Spoiler, so many spoilers
Invincible’s highly-anticipated second season is nearing its release, and it follows a tumultuous first season finale that laid bare Omni-Man’s real agenda, leaving his son Mark in a state of betrayal and confusion. Season 2 promises new challenges, notably the appearance of the nefarious Angstrom Levy, teased in the season’s previews.
A Snapshot of What’s Coming
Needless to say, the tension is palpable as we eagerly await the next chapter in the Invincible saga. Particularly, given the seismic shift in understanding that happened at the end of Season 1. Omni-Man’s shocking annihilation of The Guardians of the Globe, and the Viltrumites’ underlying motives for Earth, led to an emotional upheaval for those closest to him, including his son, Mark Grayson (voiced by Steven Yeun). All signs point to Omni-Man’s imminent return to Earth, setting the stage for a possible showdown between him and Mark, who’s also known as Invincible.
But the looming presence of Omni-Man is just one hurdle Invincible must leap. As hinted in trailers for Season 2, another adversary is set to emerge: Angstrom Levy, played by Sterling K. Brown. The upcoming season is brimming with plot twists and turns, but for those who might have forgotten the nitty-gritty details of the first season, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for a comprehensive review of all the key moments from Invincible Season 1.
About ‘Invincible’ The Series
‘Invincible’ is a gripping animated series for adults that explores the complex life of 17-year-old Mark Grayson. While he may appear like any other teenager, there’s a significant catch: his father is Omni-Man, Earth’s most formidable superhero. As Mark matures and acquires his own superpowers, he soon uncovers that his father’s heroic image may be a facade.
Unpacking Season 1: What’s the Story?
The show centers on Mark Grayson, a seemingly average high schooler who begins to experience a surge in unusual powers. This is not surprising considering he is the offspring of Omni-Man, a Superman-like figure from the planet Viltrum. Omni-Man claims his home planet is a benevolent society, tasked with safeguarding the universe. While on Earth, he falls for Mark’s mother, Debbie, and they’ve been a close-knit family ever since.
But Mark isn’t just any teenager; he’s half-Viltrumite. This means that he’s fated to inherit Omni-Man’s awe-inspiring powers, such as self-propelled flight, incredible speed, and unparalleled strength. When these powers do manifest, Mark undergoes training with his father and adopts the superhero alias, Invincible. However, lurking behind this seemingly innocuous origin tale is a dark and disturbing conspiracy that comes to light by the end of Season 1.
Omni-Man: The Masked Tyrant of ‘Invincible’
The Game-Changing Finale of Season 1
The inaugural season of Invincible wraps with a jaw-dropping revelation: Omni-Man is not the hero we thought he was. The violent assassination of his fellow Guardians of the Globe members leaves viewers puzzled. Government agent Cecil Stedman, portrayed by Walton Goggins, and demon detective Damien Darkblood, played by Clancy Brown, quickly deduce that Omni-Man is the perpetrator, though his motives remain elusive until the season’s final episode.
In a harrowing turn of events, Omni-Man slays the recently resurrected Immortal (voiced by Ross Marquand) for a second time, right in front of his own son Mark. It is then that Omni-Man unveils the dark truth: the Viltrumite society he’s always glorified is not a peaceful civilization. They are, in fact, an imperialistic and authoritarian regime that conquers other planets by any means possible. Omni-Man admits that his calculated murder of The Guardians was to eliminate any obstacle in Viltrum’s path to conquer Earth.
Mark’s Emotional Struggle
The revelation leaves Mark horrified and deeply conflicted. Omni-Man, who is his father after all, urges Mark to join him in subjugating Earth. He further shocks everyone by downplaying his relationship with Mark’s mother, Debbie, describing her less as a spouse and more akin to a “pet.” Fueled by anger and revulsion, Mark—aka Invincible—engages his father in an epic clash that has Omni-Man weaponizing Mark to kill countless innocent people. The battle escalates to the point where Omni-Man nearly kills Mark, but a flashback to happier family times gives him pause. In a surprising move, Omni-Man stops short of delivering the final blow and exits Earth, jetting off into the cosmos.
A Glimmer of Redemption for Omni-Man?
Despite Omni-Man’s cruel manipulation and vicious acts, his last-minute decision to spare Mark leaves a glimmer of hope. Could there be a chance for redemption? Only time will tell, but his sudden departure leaves many questions unanswered, making the wait for Season 2 all the more agonizing.
