The Universe of Invincible is similar to The Boys, not because of its theme of degenerate superheroes, but because it is quite harsh and realistic when it comes to the topic of superheroes.
There aren't happy endings all the time. Sometimes superheroes can't stop the bus from exploding, prevent a thief from shooting, or stop a murderer from killing their victims. In Invincible, unlike DC or Marvel, there is no alien invasion without many people dying, and this world makes that clear with every death because they are very graphic.
...
In a suburban neighborhood in the city of Chicago, Illinois, there was a young man named Mark Grayson who sighed while lying in bed. His life was good; he wasn't rich but had no financial problems. He was an average middle-class student who lived a quiet life with friends and the usual problems of a teenager.
His mother, Deborah Grayson, was kind and a bit strict but with a good heart, and his father, although not perfect, was an honest man who didn't treat Mark badly.
So, what's the problem?
Mark looked at his phone where the news showed that Omni-Man had stopped a bank robbery. In his eyes, there was a hidden longing for this man, who would be like Superman in this world.
"Mark, it's almost time for school, hurry up!"
Hearing his mother, the young man with black hair and eyes got out of bed and looked at the mirror, where his reflection showed a sense of defeat. He then proceeded to leave his room.
When he went downstairs, he saw a man floating in the living room; his father, Nolan Grayson, who was also Omni-Man. No one would believe that Mark Grayson was the son of the greatest hero of all.
"Son, it's getting late. You'd better hurry."
"Yes, Dad..." Mark replied, sitting down to eat breakfast.
Omni-Man watched him silently for a while before smiling. Mark felt uncomfortable under his father's gaze. He didn't hate him and, in fact, felt bad for treating him so indifferently, but like all teenagers, he wasn't able to manage his emotions well.
In the past, when his father explained that he wasn't human but an alien from a planet called Viltrum, he did it to prepare Mark for when his superpowers would awaken. But years passed, and Mark never developed any powers. Now he had to live every day knowing that he was Omni-Man's useless son.
"I'm leaving, Mom."
Mark grabbed his backpack and left. Nolan, reading the newspaper, watched his son's back.
"I didn't think this would happen. Maybe I should have never told him I was Omni-Man."
"Don't feel bad, darling..." Deborah placed her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Mark doesn't hate you; he just feels bad about not being able to follow in your footsteps..."
Nolan stood up and hugged his wife. "Thanks. How about I take you to Monaco?"
Deborah smiled, "Better Paris..."
Mark, from outside, watched his parents fly away. He raised his fist and tried to jump, but couldn't even lift a centimeter. Embarrassed that a postman saw him, he quickly left.
This was the fantasy of this superhero world, a fantasy that would soon be shattered. Mark had hopes of becoming a superhero without understanding the bloody path it would lead him down.
...
After a busy day, Mark returned home and went up to his roof that night. Looking at the stars, he remembered the story his father, Omni-Man, had told him.
"Son, I'm not human. I come from Viltrum, a place millions of miles from here. It's a blue and beautiful place... I... our race born with super strength, super speed, super endurance, the ability to travel through space without support, and enhanced regeneration... Our civilization had reached the peak of development, both technologically and evolutionarily. So, we decided to help other races across the galaxy. As you can see, I volunteered to come to Earth and be its only protector... One day, you will awaken these powers."
It was a beautiful story that won Mark's heart and soul. Remembering all that, he decided to try awakening his powers more determinedly. He stood up and moved to the edge of the roof.
"Alright, I won't fall, I'll float... and even if I fall, I'll be fine because I'm half Viltrumite."
Mark closed his eyes and took a step, expecting the pain of falling, but it didn't happen. When he opened his eyes, he was floating. Excited, Mark flew into the sky.
*Oh yes!"
Everything he had always dreamed of had come true; he now had superpowers. But Mark made the same mistake Iron Man did and flew too high. He panicked when he saw space, and when he tried to come back, he didn't know how to descend. He kept rising until he passed out from lack of oxygen and fell.
Mark hit the ground, creating a crater. He didn't die, but it hurt a lot. Fortunately, his parents hadn't even returned from Paris.
The next day, Mark explained that he had awakened his powers. His mother hugged him, but his father had a more muted reaction, a somewhat awkward smile. Mark didn't know, but the awakening of his powers had triggered a disaster for Earth, one they wouldn't be able to handle.
