Someone murdered
the Guardians of the Globe
last night.
I'm Allen, by the way.
The Coalition of Planets will want to hear about you.
I couldn't move.
My heart was racing.
That's fear.
I don't have anyone to talk to,
so I keep it all inside.
What's this?
Something that helped me.
Yeah!
Ooh, crap.
You brought me to Paris?
Is that a casino?
Make sure the voice in your ear isn't
the only one you listen to.
You're way too good for me!
You goddamn geriatric hypocrite.
- Come on! - You and I were never a thing.
The Immortal and I are.
I call me the Shapesmith.
You're not your father, Mark.
That's why I'm going back.
I guess this is it.
Time to push my baby bird out of the nest.
It's a good thing I can already fly.
You're gonna be okay, right?
You know I can be home in like five minutes if you need me.
I'll be fine.
Anger is a part of it. Part of the grieving.
Yeah, I… I know.
I promised myself I wouldn't cry.
Oh, this past year's just been so…
Tough?
Yeah.
But college is a fresh start.
And I want you to enjoy every second of it.
This is your chance to figure out who you are.
And I don't mean Invincible.
I mean Mark Grayson.
My only son.
My… my baby boy.
- My… - Okay, okay.
- I love you, Mom. - Mmm.
And don't do drugs.
Would they even work on me?
You do not need to find out.
I'll come home for dinner on Sunday.
Um… one second, please.
Shh, okay. Just let me take this call.
Okay.
Hi. Sorry.
Hi. Um…
I got your card from my friend Olga.
- My name is Debbie G… - Oh, yeah.
Yeah-yeah, no. Uh, sorry, no last names, Debbie.
But Olga told me about you.
I've been expecting your call.
Séance Dog? Really?
- What are we, 12? - Hmm.
Does that look crooked to you?
Help me out here, Mark.
You already have a girlfriend
and you're a superhero.
I, on the other hand, am single and have no superpowers
and, thus, actually have to attempt game.
This isn't helping.
Maybe it'll just make you look better by comparison.
Huh. Excellent point.
Okay. See this?
It's a sock?
And when it's on the door handle like so,
it means go eat a taco or fly to Spain
or do whatever you have to do,
but don't come in until the sock is gone.
And I will do the same for you. Got it?
Hi, um, there's some stuff out here.
Does it belong to you guys?
- Oh! Toys. - Uh, they're collectibles.
Sorry, buddy.
I don't know what I was thinking.
Who has sex on the first day of college?
I don't know, Mark.
Lots of people, probably.
- Us, for example? - Us?
My roommate doesn't arrive until tomorrow, so…
we have the whole place to ourselves.
Uh, o-okay, I mean, yeah. Like… like, right now?
I mean, we could.
O-Okay. Um… yeah.
I bought these.
Okay. Good.
Good to have those. Mmm.
Wait.
You don't have, like,
super sperm or something, do you?
Uh, it's not… I mean, it seems normal.
Not that I would… I-I think it's fine.
And you wouldn't accidentally crush me or something?
Like, if you get excited? I've seen what you can do.
No. I would never…
That's not, like, a thing I would do.
Maybe we'll try with me on top, just to be safe.
Sure.
Turn off the lights first?
- How'd you do that? - Superpowers, baby.
- Don't call me "baby." - Got it.
And so, dear audience,
perhaps it's time to give Amber and Mark some privacy
and turn our attention to the stars
and a story that began generations ago in…
We begin on the planet Unopa.
A peaceful and thriving world, the Unopans had achieved
harmony with nature and technology…
…until everything changed in the blink of an eye.
Like a plague of unequaled potency,
a dark force invaded Unopa.
It swept across the planet,
conquering it in a matter of days.
The Unopans that died never knew who their conquerors were.
The ones that lived quickly learned the name…
Viltrumite.
However, the Unopan spirit was unbroken.
Biding their time for decades,
they waited for a moment of weakness
and rebelled.
Unfortunately, they still underestimated their oppressors.
But all was not lost.
Ever resourceful, some Unopans were able to escape,
abandoning their home for the stars
and the promise of a new life.
Within a generation, they started breeding camps
on various Unopan outposts to rebuild their population,
the rumors of which caught
some very powerful galactic attention.
Impressed with the Unopan survival
and escape from a Viltrumite invasion,
Thaedus, the leader of the Coalition of Planets,
invited them to the planet Talescria
to join their ranks.
You have our deepest sympathies,
Marvin of Unopa.
The Viltrumite campaign has become the scourge of the galaxy
and we stand united against it.
We are currently devising a weapon to stop them.
If you wish to help,
we would be happy to join your coalition.
