Adam Wilkins is a supporting character in Invincible, debuting from Season 1 and onwards.
He is the adoptive father of Samantha Eve Wilkins and the husband of Betsy Wilkins.
Quick Answers
What is the relationship between Adam Wilkins and Atom Eve?
What is the superhero identity of Samantha Eve Wilkins?
What role does Adam Wilkins play in the Invincible series?
Appearance[]
Physique[]
Adam Wilkins is a stout, middle-aged man with a brown beard and mustache, though he is bald on top. In his younger years, he had more hair, although it was already beginning to thin.
Clothing[]
Adam typically wears a plain white shirt with three pens tucked into the chest pocket, paired with a black-and-white striped tie. He dons dull gray pants secured with a dark brown belt and wears brown loafers. A black wristwatch and a gold wedding ring are visible on his left arm and hand.
Personality[]
Adam is portrayed as largely prejudiced against superheroes and those with superpowers, viewing them as inherently dangerous to themselves and those around them. This is most evident in his treatment of his daughter, Eve. Despite her efforts to use her abilities for the benefit of others, including acts that directly help her own family, Adam remains dismissive and critical, often responding with disgust or fear. He consistently downplays her contributions and condemns her powers at any opportunity.
His character can be seen as a reflection of a traditional, rigid mindset: a man holding firm to conservative values who struggles to reconcile his love for his daughter with his rejection of what makes her unique. Adam appears pragmatic and grounded, prioritizing conventional goals like attending school, holding a steady job, and avoiding attention. He also exhibits a “man of the house” mentality, sticking to his beliefs even when faced with evidence that challenges them, and rarely admitting when he may be wrong.
History[]
Background[]
From a young age, Adam worked at a furniture store in Chicago. During this time, he met Betsy, and the two eventually married. The couple later decided they were ready to start a family.
Early Parental Years[]
Tragically, their first child was stillborn, leaving them devastated. However, in what seemed like a miracle, a nurse approached them shortly afterward with a newborn girl, claiming that the baby had somehow survived. Overjoyed by this second chance, Adam and Betsy accepted the child as their own and named her Samantha Eve.
The Wilkins raised Eve with love and care, though early signs of her unique nature began to surface. As a child, she would often stare intently at objects around her and seemed fascinated by the molecular structure of things. She would draw molecules and even recreate them using LEGO bricks. At one point, she helped her babysitter Zak study for a chemistry test, which he presumably passed thanks to her assistance. Recognizing her unusual intellect, her parents enrolled her in a school for gifted children. However, Eve struggled to connect with the other students and felt isolated.
She eventually formed her first real friendship with a girl named Val. Years later, Eve discovered her powers and excitedly revealed them to Val, only for Val to react with fear, ending their friendship. Following the incident, Eve was expelled from the gifted school and transferred to a public one.
On April 19, 2016, Eve returned home late on her twelfth birthday and realized she had missed her birthday party. An argument with Adam followed, during which he expressed his discomfort with her powers. Eve retreated to her room, grieving not only the state of her relationship with her father but also the loss surrounding her origins. She was later comforted by her adoptive mother, Betsy.
Samantha's Heroics[]
Adam Wilkins strongly disapproves of his daughter’s superhero lifestyle. Initially, he only tolerated her involvement in hero work because she was dating another superhero, Rex Splode. His disapproval appears rooted in both protective instincts and personal beliefs, some of which reflect a traditional and arguably sexist mindset. For example, when Eve broke up with Rex after he cheated on her, Adam dismissed her concerns and told her to go back to him, implying that infidelity was something men do and should be tolerated.
Adam also displays a sense of pride and traditional values when it comes to his role in the family. He refused Eve’s offer to support him financially, believing it is his responsibility as the “breadwinner” to provide for the household.
Despite his rigid views and often harsh demeanor, Adam does care deeply for Eve. His controlling nature stems from genuine fear for her safety in the dangerous world of superheroes. However, his overbearing approach ultimately drove a wedge between them. Feeling stifled and unsupported, Eve decided to move out and live independently in the woods, seeking freedom and purpose on her own terms.
Financial Crisis[]
Following the devastation in Chicago, Adam, like many others, lost his job at the corporate office and was forced to take up work at Burger Mart. Despite his financial struggles, he refused assistance from his daughter, firmly opposing the idea of her using her powers to help support the family. Adam believes that Eve’s extraordinary abilities come with serious risks and must be handled with caution and clear boundaries to avoid unintended consequences.
His concerns were reinforced after an incident in which Eve, despite her good intentions, accidentally caused several injuries while trying to help rebuild the city. This event highlighted the dangers of her unchecked use of power and validated Adam’s fears about the potential fallout of her actions.
In the aftermath, Eve came to understand the consequences of her choices and the recklessness of her approach. As a result, she returned to live with her family, seeking a sense of grounding and reconciliation.
Invincible War[]
To be added
Sightings[]
Season 1 | ||||||||||||
1. "It's About Time": | Absent | 5. "That Actually Hurt": | Debut | |||||||||
2. "Here Goes Nothing": | Absent | 6. "You Look Kinda Dead": | Appears | |||||||||
3. "Who You Calling Ugly?": | Absent | 7. "We Need To Talk": | Appears | |||||||||
4. "Neil Armstrong, Eat Your Heart Out": | Absent | 8. "Where I Really Come From": | Absent |
Season 2 | ||||||||||||
1. "A Lesson For Your Next Life": | Absent | 5. "This Must Come as a Shock": | Non-speaking | |||||||||
2. "In About Six Hours, I Lose My Virginity to a Fish": | Appears | 6. "It's Not That Simple": | Absent | |||||||||
3. "This Missive, This Machination!": | Absent | 7. "I'm Not Going Anywhere": | Absent | |||||||||
4. "It's Been a While": | Absent | 8. "I Thought You Were Stronger": | Absent |
Season 3 | ||||||||||||
1. "You're Not Laughing Now": | Mentioned | 5. "This Was Supposed To Be Easy": | Absent | |||||||||
2. "A Deal With The Devil": | Absent | 6. "All I Can Say Is I'm Sorry": | Absent | |||||||||
3. "You Want A Real Costume, Right?": | Appears | 7. "What Have I Done?": | Appears | |||||||||
4. "You Were My Hero": | Absent | 8. "I Thought You'd Never Shut Up": | Appears |
Specials | ||||||||||||
Invincible: Atom Eve: | Appears |
Trivia[]
- Adam is widely regarded by fans as one of the least likable characters in the series, largely due to his dismissive, condescending, and traditionalist attitude. His interactions, particularly with his daughter Eve, are often seen as emotionally distant, judgmental, and rooted in outdated gender norms. While his fears for Eve’s safety are understandable, his inability to support or respect her independence has made him an unpopular figure among viewers.
- In the comics, Adam is depicted as blonde around the time he and Betsy first adopted Eve.