Overview
I believed Invincible to be a piece of shock media for a while. The first season premiered back in 2021, when I was coming out of high school, and I watched it all with my brother. Once getting past the animation (I was used to the more flashy animation of mainstream anime titles of the time), I found the story to be, while interesting, more so of a chore to watch at certain points. By the time season 2 came around, I wasn't too interested in continuing to trek through more episodes. Fast forward to 2025 and my girlfriend wanted us to binge both seasons so we could watch the new together, so guess who had to finally watch Season 2. What I watched was a pleasant surprise, however. Invincible is the story of Mark Grayson, son of essentially Superman. His superpowered, alien father came down to Earth and started a family with his mother, thus making Mark half-alien himself. Once his superpowers kicked in, Mark decided that he wanted to become a super hero like his dad. Little does he know that (SPOILERS) his alien dad did NOT come in peace. Tasked with subjecting the Earth to the rule of his alien race's rule, Marks dad, Nolan, wipes out the planet's top superhero team and wants Mark to join him in enslaving Earth for their home planet. It is up to Mark to save Earth from rule from the iron fist of the Viltrum Empire.
To be a Human or a Hero
One of my biggest frustrations about this show was how much Mark lost. This is the sentiment of lots of people online when it comes to Invincible. Despite Mark's superhero name, he appears very much vincible. When Mark first got his powers, it is made clear that he not only wishes to be like his father, but he's a bit of a geek who reads comics and wants to be like a hero in those as well. He has a sort of childish perspective going on. He expects these powers and superheroing to be more fun than it is work, and for the good guys to always win. This shifts when he goes and tries to save the city from the invasion of outer-dimensional beings. This is his first encounter with a threat like that and he watches first hand how many people die and how brutal the job is. Still wanting to help people, though, he saves one old lady from death. This goodness that he holds may come from ignorance, but I believe for it to moreso comment on his human side.
As the story progresses, Mark is constantly faced with hard choices and consequences as it relates to his dad. Nolan killed countless humans and is part of a race that takes over entire planets forcefully. He is confused by Mark's compassion, often bringing up the idea of "inferior" races such as humans. It becomes clear throughout the story that Mark is scared of becoming his father. His number one rule is that he doesn't kill anybody. Even when fighting the Viltrumites, he refuses to kill them and pulls his punches. I believe that this weakness represents Mark's humanity. His dad is actually viewed as Invincible, is his alien race, but they lack compassion. To become like his dad is to lose his humanity, and that is Mark's biggest inner conflict, because sometimes being a hero means making decisions that go against that compassion. His refusal to kill or fully fight opponents is often what ends up making him take serious damage and barely win a fight. It frustrates you seeing him lose, but something to realize is that when he loses, it is a win for humanity. Mark is not physically invincible like his father, but his heart is unwavering and that's what makes him human.
The end of season 2 has Mark directly face that hero or human question when his mother and little brother's lives are in danger. To be human to him is not killing or wanting to do it, but to save his family he must do so. Ultimately, he saves his family and we see him struggle dealing with that decision. There is no clear cut answer to this dilemma, but I believe that Mark's morals directly conflicting in such a way when both can be seen as good is what makes him a compelling character.
Why Should You Watch This?
Invincible is for the superhero fan. Not only because of the superpowers and references so to many different nerdy things, but because it flips the idea of superheroes on it's head. This is different than a "The Boys" kind of satire, I mean that this is a story that has heroes in a positive light for the most part, but heavily focuses on their own traumas and shortcomings. It grounds most of the cast and makes them flawed in very realistic ways. If you enjoy an unpredictable show with a diverse cast of characters and lots of gore, then I can say that this show is without a doubt for you.
Final Thoughts
Invincible is a show about a young boy growing into being the hero that he wants to be. Many things get in his way, himself, relationships, the cruelty of the world, etc., but he is Invincible because he always gets back up. I believe this story to actually be inspiring and I'm glad that I was forced to continue it. I can't wait to see what the future holds for it.
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