In an era of superhero fatigue, Prime Video continues to dominate the modern comic book landscape via animated avenues. Season 3 of Invincible was lauded for blending an engrossing narrative, blistering action, and jaw-dropping brutality into an emotional rollercoaster event unlike any other on streaming. Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) faced off against evil multiverse variations of himself and the maniacal Viltrumite Conquest (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in a barbaric fight to the death during the season’s climax. A conclusion exceeding fans’ wildest expectations and serving as a visual and narrative peak for the Emmy-nominated animated series.
Now, after a year-long wait, Invincible Season 4 is set to culminate five years’ worth of build-up. Co-showrunner/original creator Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) and co-showrunner Simon Racioppa (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) are challenged to exceed expectations as the Prime Video show approaches the ultimate threat of the Viltrumite War. One orchestrated by the villain of all villains, Grand Regent Thragg (Lee Pace). Widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Invincible comics, this war threatens a calamitous invasion of Earth, scathed by unapologetic bloodshed. Only one question remains: Can Invincible Season 4 match the heights of its predecessor, or will the attempt to do so fumble a generational achievement in storytelling?
A Darker Side to Mark Grayson
Years of superhero heroics, psychological trauma, and numerous near-death experiences fester into a darker, more austere approach to Mark Grayson in Invincible Season 4. Once again donning blue-and-black spandex, an indication of his moral descent, the titular hero continues to subvert the genre’s stereotypes with flair. Where other franchises may indulge in the ethos of “with great power comes great responsibility”, Invincible questions why great catastrophe also comes with this power. Ordinary citizens suffer gravely from Invincible’s battles with ethical dilemmas: whether to eliminate the villain to avoid future death or maintain moral superiority, knowing the consequential risks. It’s an unconventional yet gripping trolley problem.
The philosophical approach to this season’s ultimatum-styled mindset lends a refreshing dilemma for Mark, maturing the character from boy to man. Tormenting him with the concept of becoming his genocidal father, Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons), and bestowing unanswerable questions upon him. A terrifying pressure is arriving on the verge of his breaking point. Throughout these first 6 episodes, Mark’s character arc remains exhilaratingly unpredictable. A methodical whirlwind of emotions guarantees to make weekly releases painstakingly difficult and send fans into a flurry of excited conversation. Mark’s battle with the self is a highlight this season, as Steven Yeun (Beef) delivers another stellar performance that further elevates the show’s brilliance, reinforcing Invincible as Prime Video’s best superhero series, period.
The Viltrumite War is Upon Us
Meticulous and disciplined, co-showrunners Robert Kirkman and Simon Racioppa have structured Invincible with tantalizing patience. Balancing passionate thrills of the present with assurance of future threats, this new season remains jam-packed with a variety of characters, but never overburdened. Earlier episodes of Invincible Season 4 follow a familiar structure before deviating to focus on the war against the Viltrumites. Until now,Invincible had prioritized teasing the Viltrumites’ towering villainy, whereas viewers can now expect the mysterious origins of their colonizing desperation to be explained, along with the looming threat of Lee Pace’s (The Running Man) powerful Thragg stepping into the spotlight.
Ferociously paced, these first 6 out of 8 episodes showcase an astounding restraint that derives pleasure from the central, slow-burning narrative. When gas is applied to this metaphorical pedal, however, Invincible Season 4 drives forward with an utterly entrancing, adrenaline-fuelled force. Progress on Mark and Allen the Alien’s (Seth Rogen) fight against the Viltrumites is given generous screen time, blessed by captivating rematches between heroes and villains. Immersing audiences in this obscure world, where each episode flies by and deserves instantaneous rewatch. Admittedly, the reserved consequences for the main cast and the minor off-screen war progress are unusually questionable. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that Invincible always saves the best episodes for last.
