Is The Invisibles book any good?

[RaggtyMan]

I read the first issue but can't tell if its worth it.

[geordiesteve]

In my personal opinion, no. I bought the first trade and I didn't like it. I really struggled to get through it to be honest. I know Morrison sometimes writes stuff that is very out there, and that can be good, but this didn't track for me and I sold it on in the end. I think Morrison has done some good stuff, and he is talented, but I didn't enjoy this at all.

I'm sure someone else will tell you why they thought it was wicked and kick ass etc.

[Karl H]

I have just finished the final trade and on balance I really enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong there's some 'out there' stuff there and it takes a few reads but overall it's a satisfying read. There's also a very good notes book called "the misinformation guide to the invisibles" or something like that.

[FanboyStranger]

The Invisibles is certainly worth it, but I'm not sure reading in chronological order is the best way to go. I'd recommend starting with volume 2 (Bloody Hell in America, Counting to None, and Kissing Mr. Quimper), then going back and working through volume 1. The problem with vol. 1 is that the second story arc is quite challenging, a rare moment in comics that the creators actually overestimate the intelligence of their readers. You need to bring a lot to that party, and it's somewhat disjointed to begin with. At the time, so many people fled the book that it was in danger of cancellation, so Morrison reigned himself in a bit, which would bear fruit in the latter issues of volume 1. Plus,the addition of Phil Jimenez' art complemented the story very well.

If you read volume 2 first, you'll have a better sense of the characters, perhaps even caring about them somewhat. Then when you return to volume one, it will read more like backhistory, which will flesh the series out more. Are some things spoiled? Of course, but not enough to ruin my enjoyment of the story, at least.

However, don't touch volume 3 until you've read volumes 1 & 2, or you'll be lost completely.

[filthysize]

I liked it. A lot.

[Milo Of Meelos]

Its really personal choice.
If you enjoy counter-cultures with pysche elements, I'd definetely reccomend it.
And, I agree Morrison does overestimate the intelligence of the readers.

[PanzerMega]

I loved it. I also didn't understand half of it until I bought that Disinformation Guide.

I can see why people would dislike it though.

[noh-varr]

I love the series and make sure to read it all from start to finish about every 6 months, it impacts me that much. I really don't think Morrison overestimates anything. I think we are so use to being talked down to and underestimated that it just seems like so much more. Plus I'd rather a creator think of me as a highly intelligent person then someone who has to have everything explained to. If the first issue doesn't click with you, I do agree on trying the Volume Two work, it went from a full British feel to more American action movie (essentially how Morrison worded the change) and it doesn't go into more heady stuff until Quimper and the Hand of Glory stuff but by then you will know whether or not this book is for you. Plus the first arc "Bloody Hell In America" is the cheapest of them all, though it does also sadly only include four issues. I do think I like volume one more though, it has the origins of Lord Fanny and King Mob plus one of my all time favorite one offs where it's all about a character who is killed in the very first issue as hired goon number two. Humanising someone who appears for 5 panels max when he is introduced and shot randomly (and someone we as readers want to see eliminated as he works for the "bad" guys) and we don't care since he's just random grunt. Is one of the more neat things in the series. They also examine if the main characters actually ARE the good guys. And so much more then I can go into here, I highly suggest it, all my friends who have started it have eagerly finished the whole series.

[rerun]

Good read, but kind of hard at times.

There is a book called "Anarchy for the Masses" where 2 writers analyze issue by issue (and different panels). This is handy since some of the stuff mentioned is very British. Also, in the final storyline (but it may have been corrected in the TPB's), there are art errors which makes it virtually impossible to get the story right (this is a sin!). This book helps to set up what the heck is happening in the story.

[Bradley]

It's a very intelligent book, no doubt-- I wouldn't say Morrison "overestimated" my intelligence, though-- I happen to think I'm a pretty sharp guy.

It's an interesting book, in the sense that the last volume was something of a failure (due in part to problems with the art), but it's still far and away my all-time favorite comic book series, flaws and all. It makes books like Sandman and Preacher look simple-minded (and I really enjoyed both of those books too). Frankly, Vertigo hasn't published anything else that even approaches The Invisibles in terms of quality-- well, Doom Patrol might approach The Invisibles...

So yeah, give it a shot.

[Headhunter]

I have/read the first 2 trades, they're challenging but ultimately too weird for me.

[FanboyStranger]

When I said that Morrison overestimated his readers, I meant only in the second story arc. You needed to bring in some outside knowledge on the Shelleys, Byron, deSade and his works, plus a lot of the elements seem disjointed until you realize it's the argument rather than the story that ties everything together. Even Morrison admits that it was a trainwreck, and that's where most people who dislike the book tend to cast it aside as pretentious crap, somewhat understandably. For the most part, however, I'd argue that most of the ideas presented afterwards throughout the series were presented fairly clearly, either in the story or in Invisibles Ink. The trades unfortunately do not reprint the letter pages, so you're stuck on some of that, but Anarchy for the Masses does help fill in a lot.

