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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Following the previous episode of Season 2, Robert Kirkman’s Prime Video television adaptation of Invincible transitions the larger storyline to the next major event: Angstrom Levy’s (voiced by Sterling K. Brown) return to series protagonist Markus Sebastian “Mark” Grayson/ Invincible’s (voiced by Steven Yeun) home world, that is, the focal setting of the series. While the episode does have its low points, the show reminds viewers that there are moments in life worth striving for. Ultimately, the narrative is an uphill battle that works to reach a new high for its main and supporting characters.
The second season’s seventh episode is titled, “I’m Not Going Anywhere”. It is written by executive producer and co-showrunner Simon Racioppa and directed by storyboard artist Ian Abando.
In this review, I will discuss Invincible Season 2 Episode 7. As this article’s title suggests, there will be spoilers present here. Explicit references to previous series episodes and the graphic novel source material will be made!
Invincible Season 2 Episode 7 Logline
According to Amazon Studios Press, here is the logline for Invincible Season 2 Episode 7—“I’m Not Going Anywhere”.
As Mark attempts to salvage his personal life, a new villain arrives, presenting Invincible with his greatest challenge yet. Donald grapples with his past.
Amazon Studio Press
Discussion
“I’m Not Going Anywhere”, like other episodes in the Invincible series, is emotionally heavy. The introductory scene, which involves Mark Grayson (Yeun) on a date with Amber Justine Bennett (voiced by Zazie Beetz), is a bit peculiar at first, with comic book convention nerds dressed as the titular superhero being a predictable segue for the series title card placement. After that, though, the episode brings its viewers to moments that fans of the comic book source material know all too well. This includes portions of Issues 10, 14, 25, 37, 38, 42 through 45, and 47.
Grayson’s conversation at the convention with fictional comic book creator, Filip Schaff (voiced by Tim Robinson), is a remarkably giggle-out-loud kind of moment pulled from Issue 10. In the comics, the two characters spend a brief nine panels engaging in meta-commentary about the creative process of comic book artistry. In the episode, however, the screenwriters and animators use these characters to acknowledge the process of bringing Kirkman’s material to life—the time it takes, methods used, and more. This moment from the comics is necessary as a counter to the infamous argument that the show has taken too long to come out with new episodes.
On that note, the twenty-five minutes of the episode take time to flesh out four impactful subplots: Rex Splode’s (voiced by Jason Mantzoukas) return to the field, the Guardians of the Globe’s continued coping with their recent losses, Upstate University student Rick Sheridan’s (voiced by Luke Macfarlane) uneasy return to human life, and Deborah “Debbie” Grayson’s (voiced by Sandra Oh) love life.
The Subplots Matter
While Issues 25 and 42—both of which feature the appearance of a minor villain, Octoboss (voiced in the series by Fred Tatasciore)—don’t age well in terms of dealing with a character foreign to the English language, the series adaptation of these action sequences serves a reasonable purpose for Rex Splode. This latter character is reminded that he cannot save the world alone, even if he does have one or two upgrades to his physical body.
Rudolph “Rudy” Connors’s (voiced by Ross Marquand) subplot of assisting Amanda (voiced by Grey DeLisle) with her aging curse, albeit small, is a perfect example of the writers and the artists bringing those elements of despair and hope to the small screen. As they spectate this, Black Samson (voiced by Khary Payton) makes a good point to Bulletproof (voiced by Jay Pharoah) regarding their team. Like family dynamics, despite their flaws, they are “unbreakable when it counts”.
This idea works best across all focal characters of the series, that they each must persevere to keep the world intact. Personally, this thesis statement works best with Donald Ferguson’s (voiced by Chris Diamantopoulos) role in the season, both as a human being and a crucial agent of the Global Defense Agency (GDA). More on that end in a bit.
