Invincible Calls Out The Popular Trend That Needs To Die

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The fourth season of Invincible has highlighted a common trope that many viewers might be tired of seeing. With the continuation of the story after season 3, the show is expanding its universe and building towards the major conflict with the Viltrumites.

While Nolan and Allen search for ways to defeat the Viltrumites from Invincible, Mark and the Guardians of the Globe remain focused on defending Earth from other dangers. This separate storyline has uncovered a lot more information about the Viltrumites – a powerful race determined to conquer the galaxy.

With new characters like Grand Regent Thragg joining Invincible as major villains, and the backstories of characters like Omni-Man being explored, the show is captivating audiences. However, Invincible has also pointed out a recurring problem in many superhero stories – a pattern that seems to happen too often.

Invincible Ruthlessly Calls Out The Growing Trend Of Sympathetic Villains

We’re seeing a growing trend of villains with sympathetic backgrounds. While not always a negative, it’s become increasingly common for stories to explain why villains do what they do, giving audiences a reason to understand – and sometimes even root for – them, even if they still want the hero to win.

In season 4, episode 2 of Invincible, Nolan Grayson explains the history of the Viltrumites to Allen the Alien. He describes a devastating virus, created by Thaedus, called the Scourge Virus, which wiped out billions of Viltrumites. Allen then wonders if he’s expected to feel bad for the Viltrumites after hearing about this event.

As the show Invincible demonstrates, villains don’t always need to be made sympathetic or relatable. While the Scourge Virus caused immense death among the Viltrumites and was portrayed as a terrible experience, the show doesn’t try to make the Viltrumites sympathetic figures. A line spoken by Allen highlights the idea that understanding a villain’s motivations doesn’t automatically mean we should root for them.

Even After The Scourge Virus, You’re Supposed To Hate The Viltrumites

Throughout Invincible, the Viltrumites are consistently portrayed as villains, and this will likely remain true for the rest of the series. For example, in season 4, episode 2, Nolan Grayson actively goes against his own people. Even though he’s furious with Thaedus for creating the virus, Omni-Man still fights against the Viltrumite empire.

Since Nolan, having lived through the Scourge Virus himself, won’t even return to his people, it’s obvious we’re meant to see them as true villains. And the story of Invincible will continue to show just how awful the Viltrumites really are.

All of the Viltrumites’ actions so far support this portrayal, and it will likely continue in future seasons of Invincible. They will consistently be shown as a cruel, war-loving race determined to conquer and enslave as many worlds as possible. Furthermore, Mark Grayson still has more hardship to endure at their hands.

If the show follows the comic book, Mark will be deeply affected by Anissa’s return. This, along with everything else Invincible has shown us, reinforces how terrible the Viltrumites are, and makes it clear we’re meant to dislike them, even when we see glimpses of their past that might make us feel sympathy.

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2026-03-22 00:02