The Invisibles: The Invisible Kingdom book 7 by Grant Morrison and assorted artists (graphic novel review)
I think the biggest disappointment with ‘The Invisibles: The Invisible Kingdom book 7’ opening artwork, mostly layouts by Philip Bond and Morris Pleece as it’s almost cartoon-like and the various inkers haven’t so much embellished but just gone over the linework. This doesn’t mean the art isn’t recognisable but it lacks the subtly and detail of the previous six volumes. There’s barely anything of the Invisibles core team except a hairy man shaving down to become King Mob. Writer Grant Morrison has also ignored using the USA as its setting and back in the UK, borrowing obviously from the TV series ‘The Sweeney’ and the 1973 film, ‘The Wicker Man’. It is later explained that the Invisibles have taken on their likenesses as disguises but none change back so it’s a bit hard to work out which, especially as by the fourth issue, all but Ragged Robin have made an appearance.
The multi-part ‘Karmageddon’ just adds to the confusion. I’m not sure if it’s me wanting a clean plot or the activities of the team talking more than doing.
The art improves further in, after a couple issues with mixed art suggesting there was a rush to meet deadlines, which is how that normally happens. Even so, this can’t have been for sales at the time.
We do at least get some understanding of the Invisibles function in the world to correct mistakes and that they are impossible to kill for long and keep coming back. Well, except for Ragged Robin who appears to have moved through time but not in the way King Mob did into the past. Some of them definitely take some time to recover their memories, as with Jack Flash.
I think, to a greater extent, ‘The Invisibles’ has to be seen as an acquired taste. Morrison wants to give super-heroes for adults and includes a lot of bad language to establish that. The bigger problem is unravelling exactly what is going on as some sub-plots are pushed aside and brought up much later which certainly needs a continual read to get the gist of. There’s a 1500 page ‘The Invisibles Compendium’ which has all of these seven volumes under one cover. Although I haven’t seen it as a whole, I would have to question if the book can lie flat without anything getting lost in the interior fold. It certainly wouldn’t be seen as bedtime reading.
GF Willmetts
November 2025
(pub: DC Comics/Vertigo, 2002. 206 page graphic novel softcover. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-1-40120-019-0)
check out website: www.dc.com