Marvin explained to Thaedus
that the breeding camps were also
a genetic enhancement program designed to breed a soldier
that could defeat a Viltrumite in combat.
The results were…
not promising.
Until… Allen.
He was the first and only success.
From the day he was born, Allen was trained to be
the greatest fighter the universe had ever known.
Even before adulthood, an opponent could not be found
who didn't fall to his might.
Soon, it was time for Allen to embark on his first mission.
But while stronger than most of the universe,
Allen still couldn't match
even a single Viltrumite in combat.
The program was considered a failure
and ended.
Instead, Allen was made a planetary evaluation officer
and sent to discover any being able to defeat him
in hope of finding
an ally strong enough to withstand a Viltrumite.
And while it may be true that Allen was supposed to be
keeping tabs on the planet Urath and accidentally
went to Earth instead,
his mistake led him to Mark Grayson,
a half-human, half-Viltrumite
sympathetic to the coalition cause.
Because sometimes, to change the entire universe,
you have to be…
Home sweet home.
This time Allen bears a rare
and valuable gift for the coalition.
Hope.
Data log.
Hello to you, too. Here you go.
You found the right planet this time.
Yes, I found the right planet.
Because it was the wrong planet you already found before.
- Sure, but that's not really… - Most of our agents don't make
so many astronavigational mistakes.
Listen, sparky.
Is it still a mistake if it ends up saving the universe?
- Yes. - Yeah.
You're late.
General Telia.
My apologies. I got here as soon as I could.
The Viltrumites hit Aikreon while you were gone.
What? But they just joined the council…
It's terrified the sector.
Other planets we were talking to cut all communications.
We need more allies.
And they're making it very difficult.
Then good thing I found us one.
What news, Allen of Unopa?
Did you warn the Earth champion
that a Viltrumite lives among his people?
Yeah, I did.
But it turns out he's a Viltrumite, too.
His name is Mark and he's only half-Viltrumite.
Unbelievable.
I know, I know. It sounds bad.
But he is not like them.
He didn't even know what a Viltrumite was
until recently.
How is that possible?
No one told him, I guess.
When he got his powers,
all he wanted to do was help other humans.
Then his father decided it was time to conquer the planet,
so they, they got in a fight about it.
Viltrumite against Viltrumite?
That has not happened since the great purge.
And get this. After they fought, his dad left.
Like, left the planet. Disappeared completely.
We could never trust one of them.
Mark isn't like other Viltrumites.
He just wants to protect his world.
And conquer others in its name.
No, stop. That is not his deal.
He's a good guy, not a conqueror.
So far.
Have you guys been listening at all?
For years we've been searching for a hole
in the Viltrumites' armor.
This could be it.
Thaedus, you can't trust this report.
Allen is right.
Viltrumites never abandon their missions.
Yet one has.
Viltrumites do not battle each other,
but a son defies his father.
These are weaknesses.
The first we've found
and ones we must learn to exploit.
Perhaps Viltrum's grip on the galaxy is not
as steady as we imagine.
You have done well, Allen,
and given us much to discuss.
We will call on you again soon.
Thank you, great Thaedus.
I'm honored to serve.
They have no idea what this means.
If there are other Viltrumite kids out there,
maybe we can turn them against their parents, too.
Also, why are they breeding with other races?
I thought Viltrumites believed in racial purity.
See? That's a good question.
Why didn't they ask stuff like that
instead of shouting at me?
Allen, before you depart,
a word?
Of course, wise Thaedus.
I find it convenient and somewhat alarming
that Aikreon was hit so soon after joining the coalition.
It's as if the Viltrumites had knowledge
from inside the council.
You want me to discover if someone's betrayed us.
Ah, Allen, you continue to prove yourself
the coalition's most valuable asset.
Thank you, sir.
If there's a mole, I'll find them.
Hey, Vorg. Hey, little buddy.
Did you miss me?
Yes, you did. Yes, you did.
You did miss your daddy, didn't you?
Huh?
Did you miss me?
Oh, I missed you.
- Yeah? How much? - The most.
Or like ten times that amount. Maybe more even.
Oh, let's see if that's true.
Oh, goodness. Tentacles.
I, uh…
Perhaps now would be a good time to return to Earth
and rejoin Amber Bennett and Mark Grayson
as they begin their studies
at the prestigious Upstate University.
Oh, I see, uh…
No. Let's not do that, then.
Well, um…
Aha, aha.
Here we find the Unopan feline.
Perhaps unsurprisingly,
he has one large eye in the center of his head.
But that doesn't stop him from having
all manner of household adventures.
Oh, man, I have been dying for this.
