Warning: Spoilers are kept to a minimum. I don't go into great detail, that way you can have that joy all to yourself. But yeah. This is a review. So, you've been warned.
Amazon Prime Video's Invincible is an adult animation series (also comic book series) created by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker. You may recognize Robert Kirkman's name from The Walking Dead TV show on AMC. And yes, the gore and drama in both franchises just screams Robert Kirkman's name. If you have an interest in The Walking Dead, Invincible may be a franchise you will enjoy, too.
Invincible Season 2 premieres on Amazon Prime Video November 3, 2023. So, before then, I will review all 8 episodes of Season 1. Just for fun.
The story: Mark Grayson is an average teen with an above average dad, the world's most powerful superhero Omni-Man. Things change for the young Mark as soon as his superpowers arrive. He must learn to adapt to his new powers, while also living a normal teenage life in high school. Yeah. Good luck with that, bro!
With that said, my review comes with (3) winks and (3) blinks. Winks mean that the series deserves some extra love for that bit, while blinks mean, "What did I just watch?"
- Familiar voice actors. For real. There are so many recognizable voice actors that I'm still reaching for my jaw on the floor: Steven Yeun, "The Walking Dead" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer;" Saundra Oh, "Grey's Anatomy" and "American Dragon Jake Long;" J.K. Simmons, "Whipflash" and "The Yellow M&M;" Kevin Michael Richardson, "Teen Titans" and "Teen Titans Go!;" Lennie James, "The Walking Dead" and "Fear the Walking Dead;" Mae Whitman, "Tinkerbell" and "Independence Day;" Mark Hamill, "Star Wars" and "The Joker." And so many more! Seriously. If you're a fan of animation, go check out the list. It's amazing!
- Guardians of the Globe. This team is a love letter to DC's The Justice League. They have their own Batman (Darkwing). Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl (War Woman). The Flash (Red Rush). Martian Manhunter (Martian Man). Aquaman (Aquarus). I mean, I'm still smiling just thinking about their similarities. This team is my favorite part of this entire episode.
- Omni-Man vs Guardians of the Globe. Oh wow! This sequence is a real sucker punch to the gut. No kidding. I mean, the fight is awesome. The animation is amazing, too. But. Oh my gosh! My favorite part of the episode...split! And if you watch the episode, you'll see how.
- Teens don't talk like that. Yes, I know this is an adult series. But come on. It sounds like the writers looked up some teen slang, then slapped some adult-like dialogue to the bodies of teenagers. Okay. The cast members are all 30+ years old. I get it. But that doesn't mean they have to sound that old, too. (Example: Will Friedle played Terry McGinnis/Batman in DC's Batman Beyond. A teen with some real attitude. But Will Friedle was 10 years older than his character and still made it believable. You may also recognize this name from Disney's Kim Possible. He played Kim's best friend Ron Stoppable. Another teen character that actually sounded like one.) I'm just saying that older adult voice actors can make teen characters work, if their dialogue is written from a believable standpoint. But so far, this episode's dialogue at times just makes me cringe.
- "Fly time with Dad." This sequence was just painful to watch. No, I did not expect Mark Grayson (Invincible) to be a natural superhero. I understand we have to see him fail so we can see him grow. I get it. But his father, Omni-Man, is the most powerful superhero in the world. You'd think the old man would have at least taught his son how to throw a punch or two before puberty.
- Not enough Guardians of the Globe. After meeting these characters, I'd so watch a prequel series of this team. Atom Eve got a whole episode to herself. Maybe Amazon and Robert Kirkman could give this team a prequel episode. Because we saw just a tiny bit of their lives. Then, BAM! Sucker punch to the gut. My disappointment doesn't begin to cover it.
Overall rating: 4.0 out of 5.0.
In all honesty, this is a fun first episode. The surprise ending makes me want to come back for more. And yes, I can't wait to review episode 2.
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Disclaimer: This is meant to be satire. My opinions are my own as a viewer. And no, I am not affiliated with any of these shows or their production companies. ?2023 Wen Dee.
