cPOP Universe - Invincible

Can Robert Kirkman do with comic book shows what he did with zombies?

I love everything about comic book movies, books, and shows. But in a world that is now inundated with all this fantastic content from DC, Marvel, and other outlets is there room for yet another comic book show? That was the question I had coming into this series. Robert Kirkman did amazing work injecting life back into zombies and for that reason alone I decided to give this a go.

Invincible is an adult animated super hero show based on the Skybound/Image comic of the same name. Written by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, it follows a teenager who's father is the most powerful hero in the world and he is just now coming into his powers.

Let's start with the easy stuff. The animation and design isn't groundbreaking as it feels familiar with what we've already seen from DC (Perhaps purposely). But it doesn't need to be. That's not where this needs to carve it's own path. More on that later. The voice acting is serviceable here with a real standout performance for me at least by Steven Yeun who voices Mark Grayson. Yeun played The Walking Dead's beloved Glenn so obviously already has a history with Kirkman.

The first episode took me for a real ride. I was not just getting into it at all. It felt like this show wanted to do an Injustice storyline with a dash of The Boys flare while using generic rip-offs of the Justice League playing the parts. It was so on the nose with including everyone and just tweaking their design and color scheme that I thought it was a parody for a moment.

But then the end of the first episode happened and took every preconceived notion I had and tossed it straight in the dumpster. WOW! I won't give spoilers but the ride you thought it was going to take you on ends abruptly in a extremely violent fashion. I left the first episode in straight shock from the event. After this moment we are left with what the show will truly become. This is the moment I felt the series going down it's own road and I got excited.

Invincible at its roots is a coming of age origin story for Mark Grayson. He's in high school and dealing with the fact that he not only has super powers but he will most likely one day be the most powerful being on the planet. If that's not enough he's also going to have to navigate the pitfalls and drama that come with high school This could get tropey quick but it avoids the hurdle with the endearing manner in which they write Grayson. Yeun's interpretation of the character is performed brilliantly substantially adding to the fun. From love issues to saving the city, I found myself rooting for him in a lot of the situations in which he finds himself tied up.

The writer's knew that an entire show full of this probably won't cut it. So they add in a mystery, set up in episode 1, that slowly plays out in the background. It's intriguing to say the very least. With my expectations subverted, I'm dying to know why! Why did this happen?!? Deep down though I know the why won't be nearly as layered as how this moment will ultimately affect our resident hero in the future and for myself that's the story I can't wait to watch unfold.

Adult animated? Yes, yes it is. There is gore and they do not shy away from it. But here's the thing, they don't overuse it. They aren't using it to shock you into feelings. (Though it will) It's used very appropriately. These characters have incredible powers and being such when one of them hit you with a fist, lightning bolt, or whatever it's going to make a mess. It gives weight to the moments when our hero's are fighting whichever villainous baddies that show up.

For better or worse we know Kirkman's history of killing main characters. I personally think it's a benefit and a curse. In the past he has went to far with it eventually and I have that concern here. But on the other side of the coin the feeling that at any moment we could lose a main character is very real and that alone ramps up the intensity of each encounter.

Do yourself a favor and give this a look......POP!