The Bigger Picture: Loneliness
The theme of pushing through hardships works hand-in-hand with the theme of loneliness. Debbie Grayson’s subplot deserves appreciation for how it allows her to take proper steps in her life as an individual. The screenwriters build up to her dynamic with her colleague, Paul (voiced by Cliff Curtis), in such a manner that is better showcased rather than being dropped in as a sort of exposition. Issues 44 and 45 made this a small problem, at least in my opinion, as this information was interrupted by the arrival of Viltrumite, Anissa. Season 2 demonstrates the fact that Debbie is not alone in the world, and there are people around her to keep her grounded.
Her navigation through loneliness parallels Amber Bennett’s path through it, uncertain of how to make a romantic relationship feasible. The return of Winslow (voiced by Reginald VelJohnson) is a brilliant blend of his appearances in Issues 14 and 37. More so, the adaptation of his contribution to Mark Grayson’s overall personal life is a reminder of the season’s earlier assertion in Episode 2.
As you find your place in the world, know that it won’t be easy. Sometimes, life hits you with everything it’s got… When you find yourself in the shadow of adversity, do not be afraid. For without adversity, there can be no triumph. Without testing your limits, you will never know how strong you truly are.
B.N. Winslow (voiced by Reginald VelJohnson) in ‘Invincible’ Season 2 Episode 2, “In About Six Hours I Lose My Virginity to a Fish”
This subtext of grief can be difficult to identify and does take time to comprehend after a while of thought. In the long run, that is what makes Invincible a successful television series.
The Crew Behind Invincible
Invincible is based on the comic book of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, & Ryan Ottley. Kirkman also serves as a co-showrunner alongside executive producer Simon Racioppa (Mr. Meaty). Walker serves as a co-executive producer.
Invincible series producer Dan Duncan also serves as the supervising director.
Luke Asa Guidici is the supervising editor. Lea Carosella and Liam Johnson are the assistant editors.
John Paesano scores the music. Gabe Hilfer (Venom, Birds of Prey, Ozark, Halloween Ends, The White Lotus, Renfield, White Men Can’t Jump) and Henry van Roden (The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live) serve as the music supervisors.
Brad Meyer is the supervising sound editor. Meyer, Katie Jackson, Ben Gieschen, Noah Kowalski, and Mia Perfetti are the sound FX editors.
Meredith Layne (Castlevania, A Tale Dark & Grimm) is the voice director. Linda Lamontagne (BoJack Horseman, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Close Enough) is the voice casting director.
Animation Team
Shaun O’Neil serves as the art director. Kofi Fiagome serves as the animation/ storyboard supervisor. Invincible comic book artist Ryan Ottley serves as the creative consultant.
Luke Ashworth, Nate Bellegarde, Dou Hong, Nick Lombardo, Tim Nicklas, Johnathan N. Reyes, Charles Tan, and Alex Wilson are the character designers.
Additional character designs from Rooster Teeth Productions are credited to Claire Bridges, Matthew Dean, Minji Yoon, and Vivian Ly.
Catherine Agor, Tsu-Wei Chen, Jon Finch, Kelly Mai, James T. Robb, and Yoshi Vu are the background designers.
Abando, Servan Castillo, Warren Fok, Toniko Pantoja, and Tatiana Wen serve as the storyboard artists. Vickie Chau, Mark Galez, Omandi Moore-Washington, Chris Pimentel, Dan Quiles, and Suzi Whifler are the storyboard revisionists.
Lindsey K. Myers serves as the episode’s animatic editor. Matt Michael serves as the associate editor.
Samantha Schnauder is the visual effects editor.
The Voice Cast Behind Invincible
Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Sorry to Bother You, Minari, Nope) voices the series’ protagonist and titular character, Markus Sebastian “Mark” Grayson, also known as Invincible. Sandra Oh (Big Fat Liar, The Chair, Umma, Quiz Lady) voices Deborah “Debbie” Grayson, Mark’s mother.
J.K. Simmons (the Spider-Man film franchise, Whiplash, Palm Springs) is credited as the voice of Nolan Grayson—Mark’s father and Debbie’s husband—, also known as Omni-Man.
Supporting Voice Actors
Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2, Atlanta) voices Amber Justine Bennett, Mark’s girlfriend. Gillian Jacobs (Community, Minx, The Bear) appears as the voice of Samantha Eve Wilkins, also known as Atom Eve. Andrew Rannells (Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake) voices William Clockwell, Mark’s best friend.