I also don't see why people dislike vol. 3 so much, except for the art discrepancies in the last arc, which were corrected for the trade. I find the "Karmageddon" arc with Sean Phillips to be one of the best arcs (and most important) in the entire series. Nothing really comes out of left field either, although it certainly helps to reread the entire series before you plunge into it. Plus, the last few pages of the series with Dane's proclamation that "our sentence is up" is probably the best and most fitting ending that any Vertigo series ever had.

But then again, I love the book.

[stealthwise]

When I said that Morrison overestimated his readers, I meant only in the second story arc. You needed to bring in some outside knowledge on the Shelleys, Byron, deSade and his works, plus a lot of the elements seem disjointed until you realize it's the argument rather than the story that ties everything together. Even Morrison admits that it was a trainwreck, and that's where most people who dislike the book tend to cast it aside as pretentious crap, somewhat understandably. For the most part, however, I'd argue that most of the ideas presented afterwards throughout the series were presented fairly clearly, either in the story or in Invisibles Ink. The trades unfortunately do not reprint the letter pages, so you're stuck on some of that, but Anarchy for the Masses does help fill in a lot.



Heh. I dug the book, but gave up on it after the second trade because, quite frankly, I found that there were other titles that demanded my money and attention. I read up to the end of the second book, but as a student of English literature, I understood nearly everything that was going on with the Shelleys, Byron and DeSade, but just honestly didn't find it compelling.

[dancj]

Invisibles is good for the first half of the first trade and all of the next five, but the 7th and final trade just confused the hell out of me. I'd find it hard to fully recommend it with that confusing ending.

(and as for the 2nd arc - it wasn't just Morrison's fault. Jill Thompson's art in that storyline is abysmal)

Dan

[sgt pepper]

If you gave up on the first volume, I highly recommend that you try the second volume which is set in America. It is not as dense or difficult to work through as the first volume (though I loved much of the first volume), it has twice as much ass kicking, and it's full of mystery and clever surprises. And it's still got plenty of Morrison's mysticism/weirdness to go around (much of which Morrison apparently actually believes in, unless he's just pulling one over on us with his public persona).

[niall mc cann]

I'm just adding my voice to the choir, here, really, but i'd also recommend the book, just not in chronological order.

The first trade i read was Counting to None, and i loved it, but having read it all, id say the most accessible trade is Bloody Hell in America. Once you've read the second volume, go back and read the first, then you should be ready for the conclusion. it's fantastic generally, but the first volume was the weakest by far.

just imo - i wouldn't say it was anything to do with overestimating intelligence, though now that FBS has explained what he meant i can see where he was coming from; i've always just assumed that Morrison was trying his damndest to write a Vertigo book rather than just letting the invisibles be the invisibles. The first volume stinks of The Sandman, to me, and as much as love Morpheus and co, The Invisibles is a very different type of book.

[Joe Rice]

One of the most challenging but worthwhile comics ever published by a non-independent company. Difficult but worth it.

[sgt pepper]

I'm just adding my voice to the choir, here, really, but i'd also recommend the book, just not in chronological order.

The first trade i read was Counting to None, and i loved it, but having read it all, id say the most accessible trade is Bloody Hell in America. Once you've read the second volume, go back and read the first, then you should be ready for the conclusion. it's fantastic generally, but the first volume was the weakest by far.

just imo - i wouldn't say it was anything to do with overestimating intelligence, though now that FBS has explained what he meant i can see where he was coming from; i've always just assumed that Morrison was trying his damndest to write a Vertigo book rather than just letting the invisibles be the invisibles. The first volume stinks of The Sandman, to me, and as much as love Morpheus and co, The Invisibles is a very different type of book.

Counting to None is the highlight of the series for me. Literally jaw dropping. It's one of those "everything you thought you knew is wrong" stories that really works. I think the pay off of this story would be bigger if you'd read everything that came before it first.

[niall mc cann]

that's definitely an arguement, but my own thoughts would be that if i'd read the first trades first, i'd never have bothered with the rest...

I agree about CtN, though, it's still my favourite trade. I think the complexity of the work shielded me, slightly - there was so much crammed into that book that if you'd asked me what it was about after my first reading, i wouldn't have been able to tell you very well. Hence i generally recommend Bloody Hell in America as a better starting point. I definitely inadvertently dropped myself right into the thick of it with CtN.

