Invincible

It's 2025 and I just started watching Invincible and now I'm mad at myself for putting it off for so long. My brother said he was going to start watching it because of all the great stuff he heard about it and so I said "why not?" If I didn't like it I would just bow out. Well, I not only liked it but we binged the entire three seasons as fast as we could. The only good thing about putting it off for so long is that we didn't have to wait the year plus in between seasons and were able to watch them all at once. You can tell it was created by The Walking Dead creator because almost the entire cast is in this too, among many other stars. This is so much more than another animated series. It's so brilliantly written that has a plot you can't help but want to follow. On top of that it has the character development of a great movie and is beautifully animated. I can't say enough about this series.

Robert Kirkman's Invincible animated series, based on his comic book of the same name, is a gritty, subversive, and emotionally intelligent take on the superhero genre. Premiering in 2021 on Amazon Prime Video, Invincible shocked audiences with its visceral storytelling, unapologetic violence, and surprisingly heartfelt character development. Over the course of its first 3 seasons, the show has consistently proven itself to be more than just another superhero story - it's a layered, mature narrative that challenges the genre's norms and leaves viewers questioning the very concept of heroism.

Here's why Invincible earns a strong 9/10 rating.

1. Subversion of Superhero Tropes

At first glance, Invincible looks like a traditional coming-of-age superhero story. Teenager Mark Grayson is the son of the world's most powerful hero, Omni-Man. He begins to develop his own powers and embarks on the classic journey of learning how to be a hero. But within the first episode, the series takes a shocking turn that signals it's not playing by the usual rules. The brutal twist at the end of episode one - where Omni-Man slaughters the Guardians of the Globe - instantly sets Invincible apart.

This kind of subversion continues throughout the series. It challenges the black-and-white morality often seen in superhero media. Characters aren't defined as simply good or evil - they are flawed, conflicted, and forced to make morally ambiguous decisions. This level of complexity is rare and refreshing in the genre.

Deep and Relatable Characters

The show thrives on its character development. Mark Grayson (voiced by Steven Yeun) isn't just a teenage superhero - he's also a student, a boyfriend, and a son struggling to find his identity. His arc is compelling because it balances the superhuman and the deeply human. His struggles with balancing his dual life, dealing with betrayal, and making impossible choices resonate with viewers on a personal level.

Omni-Man (voiced by J. K. Simmons) is another standout character. He isn't just a Superman clone - he's an alien soldier with a chilling agenda, yet the show never turns him into a one-dimensional villain. His complex motivations, his genuine (though twisted) love for his family, and his inner conflict make him one of the most nuanced antagonists in modern animation.

Even the side characters - like Atom Eve, Debbie Grayson, Cecil, and Robot - are given meaningful arcs. They aren't just background players; they each have their own personal battles, agency, and growth. This attention to character elevates the entire series.

Emotional Weight and Consequences

What makes Invincible especially gripping is that actions have real, lasting consequences. When battles happen, they're not sanitized. Cities are destroyed, civilians die, and the trauma is felt deeply. This is not a world where heroes walk away unscathed after a fight. Mark gets beaten, physically and emotionally. The cost of heroism is shown in all its brutal detail.

The series also tackles themes like parental pressure, moral compromise, identity, betrayal, and loss - all within the framework of a superhero story. The emotional core of the series is surprisingly raw and effective. The scene between Mark and Omni-Man at the end of season one is among the most powerful in recent animated history. The heartbreaking line "What will you have after 500 years?" followed by Mark's bloodied whisper - "I'd still have you" - encapsulates the emotional weight the show is capable of carrying.

Quality Animation and Voice Acting

The animation style may not be revolutionary, but it is crisp, expressive, and capable of shifting from calm moments to intense action seamlessly. The fight scenes are brutal and choreographed with a clear sense of impact. They aren't just there for spectacle - they serve the story and the characters' development.

Voice acting is another major strength. Steven Yeun brings depth and vulnerability to Mark. J. K. Simmons delivers a commanding and chilling performance as Omni-Man, while Sandra Oh's portrayal of Debbie gives the show its emotional grounding. The rest of the cast - including Walton Goggins, Gillian Jacobs, and Zachary Quinto - round out a stellar ensemble.

Worldbuilding and Long-Term Storytelling

Invincible builds a rich, expansive world. From the intergalactic politics of the Viltrumites to the internal dynamics of Earth's defenders, the show lays down threads for a much larger story. Unlike many superhero shows that wrap up their plots neatly, Invincible is unafraid to play the long game. This makes the experience more rewarding, as early episodes plant seeds that grow over time.

