How long should a TV adaptation run to do justice to its source material? Well, if you ask, Robert Kirkman, the creative genius behind Amazon Prime’s animated series Invincible, for a very long time.
Kirman recently revealed his vision for the show’s future, and if you’re hoping for a long, drawn-out saga, you might be in for a surprise.
In a chat with Polygon, Kirkman hinted that a span of about seven to eight seasons might be the sweet spot to adapt the entirety of the Invincible comic series. However, he quickly added a twist, mentioning he’s “trying not to pin it down to a number,” calling the entire endeavor “a moving target”.
According to Kirkman, this isn’t merely about adapting the comics verbatim. It’s about breathing new life into them and explore avenues that perhaps the comics couldn’t. “I think it’d be cool to have some episodes here and there that are completely original,” Kirkman mused. And why not? If The Walking Dead could take liberties, why can’t Invincible?
Kirkman’s approach to Invincible is reminiscent of his work on Fear the Walking Dead. He’s not afraid to deviate from its source material, expand on certain plot points, or even introduce entirely new arcs. This flexibility has often been the secret sauce behind the success of his TV adaptations.
In both the comic books and the animated show, Invincible follows the life of Mark Grayson, a teenager whose father is the most powerful superhero on the planet, Omni-Man. As Mark develops his own superhuman abilities, he embraces his identity as Invincible. However, his journey is far from typical superhero fare, as he grapples with complex moral choices, uncovers dark family secrets, and confronts a host of formidable villains.
Though Invincible has been a smashing success, as of now, Prime Video has only officially given the green light for the next two seasons. But with the series’ growing popularity and Kirkman’s track record (The Walking Dead ran for an incredible 11 seasons, not to mention several spin-offs), it’s hard to imagine Amazon not jumping on the opportunity for more.
As we eagerly await the debut of the first part of Season 2 on Prime Video on November 3, we can rest easy knowing that Kirkman has mapped out a clear path for the future of Invincible. All we can do now is cross our fingers and hope that Amazon doesn’t decide to pull the plug on this animated series, which has established itself as one of the finest shows in recent memory.
