Angstrom Levy (character)

Angstrom Levy
Angstrom Levy as depicted in Invincible #16 (2005)
Publication information
Publisher	Image Comics
First appearance	Invincible* #16 (January 2005)
Created by	Robert Kirkman (writer), Ryan Ottley (artist)
Voiced by	Sterling K. Brown
In-story information
Alter ego	Multiversal traveler
Species	Human (enhanced)
Place of origin	Earth
Team affiliations	None
Notable aliases	None
Abilities	Interdimensional teleportation Superhuman intelligence

Angstrom Levy is a fictional supervillain appearing in American comic books published by Image Comics. He is a recurring antagonist in the comic book series Invincible, created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Ryan Ottley. Introduced in issue #16 in 2005 as a scientist , Levy aimed to improve his own reality by acquiring knowledge from alternate versions of himself throughout the multiverse.

Publication history

Angstrom Levy was created by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley as part of the early expansion of the Invincible universe. He first appeared in Invincible #16 and quickly became one of the central villains in the series, particularly due to his ability to manipulate alternate realities.

Fictional character biography

Angstrom Levy is introduced in the Invincible comic book series as a scientist with the ability to access parallel dimensions. Initially motivated by a desire to advance knowledge and improve his own world, Levy constructs a device capable of merging the memories of his alternate-universe counterparts. Assisted by the Mauler Twins, he begins the process of integrating the experiences of numerous versions of himself. However, the procedure is abruptly interrupted by the superhero Invincible (Mark Grayson), resulting in a catastrophic explosion. The accident leaves Levy physically disfigured and psychologically unstable, now burdened with the conflicting memories of multiple realities.

Before the accident, Levy appeared as a tall, slender African-American man, typically wearing a blue shirt and black trousers, with brown eyes, a goatee, and short black hair. After the explosion, his appearance was drastically altered. Most of his hair was burned off, his skull and upper spine were severely enlarged with pronounced veins, and he required life-support devices, including spinal bracing and a nasal apparatus. In an attempt to conceal his condition, Levy often wore a dark cloak.

Following his transformation, Levy comes to blame Invincible for his injuries and mental deterioration. He begins targeting him across dimensions, including one notable event in which he strands Mark in an alternate dystopian Earth governed by authoritarian versions of the Guardians of the Globe. Over time, Levy adopts increasingly aggressive strategies, frequently resurfacing to challenge Invincible and destabilize global affairs. At one point, he dons a formal black-and-red suit obtained from another reality during one of his missions.

In a later arc, after another failed plan involving a group of evil Invincible variants, Levy is gravely injured. He is rescued and medically enhanced by a group known as the Technicians, who implant cybernetic modifications, including head implants and a spinal support system. His facial injuries leave him blind in one eye and marked by visible scarring. He begins wearing a black and silver armored suit and a red cape. Though now operating under the supervision of the Technicians, Levy remains a reluctant participant in their plans, continuing to use his dimensional abilities for their purposes.

Levy’s ongoing conflict with Invincible underscores several of the series’ thematic concerns, including the unintended consequences of technological ambition, the psychological cost of trauma, and the ethical challenges posed by access to multiversal power. Despite multiple defeats and apparent deaths, Levy repeatedly returns with greater hostility, playing a significant role in the development of both Mark Grayson's character and the broader narrative.

Powers and abilities

Levy's primary superhuman ability is interdimensional teleportation. He can open portals to alternate realities, which he uses both as a strategic advantage in battle and to accumulate knowledge. His exposure to numerous versions of himself across the multiverse has made him extremely intelligent, but mentally unstable. After his failed mind-merging experiment, he also gains enhanced strength and durability.

Reception

Levy has been recognized as one of the most significant and dangerous villains in Invincible. Critics have praised his complex motivations, tragic backstory, and his unique use of the multiverse concept, which predates its mainstream use in other superhero media. Sterling K. Brown received a nomination for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Angstrom Levy in the episode "I Thought You Were Stronger".

In other media

Angstrom Levy appears in the animated adaptation of Invincible produced by Amazon Prime Video. He is voiced by Sterling K. Brown in the second season of the series.

See also

• Invincible (comic book)
• List of Invincible characters
• Multiverse (fiction)