Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Invincible season 3, episodes 1-6.

After season 2 planted the seeds for Anissa made an instant impression in Invincible season 2, as she beat Mark with ease and even came to blows with Allen, suggesting she would be a significant antagonist going forward.

Likewise, General Kregg having both Omni-Man and Allen in custody indicated he would be a large part of the story, and with Invincible even teasing Conquest's arrival, it felt inevitable Mark would once again face off against some Viltrumites. Instead, season 3 has kept the franchise's main villains hidden for the most part, but this seems like an intentional decision. Rather than rushing to the huge conflict, Invincible season 3 has put its focus on other storylines, and while this does risk fans getting a little impatient, the superhero series has way more to offer in the meantime.

Invincible’s Viltrumite Storyline Has Hardly Been Mentioned Throughout Season 3

Season 3 Has Focused Far More On Mark's Relationships With Eve, Cecil & Oliver

Despite the last installment closing with Omni-Man in captivity, he and Allen have only had half an episode dedicated to them in season 3, while the rest of the established Viltrumites have been completely absent. Rather than continuing to build on the work of season 2, Invincible's return has focused more on other stories. After Mark failed to tell Eve he loved her in Invincible's previous outing, the two finally got together in season 3, with their romance slowly building throughout the first few episodes. In addition, Mark and Cecil's feud has been arguably the season's most prominent angle so far.

Their trust has completely evaporated, subsequently causing the Guardians of the Globe to split in half after witnessing the fight between the duo. Oliver has also had a massive role in the show's return, as his desperation to be a hero has exposed his darker side, showing his similarities to Omni-Man before he left Earth. All of these stories have been at the forefront of Invincible's latest episodes, yet the Viltrumite invasion has been largely forgotten about. However, this is not an oversight by the writers; instead, it's a bold decision that should make the villains' return more impactful.

Why Invincible Is Right To Take Its Time Building Up To Its Viltrumite War

The Battle Against The Viltrumites Will Be One Of Invincible's Biggest Storylines

With Robert Kirkman revealing he plans on Invincible running for around 7–10 seasons, the show is making the right call by pacing itself and letting its characters flourish before jumping into the Viltrumite invasion. The series has so many big personalities that have already made a large impression, and allowing them to continue developing will make their roles in the big fight more compelling. Rex Splode went from one of the least popular characters to a true underdog and hero, while Cecil is currently showing his ruthless side that makes him a formidable foe, but a valuable ally.

With season 3 also teasing the return of Angstrom Levy, the show still has a huge arc to cover, as the Invincible War will undoubtedly take place before the Viltrumites come to Earth.

Invincible has also given its secondary villains a chance to shine, which has kept the series feeling fresh, providing a strong reminder that these antagonists also shouldn't be overlooked. With season 3 also teasing the return of Angstrom Levy, the show still has a huge arc to cover, as the Invincible War will undoubtedly take place before the Viltrumites come to Earth. Therefore, between what happens next with Angstrom Levy, the conflict between Mark and Cecil, and a whole host of other storylines, there is no reason for Invincible to rush into its biggest arc.

Season 3 has still been incredibly fast-paced and avoided feeling like filler even without any Viltrumite action, showing the narrative is still gripping despite its change in direction. As long as the series can continue to make its action exciting and progress the overall story, building slowly toward the Viltrumite invasion feels like a much smarter move, and the benefits of this are already on display in Invincible season 3's first few episodes.

The Viltrumite Arc Will Be Even Better After Season 3’s Slow Build

Mark's Struggles In Season 3 Will Make Him More Prepared For His War With The Viltrumites

Assuming season 3 maintains its quality for the final few episodes, it will make the build to the Viltrumite arc even more exciting. Watching characters continue to clash, change, or grow closer will make their relationships all the more important when they finally have to take on their biggest challenge yet. Likewise, seeing what sort of roles Invincible's side villains take during the war will be interesting, as they may choose to fight alongside the heroes to defend their planet, or try and take advantage of the chaos to pull off their greatest crime yet.

The slow build also helps ensure Mark is ready for what is ahead physically and mentally since he has already struggled massively in this regard across the first two and a half seasons. It will also be more fun seeing what Allen and Omni-Man do next after becoming allies and spending so long in Viltrumite captivity. Likewise, whether they return to Earth or head to the Coalition of Planets should also help make the next phase of the story feel even bigger.

With season 3 destined to get more violent as it goes on, the fights will only make the Viltrumites look that much more menacing, and we could even see them return in the final few episodes, building up more anticipation for season 4. Invincible really has no shortage of story potential, and every fight, death, and betrayal in the lead-up to the impending invasion just adds to the stakes of the franchise's biggest arc.