‘Invincible’ Season 2 Returns to the Summit of Episodic Superhero Storytelling With a Return That Proves to Be Well Worth the Wait

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe struggles to figure out how to fix its increasingly fractured approach to episodic storytelling, the second season of Invisible It will be roaring back on screens this Friday, November 3 to make the case that Prime Video just might be the destination for high-end small screen superheroics.

Original shows like The boysrecently renewed its overtime Gen Vand fabulous boots at Boots Riley I am a Virgo All of them are popular for their departure from the established tropes and trappings of the genre, with Robert Kirkman’s animated adaptation of his own comic book running comfortably able to be mentioned in the same breath.

It’s been a long time coming – with the first series of episodes airing between March and April 2021 – and expectations have risen as a result. The good news is that the first four-part entry of the sophomore stretch – with the remaining four parts set to drop at some point next year – raises the bar on every level to ensure that Invincible They won’t be left out of the conversation when the best comic book properties make their way to streaming.

Picking up where season 1 left off, Omni-Man JK Simmon is still MIA after flying into the atmosphere, leaving Steven Yeun’s Mark Grayson to pick up the pieces of his personal and criminal life, which has an inevitable impact. which spills directly into the arcs of various other characters, including Sandra’s mother Debbie and Zazie Beetz’s unnamed girlfriend Amber.

The opening scene immediately throws the entire Invincible mythology for a loop, and is destined to catch the audience off guard. However, not only will it set up a brand new hook that will inform the rest of season 2, but it could play into not only future seasons but potential spinoffs, expansions, and everything in between. However, Mark – and the shadow his father left behind – is the narrative anchor that holds everything together from start to finish.

Every killer may be a cliché and no filler, but it’s in the lexicon for a reason, and it adds up Invincibleand return to tee. Sure, there are moments when things slow down for the sake of building character, deepening arcs, and cementing the dynamic of old and new, but the first four episodes of season 2 are easily digestible and highly bingeable, full of timeliness and not so. subtle trips to the two underwater kingdoms of Atlantis and a city that is Gotham in everything but name.

Unfortunately, and it’s not a huge spoiler to say, the multiverse is also in play. It’s probably coincidental given the amount of time Invincible being developed after it was first renewed and how long ago the source material was first published, but when both the MCU and the DCEU are grappling with continuing so much in the concept of branching timelines and the alternate realities, another great superhero property is dying. arguably the best new drama comes at the wrong time for the medium.

That is not to say Invincible It won’t take off with the style and aplomb we’ve come to expect – and these first four episodes help make a very strong case as to why – but there’s always the potential to wow many audience members. his eyes and sigh, “Jeez, the multiverse again?!?”

The dad questions of the costume horse are another well-worn path, but in this case, it’s easy to see – and rightfully so – why Mark would be so wary of comparisons to Omni-Man given that He is a genocidal maniac who threatens him. reduce the whole world to rubble before fleeing​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​in a cowardly way. He’s definitely a superhero, it’s in his blood, but as much as he follows in the family business, there’s always an internal conflict about whether he’s doing it the right way or not.

Angstrom Levy Sterling K. Brown is introduced as the new big bad, and he has a very interesting set of abilities and a completely justifiable reason to make Mark his best target, but for an episodic title with a ridiculously vocal repertoire studded with it – many of them that pop up only for a short cameo or guest spot – the focus will not be far away from the main character. It’s in the middle of the storm figuratively and literally, and it’s a breath of fresh air to find such a sprawling superhero saga laser-focused on its emotional aspects and human side regardless of its A-list roster and Countless action beats. .

Two Invincible It hasn’t been ranked as one of the best comic book adaptations to hit the small screen in a long time, then returning bigger and better than ever for season 2 throws it right into the mix. It’s a huge universe out there, one that’s barely even explored yet, but its greatest strength is that Mark Grayson’s trials and tribulations never fade from the spotlight.