Bulletproof – Astonishing Life of a Forgotten Hero

Bulletproof from the Invincible series is a character I can never forget. The more I reread, the more I discover what makes him so compelling. From how his concept’s creation expanding his identity, to the tragic effects. So powerful that it makes people look back and forth on what Zandale Randolph becomes. As well as how the Amazon show can fill in a couple of holes.

Bulletproof: The Fill-In Hero

The mantle is something that Robert Kirkman likes to play with. It started as a prototype identity for title hero Mark Grayson. By the time Kirkman settles on Invincible with a finalized costume, the idea doesn’t go away. So Kirkman gives those to a new character Zandale Randolph.

It turns out, Zandale’s taking up other people’s names is something he does a lot. Just the name Bulletproof in lore is from a late superhero. It was up for grabs and it fits with his kinetic energy absorbing powers. Plus, he gets the costume Mark rejects.

He even takes up Invincible’s costume and identity when his and his girlfriend’s business is struggling. Mark got an alien disease and injured, so Zandale fills in for him. He even keeps the costume after that.

But one of the saddest parts of this filling in comes from his origin.

Always In A Shadow

Zandale had a twin brother that his parents loved more. While Zandale never held anything against Tyrone, the favoritism did affect him. Zandale became an accomplished artist with his own galas. But since neither his parents or Tyrone give the support he gave them, Zandale indulged in the high life.

…Not the best way to make an impression, especially since his family saw him as a disappointment. At least he got a girlfriend, after a period of emotional damage.

Anyway… since Tyrone saw his brother as his flawed copy, he tried to make Zandale into a guinea pig for superpower experiments. The process worked giving Zandale the power to absorb energy and redirect it for super strength, durability, and flight. But Tyrone was killed in the explosion.

Not wanting to be blamed for his brother’s death, Zandale plays as his brother to his parents. Under the disguise, he gets to feel the love he always wanted from them. Even telling them that Tyrone is Bulletproof.

Time to Profile

Zandale’s entire character revolves around trying to make something good out of a bad situation. He is a very flawed character who wants to be loved and admired. But he struggles with making connections with people. Partly because his family didn’t really like the direction his life was going. Despite his own achievements as an artist, they never saw Zandale accomplishing anything.

All the praise Zandale got from strangers especially ladies lead him to becoming a womanizer. Because if the people he loved didn’t love him back; why bother trying to make that connection?

This makes his entire superhero identity as other people really sympathetic. Zandale’s trying to keep his brother’s good name for his parents sake, despite how they bad they all treated him. But he’s also saying that his life doesn’t matter as much. So Zandale tries to enjoy the moment a bit too much.

Especially when it leads to some friction with the only person who loves him. His womanizing led to him cheating on his steady girlfriend Carla. It’s something she never forgave Zandale for, but Carla loves him despite that. That makes Zandale want to be better. But…

Bulletproof, Not Invincible

He’s kind of bad at it. It took him a while to get over his womanizing ways. Like when he hit on Mark’s girlfriend Eve and lied to Carla about it. Which was nowhere near as bad when he had to tell his parents the truth.

When Zandale’s parents were ready to call the police on Zandale in fury, it always brings me back. These were people unwilling to accept that their parenting made their favorite son into a villain. Let alone the damage to Zandale for not showing him any real love.

So when Carla and Zandale manslaughters his parents in each other’s defense, things start to fall apart. Making their deaths look like an accident broke something in Zandale. Like he could no longer trust himself.

What The Show Needs

Zandale stays sympathetic to heroes trying to do better even if results vary. Because Bulletproof believes in trying to make good out of a bad situation. Hence why he asks the rest of the Guardians of the Globe to back off of Invincible after a bad fallout involving the anti-villain Dinosaurus. Ironically, he does something like this when Robot begins his coup to take over the world.

My best guess on Zandale’s mind at the time is giving himself to a higher power. With Bulletproof once again living a lie, it looks like he’s trying to find a way to hold himself accountable. How? By answering to someone who knows what he’s doing. Even if it does come with some ugliness like killing a few teammates. Which might be why Zandale keeps the burns on his face. A reminder that he can’t live a lie.

Only problem with how Bulletproof’s story ends is that the arc didn’t really finish. The only reason he stops is because he has no more room to fight.

Bulletproof: A Great Character Can Be Better

The Amaz0n show has already made a few tweaks to Zandale. It seems to tone down his womanizing while focusing on the effects. His talks with Rex Splode implies volumes. In just a few scenes, he saw how Rex wrecked his relationship with Eve after cheating on her. As well as how costly being full of yourself can be. When Carla shows up, this will probably go full circle.

The show has a chance to really expand on Bulletproof beyond this. Especially near the end where his choice to join Robot’s regime comes with more layers. Maybe even finish his arc than just be a plot doorstep.

But the ink’s not dry yet.

Thanks for coming to the end, as always remember to look between the panels.