Over the next few days, Nolan Grayson trained his son, but his temperament had changed. From being a kind man, he became strict and even bad-tempered. When Deborah, his wife, scolded him, he realized he was losing his composure. But he couldn't stop himself, because Mark's powers were something that should never have awakened.
...
Just as there is an Omni-Man, the Superman of this world, there is also a Batman, a Flash, a Wonder Woman, an Aquaman, and in general, a Justice League, called "The Guardians of the Globe."
Traveling to a park at noon, a couple could be seen having a picnic.
"He just has trouble making friends," said the brown-haired woman, worried and looking into the distance.
"Friends? He has an ocean of friends..." replied the man with a strong Russian accent. However, his words were interrupted when he saw a man dressed in yellow attacking people with electric powers.
Without thinking, he disappeared using his super speed. In less than a second, he caught the supervillain and tied him with metal bars. The villain didn't even understand what had happened.
This man was Red Rush, the fastest speedster in the world, a member of the Guardians of the Globe.
He returned to his spot before his girlfriend noticed, but he forgot to change out of his red superhero suit.
"Josef, you can't do this!"
The man realized his mistake and quickly changed his suit. "I... I'm sorry."
"How is this supposed to work if you can't keep your attention on me for five minutes?" The woman, angry, turned away.
"My attention? You don't see things like I do. My perception is as fast as I am, paying attention in a conversation feels like an eternity..."
The woman frowned, feeling hurt, but Josef took her hand.
"But with you, it's worth it. Your voice is a gift, considerate, compassionate, and beautiful. I enjoy every conversation with you..."
The woman was moved, but when she was about to respond, the watch on Josef's wrist started beeping.
"Is it an emergency?"
The woman spoke reluctantly, already knowing the answer.
"I'm sorry..."
Red Rush said goodbye with a tired look, unable to ignore the call, as it was used by the Guardians when something serious was happening.
...
In Denver, there was a dangerous situation. A thin, bald man with a turbine on his back flew into the sky. Another man in a yellow and blue suit pursued him, with a large beard and a calm gaze.
"Denver is destroyed, Immortal! I'm going to blow myself up and you won't be able to stop me because I've lined my suit with plutonium."
Before he could finish speaking, Immortal took the detonator from his hand and threw it into the sky.
"Ahhhh!"
"When in doubt, throw them into space," said the man, smiling. However, just like Red Rush, the Guardians' signal flashed on his arm.
Without hesitation, Immortal headed toward the Guardians' headquarters.
'What's going on this time?'
...
In the depths of the ocean, the King of Atlantis was bored on his throne. Unlike Aquaman, he looked more like a merman with a large fish head and blue skin.
His golden bracelet began to blink, and he stood up, excited.
"Yes! Finally, some action!"
The merman, whose superhero name is Aquarus, sped toward the headquarters.
...
In a huge building, a woman in a red office outfit stepped out.
"Wait, Holly."
"Please, Connie, I don't have time."
Behind the woman, a girl with orange hair, presumably her assistant, followed her.
"This is important, with the launch of Storm Heaven 4.0, our market share will increase by ten percent. We have a great golden year ahead!"
Holly placed her hands on her hips. "I thought the launch would be free. I'm not worried about the shareholders, I want a great year for the world."
As she finished her words, the emergency signal from the Guardians was heard. She touched a jewel on her neck and reappeared in a white and red suit, with light golden armor pieces, a blue cape, and a metal mace in her hand. This woman was the Wonder Woman of this world, also known as War Woman.
Connie silently observed her boss with her green eyes, hiding a deep sigh. "Aren't you already doing enough for the world?"
"No one does enough, Connie," she replied before flying into the sky, leaving her assistant sighing.
...
In an abandoned building, a boy cheered on a creature that was stretching across the floor.
"Come on, you're almost there!"
The brown-colored creature stretched even further, and the boy celebrated.
"You did it! Oh, sorry!" The boy took the chalk and marked the floor to indicate the new stretch limit.
Immediately, the creature took on a humanoid form wearing a superhero suit.
"Thanks, Nicky. I've never stretched this much before..."
