Invincible season 4 episode 4 does something the Prime Video show has never done before — but fans are saying 'this is not it' for a wholly different reason

• Invincible season 4 episode 4 has made its bow on Prime Video
• The R-rated show's latest chapter introduces a storyline that isn't in the source material
• Fan discussions are dominated by something else in the series' most recent entry

Invincible season 4 episode 4 has been released on Prime Video — and, while it does something that the adult animated show hasn't before, fans can't stop discussing a different part of its latest chapter.

Before it made its bow, I was convinced that conversations about Invincible season 4's newest entry, titled 'Hurm', would be dominated by the fact the story it revolves around is new, and not pulled from the comic book. And yet, viewers can't stop talking about a seemingly inconsequential scene in this episode's latter moments, which has perplexed some and irked others.

Full spoilers immediately follow for Invincible season 4 episode 4. Turn back now if you haven't watched it.

Why 'Hurm' breaks new ground for Invincible

As I alluded to, the Amazon TV Original's latest episode is the first to include narrative material that isn't adapted from Invincible's literary counterpart.

Indeed, the plot — which follows on from the mid-credits scene in Invincible's season 3 finale — centers on Damien Darkblood, the demon detective who was banished from Earth by Global Defence Agency (GDA) chief Cecil Stedman in season 1 episode 4. In the comics, this is where Darkblood's story ends — so, why was he not only brought back, but also installed as the co-lead of this season's fourth chapter?

Robert Kirkman, co-creator of the graphic novels and its TV adaptation, always wanted this story — which sees the eponymous hero literally dragged to Hell to help Darkblood defeat the unkillable Volcanikka — to be part of Invincible's 144-issue run.

Speaking to Variety last March, Kirkman said: "We always wanted to figure out a way to get Damian Darkblood back into the show, and then — gosh, do I want to spoil this? There’s a storyline from the comic that I never got around to doing.

"Every superhero story has some chapter where they go to hell and they fight the devil. It happens in DC and Marvel comics. It’s a big deal. I never got around to doing anything like that in Invincible. I kept getting side-tracked and there was never a good time. So, it’s entirely possible that we may be doing something like that in the show."

Comment from r/Invincible

Clearly, this Darkblood-centric side story is something that's been on Kirkman's mind for a long time. The above Reddit post, which includes a screenshot of Kirkman responding to a fan about his desire to reintroduce Darkblood in the comics but not having the space to do so, confirms as much. With 'Hurm', Kirkman finally realizes his vision for this Hell-based storyline.

Was it worth the wait? Based on the online reactions I've seen thus far, fans are decidedly mixed on the new material that the Prime Video show contains. Indeed, threads on r/Invincible and the ResetEra forums are full of fan opinions, ranging from 'pleasantly surprised' to 'thoroughly underwhelmed'.

Of course, those views are just a snapshot of what the series' global audience thought of 'Hurm'. At the time of publication, it's only been eight hours since season 4 episode 4 debuted, so I suspect the opinion pendulum will swing further in one direction over the other in the hours, days, and weeks to come.

Where's your original voice actor, William?

If there's one thing that Invincible's fanbase can agree on, though, it's that they do not like who's voicing William Clockwell now.

In seasons 1 through 3, Andrew Rannells was the actor behind Mark Grayson/Invincible and Samantha Eve Wilkins/Atom-Eve's gay best friend. However, after William's first appearance in this season's fourth episode, he sounds very, very different.

The reason? Brandon Scott Jones has replaced Rannells — and viewers are already *ahem* voicing their displeasure over the change.

Indeed, numerous threads on r/Invincible, including ones started by No_Yogurtcloset6575, Flat_measurement2579, and ShuckU are packed with comments from fans agreeing with their fellow audience members that Jones' portrayal is a step down on Rannells'. The same is true on other social media and discussion platforms, such as X/Twitter and the ResetEra forums.

Again, at the time of publication, there's no word from Amazon, nor Kirkman and his fellow TV adaptation co-creator Simon Racioppa, as to why Rannells is no longer involved. Whatever the reason, people aren't happy — but, if Jones is now the permanent voice of William, I guess we'll have to get used to it.

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