How Robert Kirkman’s Invincible Comics Set Up a Sequel

One of the most intriguing aspects of Robert Kirkman’s Invincible is how it has diversified. It’s not only a Prime Video cartoon with two riveting seasons; it’s also moved into the gaming arena. Apart from Invincible Presents: Atom Eve (released on Steam and Epic Games Store in 2023), Invincible, Omni-Man, and Atom Eve appeared as purchasable skins in Fortnite.

Plus, Omni-Man is in Mortal Kombat 1. To top it off, Invincible has a live-action movie in the works. However, the comics title, while finished, actually has a path set up that can spawn a few directions for a sequel from Image Comics.

Invincible 2 Can Focus on the Coalition of Planet’s Contingency Plan

Mark Grayson’s Empire Can Run Into Conflict With Allen the Alien

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• The Invincible comics ran from 2003 to 2018.
• It ran for 144 issues.
• It was written by Robert Kirkman, with art by Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley.
• Russ Wooton did lettering and Bill Crabtree on colors.

The Coalition of Planets was started by a former Viltrumite, Thaedus. He wanted to kill his own species, knowing they would keep conquering. Allen the Alien took over when Thaedus died, and in time, he’d work with Mark Grayson/Invincible and Mark’s father, Nolan/Omni-Man. Together, they brought down the evil Viltrumites led by Thragg. The story ended with Mark and Allen having tension with each other, though.

Mark didn’t like how Allen once wanted to use the Scourge Virus to kill them. Not to mention, Allen and most of the Coalition still didn’t trust Viltrumites. In the final issue, they fought in a civil war when Mark let Allen know the Coalition was outdated. Mark’s new Viltrumites roved the cosmos and healed other planets. They didn’t need the Coalition anymore. A sequel could focus on this conflict and Allen reviving the Coalition if some Viltrumite dissidents break away again and seek power.

With Mark’s son with Anissa, Markus, and Anissa’s daughter (Molly) with a human, there is room for more breeding with humans. The point is not all Viltrumites will stay under Mark’s watch. They’ll want freedom and dominion, while some won’t respect Mark as emperor. This gives Allen an organic road to start back mining weapons, such as Space Racer’s gun, the Rognarr, the virus, and other warriors who can kill Viltrumite outliers and terrorists.

Notably, Battle Beast’s daughter was seen fighting for the Coalition. She hates Viltrumites, as Thragg killed her father. She can learn more about her species and create a special ops team for Allen. She’ll see this as a challenge, but more so, revenge. Such a war could test other Viltrumites who didn’t get proper page time in the finale. Thragg’s noble daughter, Ursaal, redeemed herself and worked for Mark. She may have to lead the charge as his main general. They would want to corral their own rather than leave it up to outsiders.

She believes in Mark fully, while Markus and Molly could suit up too and try to rein in rogues. The Coalition going up directly against Mark’s descendants also would pit them against Argall’s (the vile emperor Thaedus killed) bloodline. It would speak to the idea of dynasty, as Nolan’s dead enemy, Thragg, has many other offspring whose families may not like being told what to do. To further enhance this arc of legacy, Allen could well have cracked the code for making more Unopans like him: super-soldiers who are strong enough to murder Viltrumites. Ultimately, this direction provides a massive battle royale with three factions and their foibles.

Invincible 2 Can Revive the Angstrom Levy Rivalry

Angstrom Levy’s Son Wants Viltrumite Blood

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• The Invincible cartoon debuted in 2021.
• It has run for two seasons so far and has been renewed for a fourth season.
• It spans 16 episodes and one special on Atom Eve’s origin.

Invincible focused a lot on Angstrom Levy, a portal-opening mutant who could teleport across the Invincible Multiverse. Mark killed him once, while Robot had to murder the reborn Angstrom to ensure he couldn’t create an army to damage Earth. The finale of Invincible revealed Angstrom had a son. The teenager jumped through his own portal with his pet fox and came to Mark’s Earth. He seemed like he wanted revenge, although this arc went nowhere.

Invincible 2 has a chance to showcase the boy becoming Angstrom 2.0. The flash-forwards in Kirkman’s ending didn’t hint that Earth was ravaged. But it could have happened off-panel. Mark and his family were celebrating peace in the future, so they might not know what had happened. Conversely, Angstrom 2.0 could be a story set immediately after the finale, giving a younger Markus his first nemesis.

Seeing as Angstrom hated Mark’s mother, Debbie, his son could have gone after her, turning Markus defending his grandmother into a remix of when Mark had to defend her. Angstrom’s son is a wildcard, and what makes him even more predictable is that no one knows who else is in his family tree. Given its genius, a Levy armada could be a dynamic, scary weapon. This war would test Robot, Monster Girl, Immortal and the other Guardians Mark worked with.

The sequel could also follow a common theme: redemption. If Angstrom’s son learns his father was a vindictive genocidal maniac, he could join the Guardians of the Globe, the Coalition, or even Mark’s empire and help them on missions across Earth and many other realities.

Invincible 2 Can Focus on a Game of Thrones

The Viltrumite Empire Has the Potential to Crack Apart

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Invincible Season 2 Departs Significantly From The Comics

After the premiere of Invincible Season 2, fans have noticed the Prime Video series changes the tone from Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley’s comics.

Kirkman ended the Invincible comics with Mark grateful that the Viltrumites were spreading peace. A sequel can focus on the eons later. Mark aged slowly so he could be an old ruler. Atom Eve is immortal, so she will still be around. They would have a family tree in space and on Earth, with many candidates up for the role of emperor or empress. Markus would be first in line, but Terra would be next if he refused.

The thing is, she has always had problems obeying her father and following his new rules. This can sow tension and discord, per shows like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and Succession. Terra would be the best bet to rule, as she understands charity, has helped fix other planets, and isn’t consumed by power. But other descendants could be like a younger, brasher Nolan or like Argall, thinking the throne is the best way to assert dominance. This speaks to entitlement and privilege.

It would be an emotive way of breaking Mark’s empire from the inside, reminding him that ego would always be the downfall of his people. As physical threats can’t harm him, the property would be best served using a mental dagger. Whether it’s infighting with Mark’s children or grandchildren, one of Thragg’s many other children wanting the throne, or a new clan of Viltrumites, this empire is like that of Superman’s Krypton. There are many houses and perspectives on how they should rule and how the tribes should operate.

Such a new civil war could unify and embolden Mark’s family, bring Ursaal and other loyalists in even more, and have Mark turn to the Guardians or the Coalition if they’re still around. He does need to be reminded that he needs friends outside the empire. This would also be a chance to create new characters for these iconic Invincible teams, teasing new alliances and backstabbing in the process.

Ultimately, one has to think Kirkman left all these seeds and rivalries hanging as threads for a reason. They’re way too open-ended. Should Kirkman and Skybound Entertainment pull the trigger, the chances of sales rising would be high. Invincible is one of TV’s most popular shows and the brand’s stock is through the roof. Capitalizing on a sequel may be viewed as a cash grab, but many stories need resolution and closure regarding action, drama, romance, and politics.

Invincible (TV Show)

An adult animated series based on the Skybound/Image comic about a teenager whose father is the most powerful superhero on the planet.

Release Date

March 26, 2021

Cast

Steven Yeun , J.K. Simmons , Sandra Oh , Zazie Beetz , Grey Griffin , Gillian Jacobs , Walton Goggins , Andrew Rannells , Kevin Michael Richardson

Main Genre

Superhero

Creator

Robert Kirkman, Ryan Ottley and Cory Walker

Writers

Robert Kirkman

Streaming Service(s)

Prime Video

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