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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 penultimate Season 2 episode, Robert Kirkman’s Prime Video television adaptation of Invincible urges its characters to the conclusion of this chapter and prepares them for the next one. With a fifty-minute-and-a-half runtime, the finale has been worth the wait for the most dedicated fans, opening the doorways to both familiar and new surprises.
The second season’s finale is titled, “I Thought You Were Stronger”. It is written by series creator, executive producer, and co-showrunner Robert Kirkman and directed by storyboard artist Tanner Johnson.
In this review, I will discuss Invincible Season 2 Episode 8. 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 8 Logline
According to Amazon Studios Press, here is the logline for Invincible Season 2 Episode 8—“I Thought You Were Stronger”.
An old enemy threatens everything Mark holds dear.
Amazon Studios Press
Discussion
The near-excellence of the Invincible Season 2 finale cannot quite be articulated to full satisfaction. Something about the screenwriters and the animators’ adaptation of Issues 33 through 35 as well as 46 to 47 is awe-inspiring. Although the duration of the episode lasts longer than prior episodes in the series, “I Thought You Were Stronger” spends a rough two-thirds of its runtime exhibiting the brisk-paced action sequences of Markus Sebastian “Mark” Grayson/ Invincible’s (voiced by Steven Yeun) face-off against antagonist Angstrom Levy (voiced by Sterling K. Brown).
The final act, then, feels more like an epilogue for the season, presenting resolutions for Rudolph “Rudy” Connors (voiced by Ross Marquand) and Amanda (voiced by Grey DeLisle), The Immortal (voiced by Marquand) and Dupli-Kate (voiced by Melise), and introducing archeologists Jane (voiced by Ella Purnell) and Riley (voiced by Chloe Bennet) without elaborating on their contribution to the larger story. Dupli-Kate’s survival isn’t explained, either, but according to the source material, she paves the way for her twin brother, Multi-Paul.
The episode’s narrative organization is more focused in the concluding pages of this season. Grayson breaking up his relationship before Samantha Eve Wilkins’s (voiced by Gillian Jacobs) confession of her love for him is a wise decision to make in the progression of the plot. Conversely, in hindsight, I’m still not too keen on the introduction of Oliver Grayson’s nanny/tutor, April Howsam (voiced by Calista Flockhart), before Levy attacks the Grayson household. In the comic book source material, her inclusion makes stronger sense as the outcome of Mark’s mother struggling to function further as a single mother. That is beside the point, as the stronger merits of the episode are found in the animation, the music, and the voice acting of its lead talent.
Bringing the Closing Chapter to Life
Kirkman and his team’s efforts in adapting the thirty-third to thirty-fifth issues of Image Comics run are incredible. The storyboarding of Mark Grayson passing through portals to alternate dimensions and then eventually landing punches on Levy or receiving them from him is enticing work. More to that point, the protagonist later pushing himself to improve his superhuman abilities requires some of the most alluring visuals—background design and coloring—along with a track from Michael Kiwanuka’s “Final Days”.
The character designs of the evil Invincible, particularly his various costumes across the dimensions, not to mention the background designs of Levy as a police officer atop an overpass or as a prisoner awaiting decapitation on death row… they’re just an intriguing sight. Next to that, the imagery of Deborah “Debbie” Grayson (voiced by Sandra Oh)—a swollen right eye and a broken arm—sitting in the living room alongside a bawling Oliver is painful to look at, but the animators made it work.
The closing shot of Eve offering Mark a shoulder to lean on as they look over the city is a lovely way to end the episode. Furthermore, Nolan Grayson (voiced by J.K. Simmons) vocally expressing rue over his departure from his wife is followed by dead-silent end-credits, permitting that feeling of regret to take over. For the most part, it seems to work.
The Crew Cast 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, as well as a storyboard artist for the finale.
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. Katie Jackson, Natalia Saavedra Brychcy (Knock at the Cabin), 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, Yoshi Vu, and Pace Wilder are the background designers.
Matthew Carbonella (Big Hero 6: The Series, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, Star Trek: Lower Decks), Duncan, Lora Innes, Tanner Johnson, and Chris Palmer serve as the storyboard artists. Karon Clerk, Chris Pimentel, Kaitrin Snodgrass (Ben 10, Little Demon), and Suzi Whifler are the storyboard revisionists.
