Invincible’s Most Cringeworthy Crusaders: 10 Superpowers That Are More Curse Than Blessing

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In the grisly realm of Invincible, power doesn’t merely lead to corruption; it annihilates. Based on Robert Kirkman’s comics, this series offers a brutal, emotionally harrowing take on the superhero genre, where the consequences of a fist fight are realistic and often require significant destruction to save the world. What sets Invincible apart isn’t just its propensity for bloodshed or its stunningly violent animation, but its unyielding stance that having superpowers doesn’t automatically make one good – or even capable. This is a series where morality is not about catchphrases, but about shared pain, and where every heroic moment is followed by an icy low. The show encourages us to question not only what occurs when teenagers gain powers, but whether anyone should ever possess such power – particularly in a world that considers omnipotence as a side job.

Despite its depiction of muscular deities and complex moral predicaments, the series Invincible also offers ample screentime to the seemingly ordinary, even tragically mundane. Not every protagonist receives the ability to fly or exhibit laser vision; some are left with ropes, duplication, or tentacles. While it’s tempting to marvel at the might of Omni-Man or the resolve of Atom Eve, there is a peculiar allure in the opposite extreme of the superpowered spectrum: characters burdened with powers more akin to mild inconveniences than extraordinary abilities. These are the heroes and villains who provoke contemplation about whether having powers might not improve life, but rather complicate it – the kind that barely manage to make an appearance in the foreground or background of group scenes. In tribute to these unassuming combatants, here are 10 of the most feeble, bizarre, and redundant superpowered characters from Invincible.

10
Komodo Dragon

Voiced by Jay Pharoah

The Komodo Dragon character, portrayed exuberantly by Jay Pharoah, seems to embody a concept that was hastily approved towards the end of the workday. To express it kindly, he’s an active member in the criminal underworld’s supporting cast. He sports scales, sharp claws, and a bravado typically associated with those who’ve never experienced being crushed by a building. In essence, the Komodo Dragon feels like a superhero name that ran out of funding before it could be fully developed. He was briefly introduced in Invincible, joining the ranks of numerous secondary villains who make their appearance only to meet an untimely demise.

Just a Lizard Guy

The issue here is that his only asset is being a Komodo Dragon. Although transforming into a large lizard could be impressive in another series, Invincible isn’t like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In this universe, where even secondary characters can demolish city blocks or recover from near-death situations, the Komodo Dragon is merely a tougher-to-kill henchman. He lacks fire breathing abilities, venom, or healing powers like Wolverine, and all he’s got going for him are his aura and scales. In this world, he’s the kind of character who arrives with aspirations of being King Ghidorah but ends up being treated like an arrogant gecko instead.

9
Tether Tyrant

Voiced by Reginald VelJohnson

He possesses vibrant hues, unbridled excitement, and an aura that seems dangerously potent, almost requiring a disclaimer. His function in the production predominantly revolves around bolstering fight sequences and receiving impactful blows, causing you to briefly ponder, “Hold up, who was that once more?” The character known as Tether Tyrant surprisingly occupies a substantial portion of the screen despite his entire battle strategy essentially being “an intense game of tug-of-war.” Delivered with charming exhaustion by Reginald VelJohnson, he is portrayed in both the comics and the series as a moderately malevolent figure with a lot of zest but limited success.

Ropes… Really?

In simpler terms, it’s not that Tether Tyrant’s abilities don’t function – they simply aren’t significant in the face of opponents who can move at supersonic speeds, create force fields, or even shatter mountains. He’s essentially using heavy-duty resistance bands when everyone else is wielding swords. His tethers are capable of binding and hurling people, but they lack the ability to cause harm, expand, or adapt. It’s like showing up to a fight with a pool noodle instead of a sword. To make matters worse, his power presentation often veers towards the comical, making each encounter feel like an awkward blend of American Gladiators and a violent film.

8
Isotope

Voiced by Chris Diamantopoulos

In a chilling tone that Chris Diamantopoulos delivers, Isotope serves as both enforcer and driver for Machine Head, among others. Isotope may appear powerful in the criminal underworld, but his influence is comparable to that of a VIP who owns a limousine. His ability to teleport allows him to swiftly transport villains around town, making him an essential logistics asset, yet he falls short in combat situations, often entering or exiting fights with little involvement. He embodies the character in a video game like Grand Theft Auto who never completes the mission but is always ready with a fast vehicle at hand.

