How Does The Invincible Animated Series Compare To The Comic
So, by now I am sure we have all seen Invincible, (an animated series on Amazon Prime written by Robert Kirkman) right? No? Well, what are you waiting for!? For those who have not here is a brief description. Mark Grayson is the teenage son of the world's most powerful superhero, Omni Man. He has been waiting his entire life to develop powers of his own and be like the man he looks up to. This season we watch as Mark gains his powers and learns to adapt to life with them amongst other surprises.
For those who have read Invincible, I am sure it was a joy to watch all of this unfold on screen in season one. The differences from comic to on-screen were enough to keep readers not only entertained but also on their toes not knowing exactly how the story was going to unfold. With that said we are going to jump into full spoiler territory for the series and the series only. To non-comic readers no worries I will not spoil things not known to the watcher-only community.
Let us begin with some of the things that were done well. The show starts with an introduction of The Guardians of the Globe saving the day against the Mauler Twins. The Guardians of the Globe are the Earth’s Mightiest heroes in this story. I think that was needed and brilliantly done. For everyone who saw the series, we know the death of the members of the Globe. Building that connection to the team was pivotal in making the audience feel sadness when they were all executed by Omni-Man. In the comic, this does not happen until a little later in the story. That was surprising that happened so early. I can see why it was translated this way to grasp fans and leave them wanting more. Then there is the subway scene. There are no words for how epic it was. Minor changes and the order of the story were made throughout the first season, but it flowed very well. Nothing felt out of place, and everything worked from a reader’s standpoint it was very pleasing. The first season did not follow the source material chapter for chapter, but it faired very well in its own right.
The representation of different races from characters was also done very well. Getting more people of color and early representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the character Will, which did not come out until much later in the comic was utterly amazing.
There is not much from the series that would be considered “bad”. The only thing is in the comic Amber is done completely differently and is in my opinion more likable than she is in the series. Her knowing that Mark was a superhero was infuriating. It painted Amber as a person who does not understand the bigger picture and would often make Mark choose between a date with her and saving the world. Overall, that is the only real complaint from comic to series translation.
The Invincible series overall was a perfect 10/10 for me and I cannot wait for what is next to come from the great author Robert Kirkland.
From all of us at Careful 4 Spoilers, we will see you all “On the next one.”