The premiere of Amazon’s Invincible indicates that it’s going to be the best comic book project of the year.
Invincible was one of the best comic books of its time and that’s been made abundantly clear by the fact that it has now inspired its very own TV show. That’s a mark of trust right there, especially when you consider that it’s not a Marvel or DC Comics product.
We’ve seen multiple trailers and teasers teasing us with what the show would look like ahead of its release. There was also a tease of the adult content we’ll see in the future of the show. There’s going to be a lot of mature situations and a ton of brutal and creative action sequences.
Amazon’s Invincible will undoubtedly pave the way for more mature comic book animated shows. Maybe we’ll see an animated version of Deadly Class (which should have been animated to begin with), 30 days of Night, or Sex Criminals in the future. Comic books that are nothing like the normal DC and Marvel Comics shows we’re used to seeing.
The accolades for the comic book are great, but how is the show itself? Let’s find out with a review of the first three episodes, all of which were released on the same day – an approach that may become a staple after season 2 of The Boys.
Invincible episode 1: It’s About Time
This is how you premiere a show. Beginning with a huge fight scene displaying the premier superhero team’s powers and showing everyone two of the biggest villains in the series, it looked just like a big action sequence ripped straight from a comic book. There were flashy powers, quips, and a victory for the heroes. Then, just like the comics, the show doesn’t take long to delve into Mark Grayson getting his powers.
A lot of this origin was different from what happened in the Invincible comic book. And, for once, that’s a good thing. Normally when things like this happen, people (this writer included) tend to complain. But not this time. Including a moment of Mark training with his dad and not liking the punch his father gave him was a nice touch, especially the conversation that came after. It added a little more heart to their relationship.
The first episode of a new TV show can make or break the series. After all, people will tune out if it isn’t interesting. That likely won’t be a problem with Invincible. This one will bring people back in and get them talking – thus bringing in new viewers in the process.
There was the perfect balance of action and emotion in the origins of Mark and his family’s story. It sets a good precedence for the rest of the season and gets the momentum going for the series in general. And then there’s the ending.
Invincible episode 2: Here Goes Nothing
The change in the previous episode’s ending was a good idea. In the comics, Omni-Man took out the Guardians of the Globe with ease. Here, however, Omni-Man is in a coma and appears weaker. Now they look stronger and Omni-Man won’t suffer from the notion of seeming as unbeatable as Superman.
Dragging out the explanation to why Omni-Man killed his team was smart. It showed everyone how important the Guardians of the Globe are. We also got an introduction of the Teen Team. Their loss made their victory the second time around even better. When Mark saw Eve almost get killed, he got angry. It was the first time he took charge of a situation and saved the day.
Despite Omni-Man being tested by the Guardians of the Globe, we got to see what he could really do if he let loose. There was no confined space for him to worry about breaking. He went to the Flaxans’ home dimension and let loose. The result was him destroying an entire world in what seemed like a matter of months. A long time, but he was doing this on his own with breaks in between. He’s a force of nature.
Invincible episode 3: Who You Calling Ugly?
The funeral in the beginning of the episode is something we’ve seen in comics dozens of times. A big, flashy event for the public. In private, however, we saw the real funeral. The one for the family. What really happens when superheroes die. It looks like it would for anyone else – people grieving their loved ones in the rain.
The recruitment scene was the most entertaining part of the show. The amount of different characters and the making of the team was even better than it was in the comics – a phrase that’s been said multiple times in this article, especially watching Monster Girl beat the teeth out of Rex.
Robot’s plot twist happened sooner than expected. However, it’s not what you think. Well, unless you’re familiar with the Invincible comic book series. It’ll be fascinating to see how fans react to what he’s doing.
On one hand, letting out superhuman and genius criminals is a terrible idea. On the other, you’ll sympathize with why he did it. He becomes a complex character and then something else altogether. Everyone in the show is going to have moments like this. It’s what makes the characters so much fun. You never know when they’re going to do something out of the ordinary.
Final thoughts
This writer’s expectations were through the roof and the show still managed to exceed them. The progression of Amazon’s Invincible is better than expected (and we’re only three episodes in!). The creators are keeping all of the important parts of the comic book intact while adding important TV show components. For example, there’s Mark becoming Invincible. He picked up fighting villains quicker in the comics. Here, he had to take his lumps. The way it worked in the comics may not have worked as well in the show and so it was adapted to suit a TV format. Also, seeing Omni-Man’s slow progression into his true self was so well done. He came off like the jerk he really is.
One of the things people are going to talk fondly about after seeing Invincible is the voice acting. This writer wrote an article on how the choice of voice actors were all top-notch and seeing them (well, hearing them) in action exceeded anything that we could have imagined. Real thought was put into the personalities of the characters and who the right pick to voice them was and that really showed.
Invincible rumination
- Damien Darkblood was funny for all the wrong reasons. The potbelly and the trench coat made things funnier.
- Jason Mantzouas as Rex was perfect, maybe the best casting next to J.K. Simmons.
- The fight scenes are great and they’re only going to get better. And probably bloodier.
- The realistic nature of the show should be commended. More buildings are destroyed and people are killed than the comics ever got the chance to show, highlighting all of the collateral damage that this life of heroics can bring with it.
- The Mauler Twins will be favorites. This writer fully expects Funko Pops of them in the future.
You can catch Invincible on Amazon Prime. New episodes premiere every Friday. Are you looking forward to episode four? Let us know in the comments below!