The Laziest Uber Ever

In theory, teleportation is an incredibly powerful ability, as demonstrated by characters like Nightcrawler, Blink, and Jumper. However, in Isotope’s case, it seems to be woefully underutilized. In a world like Invincible, where power levels are staggering and battles often result in gruesome outcomes, the ability to teleport should make one virtually unstoppable. Instead, Isotope appears to use his power primarily for chauffeuring nefarious individuals from one location to another, resembling more a world-weary valet than a powerful demigod. If you were to give a demigod’s powers to a simple valet, this would be the result: pure, untapped potential encased in practical attire.

7
Multi-Paul

Voiced by Simu Liu

In simpler terms, Multi-Paul, much like the slicker, less helpful version of Dupli-Kate, possesses identical cloning abilities. However, he comes off as more arrogant and unhelpful compared to Kate. He doesn’t play a significant role in the series (so far), but his appearances are enough to label him as an overconfident extra with leading character attitude. Voiced by Simu Liu, he radiates the feeling of someone who has shared The Art of War on their social media stories and considers discussing philosophy on first dates as a sign of chivalry. Unlike Dupli-Kate, who can hold her own in a fight, Multi-Paul’s main talent appears to be inflating his own ego.

Self-Multiplying Narcissist

In a world where being strong, swift, and durable can determine whether one survives heroically or meets an unfortunate end on the sidewalk, the capacity to duplicate yourself isn’t necessarily useless – however, Multi-Paul makes it seem that way. His duplicates don’t amplify his power; instead, they weaken his impact. There’s no hint of strategy or collaboration from himself, just multiple individuals in a room getting hit simultaneously. And when the protagonist’s father is a flying deity with a mustache who can behead you mid-conversation, a horde of weak imitations of Paul might as well be performing improv comedy in a shopping mall food court.

6
Shrinking Rae

(Voiced by Grey DeLisle)

Character Analysis: Shrinking Rae
Shrinking Rae is one of those characters who leaves you questioning if Kirkman crafted her powers specifically to demonstrate their insignificance. However, being from the world of Invincible, her storyline doesn’t get much time to unfold. In the comics, she meets an abrupt end, squashed almost instantly, much like a thumbtack on a busy highway. Her screen presence in the show is fleeting, and given her power, it feels distressingly fitting.

Tiny and tragically fragile

In a world where size doesn’t just matter, it defines survival, shrinking isn’t exactly a superpower to brag about. Ant-Man and The Atom have managed to make it amusing and thought-provoking respectively. But when it comes to Rae, she transforms it into something heartrending. In a universe where every fight leaves a trail of destruction, being small merely means there’s less of you to pick up from the ground. She doesn’t get any additional durability or density, just a raw deal in a world filled with giants. It’s like walking into a Godzilla battle armed only with a magnifying glass and good vibes. In another series, Rae could have been a brilliant tactical advantage. However, in Invincible, she’s more like the sacrificial lamb, and her voice actor certainly deserves a better role.

5
Bi-Plane

Voiced by Ross Marquand

Bi-Plane, portrayed by Ross Marquand, resembles a situation where an elderly individual has been strapped into a makeshift rocket pack and sent towards a heinous act. It seems devoid of any mythology, intimidation, or enigma. Instead, it presents an image of an aged person donning a second-hand Iron Man suit, charging into conflicts where individuals are cut in half like ripe produce. If you’re questioning whether this character has ever emerged victorious from a battle, the response is negative – and based on his name, we can infer that finesse might not be his forte.

Old Man in a Mech Suit

In the brutal playground of the comic book series ‘Invincible’, power levels shift as dramatically as its family relationships, and Bi-Plane stands out like an impending death notice. He introduces technology into fistfights with gods, but his equipment is far from impressive – it’s cumbersome, sluggish, and seems to operate on diesel and remorse. If he were in a different universe, perhaps his suit would boast advanced weaponry, hacking capabilities, or an escape plan. In this world, though, he’s essentially a cosplay participant who stumbled into ‘The Boys’. The only thing bi about Bi-Plane is that he’s consistently split apart by the time the credits finish rolling.

4
Killcannon

Voiced by Fred Tatasciore

Characterized as the human equivalent of shouting “pew pew” at a reflection and considering that a character trait, Killcannon is voiced with great vigor by Fred Tatasciore. In the series Invincible, he resembles a moderately difficult boss from a 2004 video game who miraculously broke free from the tutorial stage. Equipped with an enormous cannon arm and some indistinct cybernetic upgrades, these features fail to shield him from being utterly defeated in every appearance. There’s neither strategy, progression, nor tension involved. Just explosions, gunfire, followed by a scene cut to a crater where his dignity once resided.