I don't know how you eat kanzlok.
It's disgusting.
He doesn't think so.
Mmm… Mm?
No matter how far I travel,
Talescria's still the most beautiful planet
I've ever seen.
There's hundreds of planets that look exactly like it.
Sure. But only one has you.
Wow.
Hey, what did Thaedus want to talk about
after the council meeting?
Um…
Look, I'm not really supposed to, uh…
Okay, okay, fine.
Thaedus thinks there's a mole.
And I am supposed to…
Allen!
Oh, fuck.
Unopan, answer our questions
and we will consider sparing your life.
That is not your style.
Isn't it kill first, ask questions… never?
You will tell us everything
about your encounter with the Viltrumite of Earth.
I mean, not technically a question if…
Are you certain he sired an heir?
Are you certain he abandoned his post?
Who told you that? I mean it.
I'd really like to know because…
Where's the father now?
The father? Which one was he again?
You biclops all kind of look the same to me.
Great Thaedus.
How is he?
Uh… alive. For now.
It may not seem like it,
but that is cause for celebration.
They once again underestimate the Unopan will to survive.
I know you and Allen are
special to one another.
Thank you, sir.
To come here, attack Allen at home,
the Viltrumites must know we've discovered something.
Something that scares them.
And we will exploit it.
You should get some rest.
Go.
I will watch over him.
Forgive me, Allen.
Come on.
- Two more. - Come on.
Two more.
Are we gonna talk about this,
or is it just gonna be awkward forever?
Uh… the second one?
God, why do you have to be so immature?
I'm immature? Uh,
you cheated on me with the Immortal.
That's what you think happened? Seriously?
And even if that was true,
you were cheating on Eve with me first.
Okay, but that worked out in your favor.
You are unbelievable.
And you're gross.
The Immortal's like 2,000 years old, you know.
Not that I have to justify anything to you ever,
but if you add up the amount of time
my duplicates and I have lived, we are probably the same age.
Oh, okay, okay.
So I'm too young for you now? I-I-Is that it?
No, Rex. You're just an asshole.
Well, how is that news?
Look, come on, Kate, talk to me. What is this about?
You really want to know, Rex?
Yeah, I kinda do.
Fine.
The Immortal's the only person I've ever met
who's died as many times as I have.
Maybe you don't understand that,
but it means something.
He gets it.
And… Rex doesn't.
I get that you shouldn't be eavesdropping.
So please fuck the fuck off already.
It's not your gym, dickbag.
What? Are you gonna knock my teeth out again?
- Don't be a jerk, Rex. - Too late.
Uh, at least I'm not a cheater.
- But you literally are! - But that was before!
I'm not now.
Oh, hello, chums.
I'd like to run while remaining in a stationary location.
Is that cool beans?
Where are you from?
For real. Where are you from?
Go ahead, Shapesmith.
I'll just be over there.
In a stationary location.
Well, this has been about as much fun
as eating a light bulb.
Hey, Mozart, what's all this?
Uh… it's Strauss, actually.
Is that a brain? Is that your brain?
Uh… yes.
You're gonna make me ask, aren't you?
I was less than satisfied
with my performance against the Giant.
Oh, yeah.
You totally shit the bed on that one.
It sucks actually feeling fear, doesn't it?
It was…
unacceptable.
Sorry.
Sensitivity's never been my strong suit.
No, you're right.
I-I don't need you to sugarcoat it.
Which is why I've decided to resolve the problem.
I set up this visual feedback system
so I could practice controlling my fear response
via meditation and active thought.
Are you sure that's a good idea?
People feel fear for a reason.
And it's usually a good reason.
Fear is an extraneous emotion
that serves no real purpose for someone like me.
I strongly disagree, but…
I guess you'll find out the hard way.
Have fun next time you fall off a cliff or something.
Amanda?
Fear hasn't just made me useless in battle.
It-It's prevented me from doing something else
I've wanted to do
for quite some time.
Will you go to a movie with me?
A… movie?
Oh.
Sure.
Sure, Rudy.
I'll-I'll go to a movie with you.
It feels like vertigo.
They talk about the physical symptoms of grief…
depression, lethargy, all that.
Uh, but…
when the thought of her takes me by surprise
in the middle of the day,
it's like I'm falling.
I try to grab on to something but there's nothing to grab.
It's terrifying
and exhausting, and I just…
I still miss her so much.
That's all I got.
Thanks, Theo.
Okay, let's take a few, everybody.
Carol?
Hi! You must be Debbie.
I'm so sorry about the other day.
My three-month-old has the worst colic right now.
Ugh, I remember.
