Invincible’s showrunner recently discussed the intricacies behind the surprise cameo that delighted fans, involving a character who bore a striking resemblance to Spider-Man but wasn’t exactly the wall-crawler himself.
As anticipation mounted for Season 2, Part 2, speculation ran wild about the possibility of a long-awaited Spider-Man crossover, especially after a tantalizing hint in one of the season’s trailers.
The pivotal moment in question draws inspiration from issue 33 of the comic series, where protagonist Mark Grayson finds himself unexpectedly transported through one of Angstrom Levy’s multiversal portals, landing squarely in the heart of the Marvel Universe. In a delightful turn of events, Mark shares an unexpected encounter with the beloved web-slinger himself.
This crossover event not only thrilled fans but also served as a testament to the show’s ability to seamlessly integrate elements from different universes, creating an exciting and memorable experience for viewers.
Spider-Man connection and Agent Spider cameo explained
Invincible’s showrunner and producer, Simon Racioppa, recently discussed the notable cameo in the Season 2 finale that bore a striking resemblance to Spider-Man but couldn’t quite feature the web-slinger himself.
In the climactic confrontation with Angstrom Levy, Mark Grayson, portrayed by Steven Yeun, finds himself hurtling through a Multiversal portal, landing in a universe where a hero named Agent Spider, voiced by Josh Keaton of The Spectacular Spider-Man fame, is locked in battle with the metal-tentacled villain Omnipotus.
This scene is an unmistakable nod to Spider-Man and his arch-nemesis Doctor Octopus. However, the decision not to include the iconic webhead directly was influenced by various challenges related to rights holders, as explained by Racioppa:
“We wanted to replicate that moment from the comics that Robert [Kirkman] had, but there were challenges…Comics are a little more open about that kind of stuff, I guess, than television is. Right holders in television are a little more firm with rights than in comics, it appears…”
He further emphasized how the original comic issue was released around 15 years ago, and certain changes in the industry landscape have occurred since then:
“Invincible was… probably 15 years ago, if not more…Some things have changed since then…So it would’ve been great to go further. But this is what was possible given the current state of who owns what in the superhero world.”
Despite the limitations, the team aimed to stay as faithful to the source material as possible, delivering a rendition that captured the essence of the comic while navigating legal constraints. Racioppa clarified that what viewers see on screen represents the most entertaining interpretation achievable within legal boundaries:
“I can’t get into exactly how that all went down. I can just tell you that this is the most fun we could have with it legally.”
While acknowledging the desire for crossovers with characters from other comic universes, including DC and Marvel, Racioppa highlighted the complexities of such endeavors in the current landscape:
“It’s not impossible, but it’s very difficult to do today with everything being siloed and stuff.”
Regarding the Multiverse gags and cameos, Racioppa assured fans that they managed to incorporate all the ones they discussed, sticking closely to the comic’s narrative:
“I think all the ones we talked about are in the show…I don’t think we cut much. Because, again, it matches mostly what’s in the comic book.”
As for the universe featuring what seemed to be zombies, Racioppa refrained from confirming whether it was the same universe as The Walking Dead, but noted the presence of apparent zombies.
While the creative team faced challenges in securing certain characters due to rights issues, they succeeded in crafting an engaging and entertaining storyline that remained true to Invincible’s satirical roots. The inclusion of Josh Keaton as Agent Spider was a delightful nod to fans, offering a taste of nostalgia for The Spectacular Spider-Man enthusiasts.
Invincible Season 2 is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.