Invincible (character)

Invincible (Mark Grayson) is a superhero created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Cory Walker, currently drawn by Ryan Ottley. Invincible first appeared in a preview as part of Savage Dragon #102 (August 2002), before graduating to his own self-titled regular series in 2003, as the premier title in Image Comics' then-new superhero line, a relaunch of the Image Universe. Invincible appears in Invincible, Bomb Queen, Noble Causes, The Pact, Savage Dragon, The Astounding Wolf-Man, Dynamo 5, I Hate Fairyland – I Hate Image, and Battle Beast.

Invincible
Invincible in his original costume; interior art of Invincible #79. Art by Ryan Ottley.
Publication information
PublisherSkybound Entertainment
(Image Comics)
First appearance
Created byRobert Kirkman
Cory Walker
Voiced byPatrick Cavanaugh (motion comic)
Steven Yeun (television series)
In-story information
Full nameMarkus Sebastian Grayson
SpeciesViltrumite-Human hybrid
Place of originEarth
Team affiliations
Partnerships
  • Atom Eve (wife)
  • Dinosaurus (ex-partner)
  • Quantum Girl (ex-girlfriend)
  • Amber Bennett (ex-girlfriend)
Notable aliasesInvinciboy (by news media)
Vince (by Zephyr Noble)
Abilities
  • Superhuman strength, stamina, speed
  • Nigh invulnerability
  • Flight
  • Enhanced healing factor
  • Decelerated aging

Born in 1987,[1] Invincible is the son of Omni-Man, an extraterrestrial superhero of the Viltrumite race. Invincible inherited his father's complete array of superpowers and has sworn to protect the Earth. As a teenager, he had trouble adjusting to his newfound powers and coping with the reality of his origins.

Invincible is voiced by Patrick Cavanaugh in the 2008 motion comic series, and by Steven Yeun in the 2021 Amazon television series; Yeun also voices alternate universe versions of the character in the 2023 second season.

Fictional character biography edit

Noble Causes edit

In Noble Causes, Invincible is among those suspected of being the father of Zephyr Noble's baby, being confused to have been thought to be. (Invincible) later attends a party held at the Noble family mansion, and the funeral of Captain Dynamo.

Invincible edit

In Invincible, Mark Grayson was born to Nolan Grayson, a Viltrumite male and the superhero known as Omni-Man, and Deborah Grayson, a human female. After awakening his Viltrumite powers, Mark decides to live up to his father's legacy and become the superhero "Invincible", but soon after, discovers that his father was lying to him as he was not an alien sent to protect Earth, but to conquer it and make it part of the Viltrum Empire instead. Despite Nolan's pleas to join him, Mark refuses and begins dedicating himself to protect Earth from the Viltrumites, led by General Thragg, among other threats, while dealing with his own personal issues as he enters adulthood. Eventually, Mark discovers that he and his father are the rightful heirs of the Viltrum Empire, as his grandfather, Lord Argall was the former ruler before being assassinated. Joining with a reformed Nolan, Mark rallies the Viltrumites under their leadership against Thragg, culminating with Nolan and Thragg's deaths. Afterwards, Mark leaves Earth and becomes ruler of Viltrum, guiding his subjects into a new era of peace across the universe.

The Pact edit

In The Pact, set shortly after Mark's breakup with Amber, he is among those brought together by Petra / Quantum Girl to form the superhero team the Pact in order to face the multiversal conqueror Reaver, alongside Duncan Rosenblatt / Firebreather, Eddie Collins / ShadowHawk and Zephyr Noble. Over the course of their journey, Mark acquires the nickname "Vince" from Zephyr, befriending her alongside Duncan and Eddie, and forms a romantic relationship with Petra. After failing to destroy the Reaver, who successfully conquers Earth in the future and consumes the Viltrumite Empire, killing Mark, Petra sacrifices her existence to destroy the Reaver and prevent his invasion from taking place, saving Mark in the past, who (alongside Duncan) retains a memory of her name and significance every time they awake. The next day, Mark punches Doc Seismic in the face.

Bomb Queen edit

In Bomb Queen, Invincible vigorously denies being in a secret relationship with the titular character after accusations by a reporter. Following Bomb Queen's bombardment of America, Invincible is seen in Baltimore clearing away the wreckage and helping survivors.

Dynamo 5 edit

In Dynamo 5: Sins of the Father, Invincible is among those who unite to face off against the three sons of (Dominex), who seek to regain their family's honour after their father had been defeated and spared from dying in combat by Captain Dynamo, Supreme and Omni-Man thirty years prior.

