Invincible Season 2: Return of the Best Superhero TV Show

Season 2's opening episodes of Invincible are exceptional, establishing a high standard for small-screen superheroes. This televisual storytelling is not just done well, but executed perfectly. In order to experience triumph, one must face adversity, as evident in the majority of the MCU's TV shows except for WandaVision and Loki. Without pushing your boundaries, exemplified by shows like The Boys, Gen V, and Peacemaker, one can never truly discover their strength. With Season 2, Invincible attains unparalleled power in a genre saturated with similar content.

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The first season of the show felt like a fresh journey into unexplored territory. The combination of colorful visuals and mainstream superhero themes served as a deceptive entry point into a violent and unpredictable world. Some may argue that Robert Kirkman's original comic was adapted too late, considering the current cultural and cinematic trends. However, with clever writing and visually striking scenes, the show has proven to be a refreshing and unparalleled experience. Everything else pales in comparison.

Season 2, although divided into two parts, shows noticeable improvement. The handling of multiple plotlines is smoother, the world-building is expansive and immersive, the performances are top-notch, and the violence is so intense that even fans of the Happy Tree Friends would feel disturbed – and yet, it is oddly magnificent. Rest assured, this review contains no spoilers.

Everyone looks back in anger in Invincible Season 2

Invincible continues shortly after the moment when the "titans landed in Chicago". Mark (portrayed by Steven Yeun) engages in a brutal battle with his father, Omni-Man (played by J.K. Simmons), taking to both the skies and ground. This clash results in a devastating beatdown that remains etched in the viewer's memory, along with a heart-wrenching moment when Mark, despite everything, still yearns for his father's presence: "You, dad... I'd still have you."

With Omni-Man absent and unaccounted for, Mark and his mother Debbie (played by Sandra Oh) struggle to reconcile the façade they maintained for the past two decades with the burden of carrying on in spite of it all. Nolan's distressing description of his wife as a "pet" haunts them, driving them to grapple with survivor's guilt, even though he is still alive. We witness them going through the motions of life, but it is evident that their minds are elsewhere. Mark aimlessly traverses the city as a friendly neighborhood hero, floating through the air accompanied by the fitting melody of Radiohead's 'Karma Police'. Meanwhile, Debbie is reminded of her anger and frustration at every turn, whether it be obnoxious home-buyers or broken cupboards.

The upcoming challenges and rewards in Mark's life as a superhero are waiting, including getting into college, maintaining a balanced love life with Amber (Zazie Beetz), nurturing friendships with William (Andrew Rannells) and Eve (Gillian Jacobs), and navigating a new professional relationship with Cecil (Walton Goggins). Additionally, Invincible and the Guardians of the Globe have to face off against a variety of adversaries in their rogues gallery, which includes some familiar villains like the Mauler twins (Kevin Michael Richardson, showcasing his comedic talents) and a new formidable foe named Angstrom Levy (Sterling K. Brown) – the less you're aware, the better.

Don’t fear the multiverse

Prime Video

Levy's antagonist incorporates the multiverse, a concept we are well-acquainted with (Avengers: Secret Wars will exemplify this form of entertainment) but Invincible, thankfully, doesn't revolve around it. While numerous alternate dimensions exist, their usage is not superficial. Mark's journey takes precedence over the imaginative world-building, ultimately leading to his transformation and everlasting change as a hero.

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In their second season, Kirkman and his team have crafted a captivating and precise blend that improves upon the occasional overwhelm of monster-of-the-week missions and supporting characters present in the first season. The central storyline remains ever-present, with the terror and tragedy of the previous finale's battle casting its shadow over nearly every conversation (reminiscent of Metropolis in the SnyderVerse, but even better). Additionally, the side stories prove to be surprisingly impactful; Debbie's journey in the four episodes is heart-wrenching, and Eve's struggles against the norm add another layer of complexity to her character.

Refreshingly, the show doesn't rely on trendy and unbearable meta-humor (aside from a slightly cringe-worthy burst of narration in Episode 3), instead opting for sincerity, clever banter, and entertaining exchanges between characters, rather than straining to please the audience with constant winks and nods.

The main attraction of Season 2 becomes evident: the fury of the Viltrumites, as hinted by Allen the Alien (Seth Rogen), following Omni-Man's abandonment of Earth and the quest to uncover his whereabouts. We can't disclose much, if anything, except for one thing: the events in Part 1 are incredibly captivating, exhilarating, and a testament to Kirkman's exceptional storytelling and overarching plan – making it all the more frustrating that we'll have to wait until 2024 for the remainder. Granted, this frustration stems from thoroughly enjoying the series, and the first four episodes are structured like their own self-contained season – but that doesn't mean it's a wise decision.

Performances, music, animation… all Invincible

Prime Video

The performances of all the actors are consistently superb, with Yeun and Oh standing out for their particularly moving work. They effortlessly achieve the highest standard: making animated characters go beyond their 2D appearance and become fully-developed individuals we can relate to. Simmons, as always, delivers an outstanding performance (silenced applause), but it is Brown who shines as Levy in the early episodes, evoking unexpected empathy for a complex and nuanced protagonist. He is a formidable adversary, yet Brown elevates him beyond mere menace.

Skybound's animation is both beautiful and brutal. It embraces violence as a core element, while also incorporating a pleasing color palette. The graphic depictions of blood and expertly choreographed action sequences always leave a powerful impact. (One particularly memorable kill involving a face colliding with an elbow will undoubtedly elicit a strong reaction - in the best way possible.) Thankfully, Omni-Man will soon join the ranks of Mortal Kombat 1, following the release of these episodes. This medium allows for stunning imagery that would be impossible to achieve in live-action. Some of the deaths and characters may seem absurd, but they are embraced with delightful and invigorating enthusiasm.

Fresh from his impressive score for Spider-Man 2, John Paesano delivers another soul-stirring composition that wonderfully complements the season's perfect musical selections. Even when the episodes don't conclude in stunned silence during the credits, it is highly recommended to stick around and listen.

Invincible Season 2 Part 1 review score: 5/5

Invincible Season 2 wipes the floor with every other superhero show; it’s provocative, compulsively watchable T that upends expectations on its own devastating terms.

The season premiere of Invincible Season 2 Episode 1 is scheduled for November 3 on Prime Video, accessible through this sign-up link. Kindly be aware that clicking on any product link on this page may result in us earning a small affiliate commission.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled about the return of Invincible for its second season. The first season was a breath of fresh air in the superhero genre, offering a unique blend of violence, humor, and heart. The second season promises to build on the strengths of the first, with even more action, gore, and character development. I can't wait to see what's in store for Mark Grayson and the rest of the cast.

One of the things I appreciate most about Invincible is its willingness to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in superhero media. The show is not afraid to depict violence and gore in a realistic way, which helps to ground the story and make it feel more believable. The show also tackles some heavy themes, such as trauma, grief, and loss, in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.