Mark’s Complicated Love Life: A Teenage Hero’s Dilemma in ‘Invincible’
Balancing Romance with Heroics
Beyond facing off against villains, Mark Grayson, also known as Invincible, has to navigate the complexities of teenage love. His first romantic interest is Amber Bennett, portrayed by Zazie Beetz, who takes a liking to Mark after he confronts their high school’s resident bully. But there’s another potential love interest in the picture: Samantha Eve Wilkins, also known as Atom Eve, played by Gillian Jacobs.
Eve starts harboring feelings for Mark, particularly after catching her then-boyfriend Rex Splode (Jason Mantzoukas) in a compromising situation with Dupli-Kate (Melise). Upon visiting Mark’s house, she discovers that he’s already involved with Amber. Although Mark and Amber experience their share of challenges, they end the season as a couple, with Eve remaining a confidant and mentor to Mark. The unanswered question hangs in the air: Does Atom Eve still have lingering feelings for Invincible?
Robot’s Transformation: A New Body for Love
The Quest for Acceptance
Following the demise of the original Guardians of the Globe, Cecil enlists Robot, voiced by Zachary Quinto, to captain the newly-assembled superhero team. This motley crew comprises Rex Splode, Dupli-Kate, Black Samson (Khary Payton), Atom Eve, Shrinking Rae (Grey Griffin), and Monster Girl (also voiced by Griffin). Monster Girl stands out as Robot’s main point of interest. Though she appears to be a teenager, she’s a 24-year-old woman who ages backward each time she transforms into her monstrous alter ego.
In a quest to help Monster Girl feel more comfortable in her unique situation, Robot takes a significant risk. He frees the criminal Mauler Twins, voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson, who are experts in cloning. With their assistance, Robot embarks on an ambitious project to clone a new body for himself. He opts for the DNA of Rex Splode to create a youthful, human body, leaving his teammates perplexed and somewhat unsettled. As the new Guardians of the Globe try to adjust to Robot’s drastic transformation, it’s clear that this change will have ramifications in the upcoming Season 2.
‘Invincible’s Villains: The Rogues’ Gallery Is Just Getting Started
The End of Season 1: A Montage of Looming Threats
While ‘Invincible’ weaves a tight, overarching narrative, each episode also introduces us to a new villain, creating a rich rogues’ gallery. What sets this series apart from many comic book adaptations is that its villains aren’t neatly tied up and put behind bars by the episode’s end. Instead, these antagonists remain at large, poised to enact revenge on Mark Grayson, aka Invincible.
A climactic montage at the end of Season 1 gives us a glimpse into the future of these villains:
- The Sequid parasites furthering their invasion of Mars
- The Mauler Twins grinning ominously as they are reincarcerated
- The Flaxans gearing up for another assault on Earth
- Doc Seismic (Donald Ferguson) commanding an army of lava men
- Titan (Mahershala Ali) stepping into Machine Head’s (Jeffrey Donovan) criminal shoes
- Battle Beast (Michael Dorn) pursuing freelance mercenary assignments
- Cecil recruiting D.A. Sinclair (Ezra Miller) to create additional cyborg monstrosities
The Shifting Landscape of Heroes and Villains
Cecil Stedman, the elusive government operative, isn’t only occupied with villain management; he’s also focused on resurrecting Immortal. Although Immortal was once a hero and a member of the original Guardians of the Globe, the trailer for Season 2 suggests a change in allegiances, setting him up as an antagonist to Invincible.
Adding to the list of shifting loyalties is Damien Darkblood, the demon detective. Although Cecil banished him back to Hell, it seems likely we’ll see him again, given the intricate web of friends and foes the series is crafting.
What’s Next: A Rogues’ Gallery That Spells Trouble for Invincible
The end-of-season montage promises that Invincible’s world is going to get a lot more complicated. The villains are not only surviving but thriving, plotting new schemes that will likely make life incredibly difficult for our young hero. And with the lines between hero and villain becoming increasingly blurred, Invincible will have to navigate an increasingly murky ethical landscape.
Catch up on Invincible Season One Now
For those eager to dive deeper into the ‘Invincible’ universe, keep an eye out on our curated movie and TV show collections over at hitplay.app. Trust us; you don’t want to miss what’s coming next!
