Episode 1: It's About Time

Directed by Robert Valley · Written by Robert Kirkman · March 25, 2021

When hulking villainous scientist clones, the Mauler Twins, attack the White House, they are repelled by the Guardians of the Globe and Nolan Grayson / Omni-Man. Nolan's son Mark, who is waiting for his powers to emerge, goes to school and defends classmate Amber Bennett from bully Todd. After Todd beats Mark, Amber saves the latter and develops an interest in him. Later, Mark's powers of flight and super-strength emerge, and he tells his parents over dinner. While Nolan is initially uncertain, he nonetheless begins to train Mark on how to use them. However, Mark is caught off-guard when Nolan, emphasizing the severity of being a superhero, punches him too hard. Feeling hurt emotionally and physically, Mark blows off steam by stopping a robbery in a homemade suit. After a heart-to-heart with his son, Nolan takes Mark to meet superhero suit tailor Art Rosenbaum, who creates a proper superhero suit for Mark after he takes the name "Invincible". Later, Nolan secretly ambushes and kills the Guardians at their headquarters before falling unconscious from injuries sustained from their resistance.

Images Gallery

First Mauler Twins Appearance

The Mauler Twins showcasing their trademark combination of brute strength and advanced weaponry during their first appearance.

The Mauler Twins, blue-skinned supervillain clones, during their attack on the White House in Invincible Season 1 Episode 1.

The Mauler Twins make their debut in the series premiere, 'It’s About Time.' These blue-skinned, hyper-muscular brilliant scientists are seen here wielding high-tech heavy weaponry during an assault on the White House. The scene establishes their ongoing dynamic: a constant, prideful argument over which one is the original creator and which is the mere clone.

First appearance of the Guardians of the Globe

The original Guardians of the Globe ready for action during their debut battle at the White House.

The original Guardians of the Globe—Aquarus, Martian Man, War Woman, The Immortal, Darkwing, Red Rush, and Green Ghost—stand in a battle stance in front of a damaged White House.

In the opening sequence of Invincible Season 1, Episode 1, 'It’s About Time,' the Guardians of the Globe arrive to defend the White House from the Mauler Twins. This shot showcases the original roster's diverse power sets and iconic costumes, establishing them as Earth's premier superhero team and a clear homage to classic comic book archetypes like the Justice League.

First Appearance of Mark Grayson

A pre-superpowered Mark Grayson sharing a quiet moment at home with his mother.

Mark Grayson sitting on a couch eating cereal while talking to his mother, Debbie Grayson, in their living room.

Mark Grayson is introduced as a typical teenager waiting for his late-blooming superpowers to finally kick in. In this scene from Season 1, Episode 1, Mark discusses his frustrations with his mother, Debbie, establishing the grounded, human element of the series before his life changes forever as the hero Invincible.

First Appearance of Nolan Grayson as Omni-Man

Omni-Man, Earth's strongest protector, in his first appearance alongside his wife, Debbie.

Nolan Grayson in full Omni-Man costume standing in his kitchen next to his wife, Debbie.

Nolan Grayson, known to the world as Omni-Man, is Earth's most powerful defender and a member of the Viltrumite race. This first appearance highlights the duality of his life: wearing a bright superhero uniform while standing in a mundane domestic setting, setting the stage for the complex family dynamics of the show.

First Appearance of William Clockwell

Mark's best friend William Clockwell providing some comic relief during a school day.

William Clockwell smiling and gesturing at a frustrated Mark Grayson at school.

William Clockwell makes his debut as Mark Grayson's loyal and observant best friend at Burger Mart and school. Known for his quick wit and being the first person to learn Mark's secret, this scene establishes their close friendship and William's role as the grounded civilian perspective in Mark's increasingly chaotic life.

First Appearance of Amber Bennett

Amber Bennett making an impression during her first appearance at high school.

Amber Bennett standing in a high school hallway, looking unimpressed while talking to Todd.

Amber Bennett is introduced at Reginal Vel Johnson High School in Season 1, Episode 1. A smart, independent student who doesn't tolerate bullies, she is shown here standing her ground during an encounter with Todd. This scene establishes her character's strong moral compass and marks the beginning of her importance in Mark Grayson's social life.

First Appearance of Planet Viltrum

The beautiful and mysterious planet Viltrum as seen during Omni-Man's retelling of his origin.

A wide shot of the planet Viltrum, a glowing blue and white celestial body in deep space.

During Nolan Grayson's explanation of his origins to Mark, the audience gets their first glimpse of Viltrum. Presented initially as a utopian paradise, this visual accompanies Nolan's story of a peaceful race dedicated to traveling the galaxy to help developing worlds, a foundational piece of the series' lore.

A City on Planet Viltrum

The advanced, utopian architecture of a major city on the planet Viltrum.

A futuristic Viltrumite city featuring tall, white, sleek skyscrapers overlooking a vast blue ocean.

This shot showcases the advanced architecture of Viltrum, emphasizing the planet's highly developed civilization. The sleek, white towers and clean environment reinforce the 'perfect society' image Nolan projects while describing how Viltrumites used their powers to better their world.

A Viltrumite on Planet Viltrum

A Viltrumite citizen demonstrating the incredible physical strength inherent to their race.

A muscular Viltrumite man in a white uniform carrying a massive technological structure over his shoulder.

This image illustrates the raw power of the Viltrumite people. As Nolan explains their history, we see a citizen effortlessly performing manual labor on a massive scale, demonstrating that every member of their race possesses strength comparable to Omni-Man's own.

Nolan Grayson's Arrival at Earth

The arrival of Nolan Grayson on Earth, marking the beginning of the Omni-Man era.

A cinematic shot of Earth from space at night, with a small white streak representing Nolan Grayson entering the atmosphere.

