Invincible (comics)

Invincible is an American comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, illustrated by Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, and published by Image Comics. Set in the Image Universe, Invincible follows the coming of age of superhero Mark Grayson / Invincible, a Viltrumite and first-born son of Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on Earth. The series began publication on January 22, 2003, before coming to a close on February 14, 2018, with 144 issues. Several spin-off series were released over its run: Brit, The Pact, Atom Eve & Rex Splode, and Guarding the Globe. An animated television adaptation began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on March 25, 2021, while an additional spin-off interquel, Battle Beast, will begin publication in 2025.
Mark Grayson is a normal high school freshman whose father, Nolan Grayson, is an extraterrestrial of the planet Viltrum known as Omni-Man, the most powerful superhero on the planet. At age seventeen, Mark begins to display super powers as a result of his Viltrumite ancestry, and adopts the superhero name Invincible with his father acting as his mentor. Early in his hero career Mark meets heroine Atom Eve, and they eventually enter a relationship.
Mark begins as a small-time hero solving problems and fighting low-level crime around his school. However, the scope of his adventures quickly progresses to national, global, intergalactic, and multidimensional. Large portions of the narrative focus on conflict with the fascistic multiplanetary Viltrum Empire, which Mark participates in a rebellion against.
Multiple points of view, and the power struggles therein, factor heavily into the comic. Characters often have motives that do not align, and commonly swap between conventional "hero" and "villain" roles as a result. Most notably, Mark's father Omni-Man begins the series as an antagonist and is eventually reformed through Mark's efforts, which Mark continues to attempt on other enemies. Mark himself vacillates between working for and against the United States government, and often breaks from the consensus of his friends and allies to pursue what he sees as the optimal and/or pragmatic choice.
Robert Kirkman is the sole writer of the series. Cory Walker co-created the book, designed several characters, and provided art from #1 to #7. Ryan Ottley assumed art duties with issue #8 and drew most future issues, with Walker returning for a select few. Kirkman has provided back-up space for a few aspiring comic creators, most notably Benito Cereno and Nate Bellegarde. The series is known for its extreme graphic violence despite its colorful nature and visuals.
The series ended on February 8, 2018 with issue #144, with Walker returning as artist. The double-sized final issue was released on February 14, 2018. In April 2022, it was announced that a Battle Beast story would be published in Skybound X #25, with Kirkman and Ottley reuniting for the story; it was published on July 20, 2022. In October 2022, it was announced that, in celebration of the series's 20th anniversary in 2023, its first issue would be getting a reprinted facsimile edition reprint and a deluxe edition reprint, compendiums 1-3 would be getting comic shop exclusive hardcover versions, and there would be a reprint of the series in a new 6"x9" graphic novel format with new covers from Cory Walker and Dave McCaig, an Invincible Universe compendium, and a secret announcement in January 2023 (which was later revealed to be a teaser for season two of the animated show).
In December 2024, it was announced that Kirkman and Ottley were developing a prequel series entitled Invincible Universe: Battle Beast. The series, set between issues 19 and 55 of the original Invincible series, follows Battle Beast as he embarks on a quest to find an opponent strong enough to kill him. The first issue of the series is set to debut April 2025.
In 2003 and 2004, Image and Robert Kirkman published several other superhero series: Tech Jacket pencilled in a manga style by E. J. Su (cancelled at #6), the 3-issue Capes Inc. series drawn by Mark Englert and three oneshots starring Brit, the first two with artwork from Tony Moore and the third with artwork by Cliff Rathburn.
In 2007, Brit was launched as an ongoing full-color series written by Bruce Brown, with artwork by Cliff Rathburn. The series was overseen and edited by Robert Kirkman. In late 2007, a two issue mini-series starring Atom Eve was released.
Tech Jacket was first collected as a digest-sized, black and white graphic novel and later reissued in regular sized, full color and a cover scheme similar to Kirkman's other trade paper backs. Capes was collected as a trade paperback in summer 2007, and the three Brit one-shots were colored by Val Staples and published as a collection in 2007, as well.
At first shown to barely coexist in the same universe, the characters have since been integrated into Invincible's book. Tech Jacket was an ongoing series that tied into Invincible #27, and the character has been seen in the background of various battles during the series. The characters from Capes have also been supporting characters seen mainly in large superhero battles Invincible participates in, and the series ran as a back-up in the Invincible book starting with #27. Brit has had an even less substantial role, appearing a couple of times in the aforementioned brawls (understandable considering that after the last book Brit was somewhat-retired). Brit later went on to become the leader of the Guardians of the Globe and was featured heavily in comic spin-offs Guarding the Globe and Invincible Universe. In The Astounding Wolf-Man, Art, Invincible's tailor, appeared, designing the title character's costume. Wolf-man has also appeared in Invincible #48 & 49.
A series focused on the guardians.
centers around Battle Beast in his adventures set between 19 and 55.
An anthology series that expands on the characters
A one shot that hypes on Invinicble's comeback.
a series on how Atom Eve became a superhero
A series on how Atom Eve first met Rex Splode.
With the exception of volumes 14, 18, 22, 24, and 25, every volume of the Invincible trade paperbacks is named after a television sitcom:
The comic has been turned into a motion comic by Gain Enterprises using the Bomb-xx process, and was broadcast on MTV2 and downloadable to mobile phones, from iTunes, and Amazon.
Cast
Point Grey Pictures and Skybound Entertainment were set to produce a live-action adaptation of Invincible with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg attached as writers and directors and Universal Pictures distributing it. Series creator Robert Kirkman was also set to produce the film, along with Rogen, Goldberg, David Alpert, Bryan Furst, and Sean Furst. In January 2021, Kirkman reaffirmed that the film is still in development despite the release of a streaming television adaptation, and that Rogen and Goldberg are still involved with the project.
On March 25, 2021, Amazon Studios began airing the first season of an adult animated adaptation of the comic series on Amazon Prime Video, executive produced by comic creator Robert Kirkman. The cast features Steven Yeun as Invincible, Sandra Oh as Debbie Grayson, and J. K. Simmons as Omni-Man. Rogen ending up being involved as a part of the cast, he and Goldberg were not set to direct/write the series, but did serve as executive producers. On April 29, 2021, Kirkman, along with Yeun, confirmed the series was coming back for a second and third season. The first half of the second season was released on November 2, 2023, with the latter half releasing on March 14, 2024. The third season premiered on February 6, 2025. In July 2024, it was announced that the series has been renewed for a fourth season.
In July 2023, during San Diego Comic-Con, it was announced that Skybound Games and Ubisoft would release a mobile game based on the series, entitled Invincible: Guarding the Globe, with a release date yet to be determined. That same month, it was announced that Skybound Games and Terrible Posture Games were developing a visual novel/turn-based RPG entitled Invincible Presents: Atom Eve which released on Steam and Epic Games Store on November 14, 2023.
Omni-Man is a playable DLC character in Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), voiced by J. K. Simmons, reprising the role, playing several incarnations of Omni-Man from alternate realities, including a blue-suited version. Invincible also cameos in the game.
Invincible, Omni-Man, Atom Eve, Allen, and Dupli-Kate appear as purchasable skins in Fortnite. War Woman's Mace and the arm of a Reaniman are available as pickaxes, while The Immortal's head and Shrinking Rae are wearable Back Blings.