Invincible: Season 3 | Review, 5 things I liked and disliked about it

Cast & Crew:

Created by Robert Kirkman
Steven Yeun as Mark Grayson / Invincible
Sandra Oh as Debbie Grayson
J.K. Simmons as Nolan Grayson / Omni-Man
Walton Goggins as Cecil
Gillian Jacobs as Eve Wilkins / Atom
Christian Convery as Oliver Grayson
Jason Mantzoukas as Rex Splode
Grey Griffin as Shrinking Ray
Ross Marquand as Rudy / Immortal
Melise as Dupli-Kate
Sterling K. Brown as Angstrom Levy
Seth Rogen as Allen
Ben Schwartz as Shapesmith
Aaron Paul as Powerplex
Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Conquest
Simu Liu as Multi-Paul

Review:

The story of Invincible continues as Mark faces new and strangely powered foes every day. With each season, the story keeps improving, but the animation quality seems to decline. New characters arrive each season, bringing fresh arcs and mind-blowing situations that make the show even more exciting. Despite the behind-the-scenes issues at Amazon Prime Studios, the gripping story keeps viewers hooked.

Many compare Invincible to The Boys, but as this series progresses, it surpasses The Boys in story depth and lore. What makes The Boys stand out—gore, massive destruction, and unique heroes with unseen powers—is something Invincible delivers regularly, making it even more thrilling.

The series keeps us entertained with action-packed episodes that deliver shocking moments in every turn. The story’s twists are just as engaging, ensuring it never feels predictable or slow. While it takes time to develop certain characters and arcs, the storytelling remains crisp and never disappoints.

5 things I liked about Invincible Season 3:

1. Invincible’s character development has been truly impressive, not just for me but for the audience as well. He no longer relies solely on raw power—his growth over the past few seasons is evident, especially under Cecil’s training. We now see a more refined and skilled Invincible, with improvements in strength, agility, and tactical thinking. His battle with Angstrom Levy is a testament to this progress, proving how far he has come as a hero.
2. We witness more of the consequences and devastation from Omni-Man and Invincible’s battle in Season 1. Among them is the story of Scott Duval, a man who lost his sister and niece in the destruction caused by their fight. His transformation into Powerplex is an emotional and heartbreaking journey, adding depth to the show. Despite understanding Mark’s struggles during his father’s brutal assault, Scott’s perspective reminds us of the collateral damage left in their wake.
3. This season put a strong focus on side characters, making the show even more engaging and emotionally immersive. The deeper character exploration added layers to the story, drawing viewers further into the world of Invincible.
   One standout was Cecil’s backstory. We saw his early days as an agent, how he lost his skin battling Forcefist and Knucklebuster, and how he eventually took control of a prison from the inside before becoming the head of the Global Defense Agency. This glimpse into his past made his character even more compelling.
   Oliver, introduced in the previous season, became a fan favorite this time around. His character is so well-written that his dynamic with Mark feels like a classic sibling rivalry, full of playful banter. This makes him incredibly relatable, and his journey toward becoming a hero like Invincible is something fans are eager to see unfold.
4. This season explores relationships in deeper, more meaningful ways, adding emotional weight to the story.
   Mark and Eve’s relationship grows stronger, making viewers hope it lasts forever. Both have struggled with their fathers—Mark with Omni-Man and Eve with her toxic, unsupportive father, who resents her powers. Unlike Mark, who shares a strong bond with his mother, Eve still struggles to form a decent relationship with her parents. Her mother tries to reach out, but her father’s negativity creates a barrier. This shared struggle brings Mark and Eve closer, as they both live at home and take on the responsibility of rebuilding family ties.
   Another evolving relationship is between Rex Splode and Shrinking Ray. Rex, who started as an arrogant and unlikable character, has undergone remarkable growth. After barely surviving his brutal fight with the Lizard League last season, he takes responsibility for his past mistakes, owning up to his flaws and poor treatment of others. His growing bond with Shrinking Ray further humanizes him. Shrinking Ray, too, barely survived the battle with the Lizard League. Tired of the exhausting life of a hero, she longs for a normal existence. This season showcases her desire to step away from heroics and simply live a quiet life with Rex—sharing an apartment, handling daily chores, and working regular jobs. Their relationship adds a grounded, personal touch to the season.
   Sibling relationships also take center stage, particularly with Paul and Kate—later known as Multi-Paul and Dupli-Kate. Raised by a single father who became mentally exhausted from their multiplying abilities, they were eventually placed into government care after their father was taken away. There, they trained to control their powers and master combat. However, Paul grew distrustful of the government, believing they were using him and his sister. He managed to escape by leaving behind a duplicate in his bed, though Kate chose to stay behind. Their fractured relationship adds another layer of depth to the season’s exploration of family dynamics.
5. The fights this season were nothing short of spectacular. While many felt the overall animation quality had declined, it’s clear that the action sequences received a significant share of the budget. From Mark’s intense training to battles against formidable foes like Doc Seismic, Titan, Machine Head, the Invincible Army, and eventually Conquest, every fight delivered high-stakes excitement. These moments not only showcased Mark’s growth but also proved why Invincible remains one of the most thrilling superhero series.
   Angstrom Levy somehow survives the brutal beating he took from Invincible, despite his brain being nearly turned to mush. Seeking help, he turns to the Technicians, who restore him. Once healed, he assembles a team of rogue Invincibles, creating an Invincible Army with one goal—wreak havoc on Earth. Their mission isn’t just to fight our Invincible but to cause mass destruction, wiping out entire cities and killing as many people as possible. The chaos lasts for days, with countless heroes sacrificing their lives in battle against the overwhelming number of Invincibles. However, the Invincible Army eventually realizes Levy has been manipulating them. Turning against him, they force his hand, leading him to banish them to different universes. In the end, our Invincible defeats Levy once again—but before he can finish the job, Levy escapes back to the Technicians, keeping the threat alive.
   Just after Invincible barely finishes his battle with the Invincible Army and Angstrom Levy, Conquest arrives from space. While Mark is still rescuing civilians, Conquest challenges him. Mark, exhausted and unwilling to fight, is forced into battle. The already devastated city is reduced to rubble as Conquest effortlessly overpowers him, showcasing the terrifying strength of a Viltrumite warrior. Oliver steps in to help but is brutally beaten—his teeth shattered, his body crushed. Just as Conquest is about to kill him, Mark regains his strength, saving his brother while Cecil extracts him to safety. The sheer destruction and brutality leave the audience shaken as Mark not only fights for his life but also to protect Earth from conquest. Their battle moves to Hawaii, where Conquest recreates the horrific train station scene Omni-Man once forced Mark into. Eve arrives to help, but after nearly being killed, she unlocks her full potential, healing herself and striking back. In the final moments, Mark, with both hands shattered, lands the finishing blow—headbutting Conquest into defeat. And also, the voice acting of Jeffrey Dean Morgan reminded me of the lunatic behavior he showed us when he came as Negan in The Walking Dead.

