Entertainment

Prime Video's 33-Episode Superhero Series Is So Good, Even Its Worst Episode Beats Most Comic Book Shows

Nairavoice · Nov 2, 2026 · 5 min read

Quality superhero shows aren’t too hard to find nowadays, as alongside Marvel and DC having plenty of televised hits, the competition has also been heating up in recent years. One Punch Man and My Hero Academia offer alternatives in the anime world, while The Umbrella Academy gave Netflix a strong alternative, but Prime Video has the best challengers.

The Tick and The Boys are some of the best non-Marvel or DC superhero shows over the past decade, but neither of them is quite on the level of Invincible. Although there are plenty of comedic moments throughout, the series is also incredibly dark and brutal, which, accompanied by countless memorable characters, makes it a true gem.

Sure, there are still a few superhero shows better than Invincible, but it is quickly climbing the ranks, and when it’s all said and done, it could be . Having a mature, emotional story is a solid foundation, but it also has a plethora of great secondary villains and supporting heroes who are frequently given the spotlight, making every minute a real treat.

It’s not distracting when the story moves away from Mark Grayson or the Viltrumites, and the plot only seems to grow in scope season after season. With Prime Video’s series being such a faithful adaptation, fans are treated to the same gritty narrative provided by the source material, yet Invincible hasn’t been afraid to make a few comic changes along the way.

Ironically, one episode dedicated to a story not in the comics is widely considered to be the worst in this otherwise consistent project, but despite the divisive reaction to Invincible season 4’s Hell episode, it remains a decent entry all things considered, and is still better than what many competitors have produced.

Invincible Season 4’s Hell Episode Is Still Better Than Most Superhero Shows

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While “Hurm” AKA the Hell episode faced pretty harsh criticism from the fan base, looking at it in isolation, it was far from bad TV, and certainly holds up against other superhero shows. Compared to other episodes, it did feel like a large deviation from the central story, and it’s easy to tell the content wasn’t from the source material.

However, it brought back Damien Darkblood — a character fans wanted to see more of after his mysterious role in season 1 — and still proved a pivotal part of Mark’s story. It acted as a turning point in the hero’s journey, as being in the underworld gave him a new perspective on heroism, showing this chaotic adventure wasn’t for nothing.

Sure, “Hurm” got a little over-the-top, but it also explained some important lore, such as where Invincible‘s monsters come from and how Earth has different eras in the fictional universe. Likewise, the plot was still entertaining all things considered, and the heart-to-heart between Mark and Art during the opening phase was particularly memorable.

Considering Invincible creator Robert Kirkman came up with the idea and wrote the episode, it wasn’t just some random filler. It still earned a 6.5 rating on IMDb after some review bombs, which is higher than the worst-rated episode of Teen Titans and the same as Batman: The Animated Series‘ weakest outing, which are considered all-time greats.

Taking away the unnecessary hate, Invincible‘s Hell episode really isn’t as bad as it was made out to be, and would feel right at home among other popular superhero shows. The fact that it faced so much criticism is a testament to how high the standards usually are for Invincible, but that doesn’t mean this storyline should go away.

Invincible Season 5 Should Keep The Show’s Hell Storyline Going

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Despite the lukewarm reception, Invincible shouldn’t give up on its Hell storyline now that it’s starting to heat up. Instead, season 5 should keep it going, especially with the cliffhanger from “Hurm.” Mark may have helped take down Volcanikka for now, but since she’s immortal, it’s by no means the end of this threat.

More importantly, Satan sent Darkblood on an investigation to find out what the humans were doing that enraged Volcanikka and threatened to emerge from the underworld, suggesting there is more to explore here. With Robert Kirkman doubling down on this Invincible side quest, it doesn’t look like we’ve seen the last of these demons, which is a positive sign.

With how steady the series has been, it would feel disappointing for this storyline to be left unfinished, and even if it only has a place in another episode or two, it’s better than scrubbing it entirely. There is a lot of potential for it to be a recurring point of conflict, much like the Flaxans and Sequids, which were in the comics.

Invincible will return for season 5 in 2027 and has been renewed for season 6.

Season 5 also feels like the ideal time to revisit this idea, seeing as the Viltrumites are quietly living on Earth, meaning there is an opportunity to explore other foes before tensions arise again. Perhaps in the future, it would be better to avoid dedicating an entire episode to the Hell plot, blending it alongside some other storylines instead.

Invincible has pulled that sort of thing off time and time again, so bringing back Damien and Satan while still focusing on other characters will likely go down better this time. Hopefully, the payoff is worthwhile, and if so, Invincible‘s worst episode could turn into the start of a genuinely compelling narrative that gradually wins fans over.