I Hate Fairyland edit

In I Hate Fairyland – I Hate Image, Invincible is among the superheroes flying over Image Central when Gert visits the city.[2]

Battle Beast edit

In Battle Beast, a one-shot published in a 2022 issue of Skybound X as a "pilot" for a potential Invincible spin-off comic book series, Invincible cameos in the opening scene, repeating Battle Beast's encounter with him from the former's perspective.[3]

Continuity edit

Invincible, along with Firebreather and other new Image Universe superhero characters, debuted in an issue of The Savage Dragon, and has since appeared with several of the characters in The Pact mini-series. Robert Kirkman wrote a miniseries, Savage Dragon: God War and two SuperPatriot mini-series, establishing the friendship between SuperPatriot's wife Claire and Invincible's mother in the pages of Invincible #15 and later. Invincible also appears in the fourth issue of Jay Faerber's Noble Causes, and was seen at the funeral of Captain Dynamo, father of the characters in Faerber's Dynamo 5. Invincible is also present in the fourth volume of Bomb Queen. Similarly, Invincible #48 features cameo appearances from several Savage Dragon characters, as well as both Dynamo 5, and many of Kirkman's own creations, while an earlier issue featured a funeral for the Guardians of the Globe, at which many Image characters, including Savage Dragon and Jack Staff, were in attendance.

Invincible #60 is a "done-in-one crossover event" with characters such as Spawn and Witchblade making appearances. During the invasion of Invincible's evil counterparts from alternate dimensions, the reader saw all Image heroes, like Spawn, Savage Dragon, Witchblade, Darkness, Firebreather, and Pitt fighting invaders alongside Invincible, the Guardians of the Globe, Brit, and Wolf-Man.[4]

Image published Image United tie-in one-shot called Image United: Interlude. Shipping in March 2010, Invincible is prominently featured on the teaser cover of the first issue in front of a group of silhouetted characters covered in a classified information label. The website claims: "This March the effects of IMAGE UNITED go global with a glimpse of the crossover's impact on INVINCIBLE and many other Image Comics favorites..."[citation needed]

Powers and abilities edit

Due to his Viltrumite heritage, Mark Grayson possesses superhuman strength, speed, and durability, as well as the ability to fly, but is vulnerable to powerful sonic attacks.

In other media edit

Television edit

Mark Grayson / Invincible appears in a self-titled Amazon Prime Video series, voiced by Steven Yeun.[5][6] Its first season premiered on March 26, 2021.[7] After developing his powers at 17 years old, Mark discovers the harsh realities of being a superhero while struggling to define himself along with a berserker-esque rage that manifests as a result of his Viltrumite heritage. Additionally, he has worked with the Teen Team before they become the new Guardians of the Globe.[8]

  • Yeun also voices alternate timeline versions of Mark from within the multiverse.

Video games edit

Miscellaneous edit

Mark Grayson / Invincible appears in a self-titled Gain Enterprises motion comic adaptation of his series, voiced by Patrick Cavanaugh.[12][13][14][15]

References edit

  1. ^ Robertson, David A. The Pact #4. Highwater Press, 2011.
  2. ^ Young, Skottie (October 4, 2017). "I Hate Fairyland – I Hate Image Special Edition". Image Comics.
  3. ^ ""Skybound X" #25 to Preview Four New Series". Multiversity Comics. April 20, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  4. ^ "Invincible's Done-in-One Crossover". Comic Book Resources. December 11, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  5. ^ "Invincible". IMDb. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (January 31, 2019). "'Invincible': Steven Yeun & J.K. Simmons Top Loaded Voice Cast For Robert Kirkman's Animated Amazon Series". Deadline. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (January 24, 2021). "Clip: 'Invincible' Takes Flight on Amazon March 26". Animation Magazine.
  8. ^ "Invincible". Image Comics. Archived from the original on August 6, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  9. ^ NetherRealm Studios (November 9, 2023). Mortal Kombat 1 (Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X). Level/area: Omni-Man ending.
  10. ^ Tassi, Paul (November 16, 2023). "Here Are Fortnite's Kid-Unfriendly 'Invincible' Skins". Forbes. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  11. ^ "Invincible". Invincible: Guarding the Globe official website. Ubisoft. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  12. ^ "Episode 1". MTV. August 27, 2008. Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  13. ^ Gustines, George Gene (July 14, 2008). "A Comic Book Superhero Is Headed to Small Screens". The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  14. ^ "Invincible Season 1". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012.
  15. ^ "Invincible Season 1". Amazon.com.

External links edit