Invincible Season 3 Review: This Superhero Show Doesn’t Slow Down, Makes Big Promises For S4
Invincible has been a fan-favourite show for years, and season 3 continues on the same track. Despite its popularity, the animated series still seems underrated as it brings a blend of gory but easy superhero genres. The makers struggle to balance the big picture and the street-level subplots, but season 3 ends on a powerful note. Steven Yeun’s voice acting keeps the tension rising throughout the 8-episode season and is expected to get more intense with the next one.
The season begins in the middle of Mark’s aka Invincibles’ character development, while for season 2 he struggled with his identity as a hero, the crisis remains in the forefront. After his fight with Amstrong, Mark is more worried about his own mentality and if he is turning into his father, but he keeps up his training with Cecil for months in prep for any Viltrumite attacks. Meanwhile, his responsibility towards his younger brother is keeping him moving forward. He continues to avoid Eve but eventually gives in and confesses his feelings for her.
Mark’s character finally can be seen stepping out of his comfort zone and exploring the world on his own. While he continues to pull his punches, his fights get more real and gory, foreshadowing his real power. On the other, the villains in season three are also evolving — from Cecil, Amstrong, Dr Seismic to the Viltrumites. Their impact also slips into the bigger picture for Mark and GDA. The story no longer focuses only on Mark as a superhero but on the consequences of his actions. Meanwhile, the subplots also explore Atom Eve’s plotline after the single episode spin-off released about her past.
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Supporting characters like Cecil also got a flashback, exploring his past and dynamic with GDA. The makers do open more doors for supporting characters which slows down the plot mid-season but the last two episodes pick up the pace and bring in the intensity and urgency that the series has mainly focused on. Oliver also has quite the arc in this season which isn’t the same as Mark’s from early seasons, but it brings in a new perspective for Mark. With where the story is moving forward, Mark could lean in towards the other side bringing him closer to his dad, which he feared all along.
The level of destruction growing in every season of the show continues to numb you down towards loss and death, especially with the GDA essentially taking away all the consequences, every time a fight goes south. This season turns things around for everyone, the world, the superheroes and more. The season brings a darker and more raw exploration of a superhero story with focus on the world that their lives.
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Overall, Invincible is still growing into its potential and the journey is only just beginning. The makers might struggle to maintain the focus on the big picture while also dealing with many street-level villains in the next season.
Cover artwork by Patrick Gawande/Mashable India