"You Want a Real Costume, Right?" is the third episode of the third season of Invincible, and the nineteenth episode of the show overall.
Synopsis[]
Mark struggles to teach Oliver what it means to be a superhero. Debbie explores a new relationship and a changed family dynamic.
Plot[]
The day opens with a striking montage that sets the tone for the blurred lines between heroism and villainy. In a gritty sequence, Magmaniac and Tether Tyrant—gay lovers desperate for change—attempt a bank heist. Their initial robbery is thwarted by Bulletproof, an intervention that briefly inspires them to reform and live a cleaner life. Yet fate deals them a harsh hand as homelessness pushes them back into old habits, and when they rob the same bank once more, Mark Grayson—Invincible—arrives on the scene. In the ensuing brawl, Oliver, his eager younger half-brother, steps in to help, highlighting just how perilously thin the line is between redemption and relapse.
Not long after, Mark resolves to shape Oliver into a true hero. At Art Rosenbaum’s tailor shop, the pair meet to fine-tune their approach to justice. Oliver, bursting with youthful ambition, proclaims his desire to be known as Kid Omni-Man—a name that both excites and alarms Mark, given its painful association with their notorious father, Nolan. As Art presents Mark with a sleek, new costume that speaks to a darker, more mature persona, Mark remains cautious. Their training session is abruptly cut short by a breaking news bulletin: a superpowered attack is underway at Payton Penitentiary. With Oliver brimming with the urge to jump into the fray, Mark insists that his brother remain an observer—a lesson in restraint that, despite the best intentions, will soon be tested.
Meanwhile, life on the ground moves in several directions. At Upstate University, Eve is forging a path of her own. Enrolled part-time in architecture and engineering as a means to better understand and refine her creative powers, she leaves class alongside her classmate Helen. Their casual chat about a complicated lecture is interrupted when Amber approaches, surprised to see Eve among the students. In a warm, candid exchange, Eve explains her unusual double life—balancing superheroics with academic pursuits—and even touches on personal matters. When Amber inquires about Debbie and Oliver, Eve reassures her that they’re recovering well after Mark’s daring rescue from Angstrom Levy, and she briefly mentions that Mark has been grappling with conflicts (including a bitter spat with Cecil) that have left him isolated. Before long, Amber surprises Eve by revealing she already knows about Eve’s and Mark’s relationship—a piece of gossip passed along by William—and the two share a moment of relieved camaraderie, even as Amber confesses she’s now dating someone named Kyle.
Back in the realm of heroes past and present, the former Teen Team—now the rogue Guardians—are busy setting up their new headquarters. Rex Splode proudly shows Shrinking Rae around a modest house he purchased, cracking jokes about its lack of extravagant features like a mountain or a pool. Rudy chimes in that the deed is in his name, meaning Rex will pocket a profit when they eventually sell the place, though for now it serves as their home base. As the team assembles, old bonds and scars resurface: Rex’s embarrassing recollections of his old room, revelations about his traumatic past of being sold to the government for experiments, and bittersweet comparisons to the happy days of the Teen Team captured in a long-forgotten photo. When Eve arrives—having abandoned her city apartment in a bid to mend family ties—Rudy warmly invites her to stay. Yet when Rex playfully suggests she rejoin the team, Eve gently declines, remarking that the magic of the original Guardians would be lost if she were to return. Amid teasing jibes about her obvious closeness with Mark, Eve stands firm in her choices, even as Rudy admits his own plans to move back in with his parents.
Liu, representing The Order, confronts Titan, demanding he retrieve their imprisoned assassin, Multi-Paul. Titan refuses, stating he only cares about controlling the city and has no obligation to The Order. Liu insists that by taking over Machine Head's empire, Titan inherited his responsibilities to The Order. Titan argues that Multi-Paul's situation was a private matter. Isotope, Titan's associate, advises him to cooperate with The Order, warning that they could replace him and eliminate his family if he doesn't. He explains that The Order has divided the world amongst themselves and that even Machine Head cooperated. Titan is hesitant, fearing the attention breaking out Multi-Paul would bring. Isotope explains that they have no choice and that he can't teleport Multi-Paul out because of an energy field. Titan reluctantly agrees to help, telling Isotope to inform Liu that he'll handle it, but that he doesn't want to see Liu in his city again. Isotope agrees to relay the message, though he knows better than to actually tell Liu that.
