Unveiling Invincible Season 2's Multiverse & Unraveling 5 Timeline Alterations

Spoilers ahead for Invincible season 1's ending and the season 2 premiere.

Article Overview

In the premiere of Invincible season 2, alternate timelines and a multiverse are delved into, unveiling that our protagonist Mark is the sole version of himself who opts against teaming up with his father to conquer Earth. While the mechanics of the series' multiverse remain largely mysterious, the show skillfully juxtaposes the primary Invincible universe with other realities, resulting in a powerful impact.

Invincible's second season introduces Angstrom Levy as a prominent villain, utilizing the alternate universe storytelling technique. In this highly anticipated multiverse debut, the superhero series explores a popular plot device commonly found in the genre, featuring significant alterations to the timeline and parallel versions of the main characters. Developed by Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead, this adult animated show is adapted from Kirkman's Image Comics series of the same title. In the inaugural season of Invincible, the protagonist, Mark Grayson (portrayed by Steven Yeun), undergoes power development as he reaches the age of 17. With the guidance of his father, Nolan Grayson/Omni-Man (played by J.K. Simmons), Mark embarks on a journey to master his newfound abilities. What sets Invincible apart from other superhero adaptations is its willingness to explore and emphasize the challenges faced by Mark, shedding light on his struggles in a realistic manner.

How Invincible's Multiverse Works

Mark finds himself facing a multitude of challenges as he tries to juggle his superhero responsibilities with his personal life. As he delves deeper into the secrets of those around him, he discovers some disturbing truths. Being the most powerful being on Earth, Omni-Man, who is not just a superhero but a force to be reckoned with, has a lot on his plate. In the season 1 finale of Invincible, Omni-Man shocks everyone by confessing that he has been sent by the Viltrum Empire to conquer the planet. Despite his attempts to convince Mark to join him, he resorts to leveling Chicago and causing the deaths of thousands. Struggling to reconcile his mission with his love for Mark and his wife, Debbie (Sandra Oh), Omni-Man decides to flee the planet, leaving behind the events that will unfold in Invincible season 2.

How Invincible's Multiverse Works

In the climax of Season 1 of Invincible, Nolan betrays his own family and reveals his true intentions of conquering Earth. Not only does Omni-Man devastate Chicago, but he also brutally attacks Mark, who refuses to join him in his cause. Left battered and bruised, Mark manages to appeal to Nolan's love for his family, compelling Omni-Man to abandon the planet. The subsequent episode, "Where I Really Come From," delves into Mark's struggle to reconcile the image of his father with the reality of who he truly is, all while the looming threat of the Viltrumites draws near. Adding an intriguing twist, Season 2 kicks off with "A Lesson For Your Next Life," set in a ravaged alternate Earth.

Invincible's Key Timeline Changes Highlight The Significance Of Our Mark Grayson

The alternate version of Earth depicted in the opening scene of Invincible differs greatly from the primary universe. One notable difference is that Mark teams up with his father in this alternate Earth. In this devastated timeline, Mark comes close to killing a scientist named Angstrom Levy (played by Sterling K. Brown). However, Angstrom manages to escape through a peculiar portal created by a variant of himself. This multiverse-traversing and portal-creating version of Levy is a nod to Marvel's Kang the Conqueror, using his unique abilities to gain crucial insights into Invincible's numerous timelines. While the show hasn't delved too deeply into the mechanics of its multiverse, it does provide an explanation for why Angstrom Levy desires to end Invincible's life as he embarks on a path of becoming a complex villain.

Invincible Joined Omni-Man In Almost Every Other Universe

The Invincible season 2 premiere and its alternate timelines reveal a crucial aspect: every version of Mark Grayson, except for the primary universe in season 1, joins Omni-Man in his conquest of Earth. This makes the primary Mark, who stands up to his father and convinces him to abandon his destructive mission, unique among the multiple versions. This narrative framing effectively showcases the multiverse trope, which has become a significant element in the superhero genre. Unlike other shows and movies that fail to utilize alternate realities meaningfully, Invincible stands out by focusing on contrasting the heroism of season 1's Mark with the Omni-Man sidekicks, rather than showcasing infinite variations of Mark.

