Episode 2: Here Goes Nothing

Directed by Paul Furminger · March 25, 2021

The clandestine Global Defense Agency (GDA) nurses a comatose Nolan back to health, but fails to revive the Guardians. GDA Director Cecil Stedman meets Mark and his mother Debbie. As extra-dimensional aliens called the Flaxans attack, Mark helps the Teen Team fight them. When the Flaxans rapidly age and retreat, Teen Team leader Robot deduces this was due to a time dilation difference between the Flaxans' dimension and Earth. As Mark recognizes Atom Eve as classmate Samantha Eve Wilkins, they share their secret identities and become friends. The Flaxans return with anti-aging technology, but Mark and the Teen Team destroy them, forcing another retreat. The Flaxans return once again and nearly succeed until a recuperated Nolan forces them back to their dimension, where he devastates their planet in retaliation before returning as news breaks of the Guardians' deaths. Meanwhile, Mark skirmishes with Allen the Alien, who wants to test Earth's defenses for the Coalition of Planets. Using a time-out to talk and learn of Allen's mission, Mark helps Allen realize he confused "Earth" for another planet called "Urath" and leaves on good terms. Concurrently, demon detective Damien Darkblood investigates the Guardians' deaths for Cecil, theorizing the killer was among the heroes.

Images Gallery

GDA Response and Aftermath

The Global Defense Agency secures the scene at the Guardians of the Globe headquarters following the massacre.

Global Defense Agency (GDA) recovery teams in hazmat suits and tactical gear moving through the blood-stained ruins of the Guardians of the Globe headquarters.

In the opening of Episode 2, the Global Defense Agency (GDA) descends upon the Guardians' secret base. This scene highlights the clinical and high-tech cleanup operation led by Cecil Stedman’s team. As they recover the bodies of the fallen heroes and a critically injured Omni-Man, the cold, professional response of the GDA contrasts with the sheer brutality of the violence that occurred in this space.

First Appearance of Donald Ferguson

Agent Donald Ferguson escorting Mark and Debbie Grayson through the GDA medical wing.

Donald Ferguson, a stoic GDA agent in a black suit, walking Mark and Debbie Grayson through a high-tech medical facility.

Donald Ferguson makes his debut in Episode 2, 'Here Goes Nothing,' as the primary liaison between the Grayson family and the Global Defense Agency. Shown here leading a worried Debbie and Mark to Nolan’s recovery room, Donald establishes his role as Cecil Stedman's right-hand man. His calm, professional demeanor serves as the face of the GDA's secretive bureaucracy during this time of crisis.

Mark and Debbie at Nolan's Bedside

The vulnerability of a god: Mark and Debbie react to the sight of a critically injured Nolan.

Mark and Debbie Grayson standing over a heavily bandaged and unconscious Nolan Grayson in a high-tech GDA medical bay.

In a somber moment from Episode 2, Mark and Debbie finally reach Nolan's bedside. Nolan, usually seen as the invincible Omni-Man, is portrayed here as vulnerable and broken, covered in medical sensors and breathing apparatuses. This scene is a masterful piece of dramatic irony: while the family grieves for his injuries, the audience is aware that he is actually the perpetrator of the massacre that put him there.

First Appearance of Cecil Stedman

The mysterious and pragmatic Director of the GDA, Cecil Stedman, steps onto the scene.

Cecil Stedman, a government official with white hair and a distinctive vertical facial scar, standing in a sterile GDA hallway.

Cecil Stedman makes his first appearance in 'Here Goes Nothing.' As the Director of the Global Defense Agency, Cecil manages the world's superhero population with a cold, pragmatic efficiency. This introduction establishes his 'whatever it takes' philosophy and his unique ability to teleport instantly via long-range GDA technology, a tool he uses to maintain control over the chaotic aftermath of the Guardians' deaths.

The First Flaxan Invasion

Interdimensional invaders: The Flaxans launch their first surprise attack on the human dimension.

A group of alien soldiers with orange skin and green mechanical armor emerging from a glowing blue portal in the middle of a city street.

The Flaxans make their debut in Episode 2, 'Here Goes Nothing,' as they launch an interdimensional assault on Earth. These technologically advanced invaders come from a dimension where time moves significantly faster than on Earth. This initial skirmish marks the beginning of a recurring conflict, as the Flaxans use each subsequent invasion to learn from their previous defeats and upgrade their gear to counter Earth's defenders.

The Teen Team Joins the Fray

The next generation: The Teen Team arrives to push back the Flaxan invaders.

The Teen Team—Robot, Rex Splode, Dupli-Kate, and Atom Eve—arriving on the scene of the Flaxan invasion to provide backup.

As the Flaxan invasion overwhelms local authorities, the Teen Team makes their coordinated debut. Led by the tactical genius Robot, the group consists of Rex Splode, Dupli-Kate, and Atom Eve. This moment marks Mark Grayson's first encounter with other super-powered peers, shifting the dynamic from a solo mission to a team-based defense of the city.

