Mark & Oliver In Invincible Season 3 Are Adapting A Famous DC Partnership Before The DCU

Mark and Oliver have developed an exciting bond in Invincibleseason 3, and it's a lot like one of DC's most enjoyable duos. Based on Image's Invincible comic series from The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, Prime Video's adaptation has become one of the most celebrated titles in superhero media. While the show obviously has fantastic developments of its own, plenty of Kirkman's material is inspired by famous comics by Marvel and DC. Omni-Man is, of course, a play on the evil Superman trope, but there's more than that.

After his introduction in Invincible season 2, Oliver has been growing in strength in the show's recent episodes. Despite Mark and Debbie's insistence that Oliver avoids combat for the time being, he's begun taking part in his older brother's superhero action. Season 2 already saw Oliver claim his first kill, and he's struggling with the idea of sparing enemies, sharing his father's original belief in a hierarchy of beings. Oliver's uncaring response to killing has become a conflict for Mark, who wants his brother to grow up to be a compassionate hero.

Mark & Oliver's Dynamic In Invincible Feels A Lot Like Dick Grayson & Damian Wayne In DC

These Two Young Heroes Have A Similar Dichotomy

Robert Kirkman almost certainly designed Mark Grayson to have some commonality with Dick Grayson, the original Robin and eventual Nightwing of DC Comics. He's a young hero trying to determine his place in the world with various mentors, now on his own to figure out his own method. Atom Eve draws some comparisons to Starfire as well, with her and Mark's ongoing romantic tension providing even more similarities. So, if Mark Grayson is Nightwing, that makes Oliver Damian Wayne.

The comparisons between Oliver and Damian Wayne are pretty apparent in season 3, with Oliver struggling to understand the superhero "no killing" rule. Mark tries his best to set an example as the older brother, but he's still trying to figure out his own life as a superhero. The first influence on Oliver's life was Omni-Man, similar to how Damian is forever influenced by his youth with Ra's al Ghul. DC fans will get to see the Dick Grayson/Damian Wayne dynamic in the animated Dynamic Duo planned for James Gunn's DCU, making this a fun sample.

Invincible-Season-3--All-X-Villains-In-The-Order

Invincible Season 3: All 11 Villains In The Order

Invincible season 3, episode 5 finally delves into the lore of The Order criminal organization, and here is every villain who is a member.

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Will Oliver Become A Hero Or A Villain In Invincible?

Oliver's Morality Is Going To Be A Continuous Problem

Oliver's future is currently up in the air in the Invincible TV series, but the adaptation has followed Robert Kirkman's comics pretty similarly so far. As per the original comics, killing the Mauler Twins wasn't the last violent act Oliver will have in the series. He doesn't value human life the same way Mark does and will continue to struggle with his morality throughout the series.