Mark Grayson vs Viltrumite Empire: Invincible’s Debate

In the world of Invincible, Mark Grayson’s decision to resist the Viltrumite Empire has been a topic of much debate. As I watched the scene where Mark was brutally beaten by Conquest, a powerful Viltrumite warrior, the only thought that crossed my mind was: was the Viltrumite Empire really so terrible that Mark would endure such public humiliation, destroy a moving train, and wreak havoc in the heart of Chicago?

Nolan himself acknowledges that the Viltrumite Empire’s plan was not just to conquer Earth but to enslave its population. Their regime is harsh and demanding, imposing a grueling work schedule that, by their own admission, is the maximum conceivable workload in the galaxy—three hours per day, four days a week. Anything more would be too cruel, even for the Viltrumites.

Thanks to Mark’s resistance and determination, he was able to convince Nolan to redirect his attention to another planet, thus sparing Earth from further destruction. If this had been the only time the Viltrumites caused chaos while trying to recruit Mark, some might consider it an acceptable sacrifice—they lost a city to save the rest of humanity.

The Argument of Nissa

A month later, Mark attempts to rekindle his relationship with Amber, a character who has played a significant role in the story. During a conversation in the sky, Nissa, a Viltrumite warrior and ally of Mark, appears and confronts him with harsh truths. She warns that humanity is unlikely to survive the coming centuries without massive loss of life.

Mark counters by pointing out that he does not kill anyone, but Nissa argues that he indirectly allows thousands to die daily due to humanity’s lack of access to Viltrumite technology—technology that could end hunger and cure diseases. Their exchange highlights the moral complexities of Mark’s role as Earth’s protector.

The Aftermath of Mark’s Decisions

Following these events, Mark breaks up with Amber and ventures to another dimension. Throughout the series, multiple threats emerge, including Angstrom Levy, a character whose motivations are complex and who gathers variants of Mark from different realities to pursue destructive goals. These variants wreak havoc on several cities, causing devastation and challenging Earth’s defenders.

Nissa’s warnings gain weight as these catastrophes unfold, illustrating the consequences of the ongoing struggle against such threats.

The Worst Event in the Invincible Universe

One of the most devastating events is orchestrated by a villain known as the Dinosaur. Initially introduced as an extremist opposing government corruption and environmental destruction, the Dinosaur plants bombs in Las Vegas, resulting in massive destruction.

Surprisingly, the government repurposes the remnants of this destruction into a massive solar energy project, demonstrating a pragmatic response to catastrophe. However, the Dinosaur later deceives the heroes by distracting them with this solar project while unleashing further attacks, including devices causing earthquakes and flooding coastal cities, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands.

The Potential Benefits and Limits of Viltrumite Rule

These events lead to speculation: could Viltrumite rule have prevented such disasters? However, the Viltrumites’ own history of conquest suggests otherwise. Their empire relies on brutal domination, population control, and exploitation of resources, often abandoning planets after extracting what they need.

The future glimpsed in the comics shows Earth under Mark’s protection as a thriving world, not a devastated wasteland as some feared. Mark’s leadership, aided by Earth’s heroes, suggests a more hopeful outcome than total Viltrumite domination.

Conclusion: Was Viltrumite Rule Really That Bad?

In conclusion, the Viltrumite Empire is indeed ruthless and oppressive. Had Mark accepted the Viltrumite offer without resistance, widespread rebellion would likely have occurred, resulting in massive casualties and destruction.

Instead, Mark’s defiance has allowed Earth to retain its autonomy, and under his leadership, the planet continues to survive and grow. While the struggle is ongoing and fraught with peril, Mark represents hope against the harshness of Viltrumite rule.