If you’ve read even a single issue of Robert Kirkman’s Invincible, you’ll no doubt be well aware that it’s a superhero comic book like no other. Rich on character development, full of fun new takes on the genre’s biggest tropes, and packed to the brim with bloody, wonderfully over-the-top action, it’s well worth a read. However, that exact same series of adjectives also applies perfectly to this small screen animated adaptation.
In the three episodes we’ve watched, the show is so far following the same basic direction as the comic, though there’s definitely more time here to better develop certain characters, add some new ones, and generally let the story breathe in a way that should help make it a compelling weekly experience. With each instalment coming in at over forty minutes each, Amazon has certainly given the team working on the series the freedom to tell this story in a way that should make longtime fans happy, while never alienating those new to the property. If you fall into the latter category, all you really need to know is that Invincible follows high school student Mark Grayson, the half-alien son of the world’s most powerful superhero. When he develops powers of his own, he decides to follow in his father’s footsteps, but that’s no easy feat, and there are lots of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
With an intriguing mystery at its core (at least for those unfamiliar with the source material), and a huge supporting cast made up some of the weirdest, most intriguing superheroes you’ll see on screen, Invincible has plenty of potential. Oh, and for those of you worried the bloody action from the comics might be toned down in any way, rest assured that this series is perhaps even more violent and gory than what we’ve seen on the page. That’s not a bad thing, though, as your jaw will be left on the floor every time fists start flying.
In terms of the animation style, Invincible is very similar to the DC Animated features and doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. It’s pleasant to look at, but there aren’t exactly any big risks or design choices which will make this stand out from the crowd. It does resemble the comics, though, so that’s definitely welcomed (even if it doesn’t come close to Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley’s eye-catching work).
The voice cast more than makes up for any failings in that respect, though, because this can’t miss, wonderfully diverse, ensemble is truly something special. Steven Yeun is excellent as Mark, while J. K. Simmons quickly proves to be the perfect choice for Omni-Man. There are too many standouts to mention, but Zachary Quinto, Jason Mantzoukas, Walton Goggins, and Sandra Oh all deserve to be highlighted. Seth Rogen is also a terrific fit for his character, though we won’t spoil who he plays here. Amazon couldn’t have assembled a more talented crew than this for Invincible, and that alone should make it a must-watch.
While it’s hard to fault any comic book adaptation for adhering to the source material, that does mean there aren’t too many surprises here. As a result, it occasionally feels a little like one of motion-comic movies that never really took off, but there’s just enough fresh material to ensure those who have read and re-read every issue won’t be bored. Invincible is a series with lots of potential, and we can’t wait to see where it goes next. Don’t miss it.
Balls to the wall action combined with a stellar voice cast make Invincible a must-watch new animated series, even if comic book fans will find much of what plays out on screen to be somewhat familiar.