Matt Michael serves as the episode’s animatic editor and 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
Gillian Jacobs (Community, Minx, The Bear) voices Samantha Eve Wilkins, also known as Atom Eve, as well as an older version of the character from an alternate universe.
Grey DeLisle (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai) voices Amanda/ Monster Girl, dinosaur #3, and a GDA trooper. Melise (Unfabulous) voices Dupli-Kate and zombie #3. Jason Mantzoukas (John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Big Mouth, Close Enough) voices Rex Splode and zombie #2.
Jay Pharoah voices Bulletproof, dinosaur #2, and zombie #1. Walton Goggins voices Cecil Stedman.
Ross Marquand (Avengers: Infinity War, Robot Chicken, The Walking Dead) voices The Immortal, Rudolph “Rudy” Connors, and Omnipotus. Zachary Quinto (Heroes, Big Mouth, American Horror Story) voices Robot, dinosaur #1, and zombie #4.
Sterling K. Brown (Black Panther, Frozen II, Big Mouth, Solar Opposites, American Fiction) voices Angstrom Levy. Eric Bauza voices a Viltrumite, an alien guard, and a neighbor.
Additional voice performances come from Nyima Funk, Robert Kesselman, Dan Navarro (The Cleveland Show, The Boys Presents: Diabolical), and Ami Shukla.
Guest Voice Actors
Calista Flockhart voices April Howsam.
Clancy Brown (SpongeBob SquarePants, Thor: Ragnarok, John Wick: Chapter 4) voices General Kregg, a Viltrumite who had hunted down Nolan; and Ka-Hor, a demonic entity.
Camden Coley voices Angstrom Jr., Angstrom Levy’s son in an alternate universe(s). Josh Keaton (Spider-Man, Avengers Assemble, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Marvel Studios’ What If…?) voices Agent Spider and a jogger in the Grayson family’s neighborhood named Taylor.
Ella Purnell (Netflix’s Arcane, Star Trek: Prodigy, Fallout) voices Jane, an archaeologist. Chloe Bennet (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) voices Riley, Jane’s friend and a fellow archaeologist.
Seth Rogen (Sausage Party) voices Allen the Alien, a champion evaluation officer for the Coalition of Planets.
Voice Performances and Character Developments
Yeun and Oh have brilliant deliveries as Mark and Debbie Grayson, respectively. Debbie’s interaction with Levy is one of the most thrilling string of moments I have seen in the season, even down to the few small changes to what is depicted in the comics. For instance, Levy’s throwing knife trick is new to this part of the narrative, as is Levy’s recollection of his experiences across the multiverse. Debbie protecting Oliver at all costs as this whole event unfolds makes the situation all the more emotionally impactful.
Yeun’s best line delivery comes when Grayson overpowers Angstrom Levy in the desert wasteland dimension. The fact that the main character had just fought against a Viltrumite and then ended his relationship with his girlfriend shows that he hasn’t taken enough time to process matters in a healthy manner.
In this final episode of the season, Sterling K. Brown cannot be topped when it comes to voice performances. One specific moment that is personally grand to hear is when Levy refuses to believe that this dimension’s Invincible is a good person, that he is as depraved as those in the other dimensions. Simply reading Issue 33 does not do it justice, and the adaptation of this in the television series offers perfection. With that said, Brown’s screen time as his character deserves greater. In fact, those familiar with his fate later on in the source material should find themselves delighted to know that he should be coming back soon… or well, eventually.
Final Thoughts on Invincible Season 2 Episode 8
Invincible Season 2 has been quite the ride. No amount of words can rightfully express the genius that its finale has demonstrated to the general audience. The final act (or epilogue, depending on how it is perceived) appears to slow the pace a bit. Still, everything that happens in that last quarter-hour is necessary. Co-showrunner/ executive producer Simon Racioppa assures fans that the series’ third season will hit Amazon Studios’ streaming platform sooner than can be expected, so I cannot wait to see what the screenwriters, the animators, the voice cast, and everyone else has in store for us in the near-future!
Invincible Season 2 is now streaming via Prime Video!
Have you seen the Prime Video 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.
