Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Invincible season 3’s finale, “I Thought You’d Never Shut Up”.
Powerplex provided one of Mark Grayson’s most emotionally charged battles yet, but after season 3’s finale, Invincible already looks to have teed up a replacement for the villain. Aaron Paul’s performance as Powerplex in Invincible season 3 introduced us to one of the show’s best-developed antagonists yet, as despite his unhinged nature, he was relatively justified in his actions. Having lost his sister and niece during Mark’s fight with Omni-Man in season 1, Scott Duvall desperately tried to seek justice for his family by pursuing legal action against the protagonist, a plea that was ultimately ignored and swept aside.
As a result, Scott combined his powers with stolen GDA equipment to become Powerplex, a supervillain hellbent on confronting Invincible. After many failed attempts, he finally got his wish and fought his nemesis, but upon releasing a deadly electrical blast, the antagonist ended up killing his wife and son instead, while Mark survived with minimal injuries. Powerplex is easily Invincible‘s most tragic villain yet, as his story showed how a regular person’s life can be completely turned upside-down by the actions of superheroes, and after season 3’s destructive finale, history looks like it may repeat itself.
Invincible’s Destructive Battle With Conquest Sets Up Yet Another Powerplex Situation
The Battle Caused Plenty Of Casualties Which Could Create Another Victim-Turned-Villain
Image via Prime Video
Despite Mark once again trying to do good and protect Earth, his fight with Conquest in Invincible season 3’s ending risks another Powerplex situation arising. Although he managed to eventually take down the villain, Mark’s battle with Conquest caused countless casualties. The two smashed through buildings which caused them to collapse, while they also delivered blows that left craters on the ground and caused nearby civilians to lose limbs, with some even losing their lives. Mark did try to take the battle to space, but he still ultimately contributed to the city’s destruction, whether intentionally or not.
Conquest essentially replicated the very sequence that created Powerplex in the first place, as he used Mark as a weapon to slaughter people on the beach, leaving hundreds dead or dismembered in an instant.
Most hauntingly, Conquest essentially replicated the very sequence that created Powerplex in the first place, as he used Mark as a weapon to slaughter people on the beach, leaving hundreds dead or dismembered in an instant. With this conflict contributing to so many deaths, it seems inevitable that at least one of the victims who lost a loved one could follow in Scott Duvall’s footsteps and become a villain because of Invincible. Even though he only wants to save people, the protagonist’s actions may force him to confront another antagonist that he created, highlighting the downsides of being a superhero.
Invincible Vs. Conquest Further Proves Powerplex Kind Of Had A Point
In An Attempt To Save The Planet, Heroes Often Cause A Lot Of Collateral Damage
While Powerplex definitely went too far with his pursuit of justice, Invincible‘s latest battle proves he did have a point. The villain’s claim that heroes need to face more accountability does hold some serious weight, especially when Mark’s attempt to save lives ultimately wound up costing them. Sure, submitting to Conquest would undoubtedly end up worse for the people of Earth, but Mark taking matters into his own hands left numerous people dead. Completely banning or outlawing heroes clearly isn’t the solution, but having stronger regulations in place might at least make people feel safer in the future.
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Even though Mark has shown villainous tendencies throughout Invincible season 3, he still wouldn’t kill innocent people in cold blood. That said, tackling Conquest through buildings and delivering full-force punches unintentionally had a big impact on the people nearby, proving every action has a consequence. Without heroes, the planet would certainly be in a worse state, but the refusal to have these individuals face any sort of punishment will only leave regular people feeling more isolated and vulnerable, subsequently creating more discontent among Invincible‘s public, which confirms Powerplex did have a good reason to call out and oppose Mark Grayson.
Invincible
8/10
- Release Date
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March 26, 2021
- Network
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Amazon Prime Video