Final Verdict: 9/10

Invincible is not perfect - some pacing issues and minor animation inconsistencies occasionally pop up - but these are dwarfed by its strengths. Its emotionally grounded storytelling, subversive take on the superhero genre, strong character development, and powerful performances make it one of the best animated series of the last decade.

It earns a 9/10 not just for what it is, but for what it has the potential to become. It's a brutal, heartfelt, and intelligent series that treats its audience with respect and delivers unforgettable moments. If you're looking for superhero media that challenges the status quo, Invincible is essential viewing.

Don't get me wrong-Invincible is a great show. But I don't want to focus on its merits, because that's what 90% of the reviews are already doing. So to summarise: it has amazing character development, mostly well-written characters, and effectively reflects many profound themes.

As much as I enjoyed this show, there were some aspects that didn't quite sit right with me, which is why I can't rate it a 9 or 10. The first would be the dialogue. While I did say the characters are mostly well written and often convey the emotional intensity of the scene, there are moments where the conversations feel rather corny or bland. This is most prominently seen through the character of Rex. I get that his dialogue is intentionally corny to reflect his personality, but that doesn't change the fact that it can be irritating at times. I also found one particular relationship between two characters to be superficial and purposeless (which I won't name here to avoid spoilers-I'll clarify who I'm referring to at the end of this review).

My second issue is with the animation. It's definitely not bad, but it's not quite up to the quality I'd expect for a show to earn a higher rating. While the fight scenes are animated well-capturing both the excitement and the gruesomeness of battle-many of the other scenes feel neglected. There are too many static shots, and at times the animation just isn't very engaging, which takes away from the overall viewing experience.

Lastly, I didn't enjoy Season 3 as much as Seasons 1 and 2. I'd rate the first two seasons around an 8.5, while Season 3 sits at a 7.5 for me. Still good-but clearly a drop. Season 3 felt more directionless; as a viewer, I sometimes wasn't sure where the show was headed. Several scenes felt unnecessary or didn't contribute meaningfully to the plot (including the relationship I'll reference at the end). It also didn't engage with the characters as tactfully as the earlier seasons did-though I will say the last few episodes of Season 3 were excellent.

This review focuses mostly on the show's pitfalls, but don't let that confuse you. Invincible is still an excellent show that's absolutely worth watching. I just chose to highlight why I didn't give it a 9 or 10, since the positives have already been well covered by most other reviews. Its character development, powerful exploration of themes like trust, relationships, and transformation, and its refreshing use of violence-not gratuitous, but purposeful-make it a standout show.

(Spoiler warning) The relationship I referred to earlier was Eve and Mark's. I felt their connection lacked proper buildup and suddenly jumped into romance without much emotional grounding. I also didn't like how prominently this was featured in Season 3, especially since it didn't add much to the story. Compared to Mark and Amber's relationship-which revealed much more about Mark's internal conflict and developed both characters meaningfully-Mark and Eve's relationship felt rushed and superficial.

INVINCIBLE S1 Review: For context, this review was made on my Insta (@komododragongamer) on June 8th, 2021

So heres my Review of (INVINCIBLE) S1 it's a really great satire show of a whole bunch of characters that are inspired from DC Comics, Marvel and Darkhorse comics and etc. And there are some things in which I am excited to see in the future seasons ( and planned live action movie) more of this review in the next slide.

Ok so most of the show is really great a lot of talented voice actors and actresses. For example theres a Giant Cat Villian and he is voiced by the Classic LionO VC from Thundercats and soooo many cameos.

My One negative with the show is Amber because I think in my opinion she was poorly written in the last episodes Aka she had no real goal just there really.

My favorites are the twins and Robot, JK Simmons is probably the best choice as a main character and Invincible reminds me of MCU Spider-Man but at least he grows a lot more in character development than MCU Spider-Man.

Overall, I'm pretty psyched to see the future of this show and a possible live-action movie in the works. 9/10; just give it more episodes and a higher budget.

(Present day me here I do plan to write on the current seasons in the future and that way you the viewer can be able to see how my critiquing has improved since 2021)

"Invincible" is everything modern superhero franchises wishes they were. It is a great subversion of what the audience has come to expect from the genre, while at the same time relishing in the tropes that people know from the world. If you are going to give the audience something different from what they expect, that different thing needs to be good or even better than what they were wanting in the first place. The first episode is a great example of this. They set up a world very familiar to other superhero shows. But then, after the credits start rolling, the show swerves to a new direction that is even better.