Reginald VelJohnson High School

The halls of higher learning: Reginald VelJohnson High School, where Mark Grayson attempts to live a normal life.

An exterior wide shot of Mark Grayson's high school, showing the brick building and the school sign during a typical school day.

A transition shot of Reginald VelJohnson High School, the primary setting for Mark's civilian life. Named after the actor who voiced the principal (and famous for his roles in 'Die Hard' and 'Family Matters'), the school represents the 'normal' world Mark is trying to protect. It's here that he interacts with his best friend William and his crush Amber, highlighting the constant struggle to balance homework with heroics.

Mark and Samantha's Mutual Discovery

Double lives collide: Mark and Samantha find common ground as student-superheroes.

Mark Grayson and Samantha Eve Wilkins (Atom Eve) talking privately at school, realizing their shared double lives as students and superheroes.

A pivotal character moment in Episode 2 where Mark and Samantha Wilkins (Atom Eve) realize they attend the same high school. This discovery creates an immediate bond between them, as they are the only two people in their daily lives who truly understand the pressure of balancing academics with global defense. Their conversation on the school grounds marks the beginning of a deep friendship and mutual respect that defines much of the series.

Cecil and Robot Post-Invasion Analysis

Analyzing the threat: Cecil Stedman and Robot discuss the Flaxans' unique temporal technology.

Cecil Stedman and the mechanical hero Robot standing together amidst the debris of the city, discussing the Flaxan threat.

After the initial retreat of the Flaxans, Cecil Stedman and Robot evaluate the battlefield. This interaction highlights Robot's role as a cold, analytical strategist whose intellect rivals the GDA’s technology. As they examine the leftover alien tech, Cecil begins to see the Teen Team—and Robot in particular—as potential candidates to fill the power vacuum left by the Guardians of the Globe.

First Appearance of Damien Darkblood

The demon detective: Damien Darkblood begins his investigation into the Guardians' massacre.

Close-up of Damien Darkblood, a demon from Hell with red skin, wearing a classic detective's fedora and trench coat.

In Episode 2, the investigation into the Guardians' deaths takes a supernatural turn with the introduction of Damien Darkblood. A demon detective who escaped Hell by solving crimes, Damien possesses the ability to 'read' the residual energy of a crime scene. His presence at the Guardians' headquarters immediately puts him at odds with Cecil Stedman, as his uncanny intuition threatens to uncover the truth about Omni-Man's involvement far sooner than the GDA would like.

Invincible Visits the Teen Team HQ

Expanding his world: Invincible gets his first look at the Teen Team's secret base of operations.

Mark Grayson in his Invincible suit standing in a high-tech underground bunker, being greeted by Robot, Rex Splode, Dupli-Kate, and Atom Eve.

Following their shared victory against the Flaxans, Mark is invited back to the Teen Team’s headquarters. This scene highlights the contrast between Mark’s solitary training with his father and the collaborative, gadget-filled world of a superhero team. While Rex Splode remains skeptical of the newcomer, the encounter solidifies Mark’s place among his peers and sets the stage for his eventual recruitment into the new Guardians of the Globe.

The Second Flaxan Invasion

Evolution of an enemy: The Flaxans return older, wiser, and more heavily armed.

A Flaxan leader with a fur-collared cape and visible facial scars, looking more battle-hardened and aged than in the previous invasion.

The Flaxans return for a second assault, illustrating the terrifying nature of their home dimension's time dilation. While only a short time has passed on Earth, the Flaxan leader has aged significantly and spent years developing specialized technology to counter the Teen Team. This invasion highlights their ability to learn and adapt at an accelerated rate, making them a progressively more dangerous threat with every portal that opens.

Nolan Grayson Awakens

A family reunited: Nolan Grayson wakes up to the relief of Mark and Debbie.

Mark Grayson, in his blue and yellow Invincible suit, looking on as a conscious Nolan Grayson sits up in his hospital bed, with Debbie Grayson sitting beside him and holding his hand.

A major turning point in Episode 2 occurs when Nolan Grayson finally awakens from his coma. Visibly relieved, Debbie and Mark rush to his side. This scene is heavy with dramatic tension; while his family celebrates his survival, Nolan begins to weave the false narrative of a surprise ambush by an unknown force. His recovery marks the moment the 'official' story of the Guardians' massacre is established, setting the GDA's investigation on a collision course with the truth.

Mark Steps Up for Nolan

Passing the torch: Mark volunteers for a GDA mission to allow his father time to heal.

Cecil Stedman standing in the Grayson living room, speaking to a protective Debbie and a recovering Nolan, while Mark stands in the background looking determined.

