Common Sense Media Review
Gritty, graphic, violent coming-of-age superhero comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Invincible
What's the Story?
Seventeen-year-old Mark Grayson (voiced by Steven Yeun) finally inherits the powers of his father, the great superhero Omni-Man (J.K. Simmons), and dons the new alias INVINCIBLE. Invincible joins forces with other young heroes, such as Atom Eve (Gillian Jacobs) and Rex Splode (Jason Mantzoukas), who teach him hero basics and how to face danger. Gradually, he learns to become his own version of a superhero and to stand up for the things he believes in—all while traversing the complicated world of being a teenager, maintaining friendships, having a girlfriend, and, you know, saving the world.
Is It Any Good?
This dark, intense animated series combines the levity of a classic coming-of-age story with the trend of increasingly gritty superhero dramas. In Invincible, Mark is your average teenager, just trying to get through school and find his first girlfriend, but his struggles become seemingly alleviated after inheriting his father's superpowers. However, as Invincible gets involved in his first battles, he begins to discover that being a teenage superhero isn't smooth sailing. The series' first episode is deceivingly tame as viewers watch Mark learn how to use his powers. Then the final 10 minutes of the episode show an incredibly bloody and disturbing murder sequence that aligns more with the rest of the series, which gets much more violent from there.
Like Amazon's other original superhero drama The Boys, this series shows heroes as imperfect beings who also have many mysterious ulterior motives. They're making mistakes and acting out, sure, but they're also learning and growing along the way. Whether viewers are fans of the original comics or new to the story, they'll likely be pulled in by the intense storylines, dynamic action, and surprisingly relatable characters, even as others might be put off by the graphic violence that comes with it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Mark fits into the genre of teen superheroes in Invincible. What familiar teenage problems do the younger heroes in Invincible face? Are any of these problems relatable to you? How does this get in the way of their hero duties? How might their struggles help them to become the best versions of themselves?
How do Invincible and his fellow heroes show courage, perseverance, and empathy? What advice does Invincible get from fellow heroes in order to face his fears and stay true to himself? Why is it important to live in line with your values?
Families can also talk about teaching techniques. When Omni-Man teaches Invincible about being a hero, he doesn't pull any punches. Why do you believe he uses this brutal approach? What other tactics could he use? What strategies work best for you when you're learning something new?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 26, 2021
- Cast : Steven Yeun , J.K. Simmons , Sandra Oh , Gillian Jacobs
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Aliens , School ( High School ) , Superheroes
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Award : Emmy - Emmy Award Nominee
- Last updated : April 1, 2026
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