Heroes shatter bones; villains spew blood, and—as usual—the lines separating good from evil remain shockingly hazy. A benevolent relationship between two big shows—Cobra Kai and Invincible—is lying in plain sight beneath the anarchy and bloodshed. Though it may not be immediately clear, this crossover is absolutely worth investigating. Even more for those of you who believe you've seen it all.
A familiar voice echoes through time
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Xolo Maridueña, the fan-favorite actor best known for his portrayal of Miguel in Cobra Kai, makes an unexpected return to the spotlight in Invincible season 3.
This time, though, he is not doing karate moves or throwing punches. Rather, he is portraying Dropkick and Fightmaster, a pair of time-traveling twins who provide a twist to the already convoluted network of characters for the season. These twins are more than just sidekicks to some villain; they participate in the great, turbulent story of Invincible, and their relationship to the past and future is something worth exploring.
The twist that connects the universes
Dropkick and Fightmaster’s mission? To steal the Declaration of Independence. It’s a plot that sounds like it could be straight out of a Cobra Kai episode, full of unexpected turns, bad decisions, and a whole lot of action. The duo, having traveled from the future, believe that their plan will fix something in their timeline, but things go horribly wrong. Enter Invincible and Rex Splode (voiced by Jason Mantzoukas), who disrupt the twins’ scheme in typical Invincible fashion, setting off a chain of events that only complicates matters further.
But it’s not just the physical chaos that makes this encounter interesting. The plot thickens even more when Multi-Paul (played by Simu Liu) enters the fray. His arrival as the villainous brother of the supposedly deceased Guardian, Dupli-Kate (Malese Jow), adds even more layers to an already convoluted storyline. The combination of time travel, complicated family dynamics, and the presence of some serious Invincible-style violence creates a perfect storm of tension.
A legacy intertwined
So, what’s the deal with this Cobra Kai and Invincible crossover? Why does it matter? Well, the connection goes beyond just the fun of seeing a familiar voice in a new show. The link between Cobra Kai and Invincible shows how both series grapple with the weight of legacy, redemption, and the ripple effects of one's choices. Whether it's the martial arts battles of Cobra Kai or the intergalactic bloodbaths of Invincible, both shows deal with characters struggling to reconcile their past actions with their present selves.
In Cobra Kai, the characters are constantly facing the consequences of the choices they made in their youth, particularly when it comes to their relationships and martial arts rivalries. In Invincible, the stakes are far higher, but the themes are similar. Mark Grayson, aka Invincible, is constantly dealing with the ramifications of his powers and the way his decisions affect the world around him. Both shows explore the complexity of being a hero—or a villain—and the emotional toll that takes on the people involved.
Maridueña’s journey mirrors this idea of legacy. From his rise in Cobra Kai to his role in Blue Beetle, his characters are often shaped by their past experiences and the expectations placed on them. The same can be said for Dropkick and Fightmaster. While they may seem like typical villains at first, their backstory and motivations add depth to their roles, showing how the consequences of actions across time affect everyone.
What does the future hold?
While Maridueña’s role in Invincible season 3 may seem brief, it’s clear that these time-traveling twins are far from over. If the series continues to follow the comics, we can expect Dropkick and Fightmaster to make a return, potentially adding even more twists to the already complex world of Invincible. Their involvement in the show hints at bigger plans for the future, with the possibility of time travel and altered timelines playing a more prominent role in upcoming episodes.
For Cobra Kai fans, this crossover is more than just a fun cameo. It’s a reminder of how interconnected these universes can be and how even the smallest crossover can have a lasting impact. As Cobra Kai continues to explore the legacy of its characters, Invincible is doing the same in its own unique, bloody way.
In the end, these two universes, while vastly different in tone and setting, share a common thread: they both explore the complexities of human nature, the weight of legacy, and the moral gray areas that define every action. Whether it’s a karate match or a battle against alien forces, the heroes and villains in both worlds are constantly grappling with the consequences of their past choices.
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