Invincible Season 3 Early Review

The following is a spoiler-free review of the first 6 (out of 8) episodes of Invincible Season 3, premiering Thursday. February 6th on Prime Video

Invincible, an adult animated action series based on the comic series by Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley, and Cory Walker, was a big hit once it arrived on Prime Video back in 2021. However, making viewers wait over 2 years for its second season only fueled their collective restlessness while the decision to release it in two parts (Part 1 review/Part 2 review), four months apart, was certainly a confounding one as the gap hurt the momentum of the season as the Grayson family were once again put to the test. Learning some valuable lessons over the production of the series’ first two seasons, the turnaround for season three was much shorter, with the streamer this time around releasing this season at once. Continuing where the last season left off, Mark Grayson looked to carve his own path, balancing being a son, a big brother, his future, and what it truly meant to be a hero moving forward. When it comes to the latter, raised by someone who is perhaps not the best example to follow, the line between hero and villain proved to be an elusive one and staying on the right side was a challenge as the world was not as black or white as Mark’s ideology led him to believe.

It was only a matter of time until the Viltrumites would show up on Earth and try to take it over, therefore the planet had to be prepared so Mark’s training was put into overdrive. Getting stronger and faster, the gains were showing but as the GDA prepared for the worst, so did Cecil, a man who had clearly been around the block a few times and learned what it took to save the world, even if his methods were not without controversy. And that controversy eventually caught up to him as saving the world and being a good guy were not mutually exclusive. It all comes down to doing what is necessary and what is necessary may not always be the most palatable. Causing a rift between Mark and the Guardians of the Globe and Cecil and the GDA, this transitional period allowed the season to explore the characters without the cloud looming of any incoming planetary threat looming over them. That’s not to say that there weren’t stakes during the period but through this time, as he and the Guardians found themselves doing some soul searching of their own. As far as Mark is concerned, it’s not like he didn’t already have enough on his plate to deal with, not to mention a few new villains to contend with.

The Grayson family, now featuring his little brother Oliver (Christian Convery), continues to play a large part in the story this season as his support system as, with the gift of perspective, he found himself following the footsteps of his father with his brother. He was an adult now and the older he got, he grew increasingly aware of, and was confronted with, the consequences of his actions. Meanwhile, focusing so much on Mark’s relationship with his father, it’s easy to forget that Debbie lost her husband too and she couldn’t help but feel lonely. Going back to last season, she started to spend more time with Paul (Cliff Curtis) and that relationship further blossomed this season as she felt more comfortable around him and he played a larger role in the Grayson family dynamic. Little did they know, that dynamic was under the threat of a familiar face long believed dispatched and presumably coming to a head over the final two episodes.

On the Viltrumite front, Nolan and Allen the Alien were still trapped in a Viltrumite prison as the former awaits his execution and the latter is hoping to recruit him to his cause in the war against the Viltrumites. More powerful than he let on, Allen simply let himself be captured just to get close to him. However, Nolan, stricken by guilt for betraying his people and his family, was ready to accept his execution as penance. Meanwhile, Allen, unlike most Unopans faced plenty of probing to study where his power may have come from. Communicating telepathically from neighboring cells, their entertaining exchanges continued as Allen kept appealing to his humanity, something that goes against his programming as a Viltrumite but he has shown that he could go against it for those he cares about. Chipping away and chipping away, Allen’s many charms are sure to have Nolan on his side in no time. Where that particular dynamic ultimately goes and if it will align with the other oncoming threats remains to be seen, but they are a delight to watch.

On the technical side, the quality of animation on display remains unparalleled as this season offers up some new flourishes in the form of newer, more elaborate villains, posing an even greater challenge to Mark and the other heroes. Teased across the promotional material for the new season, his new Invincible suit looks mighty sharp. Keeping up what the series is known for, it doesn’t forget to leave a body count in its wake. While not “Battle of Chicago” levels of carnage as the season airs on the side of restraint, in line with where the characters stood, the action holds up very well as various baddies are often neutralized in brutal fashion. Towing the line between action and a more character-centered plot, the season finds a way to deliver at both off the strength of stellar writing. Reinforcing that was the performances from an all star cast that somehow became even stronger thanks to new additions Aaron Paul, Kate Mara, Simu Liu, and Xolo Mariduena just to name a few. In the end, Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh, and J.K. Simmons are the undisputed heart of the series and here, they find a way to take their characters to yet another level.

Invincible Season 3 takes the series to new heights as it ponders what it means to be a hero through a strong character-driven story that delivers much of the same brutal action.

still courtesy of Prime Video

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.