’s pretty clear early on in the show that Invincible is a far more brutal, disturbing look at the ramifications of superhero activity. It’s at the end of the show’s premiere that Mark’s father, Roland , known as the superhero “Omni-Man,” is revealed to be a psychopath from another planet who murders his entire team. Although the threats that Mark and his allies face are innumerable, the show is most focused on his acceptance of this dark aspect of his heritage. Mark may be driven to show empathy by his mother Debbie , but he’s also concerned that his younger half-brother Oliver could be straying towards a path of destruction. Invincible is a series with consequences, as Mark approaches every opportunity for heroism knowing that his actions could inspire new villains. Prime Video's ‘Invincible’ Is Unlike Any Other Superhero Show Although television and comics are different media, Prime Video's Invincible makes the bold choice to emulate the exact style of the source material, with some frames directly mirroring their counterparts on the page. While this would not work for every adaptation, it's suitable for Invincible because of the show’s unique artwork; while it is just as colorful and expansive as an all-ages comic, Kirkman’s style includes a shocking degree of gore that serves as a reminder that these characters exist in a grounded world. It’s not “gritty” in the sense that it’s realistic, as Invincible has one of the most expansive galleries of supporting characters in any fictional universe. It does, however, take time to make sure that the emotions feel real, particularly when it comes to Mark’s growth. Despite having the weight of the world on his shoulders, Mark also deals with the stresses of being a college student alongside other young people with powers. Related "Follow the Comic": Robert Kirkman Reveals the Number of Seasons of 'Invincible' He Believes Would Be Ideal Kirkman's violent superhero series is gearing up for Season 3 next year. Posts By Ryan O'Rourke Due to the show’s unconventional structure, Invincible also has the freedom to take detours that wouldn’t have been allowed in a more traditional superhero show. One of the series' characters, Atom Eve , became so popular that Prime Video released a standalone installment that explored her backstory, similar to the approach of a “one-shot” comic issue. Flashback episodes can often be a burden that grinds the pacing of a show to a halt, but Invincible’s third season found the perfect opportunity to examine Roland’s backstory in"I'll Give You the Grand Tour." While the details learned about his traumatic, abusive backstory do not in any way “redeem” Roland for the horrific atrocities that he committed, they do contextualize why he feels responsible for making such drastic choices for the survival of his species and family. Prime Video's ‘Invincible’ Has Never Been Better Due to a series of delays, Invincible was not able to immediately reap the benefits of its brilliant first season; the second installment of the show took over three years to release and debuted as a two-parter. Although asking viewers to wait such a long time can be difficult, especially for a show that involves so many plotlines at once, Invincible has moved back to a regular schedule of releasing new installments yearly and is already confirmed for a fifth season in 2027. The series' quality has also never been better, with Season 3 ending on a devastating note thanks to a powerful vocal performance from Aaron Paul. There’s nothing more disappointing than a television finale that fails to stick the landing, but Invincible has the benefit of having source material with a clear and satisfying conclusion, and there's no doubt that the Prime Video series will be able to fulfill that promise. That’s not to say that the show has not been able to build on aspects of the original material, as characters like Seth Rogen’s Allen the Alien have had their roles expanded significantly. However, it does feel like Invincible has reached the point at which it's addressing its core subject with Mark’s struggle to raise Oliver to walk a different path, while also coping with the sympathy he can’t deny feeling for his father. Those who have found themselves overtaxed by the derivative nature of recent Marvel and DC projects should look to Invincible for an explosive and exciting new spin on the superhero genre.Powered by Expand Collapse