A Bloody Reunion: Invincible Delivers a Meta-Narrative Knockout with a Dash of Walking Dead Redemption
The animated superhero series Invincible, based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley, just wrapped up its explosive third season on Prime Video. And while the season was packed with interdimensional threats, personal betrayals, and gut-wrenching choices, it was one particular casting decision and its subsequent on-screen clash that has the internet buzzing: a rematch between Glenn and Negan… sort of.
For fans of The Walking Dead, the name Negan conjures up images of brutal violence and heartbreaking loss. The character, introduced in the season six finale and fully realized in the season seven premiere, is largely remembered for one iconic, horrifying moment: the execution of Glenn Rhee with his baseball bat, Lucille. This event remains, in the eyes of many, the most infamous and impactful moment in The Walking Dead’s long and often controversial run. Glenn, a fan-favorite character known for his unwavering optimism and courageous spirit, was snatched away in a truly shocking fashion, leaving a gaping hole in the series and fueling years of resentment towards Negan.
The cruel irony, of course, was that Glenn never had a chance to exact any revenge. He was dead. His friends and family eventually grappled with their grief and even, in some cases, found a path to forgiveness for Negan. But Glenn remained forever robbed of the opportunity to settle the score.
Now, fast forward to the world of Invincible. Steven Yeun, the actor who so memorably portrayed Glenn in The Walking Dead, lends his voice to the titular character, Mark Grayson, also known as Invincible. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the man behind Negan’s terrifying grin, recently joined the Invincible cast as Conquest, a Viltrumite warrior possessing immense power and a ruthless disregard for life.
This convergence of actors and their iconic roles wasn’t lost on audiences. And in the season three finale, Invincible delivered a meta-narrative treat: a brutal, bloody battle between Invincible and Conquest, effectively serving as a proxy for the Glenn versus Negan showdown fans never got to see. The fight is arguably the most intense and visually stunning of the season, rivaling even the infamous clash between Invincible and his father, Omni-Man. In the end, Invincible, with crucial assistance from Atom Eve, manages to defeat Conquest, giving audiences a cathartic release that felt remarkably like Glenn finally getting his long-overdue revenge.
However, according to Robert Kirkman, the co-creator of both The Walking Dead and Invincible, this poetic justice was not a deliberate plot point. "I don’t think it ruins the episode or anything, but I think it enhances things and puts an extra level of stakes on it," Kirkman explained to Variety. "For anybody who’s a longtime Walking Dead fan, it’s a nice bit of justice."
He insists that casting Morgan as Conquest was primarily driven by his desire to work with actors he admires and trusts. “I’m always trying to find roles for the actors that I know and love and want to work with again,” Kirkman stated. He jokingly added that seeing Morgan on The Boys spurred him to action. The thought process was simply that Jeffrey Dean Morgan would be perfect for the role of Conquest. The meta-narrative aspect, while acknowledged, was considered a bonus.
Kirkman conceded that there was a worry about the meta-element becoming too distracting. He hoped it wouldn’t pull viewers out of the narrative. However, he ultimately decided the potential upside of such a fun and interesting dynamic outweighed the risk. The reaction from fans seems to validate this choice, as the fight has become one of the most talked-about aspects of the season finale.
But even as Conquest lies defeated, the Invincible universe is far from safe. The mid-credits scene of the finale hints at a new, potentially darker storyline brewing. The scene features Damien Darkblood, voiced by Clancy Brown, encountering a powerful and malevolent being voiced by the legendary Bruce Campbell.
Kirkman revealed that this scene is teasing a storyline he had always wanted to explore in the Invincible comics but never had the opportunity. "There’s a storyline from the comic that I never got around to doing," Kirkman shared. "Every superhero story has some chapter where they go to hell and they fight the devil. It happens in DC and Marvel comics. It’s a big deal. I never got around to doing anything like that in Invincible. I kept getting sidetracked and there was never a good time. So it’s entirely possible that we may be doing something like that in the show, and that scene at the end of that episode is setting that up. Oh my God, and we got to work with Bruce Campbell. It’s the best."
This potential foray into a hellish realm promises to take Invincible into uncharted territory, further solidifying its reputation for pushing boundaries and subverting superhero tropes. The combination of established characters and new threats ensures that the stakes will remain high for Mark Grayson and his allies.
While the wait for the fourth season of Invincible will likely be a lengthy one – Kirkman estimates a release sometime in 2026 – the explosive conclusion of season three has left fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds. The series has proven its ability to deliver shocking twists, emotionally resonant character development, and action-packed sequences, all while cleverly playing with audience expectations.
The inclusion of Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Conquest and the resulting clash with Steven Yeun’s Invincible, whether intentional or not, adds another layer of complexity and intrigue to the Invincible universe. It’s a testament to Kirkman’s storytelling prowess that he can weave together these disparate threads into a cohesive and compelling narrative. The Invincible team has undoubtedly created a show that is more than just a superhero adaptation; it’s a masterclass in crafting compelling characters, exploring complex themes, and delivering moments that resonate long after the credits roll. The justice for Glenn, even in this meta-fictional form, feels satisfying and adds another compelling reason to eagerly await the next chapter in the Invincible saga.
