Divergent Opinions Emerge as Invincible Fans Rejoice Over Annual Releases
Invincible fans divided over yearly release of new seasons, raising concerns for animators
Robert Kirkman plans to release a fresh season of Invincible annually, causing a rift among its fanbase. Despite minimal marketing and its origin as a respected yet niche comic book series, Invincible unexpectedly gained popularity when it arrived on Prime Video in early 2021.
Amazon promptly acknowledged the success of the show and approved a second and third season. However, the period of two and a half years between Season 1 and 2 was extremely challenging due to global restrictions causing unavoidable delays. Furthermore, the lengthy process of animation contributed to the arduousness, and it was frustrating that the second season was split into two parts. Kirkman has assured fans that there will be shorter breaks between seasons in the future, and Invincible intends to adopt a strategy of releasing one season per year until it reaches its conclusion. However, some may question whether this release frequency is excessive.
Invincible fans worry about animators with one season each year
Speaking to Collider at the premiere of Season 2’s first episode, Kirkman said it’s “the goal” to release a new season of Invincible each year.
The objective is to minimize the gap between Season 1 and Season 2, which will be the longest gap we will ever have. Some suggest that each season will take three years, making it impractical. However, due to the complexity of production, it is challenging to establish a strict production schedule.
Our aim is to release a new season as close to once a year as possible, although I cannot guarantee it. The current television landscape presents difficulties, as it is rare to find a show that consistently releases every year, such as Stranger Things or House of the Dragon. The pandemic has significantly delayed productions, further complicating the process of yearly releases.
Concerns arise among fans regarding the potential overworking of artists due to the additional labor involved in animated projects, although a single season per year is typically the standard release schedule on TV.
One person expressed their belief that one season per year is excessive for animation and suggested that animators should be given a break to work at their own pace. Another individual tweeted their concern about whether the animators would be fairly compensated. A third person shared their opinion that having one season per year for animation may not be a favorable decision. A fourth person expressed their hope that this change would not result in unreasonable periods of intense work.
On the other hand, some individuals were delighted by the news, describing it as reminiscent of old-school vibes. They expressed their enthusiasm, highlighting that compared to new shows that make viewers wait for 2 or more years for a new season, an Invincible season per year for approximately 6-7 seasons is ideal and worth waiting for.
"This is absolutely amazing! Season 1 was fantastic, and Season 2 is just as incredible. I can't wait for more and thankfully the wait between seasons shouldn't be as long in the future," a third person commented.
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Editor's P/S
As a fan of Invincible, I have mixed feelings about the announcement that new seasons will be released annually. On the one hand, I am excited to see more of the show and to find out what happens next. On the other hand, I am concerned about the potential impact on the animators and the quality of the show.
I understand that Kirkman wants to keep the momentum going and to avoid long gaps between seasons. However, I think it is important to remember that animation is a labor-intensive process and that animators need time to rest and recharge. If they are overworked, it could lead to burnout and a decline in the quality of the show.
I also worry that the annual release schedule could lead to creative burnout for the writers and producers. In order to keep the show fresh and interesting, they need time to come up with new ideas and to develop the characters and storylines. If they are rushed, it could lead to a decline in the quality of the show.
Overall, I am cautiously optimistic about the annual release schedule for Invincible. I hope that Kirkman and the team can find a way to balance the need for new content with the need for quality. I am also hopeful that they will be able to find a way to compensate the animators fairly for their work.
