Invincible Season 2, Part 2 Trailer Sets Up The Comic’s Most Controversial Storyline

Warning: This article contains discussions of instances of sexual assault.

The trailer for Invincible‘s second half of season 2 provides glimpses into many new and exciting characters, but it also teases one of the comic book’s most problematic characters as well. With Invincible season 2 on the way and the series’ eclectic range of characters set to make reappearances or their animated series debut, the second part of the season is already looking like a strong follow-up to the first part. Despite how enticing the new trailer is, it also briefly showcases one of Invincible‘s most controversial characters, which presents a unique challenge for the second half of season 2 to overcome.

Invincible is known for its brutal fights and other unabashed displays of violence, but the new character set to appear in the second half of season 2 takes things to heights none of the depicted violence has and likely ever will reach. While Invincible‘s future already faces problems, the depiction of its newest character has the potential to effectively see the show face cancelation if Amazon Prime fails to address things tactfully. While Invincible has already proven itself capable of handling many complex issues with grace, the show’s next challenge might be too big to adequately handle.

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Invincible Season 2, Part 1 Ending Explained

Invincible season 2, part 1 is now over, and here’s what happened in the mid-season finale and how it sets up the upcoming batch of episodes.

Invincible Season 2, Part 2’s Trailer Shows Mark Fighting Anissa

Anissa is a fellow Viltrumite who has a very problematic relationship with Mark / Invincible.

In Invincible‘s source material, Anissa is a fellow Viltrumite whose primary goal is to convince Mark to conceive a child with her in the hopes of restoring balance to their fleeting species. Despite her pleas, Anissa uses unscrupulous tactics such as threatening the lives of Mark’s loved ones, the safety of Earth, and even himself if he fails to help her usher in a new age of Viltrumites. After refusing to assist her, Mark and Anissa engage in a lengthy battle that sees Anissa as the victor. However, her victory over Mark is hardly the worst part of the situation.

After pinning Mark to the ground, she forces herself onto him, which results in Mark impregnating her. What’s worse about the situation is that Anissa never faces any serious repercussions as she goes on to have the child. Although Invincible creator Robert Kirkman has developed a strong reputation for pushing the envelope in terms of his depictions of sensitive material, the controversy over his portrayal of Mark’s sexual assault is that it’s made to look somewhat sexy in the comics. Despite its impact on the story, Invincible has already hinted at how it will tackle the scene.

Will Invincible Season 2 Show Anissa’s Controversial Comic Moment?

The third episode of season 2 cleverly hinted that the TV show will avoid the comic’s controversial moment.

As a result of Mark being forced to impregnate Anissa, she gives birth to their child, Markus Murphy, which effectively satisfies her goal of gradually reestablishing their race to eventually take over Earth. Adding injury to insult, Anissa callously claims that she’ll seek Mark out again and repeat her assault since it’s the only way to reproduce more Viltrumites. The depiction of sexual assault is abhorrent, but Invincible season 2, episode 3, “This Missive, This Machination!” already hinted at how the show will handle the controversial moment.

During the episode, Allen the Alien divulges to Mark that “other Viltrumite kids” might already exist without them fully knowing. Allen’s single line implies that Anissa could already be a mother reproducing Viltrumites by other means. The line also hints that there could be other Viltrumites on Earth with whom Anissa is well acquainted. While Markus becomes a crucial character in the source material and the moral dilemma Mark faces regarding his son’s birth makes for a compelling read in the graphic novels, its graphic nature justifies Amazon Prime changing how the events leading up to Markus’s birth unfold.

Why Invincible Season 2 Needs To Change The Comic Story

Invincible could face cancelation with a depiction of sexual assault.

Invincible would benefit from changing Markus’s introduction into the series because the graphic depiction of sexual assault simply isn’t needed. The violence on display and themes addressed throughout the series are already provoking on their own – and while they are hard to watch, they do add necessary context to the overall brutality of Kirkman’s interpretation of superhero life. Anissa sexually assaulting Mark doesn’t add anything to the series other than cheap shock value, and given the show’s successful run without it, it would potentially ruin the show’s reputation for walking the line without going over it.

Additionally, viewers are much more vocal about their disdain regarding subjects and images they find offensive. Depicting Mark’s sexual assault plays into the negative stereotype of assault against men not being as serious as it is when it is exacted on women. This is problematic because it’s wrong and abhorrent regardless of who’s on the receiving end, and to properly address it with adequate screen time would take away focus from the larger story. With the many ways Invincible has already tactfully handled serious matters such as violence and family, the show would be just fine without the scene.