I wanted to make a joke title, but couldn’t think of one that wouldn’t spoil things...
Anyway, Rob Kirkmans Invincible recently got an animated adaptation on Amazon Prime, and of all of APs Deconstructive Superhero Original Series’ I would rank it... second best. And that’s only because I really liked The Tick.
In fact, I liked it so much I immediately picked up a collection of the first third of the series.
The premise is simple and timeless as far as superhero stories go; a typical Teen is delighted when he gains superpowers, like his dad the Superman-esque hero named Omniman, and decided to go into the family business of saving the world. And it quickly becomes clear to the audience (but not the characters, that Omniman is a complete sociopath and monster.
Unlike APs other gritty superhero deconstructions, however, it’s just that one guy; the rest of the heroes may have issues but none are that bad. It’s vastly more optimistic than the likes of The Boys or even Venture Brothers.
The cast is surprisingly star-studded too; JK Simmons, Steven Yeung, Gillian Jacobs, Jason Manzoukas, Walten Goggins, Clancy Brown and Seth Rogan all have prominent roles. I think Seth may have been a one off, but his character was really fun so I hope not.
It’s also not infrequently extremely violent. The extreme violence usually has aor thematic justification, but they could probably have managed that with about 80% less free-flying viscera
Anyway, Rob Kirkmans Invincible recently got an animated adaptation on Amazon Prime, and of all of APs Deconstructive Superhero Original Series’ I would rank it... second best. And that’s only because I really liked The Tick.
In fact, I liked it so much I immediately picked up a collection of the first third of the series.
The premise is simple and timeless as far as superhero stories go; a typical Teen is delighted when he gains superpowers, like his dad the Superman-esque hero named Omniman, and decided to go into the family business of saving the world. And it quickly becomes clear to the audience (but not the characters, that Omniman is a complete sociopath and monster.
Unlike APs other gritty superhero deconstructions, however, it’s just that one guy; the rest of the heroes may have issues but none are that bad. It’s vastly more optimistic than the likes of The Boys or even Venture Brothers.
The cast is surprisingly star-studded too; JK Simmons, Steven Yeung, Gillian Jacobs, Jason Manzoukas, Walten Goggins, Clancy Brown and Seth Rogan all have prominent roles. I think Seth may have been a one off, but his character was really fun so I hope not.
It’s also not infrequently extremely violent. The extreme violence usually has aor thematic justification, but they could probably have managed that with about 80% less free-flying viscera