In a flashback during the series premiere, Nolan Grayson recounts his arrival on Earth. This shot shows him as a lone traveler from Viltrum, appearing as a shooting star over the North American continent. It serves as the visual beginning of his 'Omni-Man' persona and his mission to protect the planet.

Mark Grayson's First Flight

A milestone moment: Mark Grayson experiences the thrill and confusion of his first flight.

Mark Grayson, shirtless and in pajama pants, levitating awkwardly a few feet above his backyard at night.

The moment Mark Grayson has been waiting for finally arrives in the series premiere. After years of anticipation, he discovers he can levitate. This scene captures the clumsy, unrefined nature of his first attempt at flight in his backyard, contrasting the effortless grace of his father.

Mark's First Training Lesson with Omni-Man

Nolan Grayson takes his son, Mark, into the clouds for their first official training session.

Omni-Man and Mark Grayson hovering in a clear blue sky high above a rural landscape during a training session.

Following the manifestation of his powers, Nolan takes Mark high into the atmosphere for his first lesson. The vast landscape below emphasizes the scale of their abilities. This scene marks the start of Nolan’s mentorship, where he begins to teach Mark the physical and mental discipline required of a Viltrumite.

Omni-Man Training Mark: The Mechanics of a Punch

Omni-Man coaching Mark on the finer points of combat and power delivery.

Omni-Man guiding Mark's arm and fist to demonstrate proper form while hovering in the sky.

Nolan demonstrates that being a hero is about more than just raw power; it’s about technique. In this training sequence, he shows Mark how to put his entire body weight into a strike. This 'hero-in-training' moment is one of the last purely wholesome interactions the father and son share before the series' darker turns.

First Appearance of Titan

The rock-skinned enforcer Titan making his debut as a powerhouse in the local crime scene.

Titan, a large man with grey, rock-like skin, standing in a menacing pose during his first encounter with Mark Grayson.

Titan is introduced in the series premiere as a formidable enforcer with the ability to coat his body in a nearly indestructible layer of grey stone. This first appearance establishes him as a complex 'villain' who crosses paths with Mark Grayson during an attempted robbery, eventually leading to one of the show's most significant early subplots regarding the criminal underworld.

Mark Grayson's First Superhero Costume

Mark Grayson testing out his prototype look before adopting the name Invincible.

Mark Grayson standing in his bedroom wearing a makeshift superhero outfit consisting of a yellow and blue track suit and a simple mask.

Before he becomes 'Invincible,' Mark attempts to find his heroic identity using a homemade prototype suit. This 'first costume' reflects his eagerness and amateur status, appearing far more like athletic wear than tactical gear. It serves as a visual stepping stone before Art Rosenbaum helps him craft his iconic, final superhero look.

First Appearance of Art Rosenbaum

The man behind the masks: Art Rosenbaum meeting Mark for the first time.

Art Rosenbaum, a middle-aged man with glasses and a measuring tape, standing in his high-tech tailor shop.

Art Rosenbaum is introduced as the premiere tailor for the superhero community and a close confidant of Nolan Grayson. In his shop, 'Art’s Tailoring,' he helps Mark move past his amateur look to find a costume that matches his power. Art provides not only the suit but also the wisdom and 'branding' advice that leads Mark to choose the name Invincible.

Mark and Nolan Playing Catch

A super-powered tradition: Nolan and Mark Grayson playing catch across the sky.

Mark and Nolan Grayson flying high above the clouds, casually tossing a baseball back and forth at incredible speeds.

In one of the most memorable scenes from the pilot, Nolan takes Mark above the atmosphere for a 'traditional' father-son activity. Playing catch while flying across the globe demonstrates the casual nature of their god-like abilities. It serves as a poignant moment of connection that emphasizes the human side of the Viltrumite experience before the episode's tragic ending.

Mark Grayson Debuts the Invincible Suit

The reveal of the iconic Invincible suit, custom-crafted by the legendary Art Rosenbaum.

Mark Grayson standing in Art Rosenbaum's tailor shop, wearing his iconic yellow, blue, and black Invincible costume for the first time.

After a brief talk about his identity, Mark reveals his official look. The custom-crafted suit features high-durability fabrics and the signature goggles. This is the definitive moment where Mark fully embraces his role as Earth's newest defender, standing ready to follow in his father's footsteps.

The Guardians of the Globe Ambush

The beginning of the end: The Guardians of the Globe face off against Omni-Man in their secret base.

The Guardians of the Globe gathered in their dark headquarters, looking confused and alert as Omni-Man stands before them.

The shocking turning point of the series premiere begins here. After being summoned to their secret headquarters under a false emergency, the Guardians of the Globe find themselves face-to-face with Omni-Man. The tension in the room is palpable as the world's greatest heroes realize their most trusted ally is now their deadliest threat.

Omni-Man Standing Victorious

A grim victory: Omni-Man stands alone after the slaughter of the Guardians of the Globe.

A blood-spattered Omni-Man standing amidst the carnage of the Guardians' headquarters, looking cold and detached.

The aftermath of the most brutal battle in superhero history. Omni-Man stands as the sole survivor after systematically eliminating every member of the Guardians of the Globe. Covered in the blood of his former friends, this image strips away his heroic facade, revealing the true, terrifying nature of his Viltrumite mission.

The Fallen Protector

Omni-Man collapses following his narrow victory, setting the stage for the series' central mystery.

Omni-Man lying unconscious on the blood-stained floor of the Guardians' base, surrounded by debris.

Despite his overwhelming power, the combined effort of the Guardians of the Globe took its toll. Omni-Man collapses from his injuries alongside the heroes he just murdered. This moment allows him to frame the incident as an outside attack, maintaining his cover while the world mourns its lost champions.