Invincible Season 2: 6 key difference from the comic and the TV show (S2E5)

The second half of season 2 of Invincible finally made its debut. Normally, fans of the source material know what’s coming. It's an advantage of knowing the story. When it comes to Invincible, that's not always the case. The creative team behind the Prime Video show continues to switch things up. That hasn’t changed going into the second half of season 2.

WARNING! SPOILERS FOR INVINCIBLE AHEAD!

Cecil didn’t talk to Donald about his death in Image Comics’ Invincible. Thankfully, it worked during the show. It gave viewers a look into who Cecil is as a person. This will lead to fans understanding Donald better than in the comics. Also, Amber didn’t call her friends after Mark went to space. During the comics, she called Gary. This could mean Mark and Amber break up amicably.

The six changes Amazon Prime’s Invincible made from the comic book and whether or not the switches they sense are coming up. Let’s start at the beginning of the episode.

The walk back

After Mark lost his fight to the Viltrumites on Thraxa, the Viltrumites gave him medical care. In the program, it was the beings of Thraxa. On their way back, viewers saw the damage the Viltrumite battle caused. Adding this made the battle more meaningful. Instead of just seeing the city rebuilt, you’re allowed to see what it looked like before making the moment more emotional.

Mark fought Angstrom Levy first

After returning from Thraxa, Invincible, Atom Eve, and The Guardians of the Globe intercepted the Sequids making their way to Earth. During the source material, something major happened first. Angstrom Levy made his first move against Mark. He attacked Debbie and sent Mark across the multiverse (one of those trips landed him in the Marvel Comics universe).

The change here was smart. The Sequids fight isn’t the battle that would excite fans. Instead, let his win over Angstrom be the high point. After Mark's battle and break up with Amber, the show can conclude with Eve asking Mark whether or not they're dating.

They knew about Shapesmith

The Guardians of the Globe discovering that Shapesmith was a Martian was changed from the source material. On the show, everyone (except Black Samson) knew where Shapesmith was from. This allowed Cecil and the Guardians of the Globe to look smarter than they were. It was funny to see Cecil surprised in the comics, but he looks better having known all along. 

Shapesmith’s story

Instead of keeping Shapesmith an idiot, they made him a selfish idiot. He told the story of how he always wanted to see the stars. So, when the opportunity came around to leave Mars, he took it. He bashes the astronaut on the head and leaves him behind. Shapesmith didn’t care about the life he destroyed. He assumed everything would work out in the end. It didn’t. 

Rex and Amber

Rex is a jerk, but it isn’t all his fault. He has a lot of insecurities caused by past trauma. In the Invincible comics, Rex doesn’t overcome them until later in the series. By then, he was an issue or two away from dying. Amazon Prime did things differently by giving him depth earlier.

In Image Comics' Invincible, Mark and Amber flew together to fight the Sequids. On Prime Video, Amber was in a rut. She was living at home and afraid to use her powers. It took a pep talk from Rex to get her back into the swing of things. When he finished, Rex recruited Amber to their mission.

This is another example of the show getting it right. Rex becomes a well-rounded character. Now, when he dies, it will be more emotional. 

What do you think of the changes made? Are there others that should have been mentioned?