Sorry, I’m really running behind on what’s current or contemporary TV or movies. It was a crazy Summer…no wait, I’m only partially sorry because I planned on spending much more time on my house. Then in the near future, it won’t be such a hassle to write, HA!
Anyway, I wanted to cover these two, quite different, more mature interpretations of superheroes if you haven’t watched them yet and/or you’re bored by the Marvel/DC Comics offerings.
I’ll start with the one everybody knows was cancelled pretty quickly by Netflix, the Fox Network of streaming, Jupiter Ascending. Based upon a miniseries written by Mark Millar (Kick Ass, The Kingsmen) and published by Image a few years back. Jupiter appeared to be a knock off to DC’s Kingdom Come because the story’s key elements dealt with the generational divide between superheroes. I preferred Jupiter since there were fewer characters to track (six) during Jupiter‘s Golden Age and due to the first generation’s extended lifespans, there’s only one younger generation following them. Kingdom was a ka-jillion.
The Netflix show then merged the two printed series Legacy and Circle by having the show go back and forth in time. One arc is how the Utopian and his teammates got their powers during the Great Depression. The other is the modern era as the Utopian copes with a changing world in which today’s villains don’t play fair and his two children refuse to uphold his ideals. The other modification Netflix made was A-OK with me; diversifying the cast. In the comic, it’s pretty much a White-people world. Changing characters to other ethnic groups or sexual orientation didn’t diminish anything neither. In a couple instances, it enhanced the character developments.
Many people crapped on the show’s special effects, saying they were subpar. I guess I need new glasses, they looked OK for Netflix to me. The show’s pacing was probably what killed it. Not enough beatdowns on the villains, too much soap opera padding like Arrow. Jupiter was more interesting when it told the origin story; a quest to a dangerous island with tests for the heroes to earn their powers.
Since Jupiter was cancelled, I can spoil what nobody will get to see. The Utopian’s brother Brainwave has been playing the long game to run the world. For far too long, Brainwave let Utopian call the shots: no interference in the wars, the social unrest, etc.; and more importantly they’re not allowed to use their powers to save humanity from itself. Legacy was originally written in the aftermath of the Great Recession so you can see Brainwave’s emphasis on “fixing” the economy to keep everyone pacified. Brainwave also enlists the Utopian’s son and other younger heroes into killing all the older Union members to establish their dictatorship. Any other heroes or villains refusing to comply go into hiding, mainly the Utopian’s daughter Chloe; a Paris Hilton type with Supergirl’s incredible powers. Within a decade, humanity grows tired of Brainwave’s meddling and it’s up to Chloe to lead the resistance.
Image Comics and Amazon Prime fared better with Invincible. Created by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) with help (just Hollywood credibility) from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Thankfully, the latter duo didn’t mess this up with their just-not-funny vulgarity as per Superbad, Future Man and Sausage Party. According to my comic book store, Invincible came to an end, only spin-off characters/stories are published lately.
While Jupiter chose to streamline the superhero population, Invincible is the opposite, a universe filled with super-powered characters on par with Marvel and DC. The focus is on Mark Grayson, the son of the world’s mightiest hero Omni Man (Superman) and an earth woman; she’s a realtor, not a reporter; glad to know Mark’s mom has a viable career. Unlike his father who had powers since birth, Mark’s don’t kick in until he’s a senior in high school.
The first season isn’t a tiresome montage involving him practicing. Mark masters his abilities quickly so the show advances to the larger arcs immediately: protecting his identity, getting a costume, taking the name Invincible, learning about who he should help given how powerful he is, balancing school work, having a crush on a pretty girl, fitting in with a supergroup of fellow teens, etc. The major one which will carry over into the second season is (not a spoiler)…who killed the Guardians of the Globe? I will say, it’s revealed within a couple episodes.
What separates Invincible from Jupiter and the mainstream animated competition, is its level of gore. This is not a tidy world. Bystanders are killed routinely by the villains and heroes although the latter didn’t intend those casualties, they just can’t prevent the indirect deaths from property damage all the time. There’s also more shades of gray: infidelities, mixed loyalties, self-interest overruling the greater good and the biggest lesson Mark learns, be careful who you help.
I think Invincible will go on to be a genuine hit for Amazon Prime. The show is on its way to being the most successful superhero franchise not derived from the big two and the first show the streaming service has offered that I want to keep watching. I can’t get into The Boys as it tries to hard to be The Watchmen in overdrive and it isn’t funny. The Man in the High Tower lost me midway through its first season; next time Amazon, go with a book which has a narrative and isn’t a philosophical exercise. The other biggest factor making me bet on this series was the voice casting. It has many pros (JK Simmons, Grey DeLisle) and most of Big Mouth‘s cast.
Give them both a try. Maybe Jupiter Ascending will get a second chance as Tuca & Bertie did thanks to [adult swim]. Invincible season two is slated for 2022.