Robert Kirkman was inspired by DC Comics, but now DC seems to be following suit
The superhero turned mass murderer Omni-Man in Invincible is so inspired by Superman that creator Robert Kirkman originally wanted to call the character Supra-Man. (Kirkman only backed down because he feared legal action from DC Comics.) But a reveal in the show’s Season 4 premiere, which adapts the Viltrumite War comic book arc originally published in 2010, reveals how that inspiration now appears to be going in the opposite direction. There are great similarities between the motifs of the Viltrumites in Invincible and the Kryptonians in James Gunn Superman.
[Ed. note: This article contains major spoilers for the Invincible season 4 premiere and 2025’s Superman]
Omni-Man (JK Simmons) has changed his story about why he was sent to Earth several times during the series. He originally claimed that the Viltrumites were a benevolent people who sent delegates throughout the universe to protect less advanced civilizations. That story earned Omni-Man the acceptance of members of the Justice League-like Guardians of the Globe, and he proved his worth by defending humanity from numerous threats. But at the end of Invincible In season 1, Omni-Man reveals that he came to Earth to prepare the planet for integration into the Viltrum Empire by weakening its defenses, which he did by killing all of the Guardians.
In season 4, Omni-Man reveals that that wasn’t the whole story either. It turns out that almost all of the Viltrumites were wiped out by a biological weapon called the Plague Virus. There were so few survivors that the remaining Viltrumites sent representatives to search for genetically compatible species to ensure their own survival. Omni-Man killed the Guardians right after Mark manifested his powers because he discovered their mission was a success. The comic makes the plans for Earth even more explicit, with Omni-Man explaining that it will become a Viltrumite breeding ground.
That plot has a lot in common with the goal that Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) had in mind when he sent his son Kal-El (David Corenswet) to Earth in James Gunn’s film. Superman. Kal/Clark does not receive the full message his father sent him and takes on Omni-Man’s surface mission to protect Earth as Superman. But Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) discovers that Jor-El wanted his son to use his power to take over Earth and start a harem to give birth to more Kryptonians.
Super daddy issues and Superman’s evil stories have a long history in comics and comic book adaptations. Invincible It’s not even the only show exploring those themes this spring as the boys also returns for its fifth and final season with its version of the evil Superman reuniting with his father. The new season of Invincible it simply shows how the mythology surrounding the last son of Krypton continues to evolve both in official DC projects and in the comics stories that inspired the character.
The first three episodes of Invincible Season 4 will premiere on March 18 on Prime Video.
Soruce: polygon.com