Episode 4: Neil Armstrong, Eat Your Heart Out

Directed by Cory Evans · Written by Ryan Ridley · April 1, 2021

Angry that the GDA has not caught the original Guardians' killer yet, Red Rush's widow Olga commissions Debbie to sell her house so she can return to Moscow. Cecil asks Nolan to protect the first mission to Mars, but the latter refuses, citing his duty to protect Earth, so Mark volunteers. Despite successfully landing, Mark's inattentiveness allows Martians to abduct the astronauts. The Martian Emperor orders their execution to prevent the parasitic Sequids from reaching Earth and destroying the universe. Mark hastily evacuates the astronauts, unaware that a Martian secretly replaced one of them while the real astronaut is possessed by the Sequids and launches an invasion of Mars. As Nolan and Debbie vacation in Rome to rekindle their relationship, he regains her trust with half-truths. Cecil realizes Nolan is the killer, but cannot act until he determines the latter's motive and a way to stop him. Knowing he will not drop the case, Cecil exiles Darkblood to Hell, unaware that the detective hid his notepad in Debbie's closet. As the surviving Mauler clones himself, Robot monitors his progress and methods before stealing a DNA sample from Rex on the behalf of his real self, the deformed Rudy Connors.

Images Gallery

A Grave Mistake

Awakening the past: An archeologist breaches the sacred tomb of Ka-Hor.

A close-up of an archeologist's hand lit by a lighter, revealing a red scarab tattoo on his palm as he prepares to enter a dark tomb.

The episode begins in Egypt, where a nameless archaeologist and his team finally breach the long-sealed tomb of Ka-Hor. The atmosphere is thick with ancient dread as the lead researcher, bearing a mysterious scarab mark on his palm, ignores the ominous warnings of his local guides. By opening the sarcophagus, he unwittingly sets in motion a supernatural curse that will soon require Invincible's intervention, proving that global threats can emerge from the deep past just as easily as they do from outer space.

Ka-Hor Unleashed

An ancient power awakens: Ka-Hor rises from his tomb in a burst of mystical energy.

A mummy-like figure wrapped in ancient bandages floats in a beam of brilliant green light emerging from an open sarcophagus in a dark Egyptian tomb, while a person stands in the foreground looking up in awe.

The excavation reaches its terrifying climax as Ka-Hor is freed from his eternal imprisonment. A surge of mystical green energy erupts from the sarcophagus, lifting the bandaged, supernatural being into the air. This ancient force represents a threat unlike the technological or biological enemies Invincible has faced so far, introducing the concept of magic and eternal curses into the growing list of global dangers that the GDA and the new Guardians must eventually address.

Pushing the Limits

Viltrumite heritage: Nolan pushes Mark to his physical limits during a sunset flight.

Invincible in the foreground, flying at high speed with a focused expression, while Omni-Man is a small, distant figure in the sky behind him against a sunset backdrop.

Nolan takes Mark for a high-altitude training session to refine his flight and combat maneuvers. Amidst the orange and purple hues of the sunset, Nolan pushes Mark to move faster and react more instinctively. While it appears to be a typical father-son bonding moment, Nolan's intensity hints at his desire to mold Mark into a formidable warrior, emphasizing strength and efficiency over the more compassionate approach Mark often takes during his hero work.

A Shared Sorrow

The weight of loss: Debbie offers support to Olga as they mourn the fallen Guardians.

Debbie Grayson, wearing a green blouse, looks with a sympathetic and concerned expression at a distraught Olga, who has blonde hair and a somber, stern look.

In a poignant moment of solidarity, Debbie Grayson spends time with Olga, the widow of Red Rush. Having lived for years as the spouses of the world's most famous heroes, the two women share a connection that few others can understand. Debbie provides a shoulder for Olga to lean on as they navigate the confusing and violent aftermath of the Guardians' deaths. This scene highlights Debbie’s deep empathy and her role as a stabilizing force, even as she begins to grapple with her own growing suspicions about the night everything changed.

A Moment of Normalcy

Date night: Mark and Amber find a rare quiet moment to enjoy each other's company.

Mark and Amber walking through a night market decorated with string lights. Mark is holding a colorful dessert in a plastic cup and a spoon, looking at Amber with a smile while she talks.

Determined to make up for his previous abrupt departures, Mark takes Amber to a vibrant night market. Surrounded by glowing string lights and the bustle of other teenagers, they share desserts and conversation that has nothing to do with saving the world. For Mark, these moments are vital—a reminder of the humanity he is fighting to protect and a rare chance to be just 'Mark' instead of 'Invincible.'