All Other Versions Of The Mauler Twins Are (Seemingly) Killed

Although they are not technically twins, it appears that the mad scientist Mauler (played by Kevin Michael Richardson) always desires to have a clone as a form of insurance, regardless of the timeline. This proves to be a wise strategy in the season 2 premiere. As Angstrom Levy utilizes his portal powers, he inadvertently sets free a version of the Mauler Twins. Levy then recruits the scientists to construct a machine that will enable him to merge his consciousness with that of his alternate versions. Just as Mark intervenes to stop Levy, numerous Mauler Twin variants materialize, leading to a chaotic and intense brawl. Eventually, only one Mauler twin survives the aftermath of a destructive explosion, albeit with a disfigured face.

Invincible Season 2's Multiverse Eve Has A Different Design

As fans eagerly anticipate the fate of Atom Eve and Mark's relationship in the original Invincible source material, they are treated to a captivating array of alternate versions of Eve (played by Gillian Jacobs) with diverse abilities in manipulating energy and matter across the show's multiverse. In the season 2 premiere, an alternate timeline unveils a battle-hardened Eve who joins the resistance against Omni-Man and Mark. Rocking a shaved head, donning darker attire, and bearing scars that trace her face, this alternate Eve's appearance is a stark reminder of the profound impact Mark's choices have on her life's trajectory.

Rex Splode Is Dead In Invincible Season 2's Parallel Universe

In Invincible's parallel universe, Rex Splode (Jason Mantzoukas), who was Eve's ex, is deceased. In the main universe of the show, Rex Splode is gradually maturing and becoming a more reliable member of the team, especially after Omni-Man's betrayal. Nevertheless, in the alternate universe, it is uncertain how Rex fared after Mark chose to side with his father. The audience discovers that Mark and Nolan killed Rex when Levy returns to the resistance's hideout and assures that no one followed him, stating, "We're safe." However, Eve dismissively remarks, "Yeah, that's what Rex thought too," implying that he attempted to defy the villainous father-son duo.

Angstrom Levy's Alternate Selves Are His Villain Origin Story

The fate of Angstrom Levy in Invincible's premiere is pivotal for the entire 8-episode season. After being rescued by an alternate version of himself, Levy joins "the family" – a gathering of numerous Angstrom Levy's from various universes devastated by Omni-Man and Mark. Determined to gather insights from his counterparts' respective universes, Levy aspires to save billions of lives. He enlists the Mauler Twins to construct a machine that will enable him to assimilate the knowledge and memories of his other selves. However, Levy's plans are derailed by the main universe's Mark.

Levy assures Mark that his plan serves the greater good, causing Mark to dismissively remark that he has heard that justification before. Understandably, Mark is still struggling with Nolan's betrayal and the guilt he feels regarding his father's legacy. Despite seemingly having good intentions and a morally ambiguous nature, Angstrom Levy displays signs of a God complex, which becomes evident in the final moments of the episode. As Levy prematurely terminates the memory/knowledge transfer, the device explodes, resulting in the death of all his variants and leaving him disfigured. Consumed by the violent memories of his other selves, Angstrom Levy swears revenge, positioning himself as the main antagonist for season 2 of Invincible.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming second season of Invincible. The first season was a thrilling and action-packed ride, and I can't wait to see what the new season has in store.

The multiverse concept is a fascinating one, and I'm eager to see how it will be explored in Invincible. The alternate timelines and parallel versions of the main characters offer a lot of potential for storytelling, and I'm excited to see how the writers will use them to expand the show's universe. I'm also intrigued by the new villain, Angstrom Levy. He seems like a complex and dangerous character, and I can't wait to see how he will challenge Mark and the other heroes. Overall, I'm very excited about Invincible season 2 and can't wait to see what it has in store.