Character Relationships are More Nuanced Than Ever in Invincible Season 4
While the series has never lacked heart, the fourth season reaps more familial reward than past, deliberately slimming down on side plots and shifting to an interpersonal focus as the episodes roll on. Debbie Grayson (Sandra Oh), Oliver (Christian Convery), and Mark’s disfigured dynamic with Omni-Man advances as the former villain discovers conflicted repentance for his past. Fans even get thrown a detrimental curveball with Atom Eve’s (Gillian Jacobs) new struggle with her powers. This only raises enticing questions about her relationship with the mentally absent Mark. As a whole, the Grayson family supports each other as emotional crutches, making their sincerity and love genuinely moving. Their strong family bond is a stark contrast to Season 4’s brutal violence.
This overloading of trauma, love, and grief can be almost overwhelming, yet never teeters too far into this territory. Instead, the line is balanced diligently, and despite the show’s superpowered elements, it always carries an air of stinging relatability. More nuanced than ever, the series dives deeper into the emotional consequences of Omni-Man’s actions from Season 1. Omni-Man’s reintroduction feels deserving, with his uneasy presence keeping audiences on their toes regarding his true motives. Cecil (Walton Goggins) and the Guardians of the Globe take a back seat. However, this allows other significant character arcs to drive forward. Even then, the episodes featuring these characters and their deliberation on Mark’s moral descent find delight in their contributions, no matter how minuscule.
Lee Pace’s Thragg Teases the Ultimate Villain
Possessing a rich comic book run with few minor stumbles, Invincible conjures a stronger momentum with each season. This latest chapter is no different. Fans may rightfully view Conquest as a series highlight so far, but Thragg’s commanding appearances and impending totalitarian state offer addictively frightening possibilities. With each episode, there is a moment when viewers question how a scene can be topped, only for the next episode to drop their jaws further.
Lee Pace’s antagonist is saved for pivotal scenes, but his tyrannical aura and intimidating voice blend into a deadly concoction that complements Season 4 tremendously, adding a damning gravitas to the idea of Viltrumite victory. Emotionally subdued, Thragg is simply terrifying. His Hannibal Lecter-like stoicism offers a villain worthy of years-long hype. To truly stick the landing and top Conquest’s savageness, though, the final two episodes of Invincible Season 4 must surpass the animation quality of past battles. This will be put to the test by next month when the season comes to an end.
Prime Video’s Invincible boasts another sublime feat in mature superhero storytelling. Teeming with monumentous stakes and an emotionally gripping story, the series balances a darker approach, intense clashes, and subtle humor in this fourth season. Unlike other comic book adaptations on TV, the sky continues to be the limit for this animated Prime Video original series.
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2
Invincible Season 4 premieres on Prime Video on March 18!
Created by Robert Kirkman.
Based on Invincible by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, & Ryan Ottley.
Developed by Robert Kirkman & Simon Racioppa.
Showrunner: Simon Racioppa.
Executive Producers: Robert Kirkman, Simon Racioppa, Cory Walker, David Alpert, Catherine Winder, Margaret M. Dean, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, & Helen Leigh.
Main Voice Cast: Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. Simmons, Lee Pace, Danai Gurira, Matthew Rhys, Christian Convery, Gillian Jacobs, Walton Goggins, Andrew Rannells, Seth Rogen, Chris Diamantopoulos, Ross Marquand, Jason Mantzoukas, Grey Griffin, Jay Pharoah, Zachary Quinto, Malese Jow,, Khary Payton, Ben Schwartz, Kevin Michael Richardson, Mark Hamill, Clancy Brown, Sterling K. Brown, Mahershala Ali, Michael Dorn, Aaron Paul, Peter Cullen, Calista Flockhart, Zazie Beetz, Eric Bauza, Fred Tatasciore, Phil LaMarr, Tatiana Maslany, Shantel VanSanten, John DiMaggio, Simu Liu, Tzi Ma, Jonathan Banks, Doug Bradley, Kate Mara, & Xolo Maridueña.
Production Companies: Skybound North, Wind Sun Sky Entertainment, Skybound Animation, Point Grey Pictures, & Amazon MGM Studios.
Composer: John Paesano.
Episode Count: 8 (Season 4).