Grey DeLisle (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai) voices Amanda/ Monster Girl and a GDA agent assistant. Jason Mantzoukas (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Big Mouth, Close Enough) voices Rex Splode.
Khary Payton (Teen Titans, Young Justice, The Walking Dead) voices Black Samson. Jay Pharoah voices Bulletproof.
Chris Diamantopoulos (Silicon Valley, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Made for Love Season 2) voices Donald Ferguson and a villain. Walton Goggins voices Cecil Stedman.
Ross Marquand (Avengers: Infinity War, Robot Chicken, The Walking Dead) voices The Immortal and Rudolph “Rudy” Connors.
Sterling K. Brown (Black Panther, Frozen II, Big Mouth, Solar Opposites, American Fiction) voices Angstrom Levy. Eric Bauza voices DA Sinclair.
Additional voice performances come from Nyima Funk, Robert Kesselman, Dan Navarro (The Cleveland Show, The Boys Presents: Diabolical), and Ami Shukla.
Guest Voice Actors
Lincoln Bodin voices Oliver. Calista Flockhart voices April Howsam.
Luke Macfarlane voices Rick Sheridan, an upperclassman from Upstate University.
Clancy Brown (SpongeBob SquarePants, Thor: Ragnarok, John Wick: Chapter 4) voices General Kregg, a Viltrumite who had hunted down Nolan. Shantel VanSanten makes her Invincible debut as Viltrumite Anissa.
Fred Tatasciore voices Octoboss, a minor villain from the Invincible comics lore.
Tim Robinson voices Filip Schaff, Invincible‘s in-universe comic book personality behind Mark Grayson’s favorite comic book title, Seance Dog. Cliff Curtis voices Paul, Debbie’s colleague in the real estate business. Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters, Die Hard) voices Principal Winslow of Reginald VelJohnson High School, now a Dean of Upstate University.
Seth Rogen (Sausage Party) voices Allen the Alien, a champion evaluation officer for the Coalition of Planets.
Voice Performances and Character Developments
Donald is the true hero of this episode, playing an instrumental figure in two vital subplots: Rick Sheridan’s and Mark Grayson’s. The writers’ development of the character in the show’s first two seasons pays off intelligently here. On the one hand, they adapt his two pages of Issue 38 to function more meaningfully by talking Sheridan out of suicide. This might be the climax of the episode and perhaps the best moment of the season itself, especially with his line delivery: “We’re not our bodies. We’re the decisions we make, the lives we change, the people we love or who love us.” He uses this to save Grayson’s life at the hands of Anissa (voiced by Shantel VanSanten), therefore also saving the planet and delaying its doom.
Although conveyed differently from the source material, Marquand’s voice role as The Immortal is delivered well. His processing of grief is understandable, expressing anger over his decision to do the right thing. There is not much to say about this small period of his subplot other than the fact that anger is an important stage in the process, whereas the character in the comics had accepted loss, the last stage of grief.
Mark and Amber’s unsteady relationship progression is adapted better than its depiction in the comics. The writers continue to illustrate the obstacles of balancing romance with responsibility. While a good sixty-two percent of the episode is dispersed across four subplots, the remaining thirty-eight percent is solid in its straightforward focus on how much longer this couple is willing to last. Anissa proves to be one such obstacle. Her rhetoric about the flaws of humanity harkens back to General Zod’s ideology of human beings in 2013’s Man of Steel.
Final Thoughts on Invincible Season 2 Episode 7
Racioppa writes a strong episode for Invincible Season 2 Part II, displaying the challenges that must be faced when finding a place in the cosmos. Sure, the narrative beats are scarce. However, what they mean and how they define the array of characters are worthwhile. At the same time, Mark Grayson does not take a breather, as the conclusion to the season poses an even larger threat to his well-being.
Invincible Season 2 is now streaming via Prime Video!
Have you seen the series yet? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more action, adaptation, adventure, animation, comic book, drama, fantasy, science-fiction, and thriller-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
