Adaptations from books or comics has always put me in a weary state. Simultaneously, I am excited to experience the series in a new light yet dread improper execution. I understand that everything cannot be done to the minute details due to hampering a show’s run time. However, when major details change, I find myself between mildly and greatly annoyed at the unnecessary changes. Thankfully, Amazon’s adaptation provides a fun and refreshing air to Image Comics Invincible.
Invincible History
Invincible originally started with Image Comics from January 2003 and ended in February 2018. The comic book by Robert Kirkman (Battle Pope, Walking Dead) with the help of seasoned artist Robert Ottley. The story had simple origins of a young Mark Grayson acquiring superpowers and fighting bad guys while surviving high school. However, it quickly evolved into a saga involving dimensional travel, space, and continuous violence. Complimented with a unique cast of characters, morally complex dialogue, and eye-catching artwork, Invincible is a solid series.
Invincible TV Series
This is one of the few adaptions that erased my previously mentioned weariness. It provided amazing production of the beginning volumes and the animation sells famous events from the comic. Scenes like Mark donning his iconic yellow, black, and blue spandex suit or Omni-Man’s screen time is a treat. Albeit the occasional CGI pedestrian caught my attention, it is a small complaint next to the rest of the show. The voice work is a rare occurrence of a perfect cast with J.K. Simmons as Omni-Man and Steven Yeun as Invincible. In more ways in one, Invincible (TV Series) achieved a goal of making a near perfect adaptation.
Enhancing the Comics
As an Invincible fan, it is incredibly hard to keep my mouth shut about future events in the comics. However, considering that this is a spoiler-free essay, the show is impressive while handling key situations. The more immediate change was that of the Guardians of the Globe. At first the events of them gathering were the same yet the fight went completely different of the original. In fact, it was different to the point that it was better comparatively to the two pages in the comics. Mark’s fight against Machine Head and his confrontation with Omni-Man had surpassed the original with its animated choreography and choice of music.
The adaptation even corrected some of the pacing from the original comics. Characters and events have context instead of a quick panel to progress the story. Even though the tv series does not follow the comic timeline, it oddly refreshes things with newer details. New perspectives on old situations provide new insight while cutting out filler from the source material. The announcement of seasons 2 and three make the anticipation of more important events more worthwhile.
Conclusion
What makes Invincible worthy of its tag line (the best superhero comic book in the universe) is the overarching story. Along with a great story is the handling of landmine social issues like environmental struggles and planetary genocide. Invincible subverted certain superhero tropes and established story lines that had me eager to finish. Instead of a traditional comic where the reader must bounce around from one series to the next, Invincible is a journey. Witnessing Mark’s growth through animated seasons with respect for the original is a godsend. I am confident that Amazon’s Invincible will attract this roller coaster saga to old and new fans alike.
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