This humanoid wasn't actually from Earth but was a Martian, known as Martian Man, the Martian Manhunter of this world.
His arm began to beep with a red light.
"Come on, buddy, take me with you! I can help!"
"No, Nicky, the Guardians' matters are too dangerous for a human child."
The Martian walked up to the window and flew into the sky.
...
In a photography studio, a woman took pictures of a model with great enthusiasm.
"That's it, move your head a little and show me your profile."
The sound of the camera taking rapid shots was interrupted when a bracelet started to beep. She said goodbye and left the place through the back. She took a green gem in her hand and swallowed it. Immediately, her body turned emerald, and she passed through the ceiling, like a Martian Manhunter or Vision, before flying at high speed. She is Green Ghost.
...
Two thieves were attempting to enter a building from a rooftop door. After forcing the door with a crowbar, the first thief smiled, looking at his partner, but noticed he wasn't looking back.
"We're in... Sam, what are you doing?"
The other thief was staring worriedly in one direction.
"Darkwing..."
"Don't worry, he can't be everywhere at once."
Darkwing was the Batman of this world, a man who applied justice to the streets of a dangerous city. Unlike his fellow Guardians, he had no powers but made up for it with combat skills and technology.
"Look there."
Like a creature of the night, Darkwing was perched on a water container, placing two devices on the metal surface.
"Luckily, I don't need to be everywhere, just where I'm needed."
Darkwing jumped toward the robbers; one of them used the metal bar to try to hit him but was disarmed by Darkwing, who placed handcuffs that glowed and attracted him like magnets to one of the devices he had previously placed.
Darkwing also knocked out the other thief and handcuffed him. Immediately, he was pulled toward the container, and now both thieves were hanging.
"I know what's inside there and who you work for, now talk!"
"We're not snitches, we won't tell you anything!"
"Really..."
The emergency signal also sounded for Darkwing. He smirked at the thieves.
"Alright, I'll ask you tomorrow..."
Darkwing jumped off the building and called his Wing Jet, which caught him in the air and quickly took him out of the city.
...
The Guardians arrived at their headquarters but noticed no one had called them.
"Must have been Darkwing," said Immortal, crossing his arms.
"I guess we should wait..."
The Guardians of the Globe...
These men and women were not a satire, parody, or degenerate version like "The Seven" from "The Boys" universe. They were genuine superheroes seeking a better world. But they had all fallen into a trap they never expected.
When Darkwing landed on the ground, Immortal approached him.
"Darkwing, why did you call us?"
"Me?... no, you called me..."
"Wait, no one called?"
"This doesn't feel right!"
The Guardians are the world's strongest heroes and have faced all kinds of dangers. However, for the first time, they felt genuine fear from deep in their hearts.
It was very strange that none of them considered the possibility that Omni-Man had called them. But despite being a member of the Guardians, like Superman in the Justice League, Omni-Man kept his distance from them. It was as if they didn't trust him completely.
Red Rush looked around silently, his eyes widening before running toward Immortal and moving him out of the way.
The punch with a red glove brushed past his head, and its owner landed between them.
"Omni-Man?!" shouted Immortal. They weren't fools; just a moment ago, the greatest superhero had tried to kill Immortal.
War Woman was the first to react, attacking Omni-Man by instinct. He dodged, and just before hitting her, Red Rush pulled her away.
Red Rush began hitting Omni-Man from all directions. He couldn't compete in speed with a speedster, so he waited patiently and coordinated his counterattack by grabbing Red Rush's arms. Then, he grabbed him by the head and started applying force.
"AHHH!"
Red Rush screamed as he hit Omni-Man in the chest. His superpower made everything feel like slow motion.
Red Rush's goggles shattered, and one of his eyes popped out. It was a surreal scene; Red Rush's desperation was so great that he hit Omni-man so hard that he broke his own hands, and still, he did not stop hitting the chest of who was once his partner. But Omni-man didn't stop, keeping a bloodthirsty look on his face. Slowly, his head deformed until Omni-Man crushed it, drenching himself in blood.
"NOOO!"
Everyone was in shock. One of their strongest members had just been murdered—by none other than Omni-Man himself.
