So, if you’ve been hanging out in the Invincible fandom lately, you’ve probably seen the name "Nomaskible" or people obsessing over a very specific, heartbroken version of Mark Grayson. It all stems from a single, gut-wrenching line: "I miss William."
Honestly, it’s wild how three words can set the entire internet on fire. We aren't just talking about the typical "best friends forever" vibe that Mark and William Clockwell have in the main Image Comics run. This is something different. It's about a parallel reality where the bond between the superhero and his civilian bestie went way beyond just grabbing burgers or flying over the city for fun.
The Mark x William Comic Connection: What Actually Happened?
Let’s back up a second. In the main Invincible universe—the one we follow in the comics and the hit Amazon Prime show—Mark Grayson is straight. He dates Amber, he eventually marries Eve, and William is his gay best friend who ends up with Rick Sheridan. It's a solid, supportive bromance. But Invincible is all about the multiverse.
When Angstrom Levy starts pulling alternate versions of Mark from across different dimensions to destroy the main Earth, we meet a whole gallery of "Evil Marks." Some are Viltrumite conquerors; others are just broken.
Then there’s the "Unmasked Invincible" or "Nomaskible."
In the animated series, this variant appears during the Invincible War arc. He looks rough. He’s clearly been through hell. When he’s confronted, he doesn't shout about Viltrumite supremacy or world domination. Instead, he just sounds... hollow. He says he misses William.
Why the fandom lost it
The implication here is massive. In his world, William wasn't just a sidekick or a guy who knew his secret. It's heavily implied—and basically confirmed by showrunners and storyboard artists—that in this specific reality, Mark and William were a couple.
Fans have dubbed this "Mark x William" or "WillMark."
It hits hard because it suggests that in a universe where Mark lost his William, he lost his moral compass too. Without that specific connection, this version of Mark became a shell of himself, eventually joining Angstrom Levy's cause. It’s a tragic "what if" that turns a background friendship into the literal anchor of a hero's soul.
Differences Between the Show and the Comics
If you’re a "comics first" kind of person, you know William’s journey was a bit more of a slow burn. In the original Robert Kirkman run, William didn't start out as openly gay. He actually dated Eve for a bit (which was awkward for everyone) before eventually coming out and finding happiness with Rick.
The show changed this. From episode one, William is out, proud, and honestly way more likable.
This change in the show is likely what made the "I miss William" variant possible. Because the show established their bond so strongly from the jump, the idea of a romantic version of them in another universe feels earned rather than forced.
- Main Universe: Platonic best friends. William is Mark's "guy in the chair" who keeps him grounded.
- Variant Universe: Romantically involved. William’s death or absence seems to be the catalyst for Mark’s downfall.
- Fan Interpretation: A lot of fan art and fanfic has filled in the gaps, imagining how they finally got together in that alternate world.
Is Mark Grayson canonically queer?
This is where things get spicy in the comment sections. Is the "real" Mark Grayson gay?
Well, no. The Mark we follow through 144 issues of the comic is very much in love with Eve. However, the beauty of the Invincible multiverse is that every possibility is "canon" somewhere.
One variant might be a cold-blooded killer. Another might be a protector of the weak. And yes, as the show implies, one version of Mark Grayson is gay and was in love with William Clockwell. It doesn’t "erase" the main Mark’s identity; it just adds layers to what the character could be under different circumstances.
Some people get really heated about this, calling it "forced inclusion," but honestly? It’s just good storytelling. Seeing how a character changes based on who they love is a classic trope for a reason.
Why this specific variant matters in 2026
We're seeing a huge shift in how superheroes are portrayed. People are tired of the same old "hero saves the world and gets the girl" formula. The Mark x William comic discourse proves that audiences are hungry for emotional stakes.
We don't just want to see Mark punch a hole through a planet. We want to see why he cares enough to not punch a hole through a planet. For Nomaskible, the thing that kept him human was William. When that was gone, the hero died, and the monster took over.
It’s a dark, gritty take on the power of love, which is exactly what Invincible does best.
What to do if you want more
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific corner of the fandom, you won't find a dedicated "Mark x William" standalone comic book from Image. It's all subtext and multiverse cameos for now.
However, you can:
- Rewatch Season 2 and 3: Look closely at the variants during the Invincible War. The voice acting by Steven Yeun for the "I miss William" line is genuinely top-tier.
- Check out the Invincible War arc: Read issues #60 through #64 of the comic. You’ll see the scale of the destruction caused by these variants, even if the "Nomaskible" backstory is more fleshed out in the show.
- Engage with the community: Places like the Invincible subreddit or Tumblr are hotspots for fan-made "what if" stories that explore the Nomaskible timeline.
The takeaway here is pretty simple: Mark Grayson is only as strong as the people he’s fighting for. Whether it’s Eve in our world or William in another, Mark needs a heart to be a hero.
To explore more of the multiverse's darkest corners, you should start by comparing the specific powers of the top 5 deadliest Mark variants to see how they differ from the Mark we know. Look for the "Invincible War" character guides often found in the back of the compendium editions for the most accurate stat breakdowns.