Being a superhero is hard work, and Invincible is learning that the hard way. It’s not enough to save the day, but he must also maintain self control in the process. His morals and high ground is what separates him from the bad guys he goes up against. As he wrestles with the emotional weight of his previous actions, who knew that a trip to Hell is what he needed.
“Hurm” takes a one off adventure and delivers an engaging character journey. One of Mark’s greatest fears is following in Omni-Man’s ruthless footsteps. That’s why he takes it so hard when he resorts to violent tendencies that can go overboard to solve his problems. Throughout the episode he receives reminders of how different the two really are. All the unresolved daddy issues help pave the way for the dramatic reveal in the end adding that much more emphasis.
Also, he develops a little more resolve when it comes to making the difficult decisions. He can step away from the moment and look at the bigger picture which allows him to better manage the repercussions. There is less guilt and trauma to wrestle with.
As much as Invincible experiences growth and maturation, the story really is about Damien Darkblood. It’s an intriguing dive into a minor character we first met in the first season. Following him allows us to explore a different area, which is rich in mythology, and see supernatural and mystical aspects. The narrative also flips the script in minor ways about the concept of Hell and has philosophical conversations about religion.
Damien comes off as a D’Angelo Barksdale-like figure. He understands the rules and can survive the hard and punishing life in his home. But he doesn’t quite belong and could do more elsewhere. He’s a good soldier, but doesn’t have the same ferocity as the others in his clan. Even visually, he looks a little out of place. He resembles an old teddy bear with his little pot belly since his signature detective garb isn’t covering it up.
Outside of the main characters, “Hurm” is just a lot of fun. There’s plenty of gruesome battles. With so many demons, and even an appearance from Satan, it is only fitting that the musical accompaniment would be heavy metal. Rocking out turns the dial on the action to another level. The moments of levity are also entertaining and it’s nice to see Mark taking part in comedic bits. He doesn’t always have to be a tortured soul.
The episode marks a big difference from the source material. This story never appeared on the pages so it’s something unexpected, but still fits in with the overall tale being told. Although, the premise sounds like a scrapped idea Robert Kirkman had during Invincible’s initial comic run. The aftermath implies we aren’t done with Damien Darkblood. For a series that follows the original so closely, this development adds an interesting loose thread.
“Hurm” is a surprising but enjoyable deviation from the source material that does great character work and serves up a rocking good time.
New episodes of Invincible release Wednesdays on Prime Video.
