By Emanuel Nader

The hit animated TV show “Invincible” goes beyond the boundaries of traditional superhero conventions like undefeatable superheroes or unrealistic standards of the superheroes’ lives. The show was developed by Robert Kirkman, who created “The Walking Dead” comic book series. His “Invincible” comics were first published in 2003 and later adapted into an Amazon Prime Video show in 2021. The show’s release amassed much popularity and new fans, with an 8.7/10 on IMDb and a 99 percent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.

In the pilot episode, the show initially seemed like a bootleg “Justice Squad” wannabe. But by the end of the episode, bored viewers turned into shocked fans wanting to binge-watch the entire series. Fans were in awe of its uniqueness, as most other superhero shows cater to young audiences, tending to stray away from depictions of death, sex, and trauma. With its realistic quality, fans saw more humanity added to their beloved superheroes.

Not only is this aspect unique and appealing to viewers, but it also adds to the show’s relatability. Protagonist Mark Grayson (voiced by Steven Yeun) endures several horrible situations throughout the series, including getting beaten to death by a loved one and having his body used as a weapon to kill innocent bystanders. Of course, these events themselves aren’t relatable to most viewers, but the trauma from surviving these events is. With most superhero series, the viewers never really see the psychological impact of the obstacles superheroes face. Ultimately, “Invincible” portrays trauma in a realistic and relatable light.

The voice acting is also a key element in the production of “Invincible.” Voice actors, including Steven Yeun, J.K. Simmons, Sandra Oh, and Walton Goggins, really bring the show to life. Most notably, the anger and sadness in Yeun’s voice during a fight captivates the audience; they feel as though the fight they are seeing on-screen is actually real. 

Additionally, the soundtrack plays an important role in highlighting these intense themes. During a fight, the soundtrack transitions for every crucial turning point. The music not only invokes a certain emotion in the viewers, but it does a brilliant job of tricking them. For example, in a fight, a heroic song plays in the background, leading viewers to believe that Invincible is about to beat the villain and save everyone. However, right when he’s about to punch said villain, the music stops abruptly and he gets beaten half to death. Scenes like these always keep the audience on the edge of their seat. Once again this isn’t a regular superhero show; anything can happen.

Whether you like superhero shows or not, this show is so amazing that you will be looking for the “next episode” button right as the end credits start rolling. With the recent finale of season 2, fans have got to hold on just a little longer until future seasons come.