There is a hint in Invincible season 2, episode 3 to suggest that the TV show will avoid the graphic novel's most controversial moment.

This article will include discussions about rape/sexual assault, as well as spoilers for Invincible season 2, episode 3, and the comic books.

Summary

• Invincible season 2 teases a way to involve Markus, Mark Grayson's child, without relying on the controversial subplot of Anissa sexually assaulting him.
• Anissa could be introduced as a mother already, or conceive a child through different means.
• The change in Anissa's storyline would fundamentally alter Markus' character and role in the story, but could be fixed through the introduction of the multiverse.

As both an animated TV show and a graphic novel, Invincible has consistently pushed boundaries, but season 2 appears to have found a way around one major controversy from Robert Kirkman's comic book. Mark Grayson's powers may make him special on Earth, but other Viltrumite children were introduced in the Invincible comic story. Among these was Markus Murphy, the offspring of Mark Grayson himself and Anissa, a Viltrumite. Despite being a significant character, Markus came into the story through Invincible's most controversial subplot in the graphic novel.

Anissa reaches out to Mark to conceive a child. After he refuses her advances, Anissa sexually assaults him. Anissa succeeds in conceiving a child by raping Mark, and even worse, never faces any repercussions for this act. Furthermore, she threatens to do it again. This was Invincible's most controversial storyline, but Invincible season 2, episode 3, "This Missive, This Machination!" teases the Amazon TV show finding a different way to involve Markus in the story.

Related

Invincible Season 2 Confirms How Omni-Man Can Be Defeated

Although Omni-Man seems completely impenetrable, new information in Invincible season 2, episode 2 explains that the Viltrumite can be defeated.

Invincible Season 2's "Other Viltrumite Children" Line Means Anissa & Mark's Controversial Encounter Isn't Needed

Anissa Could Be Introduced As A Mother Already

In Invincible season 2, episode 3, Allen the Alien mentions Mark to the Coalition of Planets, and speculates to Telia that "other Viltrumite kids" may also exist. This line potentially sets up both Anissa and Markus without relying on the storyline where she rapes Mark. Anissa could be introduced having already become a mother beforehand. Alternatively, she may conceive sometime down the line by procreating either with another Viltrumite, or with a half-Viltrumite from a planet they have conquered. Allen's speculation opens the door for Markus to already exist, or soon exist, free from the comic story's controversy.

The Invincible graphic novel portrays Anissa among the most powerful and ruthless Viltrumites. The Invincible TV show can portray her character the same way without wading into any controversial territory that risks turning away viewers. Anissa is yet to be confirmed in Invincible's season 2 cast, and may not appear for the foreseeable future. Still, with the other, more diabolical, Viltrumites coming into the picture, her introduction may not be far away.

How Invincible's Anissa Change Would Alter Markus Murphy's Character & Role

It Would Be Tricky To Introduce Him

Since the Invincible TV show seemingly won't depict what happens between Mark and Anissa, that could make it tricky to introduce Markus Murphy as Mark's biological offspring. With the inclusion of the multiverse, however, Invincible can introduce him in other ways. Since season 2 has shown at least two evil Mark Graysons, there could be a timeline where an evil Mark and Anissa had a consensual relationship that led to Markus being born. Or, to make matters even worse for Prime Mark and his universe, there may be multiple timelines where Mark and Anissa had multiple offspring.

However Amazon's Invincible changes Markus Murphy's origin story, it will fundamentally alter his role in the story. Not being the protagonist's son would immediately make Markus less relevant to the central plot. If Mark and Anissa had consensual sex, this would wholly rewrite Invincible's approach to Mark's romantic interests. The least intrusive way to include Markus controversy-free would be the multiverse. If the boy came from a timeline where Mark and Anissa were in a consensual relationship, Prime Mark may still feel some parental responsibility - even if, technically, he is not the father.

Invincible Would Be Right To Avoid Anissa & Mark's Comic Controversy

Even if Invincible does not recreate the most uncomfortable subplot in the graphic novel, it can still portray Anissa's attraction to Mark as disturbing without veering near any form of sexual assault. Anissa doesn't have to force herself on Mark to establish how intimidating she is as an antagonist, or highlight the evil of Viltrumites. There are other ways to achieve such things, and going this route will help Invincible avoid unnecessary backlash, while also establishing Anissa as a terrifying character.

Invincible has taken some liberties with its characters since the animated TV show started in 2021. Debbie Grayson did not have a huge role in the graphic novel, but is one of the TV show's main characters. Additionally, William's sexual orientation was not out in the open when the graphic novel began, but was when the television series started. Both of these changes made Invincible's story better for TV. If Invincible alters its controversial subplot between Anissa and Mark, that change would fit under the same umbrella.

Invincible will stream new episodes on Prime Video.

• invincible

  Summary:

  Based on the comic book character by Robert Kirkman, Invincible follows Mark Grayson, a seventeen-year-old who leads a seemingly average life save for the fact that he lives behind the shadow of his superhero father, Omni-Man. Mark goes on to develop superhuman abilities, but he must also learn that his father's legacy isn't as glitzy and glamorous as he's been led to believe.The animated series boasts a star-studded cast that also includes Mark Hamill, Sandra Oh, and Mahershala Ali.

  Release Date:

  2021-03-26

  Cast:

  Mark Hamill, Gillian Jacobs, Jon Hamm, Mae Whitman, Steven Yeun, Walton Goggins, Ezra Miller, Jonathan Groff, Sandra Oh, Djimon Hounsou, Khary Payton, Seth Rogen, Jeffrey Donovan, Sonequa Martin-Green, Mahershala Ali, Malese Jow, J. K. Simmons, Clancy Brown, Zazie Beetz, Zachary Quinto, Jason Mantzoukas, Nicole Byer

  Genres:

  Animation, Adventure, Action

  Seasons:

  1

  Story By:

  Robert Kirkman

  Writers:

  Robert Kirkman

  Network:

  amazon prime video

  Streaming Service(s):

  Amazon Prime Video

  Directors:

  Robert Kirkman

  Showrunner:

  Robert Kirkman

  Season List:

  invincible - Season 1, invincible - Season 2