All 8 Invincible Story Arcs in Order

If you’re jumping into ‘Invincible’, you’re in for a gritty, unpredictable superhero saga that doesn’t pull punches. Crafted by Robert Kirkman with artists Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, this comic tracks Mark Grayson’s brutal journey from teenage dreamer to a battle-hardened hero across 144 issues, running from 2003 to 2018. For those chasing the Invincible story arcs in order, I’m laying them out straight so you can follow Mark’s chaos from the first punch to the final showdown. It’s a ride that’s hooked tons of readers and now shines on as the show on Amazon Prime.
What sets ‘Invincible’ apart is how it smashes the superhero mold. Mark’s not just flexing powers—he’s wrestling with betrayal, loss, and the ugly side of being a hero. With over 100 issues, the story sprawls into at least eight major arcs, each piling on the stakes. I’ve always been blown away by how it keeps you guessing, so let’s dive into the key chapters of Mark’s life without wasting time.
Family Matters
Mark Grayson’s tale starts as a high school kid with a superhero dad, Omni-Man, from Viltrum. In issues #1-4, his powers finally spark, and he’s stoked to train under Nolan, taking the name Invincible. He’s scrapping with small fry like the Mauler Twins, figuring out flight and fists while still dodging homework. It’s a fresh, hopeful kickoff with Mark all wide-eyed about the hero life.
Nolan’s playing the wise mentor here, guiding Mark with a steady hand. You get these cool family vibes—Mark’s mom, Debbie, cheering from the sidelines, clueless about what’s coming. The art’s got this bright, punchy feel that matches Mark’s newbie energy, making you root for him as he leaps into action.
This arc’s the foundation. It’s all about Mark stepping up, getting the costume, and tasting the thrill of it all. But there’s a shadow lurking—Nolan’s got secrets, and this happy start is just the calm before the storm. It hooks you in with promise, then sets the stage for the gut punch ahead.
Eight Is Enough
By issues #5-8, Mark’s leveling up, joining the Teen Team—Robot, Atom Eve, Rex Splode, and Dupli-Kate. He’s juggling school with hero gigs, taking down a twisted teacher turning kids into bombs. It’s fast, fun, and shows Mark stretching his wings, even if he’s still rough around the edges.
Then Nolan pulls a weird one—stuck in another dimension for months, back in days, looking shaken. It’s a flicker of something off, but Mark’s too busy dodging punches to clock it. The Teen Team’s a blast—Rex is a loud jerk, Eve’s got depth—and it feels like Mark’s finding his squad.
This chunk’s about Mark settling into the hero grind. The fights get bigger, the team vibe clicks, and you see him grow some grit. It’s not earth-shattering yet, but it’s stacking bricks for the chaos to come. You’re locked in by the end, sensing the tide’s about to turn.
Perfect Strangers
Shit hits the fan in issues #9-13. Omni-Man flips, massacring the Guardians of the Globe in a gore-fest that leaves Mark stunned. Turns out, Nolan’s a Viltrumite plant here to prep Earth for takeover, not save it. Mark fights him in a brutal, bloody clash—Nolan spares him and bolts, leaving Mark crushed.
That betrayal’s a knife twist. Mark’s world flips—he’s Earth’s protector now, whether he’s ready or not. The art goes hard, all smashed cities and raw emotion, hammering home how personal this gets. Mark’s not a kid anymore; he’s forced to stand up in the wreckage.
This arc’s the game-changer. It rips the hero-dad fantasy apart and dumps Mark in the deep end. The stakes skyrocket, and you’re left reeling with him. It’s where ‘Invincible’ stops playing nice and starts swinging for real.
Head of the Class
In issues #14-19, Mark’s picking up pieces post-Nolan. He teams with newbies like Bulletproof, tangling with Titan, a mob brute, and Machine Head’s goons. Battle Beast smacks him down hard, a wake-up call he’s still got limits. Eve quits the hero life, rocking Mark’s support crew.
He’s juggling school and a job too, keeping it real amid the chaos. The fights ramp up—Battle Beast’s a beast, literally—and Mark’s taking lumps but pushing through. It’s a rough stretch, showing he’s not invincible yet, just stubborn as hell.
This is Mark finding his spine. He’s solo more, leaning on grit over guidance. The losses sting, but they toughen him up. You see him morph from shaken kid to someone who can take a hit and keep swinging.
A Different World
Issues #20-30 take Mark off-world to Thraxa, where Nolan’s shacked up with a new family, including Mark’s half-brother, Oliver. He’s back, reformed-ish, warning of Viltrum’s wrath. Mark’s pissed but helps fend off a Viltrumite scout, meeting Allen the Alien too.
Back home, Eve’s powers glitch, and Mark’s juggling Earth threats like Doc Seismic. Thraxa’s a trip—bug aliens, Nolan’s redemption arc starting—it’s weird and heavy. Mark’s torn between family ties and Earth’s mess, growing fast under pressure.
This arc widens the scope. Viltrum’s looming, Mark’s got a brother, and Nolan’s not just a traitor anymore. It’s a messy, emotional pivot that sets up the cosmic stakes. You’re hooked on how Mark balances it all.
Viltrumite War
Issues #71-84 are pure war. Viltrumites invade Earth, led by Thragg, and Mark, Omni-Man, and Allen lead the charge with the Coalition of Planets. It’s carnage—heroes die, cities burn, and Mark’s battered but unyielding. Conquest nearly ends him in a fight that’s all blood and desperation.
Oliver’s aging fast, joining as Kid Omni-Man, and Eve’s pregnant, adding personal weight. The Coalition’s virus guts the Viltrumite numbers, but Thragg’s still a nightmare. It’s peak ‘Invincible’—huge battles, gut-wrenching losses, and Mark stepping up big.
This is the story’s heart. Everything’s been building to this clash, and it delivers. Mark’s not just surviving—he’s shaping the fight. It’s exhausting, epic, and leaves you floored by the scale and cost.
Robot’s Takeover
Issues #91-96 flip the script. Robot, ex-ally, seizes Earth, offing heroes and ruling with an iron grip, believing it’s for the best. Mark’s stranded off-world, fighting to get back. It’s a slow burn to betrayal—Robot’s cold logic versus Mark’s heart.
He’s aged years in another dimension, coming back to a warped home. Eve’s with him, and they’re rallying what’s left to resist. The art’s stark, matching Robot’s ruthless vibe, and Mark’s fury is palpable as he faces a friend turned tyrant.
This arc’s a gut check. Robot’s heel turn stings, and Mark’s pushed to new lows. It’s less about fists, more about trust crumbling. You feel the weight of every choice as Earth hangs in the balance.
The End of All Things
Issues #133-144 close it out. Mark’s older, leading Viltrumites who’ve settled on Earth. Thragg’s back with an army of half-breeds, and the final brawl’s a bloodbath—Mark kills him, ending the threat. Robot’s toppled too, with Mark reclaiming Earth.
He’s got Terra now, his kid with Eve, and they move to Talescria for peace. Flash-forwards show Mark ruling Viltrum centuries later, a grizzled legend. It’s a brutal, hopeful wrap—loose ends tied, but the cost is steep.
This is the finish line. Mark’s arc peaks—hero, dad, leader. The fights are insane, the emotions raw, and it sticks the landing. You’re left proud of him, but damn, it’s a hell of a road to get there.