Invincible, the animated superhero series based on Robert Kirkman’s comic books, is finally back for its highly anticipated second season after over two years away. Picking up right where the explosive season one finale left off, season two wastes no time diving back into the tumultuous life of teenager Mark Grayson as he struggles to come to terms with the devastating betrayal of his father, Omni-Man.
I was personally a massive fan of the first season, so I was eager to see where the story picked up and if they would tackle many of the questions talked about in the original comic. Thankfully, Invincible pulls no punches and shows the full fallout from Omni-Man’s violent rampage and Mark’s emotional confrontation with his father. It gives a clear view of how much damage that fight caused the people around it and how it will take a long time to really rebuild from such devastation.
This season shows the true cost of superheroes, much like Prime Video’s The Boys, depicting the raw aftermath as Mark and his mother, Debbie, are left to pick up the pieces. Debbie, in particular, is given some gut-wrenching material to work with as she processes her shattered marriage and wonders how she could have been so blind to the truth about the man she loved.
“Thankfully, Invincible pulls no punches and shows the full fallout from Omni-Man’s violent rampage and Mark’s emotional confrontation with his father.”
Sandra Oh delivers an incredible vocal performance in these scenes, imbuing Debbie with anguish and resilience in equal measure. It is hard to imagine how relatable many of these moments are, especially when you throw in the concept of superheroes, but Invincible manages it with tact. Even as a cartoon, I felt for the character’s trauma, with the last fight of Season 1 feeling even more horrific as a result.
Of course, the real draw here is watching Mark evolve into the hero he’s meant to be, even as he struggles with self-doubt and the looming threat of turning into his father. Steven Yeun returns to voice the role, instilling Mark with the same endearing awkwardness and determination that made him so compelling in season one. Now older and more experienced,
Mark starts to come into his own as a hero, even as he grapples with new enemies like the brilliant but unhinged scientist Angstrom Levy, chillingly voiced by Sterling K. Brown. I won’t spoil it here, but if you have read the comics, the show captures all aspects of this character well, making him someone truly to be feared.
The addition of Angstrom Levy also allows the show to delve into the concept of the multiverse, adding trippy new layers to the story. This opens the door for some truly surprising cameos from alternate-reality versions of familiar characters and new ideas that turn the world of Invincible on its head. There are some incredibly interesting concepts explored, and while I won’t give too much away, let’s just say fans are in for some very fun surprises on this front.
“Every actor brings their A-game, making even the smallest parts pop.”
Of course, the show’s terrific ensemble cast continues to be one of its main assets. Along with Oh and Yeun, the likes of the great J.K. Simmons, Gillian Jacobs, Walton Goggins, and Jason Mantzoukas all reprise their roles with aplomb. And the new voice talent featured in season two is frankly ridiculous, boasting names like Daveed Diggs, Tatiana Maslany, Lea Thompson, Ben Schwartz, the list goes on and on. Every actor brings their A-game, making even the smallest parts pop. It is a show that feels much more vast than many cartoons exploring similar concepts, and it does so with a level of maturity that is as engaging as it is horrific at times.
Visually, the show remains a kinetic marvel, with fluid animation and hard-hitting action sequences that don’t shy away from violence. But the fight scenes never lose sight of character and emotion either. the showrunners have a keen understanding of how to use action to drive the story forward and managed to capture some of the comic’s most iconic scenes in amazing fluidity and detail. Don’t worry, if you enjoyed the brutality of season 1, there is just as much blood, adult themes, and violence, just with a story that you can’t help but dive deeper into.
Prime Video has outdone itself and captured a comic that deconstructs the superhero genre in an incredibly detailed and engaging way. If you have ever read the comic from Robert Kirkman, this feels very true to the source material while giving enough to make it feel fresh and exciting. For fans who have been waiting since 2021 for more of this addictive series, Invincible season two will exceed expectations. It retains everything that made the first season so great while expanding the story in exciting new directions. Even in an era of superhero fatigue, Invincible
