Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Invincible season 3, episodes 1-7.Invincibleseason 3’s most heartbreaking death was wonderfully executed and gave one character the ideal send-off, but despite how impactful the scene was, I’ve still got a small gripe. The brutal nature ofInvinciblemade death inevitable, and there was no shortage of it during “What Have I Done?” as the Invincible War claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Naturally, most of these were civilians or underdeveloped heroes, with many ofAngstrom Levy’s Invincible alternativesalso meeting their demise. However, one of the show’s best characters also took their final breath during the Invincible War, as Rex Splode sacrificed himself.
Despite having survived a near-fatal experience in season 2,Rex Splode’s death finally happened inInvincible, after he blew himself up to take out an evil Mark variant. With the villain completely overwhelming his team,Rex instructed Bulletproof, Monster Girl, and Rudy to get out of the base while he held off this evil version of Invincible. Unfortunately, he was no match for the half-Viltrumite, but he managed to ignite his skeleton, killing both himself and the Mark variant in a haunting yet fitting end for the character, and this bittersweet ending has left me with one minor complaint.
I Wish Rex Lived Long Enough To Get His Flowers
The Hero Was Never Truly Celebrated By His Peers While He Was Still Alive
Rex Splode’s emotional death was anything but underwhelming, as he went out in a fitting blaze of glory, but it makes the lack of attention while he was alive much sadder. His development throughout his three seasons on the show was arguably better than any other character, as despite being one of the most detestable heroes in season 1, he seemed to be a genuinely good person come the Invincible War while maintaining his vibrant and quirky personality.Rex’s romance with Shrinking Rae in season 3also showed his softer side and gave him some deserved happiness, at least momentarily.
Unfortunately, their new-found chemistry didn’t last long, and although his allies appreciated his sacrifice, it’s only now that he’s dead that Rex will truly get his flowers. He may have had some small interactions with Eve since transforming into a better man, but the two never fully rekindled their relationship after Rex broke her heart. Likewise, while most of the Guardians grew more tolerant of Rex, it never felt like he got the appreciation he deserved. Now that he’s gone, it seems likeInvincible’s central characters will pay their respects, but I would’ve loved to see him stick around longer.
Allowing him to reconcile with Eve in a platonic fashion would have been nice, and giving him more interactions with Mark alongside some of the show’s other heroes could’ve provided plenty of fun. Considering how darkRex Splode’s originswere, someone like Cecil telling him he was proud of the hero would have provided a moment that Rex had been waiting his whole life for. Overall, his time in the series was undoubtedly great, but I feel like he could still have added more to the story, andit’s heartbreaking that Rex died without truly being celebrated by his peers.
Why Rex Splode Sacrificing Himself Was Still The Perfect Ending To His Arc
Rex Completed His Journey From A Selfish Attention Seeker To A Noble Hero
Although Rex being killed beforeInvinciblehad explored his full potential is devastating, his final scene was the perfect ending to his arc. I still believe the show could have gotten more out of the character, but that also adds to how emotional his departure is, as Prime Video faithfully adapted his comic death. Given he was initially an arrogant, selfish loudmouth who often mistreated his teammates, it was hard to imagine his death hitting so hard. However,Invincibledid an incredible job of redeeming him, as he learned from his mistakes and worked hard on bettering himself.
The Invincible Character Who Changed The Most Over 3 Seasons Now Looks Certain To Die
Invincible’s consistent character development for one important hero reaches new heights in season 3, which could play into their potential death.
Rex was still always the loudest person in the room, but he learned to check himself and his fight against the Lizard League in season 2 proved he was willing to step up and fight for his friends. By season 3, Rex had become genuinely likable, with his sarcasm and confidence becoming endearing rather than grating. Standing up to the Immortal and walking out on Cecil also proves how loyal he was, asRex was willing to abandon the only thing that had given him purpose after seeing a fellow hero be mistreated, proving how selfless he had become.
As a result, his sacrifice was the perfect way to show how much he had changed. While Rex has always been a relatively brave hero, it feels like his season 1 counterpart would have been the first to flee the fight against evil Mark. Instead, he made sure his allies were safe despite knowing certain death awaited him. He threw everything he had at Invincible and when he embraced the fact it wasn’t going to be enough,Rex decided to use his last trick to ensure the villain didn’t hurt anyone else by delivering a blast that killed them both.
Rex’s sacrifice could be the moment that prompts the Guardians of the Globe to get back together, reinforcing the impact his last scene could have on Earth.
His last action secured his friends' survival while saving thousands of lives, proving he had now officially earned his status as a hero. Although the Immortal and Dupli-Kate may be leaving the superhero life behind, Rex’s sacrifice could be the moment that prompts theGuardians of the Globe to get back together, reinforcing the impact his last scene could have on Earth. Trading his own life to protect his teammates was the ultimate completion of Rex’sInvinciblejourney, and while I’m sad he didn’t stick around longer, his character arc couldn’t have been much better.
Is This Really The End Of Rex Splode?
Sadly, Another Fake-Out Death Doesn’t Seem To Be On The Cards For Rex
Invinciblefans may be crossing their fingers that Rex Splode could somehow return, but if the comics are anything to go by, I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Despite surviving a gunshot to the head in season 2, Rex’s Invincible War injury doesn’t seem like one he’ll recover from, as he blew up his entire skeleton. Sadly, his heroic sacrifice is his last contribution to the comic series, and while Prime Video’s version ofInvincibleopted not to adapt Shrinking Rae’s death, Rex’s departure is far too important for the story to change.
His absence looks set to impact the characters around him while emphasizing how brutal the Invincible War really was, as it wasn’t just nameless characters who lost their lives, but also one of the franchise’s most interesting heroes.Invinciblehas already had plenty of fake-out deaths, with Rex’s Lizard League fight even falling into this category, so highlighting that central characters aren’t immune from the show’s devastation is important, which his final scene confirmed. Now, the story will have a more somber tone as it attempts to move on from one of its most lively characters.
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Rex’s presence may still be felt in season 3’s finale and potentially season 4, as he receives a funeral in the comics, and the show will also likely pay tribute to him. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely we’ll see Rex again after that other than through flashbacks or alternate dimensions, unless he gets a special episode in the future, something Robert Kirkman has indicated is unlikely. If this is really the end of Rex inInvincible, he undoubtedly had a bigger impact than I could’ve imagined, and I’m glad his ending was so memorable.
