WHAT MAKES INVINCIBLE STANDOUT?

The entire first season of Invincible is available on Amazon Prime. Based on Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker’s comics, the series has already garnered praises from many viewers who were left in awe by it. In a world where superhero films and TV Shows are now just something that drops every now and then, Invincible has already made its ‘Mark’ (pun intended), and the second and third season are already in the pipeline, awaiting their respective releases.

I have always been an ardent fan of superhero films and shows. It’s just something enigmatic about these opuses that keep me glued to them, regardless of who in the spandex costume or metal armor is leading the fights. I still jump out of ecstasy when I watch Batman fighting malicious criminals, and I still drool over the screen when the Avengers assemble. But let’s be honest here- the modern-day entertainment is oversaturated with productions based on superheroes. Quite frequently we are being bombarded with Marvel or DC films, and at this point we have paladins of every size and power, so much so the genre itself has sort of become insipid. Which is why when a show named Invincible came out featuring a hero who essentially looks like a mashup between Spider-Man and Superman and is called ‘Invincible’, I expected nothing more than a generic, Saturday-morning tv cartoon. But I was left gaping when I was instantaneously proved wrong by the first episode itself. Invincible is nothing short of an authentic thrill ride, featuring one of the most relatable and charismatic characters of all time, and I was mesmerized by the show.

But the question still remains- what makes it stand out amongst the plethora of films and shows based on comic books? Consider the following points:

THE CHARACTERS

Invincible introduces us to some of the most interesting characters in the wide world of comic book productions. Sure, the character of Amber and William are pretty one dimensional and can seem obnoxious at times, but the emotional arcs of the other characters can compensate for those, especially that of Mark Grayson and his father Nolan Grayson. The characters, unlike those shown in many Marvel or DC films, are fragile on the inside despite possessing immense power, and their vulnerabilities are manifested by the heartbreaks and emotional pangs which they deal with, and this makes them seem more human and less cartoonish. They go through what we go through (breakups, peer pressure or stress from studies), and hence makes them extremely relatable and introspective at times. There are literally scenes where conservative parents want their daughter to leave the superhero business, start focusing on studies and get back with her boyfriend who cheats on her just because she might be left unsafe, and all these storylines make up for engaging tales alongside your conventional superhero battle scenes. Our hero, Mark, who is basically a more matured and realistic version of Peter Parker, is a half human and half Viltrumite (a race of aliens possessing great strength), and his human side resonates with many of ours- he has to live up to his father’s expectations, deal with his overly-suspicious girlfriend and troublesome friend and even save his grades, and this resonance makes watching his Viltrumite side take on baddies much more enjoyable, because you start caring for him. Our hero is often left in precarious situations and he often learns from them, which solidifies his character arc. Each and every character are unique and have a reason to exist, which makes up for a very unique world that we get to see. Some are often pushed to their limits at times, and some even have their share of happiness amidst the conflicts. They are not just tossed into play, but built carefully from the ashes.

THE UNPREDICTABILITY

We all know how superhero films go right? Hero gains power, villain rises to the occasion and hero emerges victorious from the final faceoff. That’s not how this show works however. Invincible is not your generic ‘good guy vs bad guy’ show, each and every character are up to something which may sometimes make them questionable. Each and every episode ends with a cliffhanger and leaves you baffled, and this makes the show enticing. You never know who is working on whose side, so no conclusion can be reached unless you make it to episode 8. Hit me up if that ending to the first episode does not gut-punch you.

The famous "Think Mark!" Scene

THE TERRORS

As heroic and comical as it is, this show is insanely brutal at times. And courtesy of these gory scenes, we get to perceive the terrors of being present in a battle field. Yes, the final battle of Avengers was stunning, so was the attack of Justice League on Steppen Wolf. But did you really feel the tension? That’s because the horrors of war are overshadowed by heroics (or simply, age ratings). But in Invincible, the tensions are skyrocketed by the gruesome fates innocent people meet. We get a bird’s eye view of the warzone instead of just focusing on the protagonist taking on the antagonist, and that makes you care more because the blood splatters and broken limbs leave you shocked. I had my jaws wide open during the final episode because of the utter gore that results, and I rooted for Invincible even more, who himself was subjected to the terror. The incorporation of grotesque animation only makes the battles more intense.

Albeit there are more reasons to love the show, for me these are a few reasons which made the show special. An earnest request- do not sleep on this show. Don’t let it slip under your radar, watch it and experience it for yourself. I can guarantee it will be worth it.

As for a grade, Invincible gets an A+.