Shortly after Nolan returns home to recover, Cecil Stedman arrives with an urgent request for Omni-Man's assistance regarding a new global threat. Debbie, visibly frustrated and protective of her husband's health, pushes back against the GDA's relentless demands. Seeing the strain on his parents, Mark steps forward to volunteer in his father's place, marking a significant moment where he officially begins to shoulder the responsibilities of the world's premier protector.

Invincible Meets Allen the Alien

A celestial misunderstanding: Mark engages with Allen the Alien in Earth's orbit.

Invincible in space, looking surprised as Allen the Alien—a large, one-eyed extraterrestrial with orange skin and a purple flight suit—floats behind him near a satellite.

Mark's first solo mission for the GDA takes him into Earth's orbit to intercept an unidentified flying object. There, he encounters Allen the Alien, an Evaluation Officer for the Coalition of Planets. The meeting starts off contentiously with a brief skirmish as Mark attempts to defend his planet, showcasing his growing power in zero-gravity combat. This encounter eventually shifts from a fight to a peaceful conversation, introducing Mark to the broader galactic political landscape beyond Earth.

A Galactic Introduction

From combat to conversation: Allen the Alien explains his true mission to Invincible.

Allen the Alien, a one-eyed Unopon with a friendly smile, pointing a finger toward Invincible during their conversation on the moon.

After realizing their initial skirmish was based on a misunderstanding, Allen the Alien formally introduces himself to Mark. This conversation on the lunar surface reveals that Allen is an Evaluation Officer for the Coalition of Planets who had been testing Earth's 'champion' for years—only to realize he had been visiting the wrong planet. This moment shifts the tone from conflict to camaraderie, establishing a vital alliance for Mark's future and expanding the series' scope to the stars.

Cecil's Subtle Interrogation

Testing the waters: Cecil Stedman probes Nolan for details, triggering a flashes of Viltrumite temper.

A close-up of Nolan Grayson looking angry and defensive while Cecil Stedman, seen from the back, speaks to him in the Grayson living room.

In a high-tension moment toward the end of Episode 2, Cecil Stedman visits the Grayson home under the guise of a check-in. While not making an outright accusation, Cecil’s probing questions about the specifics of the Guardians' massacre clearly strike a nerve. Nolan’s temper visibly flares, his calm fatherly facade momentarily slipping to reveal the intimidating warrior beneath. This scene marks the beginning of the cold war between the GDA and Omni-Man.

Mark Joins the Fight

Back-up has arrived: Invincible coordinates with Robot and Rex Splode to repel the second Flaxan wave.

Invincible flying in the background while Robot and Rex Splode look on during the second Flaxan invasion.

As the Flaxans return with more advanced weaponry and aging leaders, Mark leaps back into action to support the Teen Team. This scene showcases the burgeoning synergy between Invincible and the young heroes, particularly Robot and Rex Splode. While Rex remains vocal about his skepticism of Mark's skills, the efficiency with which they push back the invaders begins to demonstrate the power of their combined efforts.

Omni-Man's Retaliation

No more invasions: Omni-Man takes the fight to the Flaxan home dimension.

A close-up of a determined and ruthless Omni-Man, his face illuminated by the red hue of the Flaxan dimension.

Fed up with the repeated incursions, Omni-Man flies through the Flaxan portal to end the threat at its source. Due to the time dilation between dimensions, Nolan spends what feels like decades in the Flaxan world, systematically dismantling their entire civilization, toppling their cities, and slaughtering their armies. This sequence serves as a terrifying display of his true power and his willingness to commit planetary-scale genocide to ensure Earth's security—or perhaps just to satisfy his own impatience.

A Weary Return

Years in an instant: Nolan returns to his family after ending the Flaxan threat once and for all.

A bearded and aged Nolan Grayson embracing a bruised Mark and Debbie in their home after returning from the Flaxan dimension.

After an indeterminate amount of time spent dismantling the Flaxan civilization, Nolan returns to Earth. Although only a few hours have passed for his family, Nolan's aged appearance and full beard reveal that he has lived through years of conflict in the other dimension. His quiet, exhausted reunion with Debbie and Mark hides the absolute devastation he left behind, further cementing his role as a protector who will go to any length to secure his domain.

Damien Darkblood's Accusation

The truth unearthed: Damien Darkblood names Omni-Man as the prime suspect.

Damien Darkblood and Cecil Stedman facing each other in a dimly lit setting, with Darkblood appearing to deliver a serious revelation.

In the closing moments of the investigation in Episode 2, the subtext finally becomes text. Damien Darkblood directly confronts Cecil Stedman with his conclusion: Omni-Man is the one responsible for the slaughter of the Guardians of the Globe. While Cecil remains outwardly skeptical to protect the GDA's interests and global stability, Darkblood’s supernatural insight has stripped away the lie, leaving the two most powerful investigators on Earth at a silent, dangerous crossroads.