Darkblood’s Final Warning

No more lies: Darkblood confronts Nolan with the truth about the Guardians' massacre.

Damien Darkblood sits in a chair in a dimly lit office, while Nolan Grayson (Omni-Man) stands looming behind him in the shadows with a cold, menacing expression.

In a chilling confrontation, Damien Darkblood drops all pretenses and accuses Nolan Grayson of murdering the Guardians of the Globe. Sitting calmly despite the lethal threat standing directly behind him, Darkblood states plainly that Nolan killed seven people. This moment strips away the public facade of Omni-Man, revealing the cold, calculating warrior beneath, as he realizes that his secret is no longer hidden from the GDA's most relentless investigator.

A New Beginning

Back to the drawing board: A Mauler twin begins the high-tech process of creating his own replacement.

A blue-skinned Mauler twin from the back, wearing a black and white jumpsuit, standing in a dark, high-tech laboratory and looking at a large glowing green tube.

In a secluded, dimly lit secret laboratory, the surviving Mauler twin initiates the complex cloning procedure to replace his fallen brother. Standing before a massive, glowing green vat, he meticulously monitors the biological data on nearby screens. This scene provides a rare glimpse into the Maulers' sophisticated technology, showcasing how they maintain their existence through a cycle of replication and intellectual bickering about who is the true original.

The Meaning of the Blood

Earn your place: Cecil challenges the new Guardians to live up to a legacy of blood.

Cecil Stedman in a black suit and red tie stands in the foreground, looking serious. Beside him is Robot, and in the background, other new Guardians like Rex Splode and Dupli-Kate watch with somber expressions.

At the new Guardians of the Globe headquarters, Cecil addresses the team regarding the remaining bloodstains from the original Guardians' massacre. He explains that the blood will remain on the walls until this new team proves they are worthy of the memory of their predecessors. This ultimatum establishes a high bar for the new recruits, emphasizing that being a Guardian is not just a title, but a standard of excellence and sacrifice that they have yet to achieve.

A Violent Breach of Privacy

Breaking point: Nolan reacts with lethal force to Cecil’s sudden appearance.

Omni-Man (Nolan Grayson) in civilian clothes, grabbing Cecil Stedman by the throat and slamming him against a bookshelf in a dark room.

The domestic tension between Nolan and Debbie is interrupted when Cecil Stedman teleports directly into their home. Reacting with immediate, overwhelming force, Nolan pins Cecil against a wall by his throat. This violent outburst serves as a warning: despite their professional alliance, Nolan views Cecil's constant surveillance as an intolerable intrusion. For Cecil, it is a chilling reminder of the raw power and volatility of the man he is trying to control, further validating the GDA's secret preparations for a potential confrontation.

Around the World in One Night

Domestic damage control: Nolan uses a world tour to mend his relationship with Debbie.

Nolan Grayson in a blue button-down shirt looking softly at Debbie, who is seen from behind, as they stand in a romantic, sun-drenched European-style street.

To distract Debbie from her growing doubts, Nolan takes her on an extravagant date night across the globe. Leveraging his incredible speed, they travel from high-end boutiques to exotic dinner locations in a matter of hours. While the gesture is grand, Nolan's expression often carries a hint of weariness or calculation, as he uses these displays of affection to maintain the domestic illusion he has built over the last twenty years. For Debbie, the night is a bittersweet reminder of the life they shared before the shadow of the Guardians' deaths fell over their family.

The GDA Shuts Down Darkblood

Chain of command: Cecil uses GDA firepower to force Darkblood off the case.

An over-the-shoulder shot of Damien Darkblood looking into a living room where Cecil Stedman sits in an armchair. Two GDA soldiers in black and green tactical gear aim their rifles at the detective.

Cecil Stedman stages a dramatic ambush to halt Damien Darkblood’s investigation into the Graysons. As Darkblood attempts to gather more evidence, he is met by Cecil and a tactical GDA squad. Cecil makes it clear that while they both want the truth, Darkblood's methods are now a liability. This confrontation highlights the ruthless pragmatism of the GDA; Cecil is willing to use lethal force against an ally to control the timing of when the world’s greatest secret is finally revealed.

Invincible vs. The Sequids

Face-to-face with a nightmare: Mark struggles against a parasitic Sequid on Mars.

Invincible on the dusty red surface of Mars, reacting with shock as a small, pink, brain-like creature with long tentacles (a Sequid) latches onto his face mask.

