Beyond Earth: 7 Key Locations That Define The Invincible Universe

The question of "where does Invincible take place" is far more complex than a simple city name, as the universe created by Robert Kirkman spans multiple dimensions, secret government bases, and the farthest reaches of space. As of December 2025, with the animated series captivating audiences and the comics providing a deep lore foundation, the world of Mark Grayson is a vast tapestry that stretches from a seemingly normal American metropolis to the terrifying homeworld of the Viltrumite Empire.

While the initial focus is on a familiar-looking Earth, the true setting of Invincible is defined by the constant, escalating conflict between Earth's heroes and intergalactic threats, primarily the ruthless Viltrumites. The action is constantly shifting between mundane high school life and world-ending battles, making the "where" a critical part of the story's unique appeal and topical authority.

The Ground Zero: Mark Grayson's Home City on Earth

The core of the Invincible story, where Mark Grayson begins his journey as a superhero, is set in a major American city. However, unlike many superhero narratives that use definitive locations like Metropolis or Gotham, the precise city in the comics has always been deliberately ambiguous, contributing to the feeling that this could be "Anytown, USA" in the Image Universe.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

The Chicago Debate in the Animated Series

For fans of the acclaimed Amazon Prime Video animated series, the primary setting is much clearer. The show heavily implies and, at times, explicitly references the city of Chicago, Illinois. This is the city where Mark and his family, Nolan and Debbie Grayson, reside, and where most of the sustained, local superhero action takes place.

Following the world-changing battle between Invincible and Omni-Man in Season 1, the city of Chicago became a central location for rebuilding efforts and new criminal elements, particularly under the reign of the villain Titan. This alternate-universe version of Chicago serves as the epicenter for the Guardians of the Globe’s operations and the daily life of Mark Grayson.

The Comic Book Ambiguity: Baltimore and New York

In the original comic books, the location is less defined. There are hints that the Grayson home is in close proximity to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., leading some readers to speculate that Mark's city might be Baltimore, Maryland. Other theories suggest an alternate-universe version of New York City due to its common use as a superhero backdrop.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

Regardless of the specific name, the Earth setting is a critical entity. It is a near-future, slightly altered version of our own world, populated by various heroes and villains, and constantly under the secret watch of the Global Defense Agency (GDA), led by the formidable Cecil Stedman.

The Interstellar Stage: Viltrum and the Coalition

The moment Nolan Grayson reveals his true intentions, the scope of Invincible immediately explodes from a local superhero drama to an intergalactic epic. The universe is defined by two opposing forces, each centered on a key celestial body.

Viltrum: The Viltrumite Homeworld

The most important extraterrestrial location is Viltrum, the capital planet of the brutal Viltrumite Empire. This is the homeworld of the Viltrumites, including Nolan Grayson (Omni-Man) and, by extension, Mark Grayson (Invincible). The planet’s history is steeped in a ruthless expansionist ideology, having suffered a great purge that reduced the population to a select few, ensuring only the strongest survived.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

Viltrum is not just a planet; it is the source of all the main conflict, representing a tyrannical force seeking to conquer the entire universe. The fate of Earth and many other planets hinges on the battles that take place on or near this world.

The Coalition of Planets (C.O.P.)

Opposing the Viltrumite Empire is the Coalition of Planets (C.O.P.). This massive intergalactic peacekeeping organization is a collective of various alien species and worlds dedicated to stopping the Viltrumite conquest. The Coalition’s headquarters and various bases serve as a crucial setting for Mark’s adventures outside of Earth, particularly in his interactions with key characters like Allen the Alien.

The Coalition represents hope and resistance, a collection of entities fighting for freedom against overwhelming odds. The conflict between the Viltrum Empire and the Coalition of Planets is the backbone of the series' cosmic lore.

Other Key Locations and Hidden Dimensions

The deep lore of Invincible, a product of Robert Kirkman's storytelling, ensures that the action is never confined to just two or three places. Several other specific locations, both on and off Earth, play pivotal roles in the narrative, adding layers of topical authority to the universe.

• Thraxa: A peaceful, technologically primitive planet that becomes a temporary home for Nolan Grayson (Omni-Man) after his departure from Earth. It is a critical location for the development of Mark’s half-brother.
• The Pentagon: While not a primary setting for the action, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., is a known location for the Global Defense Agency (GDA), where Cecil Stedman often conducts his operations and monitors global threats.
• The White Room: A highly secretive, secure facility used by the GDA for detention, experimentation, and interrogation of powerful super-beings. It is one of the many hidden bases that Cecil Stedman employs to manage threats.
• The Wasteland Universe: This location highlights the Multiversal nature of the Image Universe. The Wasteland Universe is one of the alternate realities that Mark Grayson travels to, showcasing the vast and limitless scope of the threats he faces.
• Wyoming Military Base: Another terrestrial location serving as a secret government facility, often used for containing threats or developing advanced technology.

These diverse locations—from the specific city of Chicago to the far reaches of the Coalition of Planets and the hostile planet of Viltrum—ensure that the story of Invincible is a constantly expanding saga. The series doesn't just "take place" in one city; it takes place across a massive, interconnected universe where Earth is merely one small, but vital, piece on a cosmic chessboard.