Majestic Alterations in Invincible Season 2 Deviate from the Comics

In Invincible Season 2's third episode, titled "This Missive, This Machination," a significant departure from the source material of the show's Image Comics can be observed. This deviation is particularly remarkable considering that the Prime Video series typically adheres closely to the original Invincible comics created by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley. It is worth noting that Episode 3 of Season 2 draws inspiration primarily from Invincible #23, which delves deeper into Allen the Alien's (portrayed by Seth Rogen) backstory.

Major spoilers for Invincible Season 2, Episode 3 ahead as we delve into a prime example of the show deviating from the comic canon.

Invincible Season 2 turns Thaedus into a traitor

The alteration made to the Invincible comics' continuity in "This Missive, This Machination" revolves around Allen the Alien. Although Episode 3 faithfully replicates the brutal thrashing he endures from a trio of Viltrumites in the comics, the subsequent events were uniquely crafted for the show by Kirkman and co-showrunner Simon Racioppa.

As Allen recuperates in an advanced medical chamber, his mentor and the Coalition of Planets' leader, Thadeus (voiced by Peter Cullen), abruptly terminates his life support. Allen's vital signs cease almost immediately, strongly indicating Thadeus' act of killing him. This diverges from the storyline in the comics, where Allen completely recovers after his encounter with the Viltrumites.

It is currently unclear why Kirkman and Racioppa chose to depict Thadeus betraying Allen in the show, and Thadeus' actions are not explained within the episode itself. The only insight we receive into Thadeus' mindset is when he quietly utters "Forgive me, Allen" after Allen's apparent murder, suggesting that the boss of the Coalition of Planets feels remorse for eliminating his faithful champion.

Invincible fans react to Season 2’s “insane” beatdown

The discussion surrounding Invincible Season 2, Episode 3 was dominated by the shocking fate of Allen. Fans took to social media to express their heartbreak after witnessing the affable alien's severe suffering. One fan on X referred to the scene where Allen is destroyed by three Viltrumites as one of the saddest in the entire series. Another fan argued that Allen did not deserve to be attacked in such a manner, while a third fan praised the depth and incredible nature of Allen's defeat.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have mixed feelings about the major alterations made in Invincible Season 2, particularly in the third episode, "This Missive, This Machination." On the one hand, I appreciate the show's willingness to deviate from the source material and introduce unexpected twists. This keeps the story fresh and unpredictable, preventing it from becoming a mere carbon copy of the comics. The bold decision to kill off Allen the Alien, a beloved character in the comics, is a prime example of this daring approach.

On the other hand, I can understand why some fans of the comics might be disappointed by these changes. They may feel that the show is straying too far from the original storyline and losing its faithfulness to the source material. The death of Allen, in particular, might be seen as a betrayal of the character's development and the bond he shared with Invincible. It remains to be seen how these alterations will impact the overall narrative and whether they will ultimately enhance or diminish the show's quality.