Unmasking the Enigma: The Hidden Identity of Thaedus

Highlights

In a bid to halt the relentless advance of the Viltrum Empire, Thaedus, the inaugural Viltrumite to defy their reign, dedicated himself to crafting strategies and devising weaponry aimed at dismantling the empire's oppressive regime incrementally.

The Coalition of Planets, under the leadership of Allen the Alien, was established by Thaedus as a resistance against the Viltrumite Empire's attacks. Allen emerged as a formidable adversary to the Viltrumites.

In an act of betrayal, Thaedus devised the Scourge Virus to debilitate and eliminate a significant portion of the Viltrumite population. He also kept a second strain of the virus as an ultimate weapon for potential dire situations.

Robert Kirkman's Invincible stands out for its formidable cast of characters. While not every character receives a comprehensive profile, there is something captivating about each hero and villain. The small-scale interactions among high school students are juxtaposed with the grand conflicts that determine the fate of the world. Although the Viltrum Empire has yet to be thoroughly explored, one of its prominent figures is set to join the show.

The animated adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book series, Invincible, has quickly become a highly acclaimed series. After leaving fans eagerly anticipating more, there has been a significant delay with limited updates. Fortunately, the second season is scheduled to premiere later this year, introducing a few new characters to the mix.

Who is Thaedus?

Thaedus, the first Viltrumite to defy his empire's violent conquest agenda, aimed to halt their brutal campaign. His daring actions forever changed the course of his species. Known for their extraordinary resilience, Viltrumites are notoriously difficult to eliminate, even for their own kind. Rather than engaging in combat with his fellow Viltrumites, Thaedus chose a different path. He dedicated himself to devising strategic tactics and weaponry, gradually dismantling the oppressive Viltrum Empire.

Under Thaedus' leadership, the Coalition of Planets was formed, with its renowned leader, Allen the Alien. Allen's role involved testing and assessing the defenders of various worlds, ensuring their readiness against orbital threats. Originally created as part of a breeding program initiated and terminated by Thaedus, Allen grew stronger after each attack he faced until he became just as formidable as an average Viltrumite. Eventually, Allen emerged as one of the most significant adversaries to the dominant Viltrumite Empire.

Thaedus's strategy to overcome the Viltrumites had been in motion long before he forged the coalition. He executed Argall, the former ruler of the Viltrumites, who happened to be Nolan Grayson's father and the governing figure of the species. This act triggered a bloody civil war, resulting in the eradication of the weaker members of the race. To establish their idea of a flawless empire, the Viltrumites commenced their invasion of other planets. While Argall's leadership was a subject of mixed opinions, his demise plunged the species into a period of darkness. Thaedus was compelled to implement even more extensive measures to counter his own people.

How did Thaedus betray the Viltrumites?

To defeat the formidable conquerors, Thaedus had to make numerous advancements. The Viltrumite civil war resulted in a significant loss of lives, but a small number of the population managed to survive. It was later revealed by Nolan that the species' tragic secret was that only 50 pure-blood Viltrumites remained when Invincible's story began. The Scourge Virus eradicated 99.9% of the race, with the Coalition of Planets crafting the virus using Thaedus's blood as its primary component. This devastating virus weakened Viltrumites immensely, stripping them of their strength and resilience. Consequently, the majority of the Viltrumites perished without their innate abilities. However, a mere 0.01% of the population survived due to certain bloodlines possessing immunity to the virus.

Thaedus, the creator of the Coalition of Planets, was not responsible for the first Scourge Virus. However, he did manage to perfect a second strain of the illness which had the power to completely eradicate all Viltrumites. This strain was reserved by Thaedus for potential emergencies, serving as his ultimate trump card to persuade other Viltrumites to join his cause. Engaging in a life marked by years of evading capture, Thaedus eventually established a formidable army to combat the oppressive Viltrum Empire. His existence was characterized by countless hardships, extensive periods of hiding, and a trail of bloodshed, much like any other member of his species.

Who will play Thaedus?

Peter Cullen, the actor who will portray Thaedus, has built his career on playing two vastly different characters in animated history. Look him up on IMDB and you'll find that he's the voice of Optimus Prime in various versions of Transformers and Eeyore in numerous iterations of Winnie the Pooh. While Cullen has received well-deserved acclaim for these roles, his body of work extends far beyond them. He has also provided the iconic sounds of the Yautja from Predator and was the original voice of KARR, the malevolent car from Knight Rider. In addition, he brought life to Monterey Jack in Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Cullen's distinctive voice is one of the most recognizable from the Saturday Morning Cartoon era, and his involvement in Invincible will undoubtedly enrich the already impressive cast.

Thaedus, an intriguing character, has the potential to be explored further in the upcoming adaptation. With season two ready to captivate audiences, fans will be delighted to witness a Viltrumite deviating from customary practices and displaying a sense of morality. The forthcoming entries promise immense enjoyment. Thaedus, being partly responsible for the fall of the Viltrum Empire, will play a pivotal role in leading the series into the conflict against Nolan Grayson's faction.