My son, he was such a fussy baby.
How old is he now?
Eighteen.
Practically a man.
He is.
So, um, ground rules.
We're not that different from other support groups
except we're even more strict when it comes to identity.
First names only.
You aren't required to share till you're ready,
but that's why we're all sacrificing a Tuesday night,
so might as well make the most of it.
Bathroom's down the hall.
Coffee tastes like battery acid.
Any questions?
I think you covered it.
Great. Have a seat.
All right, everybody, who's up?
Hi. I'm Lucinda.
Hi, Lucinda.
I didn't say much at my first meeting either.
Took me almost a month to talk to anybody.
Now they can't shut me up.
I see.
Sorry.
I can leave you alone.
N-No, it's fine. I j…
Uh, I dropped my son off at college today.
Empty house?
Yeah.
It's okay. I totally get it.
We all do.
Hey, don't take this the wrong way,
but there's a bar down the street
some of us like to go to after group.
Oh.
Uh, I just figured,
since it seems like neither of us wants to go home.
But no pressure, of course.
Sure.
I could use a drink.
It's, uh, it's kind of a dive.
The best ones are.
Never?
Of course I've watched films,
but, no, I've never attended one.
I had more important things to do.
And I, uh…
wouldn't have fit before.
Someday you'll have to tell me all about your childhood.
Oh, we're already seeing a horror movie tonight.
Hey. You wanted to test your fear response again.
Uh, two tickets for Midnight Slaughter.
That's rated "R."
I see.
And?
You need your parents to buy you R-rated tickets.
That's ridiculous.
How does a parent's presence
change a film's suitability for the underage?
It changes it in that I don't get fired
- for selling you a ticket. - Hey.
It's fine. They're my kids. They can see the movie.
What?
You want to do a DNA test now?
- How… - This might be your first movie, but it's not mine.
You'd be surprised what people will do for ten bucks.
Wait, if this is your first movie,
what other normal stuff haven't you done?
This is supposed to be appetizing?
Says the guy who used to eat food through his butt.
That's not how…
It entered through my…
Mmm.
Is it appetizing now?
Mmm.
I know these aren't good for me, but…
Oh, shut up.
A good burger and fries
is one of the greatest pleasures in life.
Yes. Mmm. I'm discovering that.
Oh! Oh! I'm sorry!
Let me get you some more. Uh, waiter?
Waiter, uh, more fries, please.
Rudy, there's no waiters in Burger Mart.
Did you move after your partner
passed away?
I moved the furniture.
Couldn't afford to relocate.
You?
I stayed for my son, but… now?
I don't know.
Maybe it's time for a change.
Change is good.
Yeah.
Problem is, where would I go?
Somewhere new.
So much of it still feels connected to him.
When we wanted Indian food, we'd go to India.
We'd fly to Tokyo and back on a Wednesday night.
Oh. One Christmas Eve,
we even made a snowman at the North Pole.
My son cried when he didn't see Santa's workshop,
so we told him we'd gone to the South Pole by mistake.
Sounds like you two had a pretty amazing life together.
We did.
You can still be angry.
That's okay. God knows I am.
Thanks.
It's good to talk with someone who understands.
I wish I could tell you it gets easier,
but Alana's been gone nearly a year…
…and I still reach across the bed for her every morning.
Alana?
- You mean… - Yeah.
She was the Green Ghost.
Guess I just broke rule number one of SOS.
Not that it matters now,
since she got murdered by that alien psychopath.
I-I didn't know she had a partner.
We used to fight about that.
She wanted to protect me.
I need to use the restroom.
Are you okay?
No, I'll-I'll be right back.
Oh, my God.
You had sex with Amber.
Whoa, what?
- William. - How was it?
- I want all the details. - Gross.
No. No way. No.
We're roommates now. This is what roommates talk about.
Okay, well, what about you?
How was Mr. Is This Your Stuff?
What are you talking about?
That hot guy from earlier.
I came back, and you had the sock on the door.
Oh.
Ugh, I wish.
I must have forgotten to take it off after my demonstration.
Wait, y-you thought
h-he and I…
Uh, yeah.
Super flattered.
But I'm kind of still screwed-up about what happened to Rick.
I always imagined we'd be here at Upstate together.
Cecil said he's doing better.
He should be released in a month or so.
I know.
Sorry, I wasn't trying to make you feel bad.
No, it's, it's okay.
Hey, I bet that's somebody ready for round two.
Coming, Ambers.
It's not Amber.
We made plans for tomorrow night.
I bet you did.
Mark Grayson?
It's for you.
Mark Grayson.
I need your help.
Who are you?