5 things I disliked about Invincible Season 3:

1. The animation quality took a noticeable hit this season, continuing the decline from the previous one. While the story remains captivating, the subpar animation affects the overall experience. A higher-quality production, like X-Men ’97, could elevate the series to new heights. This is an issue Amazon and the producers need to address seriously.
2. The producers need to manage the budget more efficiently. With a star-studded cast featuring major TV actors, a significant portion of funding likely goes toward these actors. Opting for professional voice actors instead could free up some resources that could be used to improve the animation quality, ultimately enhancing the overall experience.
3. After an incredible first season, the show’s momentum took a hit due to the mid-season break in Season 2. Amazon needs to step up its marketing efforts to rebuild the audience and attract new viewers. With such a strong storyline, better promotion could give Invincible the recognition it deserves.
4. The absence of Omni-Man left a noticeable void this season. After his brutal battle in the space in the Viltrumite ship, he, Allen the Alien, and Battle Beast were left stranded in space, with little follow-up beyond Battle Beast’s abduction in the post-credit scene. Given the relentless threats Invincible faced, it felt like the perfect moment for Omni-Man or Allen to return and lend a hand. Hopefully, the next season will bring them back, possibly setting up the Viltrumite War or Thragg’s arrival.
5. Amazon needs to pay closer attention to audience demands. While Robert Kirkman is improving the quality of his own comic’s story for the show, the declining animation quality remains a major issue. It’s not just about graphical fidelity—the lack of depth and shadows makes the visuals feel flat and uninspired. At this point, it feels less like a limitation and more like neglect on Amazon’s part. They’ve done an incredible job with The Boys, but Invincible deserves the same level of attention and investment.

I found a YouTube video where an animator enhances the animation quality of the series, showcasing improvements the creators have failed to implement. It highlights how much better the show could look with the right effort, making the studio’s shortcomings even more frustrating.