Invincible

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.

Summary The Hog Rider is the second Dark Elixir Troop unlocked in the Dark Barracks, once it has been upgraded to level 2.

The Hog Rider is a fast ground troop with medium hitpoints, low damage, and the ability to jump over enemy Walls.

The Hog Rider (person) is a bare-chested, dark brown man holding a hammer. He has a mohawk, a beard, a golden earirng, wears a brown leather loincloth, a red belt, and a pair of leather sandals, as well as two large golden wristbands and a gold earring.

His ride is a large hog, about half his height. It has a brown leather bridle looped around its tusks, which in turn is held by the Hog Rider.

Hog Riders prioritize defensive structures above all other targets, and will bypass all other types of enemy buildings and troops while any defenses remain on the battlefield. This is true even if they are under attack by enemy Clan Castle troops, heroes or Skeleton Trap skeletons. Note that like all troops that prioritize defenses, Hog Riders do not consider the Clan Castle to be a defense regardless of whether or not it contains enemy troops, but do consider the activated Town Hall weapon (if any) to be defensive buildings.

Once all defenses are destroyed, Hog Riders become like any other troop with no preferred target; they will attack the nearest building to them regardless of type, and will turn and attack enemy units if they become aware of any nearby and can fight back against them. However, they will not switch targets to enemy units until their previous target was destroyed.

I almost didn't remember the second season. It was blurred and recalled as very boring. I had to repeat it and only then binge the third. It was such a great time and much better then I remember from the first experience. This series worth my time, so I gave it another chance and got exactly what I've anticipated to get.

It is so well crafted and has such good characters, but it seems that the core of the series cannot tell us anything new in this genre. "The Boys" has something different and new, except hardcore gore. This series is still not "The Boys" and probably will never be, but it absolutely defeats Marvell shows, with any difficulties.

The evolution of the characters - main and side characters was well made, and the show's flow is remarkable, but seems that maybe it has nothing else new to sell anymore. The end of the season gave us new direction, except some other new enemies and the morale issue is going to be played very well and hard, but other then these, everything was kind of "normal" - if that can be a description to this series.

Boy falls in love with (old/new) girl, with one of the weirdest love stories I have ever seen. Family rules, with another family member that matters. Side stories about a buffed alien, Rex changes his ways, Cecil gets a short background story, and we learn once more that heroes and villains can die easily or cannot die in any way, if they are interesting enough.

I don't like the use of multiverse, but this show makes a good use of this concept. It was almost tolerable for the plot to be mixed with massive use in other universes and this season this act got int high gear. The last episode had no need to use other universes, but found his super Villian, that remained to be explored and seemed like a flower that still didn't have the change to be fully blossomed.

It seems that almost all Invincibles' enemies are gathered not to let him enjoy his love life forever, but in that way, we got nonstop action from every and each direction. Personally, I would like to see wrapping of several rivalries, but there is still a lot of magic in this series that doesn't let me the chance to really complain. Yet.

"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.

Great voice cast and a very good story makes this series a must if you are a fan of the superhero genre . I know this is from a comic dated around 2003 but i never read it and it doesn't matter. You can enjoy this without any prior info; its still pretty darn good.

Maybe you will need to be a bit patient for the story to clearly develop at the end of the 1st episode. From that point on, it's a winner.

The story arc between mother, father and son is excellent. And further on some of the characters which you will encounter are just phenomenal; Machine head, Robot, Rexplode and Cecil are just a few. They are also voiced by an amazing selection of actors which will entertain you. Let alone the world building; one of the best in the superhero genre.

And yes...it's super woke, but so what? It didn't affect the main story line and the connection between the characters.

Just keep in mind that this is an adult show due to the violence.

9/10 for the great voice cast and good story. Give it a go.