The newest show created in 2021 exclusively on Amazon Prime, “Invincible” becomes the new brand of superhero television. New superhero Mark Grayson learns to be human, but with alien powers. Taking place in a comic world created by Robert Kirkman filled with superheroes in their bloody, realistic life. During its debut, it received a 8.7/10 by IMDB and 98% on Rotten Tomatoes

The main protagonist of “Invincible” is Mark Grayson, voiced by Steven Yeun. Mark is just a normal teenager, despite the fact that his father is the most powerful being on Earth, Nolan Grayson, the Omi-man. As Mark begins to develop his powers inherited from his father, Nolan must shape his son to become a superhero. Teaching him valuable lessons to be headstrong, calculated, and ruthless. As Mark takes on the superhero name “Invincible,” the story tracks his journey to becoming more like his father: Defeating bad guys, fighting aliens, and falling in love being the subject in every episode.
During Mark’s story, hints at the true character and motivations of Omi-man are dropped in. In each episode, the viewer sees him unravel into a monster.

“Invincible” is a firm 6 feet from any definition of a kids superhero cartoon. In recent years, grittier versions of superhero stories have begun to come out of the woodwork. Shows like “The Boys”(Amazon Prime) and “Hancock” have shown realistic consequences of what an actual superhero would go through. Whether it be fame and celebrity status or hatred for collateral damage, it’s setting the table for a new look at how a superhero is perceived. But “Invincible” paints a picture, not so much of the societal consequences, but the bloody consequences. This show does not shy away by showing human casualties and killing them in painful ways. By animating bone fragments and viscera in disgusting ways.

This show breaks expectations right off the bat. During the pilot episode, the directors seem to draw a line in the sand on how much violence they would animate. There is no disclaimer or hint that they would hand animate, bit by bit each blood drop, every fragment flying through the air and viscera during action scenes. It’s shocking and revolting to viewers the amount of realism. What would happen if superhuman strength tightened its grip on a human skull. That’s what pulls the viewer into the show. It pulls in adults who now understand what carnage would look like if heroes were real. And a hopeful distance from the person they can see themselves in Omi-man.

But beneath the violence, the writing of the characters is contrived and cliche. This show can be shoehorn in tropes like the hero being bullied or a love triangle between Mark, someone normal, and another superhero. Most of the villains are unimpressive, whittling them down to cheesy one-liners and paper-thin motives. Plot lines like the hero falling to rock bottom in every episode are so overdone in mainstream media. It’s disappointing how everything is back to normal at the end of the episode, no matter how high the risks are during that episode.

However, it’s easy to overlook all of those flaws for the development of one of Mark and his father. Full of depth and optimism for the future, it’s inspiring to see Mark go through similar stresses that many audience members would relate to, such as self-doubt and societal pressures.

People who are susceptible to the teen drama franchise and enjoy superheroes, watch “Invincible.” The mature themes, intriguing plot, and overall performance of the actors make this show Incredible.