Is Invincible from Marvel or DC? It's currently one of the most popular superhero shows globally, but you might be wondering which franchise it belongs to, if any at all.
Although it draws inspiration from Robert Kirkman's acclaimed comics, Invincible gained widespread recognition when it unexpectedly premiered on Prime Video in 2021. This fact holds true since its budget, in comparison to The Boys, was and still is significantly smaller.
After the shocking conclusion of the pilot, the series garnered significant attention, leading Amazon to swiftly approve second and third seasons even before the first season finale. Season 2 premiered a few weeks ago, and in our review of Part 1, we praised it as surpassing all other superhero series.
It fills a crucial void following the conclusion of Gen V and Loki. However, would it be classified as part of Marvel or DC, or is it a distinct entity altogether?
Is Invincible from Marvel or DC?
Invincible isn’t part of Marvel or DC. It comes from Image Comics, a standalone comic book publisher, and takes place in its own universe.
Image Comics was established in 1992 by Erik Larsen, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Whilce Portacio, Marc Silvestri, and Jim Valentino. The company was formed with the intention of distinguishing itself from Marvel and DC, particularly in terms of how it treated creators. Unlike other publishers, Image Comics allowed artists to retain copyright and publish their own comics without surrendering their rights.
Among its notable creations are popular series such as Spawn, The Walking Dead, Kick-Ass, and Invincible, which was brought to life by Kirkman in 2003.
That’s not to imply there haven't been any crossovers with the two titans: Kirkman penned Marvel Team-Up #14 in 2006, featuring Invincible's appearance and encounter with Spider-Man as they traversed through different universes. Invincible even aided Spider-Man in battling against Doc Ock. Moreover, in Invincible #33, the eponymous hero stumbled upon Batman in the vast multiverse.
Rumors are swirling about a possible massive crossover in the animated series, with fans eagerly anticipating Josh Keaton reprising his role as the Spectacular Spider-Man for a special appearance. This speculation isn't without basis, as Amazon is currently collaborating with MGM on two Spider-Man spinoff shows, namely Silk: Spider Society and Spider-Man: Noir.
Executive producer Simon Racioppa expressed his enthusiasm for crossovers with various characters from DC, Marvel, and other franchises, but admitted that the possibility is uncertain. He acknowledged the challenges in television compared to comic books, as Marvel often licenses their characters to other studios. Therefore, achieving a crossover in television is considerably more difficult.
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Editor's P/S
Invincible is a refreshing superhero show that stands apart from the Marvel and DC universes. Based on the acclaimed comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Invincible follows the story of Mark Grayson, a teenage superhero who discovers his powers and must navigate the complex world of superheroes and villains.
One of the things that makes Invincible so unique is its willingness to push the boundaries of superhero storytelling. The show is not afraid to tackle mature themes such as violence, gore, and sexuality. This makes for a more realistic and gritty superhero story that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. The voice acting is top-notch, with Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, and J.K. Simmons all giving standout performances. The animation is also excellent, with fluid fight scenes and stunning visuals.