High above the everyday chaos, Mark and Oliver’s mission takes them to a violent confrontation at the penitentiary. As Mark battles villains like Kursk and Furnace during a prison break—a conflict complicated further by The Order’s internal strife with figures such as Multi-Paul and an irate Mr. Liu—Oliver’s impatience leads him to charge in, resulting in a painful injury and a stern reprimand from his older brother. Soon after, on their journey home, they encounter Debbie accompanied by her new date, Paul—a meeting that unexpectedly exposes snippets of their secret identities to the public, even earning Mark the humorous nickname “Invinciboy.”
That same night, on a quiet rooftop under a sky heavy with unspoken burdens, Eve and Mark finally share a private moment. Fresh from giving her parents an ultimatum about accepting her powers, Eve listens as Mark confesses the strain of juggling his heroic responsibilities and personal life. In their conversation, he reveals that despite the overwhelming chaos and the moral dilemmas he faces, the comfort of having each other makes the struggle worthwhile—a sentiment echoed by his mother’s own longing for connection.
The night’s trials are not yet over. As the rogue Guardians confront a new menace—Mauler 1 and Mauler 2, villains who plot to escalate their criminal enterprise by launching a nuclear device—Mark finds himself drawn into yet another battle. Determined to help regardless of team affiliations, he intervenes to stop the looming disaster. Despite his best efforts, Oliver follows into combat. In a tragic turn of events, while Mark manages to defuse the nuke in the vastness of space, Oliver is left to face the Mauler Twins alone. Overwhelmed by the brutal intensity of the fight, Oliver loses control and ends up killing both twins in a shower of blood—a moment that forces Mark to confront the grim realities of power without restraint.
Returning to the aftermath, a conflicted Mark struggles to impart a sense of morality to Oliver. The younger hero’s actions, seen as echoing the remorseless worldview of their infamous father, leave Mark questioning everything. His heart heavy with the knowledge that even the best intentions can lead to unspeakable consequences, he finds himself at a crossroads—torn between guiding Oliver and grappling with his own moral limitations.
And just when it seems the night has revealed every shadow, a final, ominous twist emerges. As Mark contemplates the future, a watchful presence is revealed lurking outside—a presence none other than Angstrom Levy, silently biding his time as he observes every move. With this unsettling revelation, the stakes are raised for all involved, leaving heroes and villains alike to wonder what the next chapter in their turbulent lives will bring.
Cast[]
Starring[]
- Steven Yeun - Invincible
- Sandra Oh - Debbie Grayson
- J.K. Simmons - Omni-Man (mentioned only)
- Christian Convery - Kid Omni-Man
- Gillian Jacobs - Atom Eve
Featuring the Voices Of[]
- Kevin Michael Richardson - Mauler Twins
- Walton Goggins - Cecil Stedman
- Mark Hamill - Art Rosenbaum
- Sterling K. Brown - Angstrom Levy
- Grey Griffin - Amanda/Monster Girl (human form), Shrinking Rae, Betsy Wilkins
- Fred Tatasciore - Adam Wilkins, Nate
- Khary Payton - Black Samson
- Ross Marquand - The Immortal, Rudy, Kursk
- Zazie Beetz - Amber Justine Bennett
- Cleveland Berto - Darkwing II
- Cliff Curtis - Paul
- Chris Diamantopoulos - Isotope
- Simu Liu - Multi-Paul
- Malese Jow - Dupli-Kate
- Tzi Ma - Mister Liu
- Todd Williams - Titan
- Jason Mantzoukas - Rex Splode
- Ben Schwartz - Shapesmith
- Jay Pharoah - Bulletproof
- Kari Wahlgren - Helen, Tania
- Gary Anthony Williams - Newscaster
Trivia[]
"You want a real costume, right?" - Mark, Invincible #51
- The title is a direct quote from the comics when Mark and Oliver are on their way to Art's Tailor Shoppe.
- This is the first episode with a part without a dialogue and vocal music.
- This episode reveals Rex and Rae may have feelings for each other.
- Titan is now voiced by Todd Williams, replacing Mahershala Ali.
- This episode marks the final appearance of the Mauler Twins.