Why, it is I, Séance Dog.
Fight fire with fire, fight evil with magic.
That's me.
Huh?
Mark.
I come with an important…
Séance Dog isn't real.
He's a comic book character.
In your dimension, yes.
But there exist myriad other worlds
where dogs and magic are as real as the air you breathe.
We have dogs. Dogs are real.
Well, then you're halfway to understanding.
Open your mind and let me help you reach the other side.
Hey, well, whatever you're doing, don't, I'm warning you.
Mark Grayson, I come because…
Wait! Please! You don't understand.
Last chance.
Who are you, and what do you want?
I'm sorry, my disguise was meant to disarm you.
I thought if I appeared as something you love…
- Disarm me for what? - Please.
I'm not a threat.
The journey to your world has taken me most of my life.
May I rise?
If you answer my questions.
My name is Nuolzot.
I am from the planet Thraxa.
My people sent me to plead for your help.
Thraxa?
It's a couple galaxies away, uh, give or take.
I mean, not very far. You go… It doesn't matter.
How do you know who I am?
Rumors of the one they call Invincible
have spread like wildfire.
Your speed, your strength.
You are the only one who can save our people
from the meteor showers destroying our world.
Okay, listen, um…
Nuolzot.
Nuol… zot.
I just got to college, man.
I haven't even had my first day of classes yet.
Are you kidding me, Mark?
Nuolzot came all the way here from…
to beg for your help, and you're too busy?
How many bug people are in danger?
All of them.
But, like, a number.
Oh. Forty-two billion.
Don't worry about your classes.
I'll cover for you somehow.
Why do you care so much?
Because last time you didn't want to help someone,
we both regretted it.
We believe in you, Mark Grayson.
No, you can't just go
to some random planet with some random alien.
Are you insane?
The Guardians can keep an eye on things while I'm gone.
I won't be more than a few weeks. A month tops.
Depending on asteroid traffic.
Oh, it shouldn't be that bad.
It shouldn't be that bad.
You work for me here on Earth.
Look, a-a lot of people died because of me, Cecil.
This is a chance to save lives.
Billions of them.
And this is an order: do not go.
I need to listen to myself before I listen to you.
Your father felt the same way.
Well, I'll check in when I get back.
Goddamn it, Mark.
Fucking kid.
You're a good human, Mark Grayson.
Hey, when I'm in this outfit, I'm Invincible.
So far.
No, I'm saying, like, you have to call me Invincible.
It's like a secret identity.
Oh, right, of course. Invincible.
We need to make a quick stop first.
Hey, you. How's it going?
Hey. Come to your window.
And?
Look up.
Mark?
Uh, I have to go away for a few weeks.
To space again.
Like, right now?
A lot of people are gonna die if I don't.
- I'm sorry, but I… - No, stop, stop.
Don't apologize.
Never apologize for saving lives.
This is the deal, and I'm good with it. Go.
Thanks.
Can you tell my mom, please?
Yeah, of course.
Be careful.
Always.
Amber, I, uh…
Yeah?
I love you.
Are you comfortable, Mark Gray…
Uh, sorry. Invincible?
Yeah. Thanks.
Hey, how long until we get to Thraxa?
Approximately six of your Earth days.
Space sucks.
Debbie. Are you okay?
Di-Did I say something wrong?
I'm sorry. Tonight… Tonight's been a little much.
I get it. I-It's a lot.
I haven't talked to anyone about any of this,
except my son, and that probably makes me
a bad parent on top of everything else.
Hey,
it takes time to heal.
I can't heal because my husband's not dead.
He's just gone.
He's gone because…
because he murdered Alana and the other Guardians
and almost killed my son, too.
Your husband. Your husband's Omni-Man?
I thought he was Nolan Grayson, but that wasn't true.
The last 20 years of my life have been a lie.
I wish he was dead.
I wish I could grieve and move on, but I ca…
I-I can't.
I wish he was dead, too.
But not for your sake.
You shouldn't come back to the group.
It wouldn't be a safe space with you there.
I didn't know.
I didn't know who he was.
You should have.
Invincible?
Invincible.
- Invincible. - Huh!
We're here.
Uh… hi?
Oh, don't mind them. Come.
The monarch wants to meet you at once.
Wait, what exactly about this planet needs saving?
Where are the meteors?
Meteors? What meteors?
The ones that are killing billions?
Oh, yeah, those meteors.
You know, must be a touch of dementia.
We age much quicker than you humans, you know.
Uh, don't worry, the monarch will explain all.
Your Majesty.
May I present Invincible of Earth.
Oh.
Hello, son.
Huh?
It's been a while.
Dad?