The Unforgettable Impact of Invincible's Season 1 Finale

Invincible burst onto the scene with unexpected success, leaving fans eagerly discussing the thrilling finale of its first season. Similar to the timely arrival of Gandalf, Invincible created quite a spectacle. As The Boys expands with an exciting spin-off, fans are reminiscing about the chaotic delight of Invincible Season 1. Initially, it appeared to be just another superhero coming-of-age story.

Nolan Grayson, also known as Omni-Man, is a extraterrestrial immigrant from Viltrum who uses his Superman-like powers to defend Earth alongside the Guardians of the Globe. Nolan had nearly given up hope that his son, Mark, would develop powers of his own. However, when Mark accidentally exhibits his abilities by sending trash across the city, his father steps in to teach him the ropes. Yet, things are not as they seem, and it doesn't take long for viewers to realize that Omni-Man has a dark side. The result? An unforgettable ending to Invincible Season 1 that fans can't stop discussing, even years later.

How Does Invincible Season 1 end?

Despite creating The Boys, Amazon Prime managed to surprise viewers with the shocking violence depicted in Invincible. In the first episode of Season 1, titled "It's About Time," Mark, a seventeen-year-old who had lost hope, gains his superhero abilities much to his surprise and excitement. While an animated show about a young man discovering his powers may not seem explicit, this episode takes an unexpected turn.

Throughout the episode, the story unfolds as expected, but after the credits roll, the real excitement begins. Those familiar with the post-MCU landscape know to watch out for after-credit scenes in superhero content. In this case, the scene reveals Omni-Man, Mark's father, brutally and mercilessly killing his teammates. This sadistic act, hidden until the end, shocked viewers and introduced a unique and unexpected twist to the typical narrative of a hero learning to control their powers.

Describing Nolan from Invincible as having a dark side is like saying Homelander (Antony Starr) is messed up. It all begins with Nolan struggling to express genuine joy when Mark announces his newfound powers on the path to becoming Invincible, which is strange considering his previous disappointment when he believed his son would never acquire them. However, we soon discover that Nolan was essentially the last surviving member of the Viltrum Empire's galactic mission to colonize other planets. His dubious conduct throughout Invincible stemmed from his instinctive need to establish his superiority over another Viltrumite with powers – by any means necessary.

The concluding moments of season 1, episode 8, titled "Where I Really Come From," completely upends Mark's entire viewpoint. He discovers the disturbing truth about his father's deceitful past and how it led Nolan to Earth with the intention of asserting dominance. In a heartfelt display, Mark stands up for his fellow Humans and tearfully rejects his father's offer to rule by his side, reducing Debbie to nothing more than a Human pet. Nolan's response is a violent attempt to teach his son the pointlessness of safeguarding Earth from the power-hungry Viltrumites. Invincible concludes with Nolan forcefully dragging Mark through diverse settings, mercilessly pummeling him, while simultaneously engaging in the massacre of thousands of (relatively) innocent Humans.

Mark and Omni-Man's fight is physically and emotionally brutal

The talented artists at Maven Image Platform have clearly put a tremendous amount of effort and passion into their work on Invincible. This serves as further motivation to support the ongoing strikes and union formations. It is truly enjoyable to watch Invincible collaborate with Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs) and other members of Teen Team. However, during the intense clash between Invincible and Omni-Man, the artwork becomes raw and unsettling, leaving certain viewers uncomfortable. It is disheartening to witness these two superheroes, who should be united, engaged in a destructive battle that endangers innocent humans caught in the midst of their confrontation.

A grown man mercilessly pummels a teenage boy, inflicting visible bruises on someone deemed invincible. What's even more shocking is that this father wages a full-blown physical assault on his own son simply for doing what is right. Punch after punch, Omni-Man relentlessly strikes, showing no sign of stopping. Inevitably, Invincible is left trying, yet failing, to protect others when he can't even shield himself. As if the brutal fight isn't enough, the sight of the young hero sprawled on the mountain's side, covered in bruises, is enough to shatter the hearts of any witness. While Mark may eventually recover physically from his father's brutal onslaught, it's difficult to fathom the emotional scars fading away as easily.

Can Omni-Man redeem himself, or is it too late to change his ways? Some fans believe that there is no forgiveness for someone who treats their child like Omni-Man did in the ending of Invincible Season 1, and that perspective is understandable. Such behavior would have serious consequences in the real world, with Child Protective Services becoming involved quickly.

However, it is important to remember that these are fictional characters in an animated show where extraordinary things happen, such as a child transforming into a giant creature, a robot having feelings, and a man returning from the dead. In this fantastical setting, some fans still hold onto hope for both Omni-Man and Nolan. Nonetheless, the ending of Invincible Season 1 was filled with violence and disturbing moments, leading to extensive discussions among fans. It continues to be a contentious topic for those examining the darker aspects of superhero content. Only time will reveal if Season 2 will have a similar impact as the first.

Invincible season 2 premieres on Amazon Prime Video on November 3, 2023.