Invincible Season 3 Review: TV’s Best Animated Superhero Show Returns

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Over the past few years, the genre of animated superheroes has grown significantly, becoming more complex and mature. This evolution is evident in movies like the “Spider-Verse” series, as well as the upcoming “X-Men ’97” in 2024 and the two-part adaptation of “Watchmen”. In 2021, this maturation reached a defining point with the adaptation of “Invincible”. The second season held its ground and even contested the notion of superhero exhaustion. As we move into its third season, “Invincible” continues to embody the spirit of Saturday morning cartoons for adults who were raised on shows like “Batman: The Animated Series”.

Instead of just the language, blood, or mature content that distinguishes Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) and his crew in the series, it’s the themes that truly set it apart. Season 3 delves into challenging yet relatable topics, such as the essence of heroism, the costs involved in safeguarding the greater good, and the profound nature of forgiveness. While these ideas may appear familiar to fans of ’80s or ’90s animated superhero series (or anyone who’s ever read a comic book), Invincible often surpasses expectations by portraying its protagonist, Mark/Invincible, as genuinely imperfect. He commits mistakes, and as we discovered in the emotional Season 2 finale, Mark is capable of losing self-control. He’s capable of taking lives.

Over the first six out of eight episodes released in the third season (with two more yet to come), “Invincible” continues to impress with its mature narrative and nostalgic animation that places it among the top comic book adaptations of the decade. The characters, both heroes and villains, develop significantly, making me eager for what’s to come in the series. However, at times, I found myself questioning the broader plot, which seems apparent even to those like me who are not familiar with the original comic. Consequently, certain storylines might appear as filler, serving merely as a bridge towards the climactic confrontation. Yet, these segments are some of the most engaging fillers I’ve encountered.

Familiar Themes Presented in an Unfamiliar Way

Season 3 starts off showing Mark being highly driven following his actions in the Season 2 finale where he took Angstrom Levy’s life. Unlike typical opening montages that occur mid-story, this season of Invincible begins with a classic training montage, as Mark works tirelessly to become stronger and faster to deal with the Viltrumite forces and manage his powers. He is determined to correct the mistakes of his past and his father’s, striving to align his moral compass in order to become the hero he aspires to be. In the world of Invincible, the distinction between right and wrong can sometimes be unclear.

Occasionally, Mark seems to lean towards questionable behavior, disguising it as what he believes is right. This, in turn, results in conflicts between Invincible and his ethically complex superior, Cecil Stedman (portrayed by Walton Goggins). Despite Mark’s actions, it becomes clear why they can’t agree on principles – their contrasting viewpoints are clearly depicted through their well-developed characters. For instance, Mark is determined to avoid following in his father’s violent, power-seeking footsteps, while Cecil feels he can’t afford the luxury of considering personal morality. Over two seasons, viewers finally get insights into Cecil’s past, providing a deeper understanding of his character and offering some of the season’s most captivating moments.

Talking about some standout scenes from this season, I can’t help but bring up the first seven minutes of the third episode, where there isn’t any dialogue. Instead, we see two struggling characters trying to rob a bank, unsuccessfully transitioning into law-abiding citizens, and eventually slipping back into a life of crime. A poignant musical piece adds an emotional touch. This kind of scene is rare in similar shows, but it’s another testament to the unique appeal of Invincible.

If This Is Filler, It’s Some of the Best I’ve Ever Watched

Despite my continuous admiration for the thematic coherence displayed in Season 3 of Invincible, I encountered moments of annoyance as the series seemed reluctant to push its main plot forward substantially. Ever since Anissa, the Viltrumite warrior (portrayed by Shantel VanSanten), arrived on Earth to challenge Mark and persuade him to fulfill his destiny as a world conqueror towards the end of Season 2, not much progress has been made regarding what appears to be an impending intergalactic war. Although it’s likely that Mark’s father, Nolan/Omni-Man (played by J.K. Simmons), will participate in this conflict, the intricate antagonist is frequently absent from Season 3’s initial six episodes.

As we anticipate the return of the Viltrumites to Earth, the storyline frequently shifts to tales of time travel adventures, dragon battles, and power struggles among the Guardians of the Globe. Even a three-minute mid-season recap is included in the third season, though it provides additional details, it seems somewhat superfluous. However, some storylines may appear as filler leading up to the climactic battle, but they rarely feel that way while watching due to the characters’ choices shaping each plot development, which seem well-thought-out and well-defined.

Apart from Eve (Gillian Jacobs), who primarily serves as a romantic interest and emotional support in Season 3 of “Invincible,” the principal characters undergo significant development. Debbie, played by Sandra Oh, grapples with her role as a mother to an alien child who’s essentially the ex-husband. On the other hand, Rex Splode (Jason Mantzoukas), previously known for comic relief, shifts gears by assuming his responsibilities as a friend and hero more earnestly. While these storylines might appear ordinary at first glance, “Invincible” manages to present them with such sensitivity that even the melodramatic elements become intriguing.

Indeed, I eagerly anticipate the moment when Invincible confronts the Viltrumite empire, yet I’m equally content to observe Mark grapple with his personal issues such as managing work and family life, and being a caring brother. Similarly, I look forward to witnessing him tackle various eccentric weekly villains. At times, it can get quite bizarre, but when the characters are this captivating, I’m more than willing to join them in their most peculiar conflicts.

The Best Cast on Television Gets Even Better

One enjoyable aspect of watching the series Invincible is the game of ‘Identify That Voice’, featuring a variety of familiar actors such as Ben Schwartz, Mark Hamill, Seth Rogen, Sterling K. Brown, Zachary Quinto, Mahershala Ali, Calista Flockhart, Rhea Seehorn, Tatiana Maslany, and Zazie Beetz. It’s almost overwhelming when you realize that you’ve named ten actors without even mentioning Jon Hamm, Scoot McNairy, Djimon Hounsou, Jay Pharoah, Daveed Diggs, Jonathan Groff, Ella Purnell, and Chloe Bennet.

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Season 3 is not just coasting on past success; instead, it’s elevating its already exceptional ensemble cast with the arrival of Simu Liu, Aaron Paul, Kate Mara, Xolo Maridueña, and some exciting newcomers. Each actor delivers standout performances, but Liu and Paul truly shine in their more intricate roles. Specifically, Aaron Paul’s character gets a moving episode where he confronts Mark about the aftermath of his Chicago battle from Season 1, which resulted in heavy losses. This poignant storyline not only deepens existing themes and explores Mark’s internal struggles but also benefits greatly from Paul’s powerful performance, making this narrative even more impactful.

This fresh batch of episodes boasts an abundance of talented voices, intricate villains, emotional character developments, and yes, even a dragon, yet leaves me yearning for more, mostly in a positive sense. Fortunately, the final two episodes of the season seem poised to introduce some potentially world-changing and cosmic clashes. If you consider Invincible to be merely an adult-oriented Saturday morning superhero show, then I eagerly anticipate my next chance to relax on the couch in my pajamas with a large bowl of cereal, immersing myself fully in each moment of it.

Beginning February 6th, Thursdays will see the debut of the initial three episodes of Invincible Season 3 on Amazon Prime Video. New episodes will follow each week, also available every Thursday. To catch up or continue watching, click on the provided link below: [Link]

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2025-02-03 18:03