Invincible Season 4 Reading Guide: Which Comics To Read Before

Invincible season 4's release is right around the corner. The first three episodes of the hit animated superhero series debut on Prime Video on March 18, leaving less than two weeks until Mark Grayson's story continues. Invincible season 3's ending sets new stories in motion that are directly based on the comic books created by Robert Kirkman.

And while many watchers may already be familiar with the entire 144-issue series, others could still be making their way through it, effectively keeping pace with the show's story. Thanks to the marketing for the new episodes, there are already several confirmed comic book storylines in Invincible season 4, giving us a basis for what's to come.

But how far exactly into Kirkman's source material will season 4 go, and which issues are worth reading to prepare for the next eight episodes? The cadence of how quickly the show has progressed through the comics through season 3 and the known storylines factoring into Invincible season 4 provides a solid guide for which comics to read, whether you're reading them for the first time or not.

Issues #66-#78 Will Certainly Be Covered In Invincible Season 4

First of all, its worth establishing that Invincible season 3 ended at issue #65. Conquest is imprisoned by the GDA, Mark is recovering from injuries sustained during that fight, Angstrom Levy is back with the Engineers, and Atom Eve's powers are not working properly.

That makes the starting point of a reading guide for Invincible season 4 quite easily issue #66. That comic focuses on Nolan Grayson and Allen the Alien's cosmic travels, leading them to recruit people to help the Coalition of Planets prepare for a war against the Viltrumites. This is ultimately what brings Nolan back to Earth and results in a reunion with Mark and Oliver.

The culmination of the Viltrumite War storylines occurs in issue #78, as Invincible, Omni-Man, and others take on Thragg, Conquest, and other Viltrumites in a bloody space battle. There's no way the events shown here don't make it into Invincible season 4, whether they occur by mid-season or the season's conclusion.

While the Viltrumite War storyline encompasses this whole section of the comic in some fashion, other storylines also take place that we know will happen in season 4. This includes Universa's arrival on Earth, Mark meeting Dinosaurus, and new battles with the Sequids and Flaxans. So if you want an idea of the main story in Invincible season 4, reading issues #66 through #78 is a great place to start.

Invincible Season 4 Could Go As Far As Issue #89

But that might not be where the season ultimately ends. It really depends on how much Kirkman and co-showrunner Simon Racioppa intend to stretch out the comics and which events they want to save for Invincible season 5.

If I had to make an educated guess, issue #89 is probably the furthest into the comics that Invincible season 4 will explore. Issues #79-#89 continue key storylines that arise in the lead-up to and conclusion of the Viltrumite War.

Rather than get into any spoilery territory for anyone who hasn't read the comics yet and either plans to or wants season 4 to be where they experience the stories for the first time, all I'll say is that these next 11 issues have major developments for pretty much everyone.

Relationships between Mark and Atom Eve, Robot and Monster Girl, and Nolan and Debbie progress in pivotal ways. These issues also have a continued presence for Universa and Dinosaurus, so adapting them in season 4 could make their roles in it more substantial. Powerplex even returns during this section of the comic.

Wrapping up with issue #89 would also give Invincible season 4 some major cliffhangers heading into season 5. It feels like a natural place to end Mark's story and leave viewers satisfied with the story told, while being hungry for more.