Low-Tier Villain With No Imagination

In simpler terms, the power that Killcannon possesses is quite simple compared to the destructive capabilities shown in ‘Invincible’. A weapon like a gun would have been impressive in 1986, but not in a world where buildings can be destroyed just by someone losing their temper. The main issue with Killcannon is that he sees his weapon as his only source of power, rather than recognizing it as a minor tool in the grand scheme of things. He lacks the intelligence to use it tactically, the strength to make it significant, and the impact to die in a memorable way. Essentially, he’s just there to prepare the main hero for the arrival of the real villain.

3
The Elephant

Voiced by John DiMaggio

The Elephant appears as if someone had given the term “bulky brute” an exaggerated interpretation. He’s colossal, tusked, and lent his voice by the legendary John DiMaggio; however, his grandeur doesn’t make him any less formidable than a dazed football player. His primary strategy is to charge headlong at the hero, banking on their forgetting how to evade. He’s powerful, indeed, but like a battering ram, he excels in one area and becomes ineffective when asked for anything beyond that.

Brute Force, Zero Brain

In the series where brainpower, adaptability, and brute force frequently clash in alarming manners, The Elephant is noticeably outmatched. He lacks any ranged attacks, possesses only the abilities of being large and enraged, and his contingency plan is merely to shout more loudly. He’s the character you use to test the strength of a wall – and in Invincible, the wall typically retaliates. Essentially, he’s similar to Rhino from Spider-Man, but without the emotional depth or much of the allure. If this character had a supervillain CV, it would consist solely of a gym membership and a headbutt.

2
Octoboss

Voiced by Fred Tatasciore

Octoboss, as his name suggests, is an octopus-style gangster whose identity revolves around having tentacles and a striped suit. Portrayed humorously by Fred Tatasciore, he’s more akin to Squidward on a casual day rather than Lex Luthor. He occasionally appears to deliver monologues, show off his limbs threateningly, and receive a knockdown that makes one wonder if he was designed to be anything more than a joke. He seems to head a crime organization, though it’s uncertain whether this organization is involved in real criminal activities or just clever marketing.

A Literal Octopus Crime Boss

When it comes to power, tentacles are quite versatile – they fit perfectly in horror stories, anime, and even for characters like Doc Ock because of their brilliance and terror. However, Octoboss seems more like a mascot from a sushi restaurant who decided to dabble in extortion. While he possesses strength, it’s not on the same level as a Viltrumite. His reach may be wide, but it doesn’t compare to the scope of a plot. What’s more problematic is that he lacks the necessary charisma or cruelty to make an impact. In the power rankings of Invincible, Octoboss falls between “easily defeatable” and “a topic we should move past.

1
Machine Head

Voiced by Jeffrey Donovan

In a confident digital tone, Jeffrey Donovan portrays a character with the charm of a Bond villain and the vocal effects reminiscent of a T-Pain demo tape. He’s slick, fashionable, and always seeming to be one step ahead… but not always. His grand scheme involves hiring a group of freelance assassins to eliminate Invincible and Titan. Machine Head, the city’s criminal mastermind, is supposed to be a cold-blooded, technologically advanced kingpin with enhanced processing capabilities and an extensive network of mercenaries at his disposal. However, this image is almost accurate – emphasis on ‘almost’ – but in the end, Machine Head turns out to be another tragic reminder that short-term strategies often triumph over long-term planning, especially when you can’t lift a tank.

A Brainy Robot With Voice Auto-Tune

In the world of Invincible, Machine Head appears formidable on paper, boasting advanced intelligence, cybernetic enhancements, and powerful criminal contacts – much like what might result from combining Lex Luthor with a music playlist. However, in this universe, brute force isn’t just superior to intellect; it annihilates it. Machine Head is physically weak, overconfident to the point of being cocky, and digitally processed to the extent that his menace feels more like a high-tech gadget than a genuine threat. When the fighting begins, his strategic worth crumbles under the weight of his arrogance, making him more of an elaborate boss battle with built-in speakers rather than a cunning adversary. He’s not a mastermind; he’s a challenging fight with integrated Bluetooth capabilities.

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2025-04-14 02:33