Invisibles, The: Revolution Vol 01

What makes the invisibles such a powerful story are the characters and how they relate to each other. When the character relationships aren't in flux, attention wanders. I think that the series improves when King Mob throws his guns away and things get extra whacky. Many other reviewers have accurately reported how uneven this first collection is because of the departure taken in the time travel arc. The story shifts its focus onto characters who are not so easy to relate to. When the Invisibles is really firing on all cylinders, the situations the characters face are instantly familiar, but the reactions and commentary are fresh and inspiring. Check out the middle of the comic's run. That's five trade paperbacks. I know, it's a lot but it goes fast. Some outstanding aspects of the book that many others have mentioned are its some-of-everthing inclusion of popular cultural references, storytelling tone, varying art quality, and its use of popular conspiracy theory. Morrison manages to find a place for the fantastic in a realistic world. Or maybe he's just good at writing realistic conversations in bizarre situations. A few, but not all of my favorite moments in the entire series- -Why's King Mob so violent? -Silver age invisibles. A little comic geek fun -King Mob uses acid to timetravel, disable enemy soldiers, and see the future -KM visits his ex-girlfriend -Jack doing mysterious stuff while on the lamb from the rest of the team -amazing tangent stories. eg the life of a conspiracy stormtrooper, a terrifying choice for a deep cover invisible working as a royal butler.

First let me start by saying that I might be a little biased in this review. I started reading The Invisibles with the Second Series, so it wasn't until after a few of those issues that I went back to the First Series.After the totality of violence and conspiracy in the story "Black Science" in the Second Series, I felt a little slowed by the pace of Say You Want a Revolution, with the focus mainly on Jack and his scholarship under Tom O'Bedlam.The introduction was a needed aspect of the story; however, since we are essentially initiated at the same time that Jack is.The second story arc "Acardia" was an interesting look at the workings of the The Invisibles as a whole and how each one interacts with the other. I think we could have all done without the perverse nature of the Marquis de Sade, but you slowly come under the realization that Morrison is trying to shock all the taboo out of your system, in order for you to let your barriers down and stop thinking with the mind that "they" developed for you.Morrison is an incredibly creative and intelligent author who mixes real science and philosophy into an ultimate tale of violence, conspiracy, magic, and sex. This first book may be a little slower than the others, but the entire series quickly picks up speed and you'll soon find yourself unable to read anything else until you finish it.

It surprised me that I was drawn to this series. I should have hated it, since I'm middle-aged, middle-class, and from the middle-west. Yet, I read them all, or at least the six that I am aware of. Strange. Perhaps it is because I saw myself in "Tom-o-Bedlam" in this first volume. Perhaps it was the world-behind-the-world underpinnings, ala Phillip K. Dick (if you like the Invisibles, try the Valis trilogy.) Or maybe it was because there were so many synchronistic "hits" with my own life in issue after issue that I briefly wondered if I was slipping into schizophennia.... In any case this series was a delight. It was written with intelligence and erudition. There is just so much concentrated input on every page, both verbally and visually. As for the politics- this is also strange, for I have come to very simular conclusions. Perhaps that is adding paranoia to the schizophrenia.... There is an excellent bit of dialog when King Mob tells of how one of the other major characters read a story called "The Invisibles" and wrote herself a part in it. Yes, that is how magic happens....

This book is a MUST read for anyone with Deconstructionist or Discordian views. It is a comic book, but don't let others opinions of comics and their content sway you. This is no juvenile super-hero in tights smash-em-up for 23 pages. The Invisibles is about subversion of the status quo, deconstruction of patterned and controlled thought and trying to make sure everyone benefits from the end of the world. This book could hold some very real changes of perception for you. As the young Dane McGowan/Jack Frost is initiated into the Invisibles, so are you, given small tidbits that the reality we're all being held to is only that way because it benefits others for you to see reality in this light. You create your reality, this book can and will show you that. There are large and sinister forces behind a lot of very shady dealings in government, business, entertainment, etc., not just in the U.S., but in the world. Don't take my word for it, start looking around, question aut! ! hority and what you see on TV, you might start to see what I mean. Grant Morrison has an eye that sees past all of this. If you really get into the Invisibles, it will seem like you're being let in on a very big secret. Admittedly, it can be a very cryptic and challenging read at times, but if you're willing to put in some effort, and research this work outside of this collection or the monthly issues, you may just start to find and see "the big secret" I've described. This book could change your life, and may start us all on the road to true physical and spiritual freedom.

Essentially, it's what would happen if Quentin Tarantino, Oliver Stone, and Robert Anton Wilson were to have a few drinks and then write a comic book together