Invincible is entering a new creative phase, and it may include stories fans have never seen before, even in the original comics. Creator Robert Kirkman recently revealed that the animated series is now bringing back ideas that were once scrapped during the comic’s development.
The insight comes from an interview with The Direct, where Kirkman discussed how certain concepts that never fully made it into the comics are now being explored in the Prime Video adaptation. As the series continues to evolve, this approach opens the door for entirely fresh storylines that expand the Invincible universe in unexpected ways.
Long-Abandoned Ideas Are Finally Being Explored
Speaking to The Direct, Kirkman explained that some of the show’s recent developments originated from concepts he had considered years ago but never fully executed. One of the clearest examples is the storyline involving Damien Darkblood, which resurfaced in Season 4.
Kirkman revealed that he had long been intrigued by the idea of sending superheroes into hell, but never finalized how that story would work during the comic’s run. He said,
“It was the vague notion of… wouldn’t it be cool if Invincible went to hell? I hadn’t worked out what that story was.”
This concept eventually found new life in the animated series, where the creative team had the freedom to fully develop it. By revisiting these older ideas, the show is able to explore corners of the Invincible universe that were only briefly imagined before.
How the Show Is Reinventing Its Own Source Material
Rather than simply adapting the comic page by page, Invincible is now using its foundation as a springboard for new storytelling. Kirkman described the process as similar to how the original comic was created, where ideas would evolve organically over time.
He explained that during the comic’s production, he would sometimes introduce a concept without fully knowing where it would lead.
“We would be soliciting an issue… and I’d go, ‘They’re going to go to hell this issue,’”
Kirkman said, adding that the details would come together later as the story developed.
This same creative flexibility is now being applied to the animated series. The difference is that the show has the advantage of hindsight, allowing the writers to refine and expand these ideas with greater clarity. As a result, previously unexplored concepts can now be turned into fully realized story arcs.
A More Unpredictable Future for Invincible
The inclusion of scrapped storylines makes Invincible’s future far less predictable, even for longtime fans of the comics. While the core characters and themes remain intact, the path the story takes can now diverge in surprising ways.
This unpredictability is part of what makes the adaptation exciting. By introducing ideas that were never part of the original narrative, the show ensures that both new viewers and comic readers have something fresh to experience. It also allows the series to take creative risks without being constrained by expectations.
At the same time, these additions are not random. The creative team appears focused on integrating these ideas in a way that feels natural within the world of Invincible. This approach helps maintain consistency while still pushing the story in new directions.