Still love it, though!:D

[sgt pepper]

So does anyone think the Invisibles is more challenging of a read than Seven Soldiers? For me, Invisibles is much more clear, and I have to admit to being lost through much of Seven Soldiers (and that I never really "got it" until I read Greg Burgas's essays on CBSBG).

For me, The Invisibles is challenging due to the density of information. Seven Soldiers is challenging because of what is left out. I prefer the former as at least most of the answers are in there if you look hard enough and sort through the information. SS requires the readers to figure out and fill in a lot of the gaps on their own (and I guess I'm just too dumb for that).

[lead sharp]

The first book benafits from further readings, especially if you try the later books to ease yourself into the setup a bit.

It's a great comic, but you either need to be on more drugs than a nursing home or have your head so screwed on you have no neck.

Work your way into it because curiosity with this one will sit on your shoulder like a little devil that won't stop poking you in the ear saying 'Read it...read it NOW!'

[lead sharp]

Sorry double post.

[Tobias March]

So does anyone think the Invisibles is more challenging of a read than Seven Soldiers? For me, Invisibles is much more clear, and I have to admit to being lost through much of Seven Soldiers (and that I never really "got it" until I read Greg Burgas's essays on CBSBG).

For me, The Invisibles is challenging due to the density of information. Seven Soldiers is challenging because of what is left out. I prefer the former as at least most of the answers are in there if you look hard enough and sort through the information. SS requires the readers to figure out and fill in a lot of the gaps on their own (and I guess I'm just too dumb for that).

I would actually see Seven Soldiers as being more challenging, mainly for the recurring theme of madness and a fear of mortality. Particularly in Mister Miracle, were it's drawn out.

There's the famous story of how when Grant Morrison was in hospital with that flesh eating bacteria he wrote the sequence of King Mob being tortured by Sir Miles. That was the only comparable point for me in the Invisibles with Seven Soldiers - particularly Shining Knight, MM, the first issue of Zatanna, Frankenstein, Bulleteer, Guardian and even Klarion a little. There was this pattern in each miniseries of depression, assertion, release - literalised with the Miracle storyline.

Invisibles was a very personal project, but it represents the sum total of Morrison's interests and inspirations (Philip K. Dick, Moorcock, R.A.W., Crowley etc.), whereas Seven Soldiers focuses on themes of mortality in a superhuman universe.

Which was certainly unique this year, were 'comic book death', took on a whole new meaning.

[MartinRedmond]

The first volume is amongst the best comics ever. Vol 2 and 3 are alright but nowhere near as good. So vol 1 #1 through 26 is the way to go whatever trades that represents.

[jayeffscene]

It is definetely not a book you can just read a few issues of. One of the most confusing books I've ever read. But yes, i'd say it's worth it. I hear that 'the filth' is even more confusing.

[dancj]

It is definetely not a book you can just read a few issues of. One of the most confusing books I've ever read. But yes, i'd say it's worth it. I hear that 'the filth' is even more confusing.
The filth is much less confusing than the final volume of The Invisibles, and probably on a par with much of the rest. Personally I think it benefits from being shorter and more coherent.

[ACertainMrDoe]

that's definitely an arguement, but my own thoughts would be that if i'd read the first trades first, i'd never have bothered with the rest...

I DID read the first trade first (I'm somewhat anal when I start new series, I always start with #1), and I had the feeling to not bother with the rest... but you gave me a clue to have at look at them, thanks! :D

[AaronJ]

I'd say read the rest. Really. I'm about to finish v. 6 tonight, and I can already say that this has been one of the most satisfying things I've ever read in my life.

I'm definitely going to go through it again, along with "Anarchy For The Masses" after I finish the final volume tomorrow.

This is one of those works which is vast and different and at times challenging and, in the end, really satisfying (at least I assume it will be, at the *very* end).

[niall mc cann]

I DID read the first trade first (I'm somewhat anal when I start new series, I always start with #1), and I had the feeling to not bother with the rest... but you gave me a clue to have at look at them, thanks! :D

Try Bloody Hell in America!

It's a great read. Slight, (compared to the other trades) but great.

I hope you enjoy it!

[Tabris]

The Invisibles as a whole is one of the greatest comic book works ever IMO. The ending is somewhat weak, but Morrison saying recently that he wants to revisit the story gives me hope that it will turn out better.

[LordGorto]

Look, man, Invisibles is really, really great. But to get to that greatness, you're going to have to be patient with it. There's a lot of oblique dialogue, many hidden allusions, and just-plain-fucked-up stuff in it. Give yourself a couple of hours to read it, take a couple of drugs if you can read while under the influence, and enjoy it.
I'd recommend starting at volume 1, because Dane is such a cool character. He really pulls you into this wild, weird world Morrison created.

Or you could read Animal Man.