Mark is no longer the young optimistic superhero who was excited to discover his powers that we first met. In the new season of Invincible, all the lost friends and various crises have taken their toll on him, and he begins letting all the trauma affect him.
The first few episodes perfectly captures the monotonous daily grind of a superhero battling threats all the time. The accompanying emo score in the premiere helps accentuate that tone and bring us into Mark’s frame of mind. A big theme of the season revolves around his flirtations with losing control and embracing his darker side. The struggle to maintain his noble ideals is harder than ever and that internal conflict is made tangible thanks to the storytelling.
Although the constant threats can be too overwhelming. Sometimes our main protagonist will have to manage multiple dangers in a single episode so there is no respite from the drama. Invincible has never been a happy go lucky show, but so far this season in particular rarely has any joy and humor.
Much of the positivity and good vibes come from former villain Omni-Man. He is on the road to redemption, and making strides in his accountability and ability to empathize with others. Diving into his past and learning of his heinous deeds should be a reminder that he isn’t a saint, but he is making the effort to at least be a better man and to try to compensate for what he’s done. J.K. Simmons voice acting adds so much weight, pain, and remorse that helps draw you into his character’s personal journey.
More endearing is the entertaining bromance developing between Omni-Man and Allen the Alien. There is great chemistry between the laid back demeanor of Seth Rogen and the serious presence of Simmons. The trailer has teased the Viltrumite War this season, and their characters are strengthening their bonds as they get an early start in the trenches. However, there is a running immature roommate gag between them that gets overplayed and loses its appeal.
These early episodes of Invincible continue to deliver some of the good traits the series is known for. The world building is excellent constantly expanding the universe. The story revisits familiar faces giving them more depth while also introducing even more intriguing characters that fans of the source material have surely been waiting for. The narrative moves at a solid pace resolving loose threads while taking us to new directions. Even the flashbacks can provide insight on the history and mythology of this world, but also add a more personal touch seeing it through the eyes of a main character. Also, the transitions in setting from a cosmic adventure to a street level gang war are seamless.
Plus, the show has some of the most exciting superhero action out there. The scenes are graphic and violent. The angles capture the thrill of any splash page, but the kinetic energy takes the fights to another level. There is a good variety as well from large scale invasions to more intimate smaller encounters. You’re thrown into the center of the action that you feel immersed in the chaos and destruction.
The beginning of Invincible’s fourth season has plenty of the action, world building, and compelling personal relationships we’ve grown to expect over the years, but it may be headed towards its darkest path yet.
New episodes of Invincible release Wednesdays on Prime Video.
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