Invincible Calls Out The MCU’s “Super-Weird” Costume Trope (But Admits It Looks Cool)

Invincible has called out a major, frustrating MCU trend, while still admitting it has merit. Some of Invincible‘s best jokes are dubbed as such for being so self-referential. For instance, the delay in releasing Invincible season 2 was directly referenced in the show, with Mark using a conversation with a comic book artist to point out the common tricks animation studios use.

The ending of Invincible season 3, despite being a lot darker than previous seasons, continued this trend. Now, we have Invincible season 4’s massive story that will completely alter the show, while still finding time to feature gags and commentary on the wider state of superhero media.

Invincible season 4, episode 4 was a vehicle for this, with the story acting as somewhat of a sidequest for the titular character. As such, the episode placed an even greater focus on levity than the show usually does. Thanks to a specific scene filled with jokes, Invincible has officially called out the MCU on an annoying costume trend.

Invincible Season 4 Pokes Fun At The MCU’s Weird Helmet Tropes

The trope in question is the constant removal and reapplication of helmets, either physically or via nanotech. This has become a constant in the MCU, be it characters like Black Panther, Iron Man, Ant-Man, and Spider-Man receiving nanotech outfits or practical helmets being removed so that the actors’ faces can be utilized in the movies/shows in question.

This has become such a talking point in the modern world of superhero storytelling that Invincible felt the need to poke fun at it. During one moment in Invincible season 4, episode 4, Mark and his ally, Damien Darkblood, free-fall down a huge pit, giving time for the two to exchange several jokes and gags.

Mark specifically calls out Damien, asking why the latter’s helmet keeps snapping off when he talks and back on again when he stops. Damien states he speaks more clearly without his helmet, leading Mark to continue questioning why the helmet does it at all. Damien says he didn’t design the helmet, prompting Mark to continue slating the idea of a retractable helmet.

The scene ends with Mark stating, “It’s super-weird. Like, what was the problem that this was a solution to?” In many ways, Mark is speaking the thoughts of Marvel fans across the world. The constant discussion about MCU helmets has become so large that Invincible has to be poking fun at it, under the guise of a fun character exchange.

Invincible Also Invokes The “Rule Of Cool”

What makes this scene even more funny and relatable is Damien’s reasoning for the helmet. Although the character begins defending the armor, he eventually relents that its nanotech nature simply “looks cool.” After putting on his helmet one more time, even Mark concedes: “Alright, yeah, that’s pretty cool.”

In many genres, the Rule of Cool still applies. Oftentimes, things in movies or shows, typically fantasy-based ones, don’t need to make all that much sense if they look cool. The nanotech/helmet situation embodies this better than anything. Iron Man’s first Avengers: Infinity War suit-up, for instance, is an excellent moment.

So too is the first time Spider-Man puts on his Iron Spider suit, or the many action scenes in Black Panther where the titular hero utilizes nanotech well. The main reason this has become an issue worth talking about, though, is how common nanotech costumes have become, especially for characters not expected to wear them, like Ant-Man or Spider-Man.

The nanotech trend of superhero costumes may look cool, but it has simply become too oversaturated. Thankfully, Invincible calls out both sides of this argument, rather than just focusing on the negative side of it.

Invincible’s Calling Out Of Superhero Tropes Will Hopefully Lead To Balance

Hopefully, this gag could lead to some kind of balance. Admittedly, the helmet discussion is silly, no matter how someone dresses it up. It should not be this important to comic book fans whether a helmet is on, off, nanotech, or practical. Lo and behold, though, it has become important enough to discuss nonetheless.

Invincible, though, pokes fun at all of this, specifically in an episode where balance is mentioned. While this may be overestimating the show’s influence, hopefully, the superhero costume debate can fall back into the sweet spot between practical and CGI, lessening the discussion that arguably shouldn’t exist in the first place.