Martian Man wrapped himself around Omni-Man, restraining him. War Woman struck him with her mace, making him bleed, proving why they were the Guardians of the Globe. However, Omni-Man was still Omni-Man. He broke free and exchanged blows with Immortal, who couldn't withstand them.
Martian Man collapsed next to Aquarus, who used his power to generate high-pressure water in an attempt to hold Omni-Man back.
"You okay?"
"I'll live."
Darkwing threw several explosives, which Omni-Man dodged more out of reflex than any real threat. War Woman attacked again, but Omni-Man struck her back, making her stagger.
Darkwing dropped down from the ceiling onto Omni-Man, but whatever he was trying to do, he never got the chance—Omni-Man grabbed him by the ankle and slammed him into the ground, shattering his face and several bones. Without letting go, he slammed him down once more, and this time, Darkwing's head exploded against the floor.
Everyone stared in horror...
Omni-Man tossed the corpse at Green Ghost, who made the mistake of catching it.
"Oh no..."
Green Ghost immediately realized her error, but Omni-Man didn't forgive it. Omni-man, with his hand, pierced Green Ghost's head.
"Damn It!"
Furious, Aquarus attacked Omni-Man, but he used Green Ghost's body as a shield.
Immortal helped War Woman up.
"Someone must be controlling him; he would never do this!"
War Woman, blood dripping from her nose, looked at Immortal. "It's him or is it us"
Immortal turned and saw that three of their teammates were already dead in less than a minute.
"It's... us..." Immortal gave a pessimistic statement, but War Woman felt the same deep down.
"HAHHH!'
War Woman let out a battle cry and charged at Omni-Man. He tore her metal mace from her hands and used it to strike Aquarus. The triton was brutally crushed.
"Shaaaa!"
Seeing his friend die, Martian Man attacked even harder, wrapping himself around Omni-Man, trying to contain his monstrous strength.
"Why?!"
Furious, Immortal threw his full strength at Omni-Man, along with War Woman. They were powerful enough to injure him; for the first time, Omni-Man was actually being pressured.
Omni-man received punch after punch that made him bleed. All he could do was extend his hand and rip the core out of Martian Man's chest. The Martian let out a final scream before dying.
Now freed, Omni-Man drove his fist through Immortal's abdomen. War Woman tried to attack again, but Omni-Man snapped her neck. She coughed up blood before collapsing to the ground.
"Why?!"
Even wounded, Immortal refused to accept this reality. But Omni-Man didn't care. He decapitated him, then collapsed to the ground, pained by his own injuries, and lost consciousness.
Everything had been premeditated; except that Omni-Man had not anticipated just how strong the Guardians would be.
...
...
...
In an interrogation room, Allen leaned back in his chair with a cup of coffee in front of him. He was wearing high-tech handcuffs designed to contain supervillains.
A man entered the room. He was old, with long, gray hair and scars on his cheek and mouth.
"I'm Cecil Stedman..."
"Hello, Cecil. I don't know how you expect me to drink this coffee with these cuffs on my hands..."
"I'd like to free you, but I can't believe you're innocent after seeing you in that place surrounded by superhero corpses..."
Allen mocked, "Oh, come on. If I had killed the guardians and left Omni-Man in that state, do you really think I'd just follow you peacefully?"
Cecil sat down across from Allen. "That's why I'm offering you coffee instead of detonating you with a nuclear submarine..."
Allen broke the electronic cuffs and grabbed the cup of coffee. Several men who had been invisible appeared with energy weapons aimed at Allen. However, Cecil raised his hand, signaling them not to attack.
"Do you know who did this?"
Allen took a sip of coffee and looked at Cecil with his wine-colored eyes.
"I don't think you're that stupid, Cecil. Why don't you analyze the blood on Superman's clothes and see whose it is?"
"Why don't you measure the fist marks on his chest and figure out who they belong to?"
"Why is it that the only survivor of this massacre has everyone else's blood on his body?"
"..!!!"
Cecil stood up from his chair and quickly left the interrogation room.
The guards looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Allen was free, and Cecil had even left the door open before leaving. Despite being elite soldiers, they couldn't help but feel intimidated by every move Allen made.
Allen looked at the confused and nervous guards. He smiled, set down his coffee, and pulled out a deck of cards from nowhere.
"Gentlemen, do you like poker?"