I think it’s safe to say that I’m getting sick of the same old superhero movies. The chances of me going to the cinema to see the latest derivative Marvel movie are about the same as the likelihood of me organising a trip to Gaza. So, with my enthusiasm for the genre has reached an all-time low, I have taken crucial time away from complaining to search the streaming services for something encouraging to review.

Invincible is an eight-part animated show on Amazon about a teenage boy who inherits superhuman abilities from his superhero father and dedicates his life to saving the world while attempting to live a normal life and hide his identity. So far, so Superman… But things might not be as they seem. The greatest danger to life as we know it may be found a lot closer to home. Mark Grayson has a high opinion of his father. Nolan, also known as Omni-Man, appears to be a loving father, devoted husband, and protector of the defenceless people of Earth, despite resembling a cartoon version of Burt Reynolds. But as the show goes on, we realise how drastically different the two are.

At first glance, this appears to be another formulaic superhero show, the kind of thing you might have grown up watching on Saturday morning TV. An abrupt change in the narrative is what distinguishes this show from others. Bursts of extreme violence are juxtaposed with moments of dark humour and pathos. As demonstrated when Omni-Man loses control and kills the Guardians of the Globe – a group of superheroes – in a fit of rage. Horror fans will be thrilled to learn that Robert Kirkman, the brains behind AMC’s The Walking Dead (no pun intended), created this sci-fi and manga-influenced series. The show even hired the lovable pizza delivery boy turned zombie slayer Steven Yeun to voice our teenage protagonist.

Beautifully written, Invincible stands head and shoulders above the majority of formulaic live-action movies in its genre. I look forward to season two when it airs next week.

Rick and Morty is another animated program making a welcome comeback. I adore this show. Although I don’t typically like merchandise, I do own everything from t-shirts and pyjamas to key rings and coffee mugs. I’m also the proud owner of a three-inch Pickle Rick – steady on ladies! The anarchic sci-fi show that follows Morty and his booze-addled mad scientist grandfather, Rick Sanchez, is back for a 7th season. As they jet off on inter-dimensional adventures in Rick’s space cruiser – which he claims he made out of random stuff he found in the garage – the good-hearted but neurotic Morty frequently gets sucked into mischief. Morty, who is 14 years old but wise beyond his years, often serves as the moral compass to guide Rick’s hedonistic and self-destructive behaviour.

Best described as Back to the Future meets Inception, the show was created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland. The plot is straightforward in theory – parody a subculture or genre, add a devilish plot turn, and frequently break the fourth wall. It’s meta, to use a buzzword. Season 2 adds a back story about Rick’s previous life as an intergalactic freedom fighter, which is where things get complicated. Fortunately, it doesn’t descend into an exposition dump. Like Rick might say, respect the canon. Rick and Morty proves that a show can be both intellectual and funny.

Fans might detect a slight altercation in their voices. This is because Adult Swim cut ties with Roiland, which was, in my opinion, egregious. Season 7’s opening episode was a riotous comeback. However, after agreeing to a massive 70-episode order a few years ago, let’s hope the show, which consistently receives fan approval ratings of 90 per cent, doesn’t run out of ideas.

The self-proclaimed ‘world’s greatest spy’, Sterling Archer, leads a group of dysfunctional secret agents in Archer, which is currently in its fourteenth and final season on FX. H. Jon Benjamin is the voice of the philandering Archer, who is conceited, narcissistic, and ever so stylish. It’s still one of the most intelligent adult animated shows on television, despite having somewhat lost its edge. A blend of obscure cultural references, razor-sharp dialogue and self-referential humour. Even though it is obviously a pale imitation of what it once was, the James Bond parody will still make you laugh. I advise skipping seasons 8 through 10.

What collection of animated shows would be complete without South Park? The Simpsons may have been around the longest, but while that show is family-friendly, South Park is like the teenage friend who comes to your house, breaks your favourite toy and tries to hit on your mother. Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have ridiculed everyone and everything over the course of the show’s 25-year run. It is brazen and offensive and it shows no signs of maturing with age. When Paramount paid $900 million for the rights in 2021, it struck a 14-movie streaming agreement for the service. The most recent, ‘Joining The Pandaverse’ looks poised to torch woke Hollywood as Cartman and company are race and gender-swapped.

Honourable mentions: Arcane, Frisky Dingo, Brickleberry, and early seasons of BoJack Horseman.