Scott Peek Photography
Web Issues Editor Emiliano Mayo
Nowadays most shows that succeed in captivating audiences for the first or second season share the same trend: They tend to drop in both quality and entertainment. Either the show runs out of budget or the directors slack off.
The third season of the hit show “Invincible” is one of those few diamonds that are constantly gleaming in a void of mediocrity.
Once again the show stays true to its original comic version and for those that haven’t read it, the show brings an immersive world in which the characters from the second season live and breathe.
“Invincible” improved vastly in its character development. Almost every character that is new or old has some new perspective to bring to the show. These characters bring a new feeling to the whole show in which the world feels alive. From the villains and heroes who erupt chaos to the side characters who become victims of this merciless world, every character has an interesting and meaningful story.
Another huge standout from the past season is the sheer level of dramatic action. I don’t believe I’ve seen a show in which a city gets broken down so many times and in which both heroes and villains bring so much destruction in their wake. The third season is without a doubt the most action-packed season. From the smallest bank robbery to the colossal season finale, every battle holds significance in both an emotional and physical way. The show displays how the main characters aren’t the only people who suffer from conflict. “Invincible” displays how all of these battles come at the cost of innocent lives.
It wouldn’t be an “Invincible” review if the Invincible himself, Mark Grayson, wasn’t mentioned. In this season, Mark faces multiple hardships, but the show does an amazing job in showing how so much responsibility and hardship can affect someone as young as Mark. The show never forgets that Mark is still a young guy who has much to learn. It’s a subtle reminder that remains prevalent throughout the whole show. Throughout the whole season, Mark displays emotional and physical vulnerability. His mistakes serve as reminders that although he calls himself “Invincible” he is still a young man trying to figure out his place in the world. His interactions with other characters are anything but robotic. Although they seem insignificant at the time, these interactions are what shape Mark.
The last factor that launches “Invincible” to reach greater heights is its new selection of characters. A fan favorite is Mark’s younger half brother: Oliver. Oliver ends up being such a good character because he brings a silver lining and much needed optimism to a show that can often be dark and gruesome. He isn’t exactly a comedic relief, but a character who hasn’t been with us the first two seasons so he is unaware of just how harsh his world can be.
Of course there are some errors in the show, no show is always perfect. While the fight scenes are filled with drama and magnitude, there are times where the animation decreases in its quality. Either the characters look robotic or the whole scene feels stagnant, which sadly is a constant trend during the season. Thankfully, all other factors of the show are so high in quality that they make up for poor the animation, at least most of the time.
Overall, the third season of “Invincible” is an incredibly entertaining and enjoyable watch. From its characters, to its fights, to its online influence, this season brings a whole new meaning to a superhero show.