Action-adventure
Comedy-drama
Science fantasy
Superhero
CREATED BY
Robert Kirkman
Simon Racioppa
ANIMATION STUDIO
Skybound Animation
REVIEW
5/5
After watching the season 3 finale of Invincible, I have to say it’s one of the best shows currently available on streaming platforms. I grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, and Justice League. The animation style and storytelling in Invincible are on par with, if not superior to, those classics. The show excels at expanding on character backstories and development, crafting a coming-of-age narrative about a young man grappling with his identity as a superhero, especially after being betrayed by his own father.
Invincible about to learn from his dad
Angstrom being an overall nice guy and showing us how many cool worlds there are
I particularly enjoy the villains and their character arcs. Take Angstrom Levy, for example: a supervillain with the ability to travel across alternate dimensions. This power transforms the show into a fantastic science fiction experience, exploring the endless possibilities of different realities and what could have been for the characters. As someone who’s a sucker for multidimensional travel and time travel, Invincible delivers plenty of both. The depth of its storytelling even led me to dive deeper into the comics via a wiki, and I’m eager to see later plotlines brought to life on screen. I should really read the comic though. I'm very tempted. Just look at these art comparisons.
Angstrom Levy smartened in the animation
Angstrom Levy more smartened in the comic
Powerplex doing a light show
Powerplex blinding the whole lineup
Of course, there are a few downsides. The pacing can feel slow, especially if you're not invested in the characters' romantic relationships or their personal growth. The action, while thrilling when it happens, can sometimes be sparse. And when the action does arrive, it can get very gory—think full-on disembowelment, something you won’t see on your typical Saturday morning cartoons. The music doesn’t stand out much, but it’s not distracting either. What’s worth mentioning, though, is the use of licensed music. In the final scenes of the season 3 finale, "Every Day is Exactly the Same" by Nine Inch Nails played. As a fan of the band, I had one of those "Leonardo DiCaprio pointing meme" moments. However, there's a concern that the song's license could expire. This could mean that, much like the old MTV show Daria, future reruns or DVD releases might replace the licensed music with generic tracks.
Nobody wants this
But overall, I can’t wait for season 4. Before I go, let me leave you with a standout moment from the season 3 finale. The animation in that scene was spectacular—one of my first “Wow, this animation is amazing!” moments in the series. Don’t get me wrong, the rest of the animation isn’t bad, though some critics might argue and point out certain "PowerPoint-style" animation moments.
