Season 2 of Invincible brought forth a plethora of Viltrumites, shedding light on their previously ambiguous threat. As the season progressed, the show skillfully showcased the extent of their powers and their Saiyan-like personalities, particularly evident during the battle on planet Thraxa. General Kregg emerged as a commanding presence, ordering Mark to conquer Earth, while Anissa appeared icy and formidable upon her arrival to assess Mark’s progress. Additionally, a brief fanboy moment highlighted the admiration soldiers held for Nolan on Viltrum. However, the most intriguing addition this season was Mark’s half-brother, Oliver Grayson, a unique purple Viltrumite. Although the show has yet to explore Oliver’s storyline in depth, he holds significant importance in the Invincible comics.
After disappearing from Earth, Nolan’s absence catalyzed a pivotal moment for the characters in the show. The battle between Mark and Nolan at the end of Season 1 shattered the illusion of a happy family that Debbie and Mark had harbored for years. Despite being the source of destruction, Nolan’s conscience eventually grappled with the consequences of his actions. Drifting aimlessly through space, he encounters a spaceship being drawn into a black hole and instinctively rescues its alien inhabitants from the planet Thraxa.
Thraxa is home to fragile insectoid beings with a drastically shortened lifespan. They revere Nolan as a god-like figure due to his immense strength and elect him as their leader. Nolan, having softened over time, embraces his new role and marries one of the Thraxans, Andressa, with whom he fathers a child. However, his tranquility is disrupted when Viltrumites plan to invade Thraxa and punish him for deserting his post. Seeking aid, Nolan invites Mark to the planet, leading to a failed battle against the Viltrumites. Captured by them, Nolan entrusts Mark with his half-brother, Oliver, to safeguard him from the impending doom.
Debbie initially struggles with the revelation of Nolan’s other child, but she eventually embraces Oliver as her own and brings him home. Despite attempts by Cecil to raise Oliver within a government facility, Debbie opts to raise him herself with the help of a specialized nanny. Oliver’s rapid development, attributed to his Thaxan heritage, becomes evident, prompting Debbie to nurture his unique abilities and bond with him as her own.
Oliver Grayson, although still an infant in Season 2 of “Invincible,” is poised to become a significant character in future seasons, drawing from the rich complexities of his relationship with his father, Omni-Man, as depicted in the comics. With a unique blend of DNA, Oliver possesses extraordinary abilities, notably an exceptional memory that recalls events from his infancy. In the comics, the version of Nolan that Oliver knows differs vastly from the one witnessed by his brother, Mark. Oliver’s perception of Nolan is shaped by mythic tales of a heroic figure who saved a planet, served as a loving husband, and protected his family.
However, the absence of Nolan during Oliver’s formative years creates a void filled with idealized impressions of his father. Unaware of Nolan’s darker nature, Oliver idolizes him, unaware of the vindictiveness and wrath that Mark reveals. This revelation challenges Oliver’s perception, leading to an internal conflict as he grapples with reconciling the image of his father with the reality presented to him. In his quest to restore his father’s tarnished reputation, Oliver adopts the persona of Kid Omni-Man, aiming to honor his father’s legacy.
Furthermore, Oliver’s sense of alienation on Earth, stemming from his unique parentage and abilities, reinforces his reliance on Nolan as the one person who can understand him completely. This deep-seated need for acceptance and connection fuels Oliver’s idolization of his father, shaping his journey as he navigates his dual identity and seeks to define his place in the world.
