Invincible Season 1 - My Review- SPOILERS
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Absolutely incredible show. Hands down.
Starting this show off, I nearly quit in the first episode. The ending, of that first episode, made me absolutely sick to my stomach. I was totally and widely unprepared for that sequence. I think it was because my brain was recognizing that it was animated, and thus it had prepared itself for normal cartoon "violence".
Not what actually appeared on my screen.
But once I had prepared myself properly, it made watching the show a lot more enjoyable. Although, admittedly, I had to look away a lot until my boyfriend told me it was ok to look again.
The plot that it follows is quite up and down. Partly a... teen-coming-of-age story as Mark discovers his powers and tries to juggle impending alien invasions with a new relationship. Partly a detective mystery as everyone tries to figure out why Omni-Man... does the things he does. One of these plot points i found far more interesting, but the other crafted such a wonderfully well-rounded character that no matter what you cannot help but really root for Mark. Even when he makes terrible decisions and you scream at the TV, you have to root for him because he is so morally pure and he is so naively ambitious, it really shows how much toll that role would take when you cannot save everyone. No matter how much you try, and Mark tries so hard.
Omni-Man is probably one of my favourite TV villains. The epitome of the title: manipulative narcissist. The way that he interacts with his family, with the agents and other superhero, it all shows his true mindset. But he does such an incredible job of making you root for him. So many times, in his interactions with Mark or Debbie, I found myself thinking that he was such a good dad/husband. J.K Simmons plays the role to absolute PERFECTION. He was truly made for that role. Whenever Omni-Man is on screen you know you're gonna be manipulated but in the best way possible.
Even Omni-Man and Mark aside, all of the "side" characters are crafted incredibly. The second Guardians of the Globe, almost all of the characters are well-rounded and clash or work together in incredibly realistic ways (shrinking girl aside, she is quite forgettable). Amber, Eve, and William are all incredible characters and friends and they each go through their own arc that add to their characters alone, and are not just existing to support Mark. Even the Twins, the blue clone boys, which so easily could have been throw away villains are so dynamic I just love them. Honestly, the characters within this show are it's greatest strength, which is saying a lot since this review has been pretty much all strengths.
Everything that follows in the final two episodes are shocking, horrible, disgusting, gut-wrenching, and heart-breaking. I watched it today and I feel as if I am steel reeling. This is maybe one of the first times I am apprehensive to watch the next season, as I am scared it won't be as good as the first (or that it'll take the gore to the next level). But no matter what, I trust the writers and the incredible story they have created and i cannot wait to see what the next season will hold (hopefully some more Omni-Man, even more hopeful of him getting humbled).