Invincible, Season Four: There's an 'I' in THIS Team, and It's Inspirational

By John Kirk

Rating: A

Invincible is the continuing story of Mark Greyson’s life after the discovery of his super-powers - and the revelation that his dad is an alien conqueror preparing the Earth to be a chattel planet for his empire … yada yada.

But the real success of this animated series is the team of creators and performers who all combine their super powers to create a TV series that is the essential comic fan trope collection in one package. Based on the comic by Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley and Cory Walker, Season Four just dropped on Prime Video Canada, much to fans’ delight.

Rex Splode (voiced by Jason Mantzoukas) and Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun)

Every comic superhero trope has been re-invented in this series: alien invasion, parasitic invasion, organized crime wave, inter-dimensional attacks, giant Kaiju-like monsters threatening the peace of the planet. Megalomaniac scientific genius bent on taking over the world. I mean, the list goes on. Oh – don’t forget Mark’s father’s race – the Viltrumites are still interested in … yeah, invading.

Lots of invasions in comics.

But at the heart of this story is the notion of how to use power effectively and correctly. Mark possesses super strength, flight, a degree of invulnerability that allows him to even leave the planet. His power is nearly limitless and he can do anything with it. However, he chooses to do the right thing in protecting and serving others.

Every episode is a study in free will exercising great power. And, much along the lines of why Spider-Man is such a compelling character in comics, Mark Greyson, aka Invincible, also wrestles with these decisions. That’s the draw to this show.

Which is why it needs a talented cast to be able to pull it off. While all the performances are voiced, there is still the notion of delivering the lines with passion and a sense of conviction that matches not only each character’s ambitions but their personalities.

Sandra Oh voices Mark’s mother, Debbie. I don’t know about you but to me, Sandra Oh’s voice is rich and comforting, matching exactly what Debbie Greyson needs to be for her two sons, abandoned by their alien father.

Speaking of whom, J.K. Simmons plays Nolan, aka Omni-Man, earth’s greatest superhero until his betrayal and abandonment of his adopted planet. While Nolan was the epitome of every dad, with his cheesy thick mustache (which we learn is a Viltrumite facial trait), Simmons’ voice instantly fits that bill.

Likewise, Seth Rogen, with his affable and chummy nature, voices Allen the Alien, a cosmic hero whose mission it is to serve the Coalition of Planets and stop the remaining Viltrumites from … yes, invading other planets.

(Again, with the invasions.)

But not only does Rogen express this charm, he’s also a major comic book nerd who would jump at the chance to not only perform in this project but also co-produce it. Conviction and character make the success of this show and it’s a delight to anyone who’s ever read Spider-Man, Superman, The Fantastic Four or the Avengers.

This show deals with superheroes but it also questions the way they use their power. Cecil Stedman (Walton Goggins) is the director of the Global Defence Agency, an oversight organization that coordinates the actions of superheroes. However, we learn that even Stedman isn’t as altruistic in his ambitions as one would imagine someone in his position should be. Even the person who questions the superheroes gets questioned too.

It’s this constant examination of moral quandaries that keeps fans coming back for more. But it’s Kirkman, Walker and Ottley’s positive vision of a what a human with nearly unlimited power  would do. It’s a feel-good story that reaffirms the sense that people can be good when given the opportunity and that’s the type of superhero story I love to see come to life.

Of course, having high-level talent in the Nerd-Sphere like Mark Hamill, Gillian Jacobs, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Tatiana Maslany, Fred Tatasciore … well, that will keep me coming back for more as well.

Invincible, Season Four. Producers: Robert Kirkman, Simon Racioppa, Cory Walker, David Alpert, Margaret M. Dean, Catherine Winder, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg

Cast (Voices): Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, J.K. Simmons, Walton Goggins, Gillian Jacobs, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Tatiana Maslany, Mark Hamill, Fred Tatasciore, Chris Diamanatopolous, Seth Rogen.

Invincible, Season Four is streaming on Prime Video Canada now.