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Riley Today
By the People, for the People
Invincible's Controversial Episode Raises Concerns About the Show's Future
Fans have mixed reactions to a season 4 episode that deviates from the comic book source material.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 9:50pm
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The polarized response to Invincible's most controversial episode yet reflects the show's delicate balance between honoring its comic roots and exploring new creative directions.Riley TodayInvincible, the hit animated series on Prime Video, has generally received high praise from critics and audiences throughout its first three seasons. However, the fourth season has encountered a divisive reaction to its fourth episode, titled "Hurm." The episode focuses on the lead character, Mark Grayson, traveling to Hell to team up with Damien Darkblood, which has led to the episode receiving the series' lowest IMDb rating to date. Fans have criticized the episode as a "filler" that takes the story away from the main Viltrumite War plot, while some comic readers are disappointed that the show is deviating from the source material. The showrunners now face a challenge in how to handle this storyline going forward, as the negative response could lead them to either double down on the original content or scale it back to avoid further divisive episodes.
Why it matters
Invincible has built a strong reputation for its faithful adaptation of the comic book source material and its ability to consistently deliver high-quality episodes. The divisive reaction to this season 4 episode raises questions about the show's future direction and whether the creators will be more cautious about introducing original storylines that stray from the comics.
The details
In "Hurm," Mark Grayson travels to Hell to team up with Damien Darkblood, a character who was previously only briefly mentioned in the comics. This adventure takes Mark away from the main Viltrumite War storyline, which many viewers felt was an unnecessary detour. The episode currently has the series' lowest IMDb rating at 6.9/10, with some viewers criticizing it as a "filler" episode that doesn't advance the overall plot. There are also concerns that the timing of this episode, coming at a point where the Viltrumite War is picking up, was not ideal.
- Invincible season 4, episode 4 "Hurm" premiered on March 30, 2026.
The players
Mark Grayson
The lead character of Invincible, who travels to Hell in the controversial episode.
Damien Darkblood
A character who teams up with Mark Grayson in the Hell-centric storyline.
Robert Kirkman
The creator of the Invincible comic book series, which the show is based on.
Simon Racioppa
The co-showrunner of the Invincible TV series.
What’s next
Kirkman and Racioppa will likely closely examine how the Damien Darkblood storyline is meant to develop over future seasons, and whether they should pivot away from it or find a way to turn it into a more compelling and appreciated subplot by fans.
The takeaway
Invincible's ability to balance faithfulness to the comic source material with original storytelling will be tested in the wake of this divisive episode. The showrunners must decide whether to double down on their creative vision or scale back the show's deviations from the comics to avoid further backlash from fans.