Upon landing on Mars, Mark discovers that the planet is inhabited by the Martians and their mindless, parasitic slaves: the Sequids. The encounter quickly turns dangerous when the Sequids—repressed for centuries by Martian rule—see the human astronauts as potential new hosts. Mark is forced to defend the crew from these swarming, cephalopod-like creatures, realizing that the 'empty' Red Planet is actually home to a complex and volatile ecosystem that poses a direct threat to Earth.

Captured on the Red Planet

Surrender on Mars: Mark is taken into custody by Martian sentries.

Invincible kneeling in a dark Martian corridor with his hands raised in surrender, surrounded by four Martian guards holding glowing green energy spears pointed at him.

After a chaotic skirmish with the Sequids, Invincible is surrounded and captured by the Martian military. Despite his Viltrumite strength, the sheer number of Martian guards and their advanced energy weaponry force him into a temporary surrender to avoid an all-out intergalactic incident. The Martians, led by their Emperor, are terrified that the presence of humans will allow the Sequids to find a host with a high enough intellect to organize, potentially ending the Martian rule and threatening the entire solar system.

Invincible’s Plea Rejected

A clash of priorities: Mark's attempt at Martian diplomacy fails to save the crew.

Invincible standing with one hand out in a gesture of explanation, holding his helmet in the other. Behind him, four astronauts stand in a row, guarded by Martian soldiers with spears.

Mark attempts to negotiate the release of the human astronauts, explaining their peaceful intent. However, the Martian leader remains steadfast: the risk of the Sequids escaping through a human host is too great to ignore. Despite Mark's earnest approach, the negotiation falls flat, as the Martians view the execution of the humans as a necessary precaution to prevent a galactic Sequid outbreak. This moment highlights Mark's burgeoning maturity as he tries to solve a problem with words before fists, even if the outcome isn't what he hoped for.

Escape from the Red Planet

No turning back: Mark leads the human crew in a daring escape across the Martian sands.

A close-up of Invincible’s determined face in his helmet in the foreground, with four astronauts running across the Martian surface behind him.

With negotiations collapsed and the threat of execution looming, Invincible leads the human crew in a frantic dash across the Martian landscape. Abandoning diplomacy, Mark uses his strength to clear a path and usher the astronauts toward their shuttle. The mission has transformed from a peaceful exploration into a high-stakes rescue, leaving the Martian authorities behind and inadvertently setting the stage for a future conflict with the Sequids they left in their wake.

A Host for the Hive

The Emperor's nightmare: Rus Livingston becomes the intelligent core of the Sequid hive mind.

Astronaut Rus Livingston, with a wide, unsettling grin and eyes showing only white pupils, is completely entwined by the pink, brain-like tentacles of a Sequid parasite against a stark orange Martian background.

In a chilling final sequence for the Mars mission, it is revealed that astronaut Rus Livingston was left behind on the Martian surface. No longer the man he once was, he has been completely overtaken by the Sequids. The parasite has wrapped itself around his neck and face, merging with his nervous system. Rus's manic expression and changed eyes indicate that the Sequid hive mind has finally found the 'uniquely shaped' human brain it needed to become a coordinated, intelligent, and world-ending force.

Exorcism of a Detective

Silencing the truth: Cecil sends Darkblood back to Hell to prevent a premature war with Omni-Man.

A room bathed in deep red light where Damien Darkblood is seen from the back, his hands bound by glowing red chains. Cecil Stedman and Donald Ferguson stand in the background, looking on as the ritual takes place.

In a hidden GDA facility, Cecil Stedman and Donald Ferguson oversee the forced exorcism of Damien Darkblood. Using a specialized ritual and enchanted artifacts, they bind the detective in mystical red chains to send him back to Hell. Cecil views this not as a punishment, but as a necessary extraction; Darkblood’s moral rigidity and loud accusations were threatening to provoke Nolan into a global catastrophe before the GDA was ready to fight back. By banishing him, Cecil ensures the investigation remains purely under his own secretive control.

The Secret of Rudy

The man behind the machine: Robot's true, fragile form is finally revealed.

A small, malformed, and pale humanoid creature with a large head and underdeveloped limbs floats in a vat of green liquid, connected to life-support machinery.

The episode ends with a chilling look at the biological reality of Robot. Far from being a mere artificial intelligence, he is actually a malformed human named Rudy, whose fragile, distorted body is kept alive within a specialized containment vat. This revelation explains his reliance on drone technology and his lack of social experience, while also hinting at a deep-seated desperation that may drive his future secret alliances—including his interest in the Mauler Twins' cloning technology.