Hey, let's read Grant Morrison's THE INVISIBLES
By Zack Quaintance — So, as anyone who follows me on Twitter has surely seen (or seen, been confused by, and wondered about), I’m perpetually doing nightly reading projects. It’s a simple idea. I take a run that I’ve never read before, and I read it. I do it one issue per night, Monday through Friday, and I invite folks to read or follow along, organizing my posts by a hashtag.
Now, I’m reading The Invisibles, which is a 1990s era Vertigo comic written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by several different artists, including Jill Thompson, Steve Yeowell, Steve Parkhouse, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Ivan Reis, Chris Weston, and Frank Quitely, to various degrees. This reading project will start on this coming Monday, September 14, and the hashtag is #TurningInvisibles.
Each night, my posts will go up at around 8:30 p.m. ET, give or take an hour or two either way. I usually do my four favorite panels and an overall thought about the issue on the first Tweet, and then I go on to thread auxiliary thoughts and panels in a chain. If you’re interested in doing this, you can post and use the hashtag, follow along, or come in and out as is convenient for you.
Every Friday, I’ll link the main Tweet from those threads below…
WEEK ONE, The Invisibles Vol. 1, #1 - #5
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #1: Nice entry to this world. More teen angst than I expected, but some regular Morrison pet interests recur: transcending the nature of reality, chief among them. The incorporation of The Beatles stuff was interesting (and welcome) too. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/dQmcIrpuIN
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) September 15, 2020
"Down and Out in Heaven and Hell" in The Invisibles Vol. 1 #2 from Grant Morrison, Steve Yeowell, Daniel Vozzo, Electric Crayon, and Clem Robins gives us a magical mystery tour of a seedy underbelly of London. As Dane finds himself more or less on the outs.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/1EkMfILgqQ
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) September 16, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #3: Mad Tom “motivates” Dane to transcend surface-level teachings, perceptions, and concerns from the outer world to approach life in freer ways. There’s a lot more going on here that I’ve missed, but I find it all very intriguing. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/WVuuTqvqYT
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) September 17, 2020
"Down and Out in Heaven and Hell" comes to its conclusion in The Invisibles Vol. 1 #4 by Grant Morrison, Steve Yeowell, Daniel Vozzo, and Clem Robins.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) September 18, 2020
Dane completes his initiation into the Invisibles. More or less.
These Sean Phillips covers are gorgeous.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/fZmesxYqWY
The Invisibles vol 1 #5: "Arcadia Part 1" Interesting start to this arc. Religous debates between Byron and Shelley, parallel with Dane's training. Plus time travel?! This series just keeps getting more bizarre and I'm here for it. Also solid art throughout.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/CfWU00SSWv
— Benjamin Morin (@0vaItineJenkins) September 19, 2020
WEEK TWO, The Invisibles Vol. 1, #6 - #10
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #6: Oof. Warning: Some of the imagery shared in this thread is pretty gruesome. But this is an action-heavy issue that shows us more of how and why The Invisibles function, moving the plot along rather quickly for a single issue. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/uK2LgQLt1v
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) September 22, 2020
Part 3 of "Arcadia" arrives in The Invisibles Vol. 1 #7 by Grant Morrison, Jill Thompson, Dennis Cramer, Daniel Vozzo, and Clem Robins.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) September 23, 2020
As King Mob's cell finds itself split across time, weird stuff happens, including a reinterpretation of 120 Days of Sodom.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/hd3BXMpnW3
"Arcadia" comes to an end in The Invisibles Vol. 1 #8 by Grant Morrison, Jill Thompson, Dennis Cramer, Daniel Vozzo, and Clem Robins.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) September 24, 2020
This one's a bit more straight-forward as de Sade visits an S&M club, Jack & Fanny face Orlando, and the Cyphermen strike.#TurningInvisisbles pic.twitter.com/lKWF9lTZxv
The Invisibles vol 1 #9: Our team's got their backs against the wall and Dane's angst doesn't make it any better. Solid action centric issue, a nice departure from the heavy previous issues.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/tAlvjErrpY
— Benjamin Morin (@BiglikeBen) September 25, 2020
And now for something completely different.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) September 26, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #10 gives us "Season of Ghouls" by Grant Morrison, Chris Weston, Daniel Vozzo, and Clem Robins.
It introduces us to another member of the Invisibles, Jim Crow, and weird murders.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/5HjE0DhvpT
WEEK THREE. The Invisibles Vol. 1, #11 - #15
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #11: What an issue. Real old school horror comic vibe, layered with touches of the series to date and a bit of class warfare digression, raising questions about what it costs those who join the fight and end up carrying out half measures. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/fvGIHeWYpb
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) September 29, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #12 features "Best Man Fall" by Grant Morrison, Steve Parkhouse, Daniel Vozzo, Annie Parkhouse, and Clem Robins.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) September 30, 2020
It introduces us to Bobby, guiding us in a non-linear bender through his life, through to his death. And back again.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/xNunWG4RsI
The Invisibles vol 1 #13: We've finally circled back to the main Invisibles cell. It seems this arc will center around Fanny's character and here we gain insight into her tragic origins and upbringing.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/YjIRNQfMnI
— Benjamin Morin (@BiglikeBen) October 1, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #14: The foreshadowing the fluid nature of time pays off here in an issue that is predicated on that concept...and even without those interesting bits, it would have still built to a suspenseful ending all the same. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/lMnowfzBTU
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 2, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #15 sees the conclusion to "She-Man" by Grant Morrison, Jill Thompson, Kim DeMulder, Daniel Vozzo, & Clem Robins.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 2, 2020
Lord Fanny finishes this stage of her initiation, reconciling three different time periods. All while the enemy closes in.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/jgWHZU9gTD
WEEK FOUR - The Invisibles Vol. 1, #16 - #20
We check back in with Dane in "London" by Grant Morrison, Paul Johnson, Daniel Vozzo, and Ellie DeVille in The Invisibles Vol. 1 #16.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 6, 2020
Teenage wasteland.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/enijCL4u4e
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #17: Rough issue for our heroes, and, by extension, rough issue for the audience because it’s done so well. What I continue to be most impressed by in these comics is the rate of revelation, doling out just enough info at perfect times. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/GaMmAqU6Pg
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 7, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #18: I’ve been uniformly pleased with the artwork in this series, but these last two have been especially superb, having to alternate depictions between a gritty disturbing interrogation and wild psychic visions. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/Pr98xqWzBQ
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 8, 2020
The Invisibles vol 1 #19: "Entropy in the U.K." comes to an end. This has been my favorite arc thus far. Everything from the art, to the psychological warfare, to King Mob and Miles dueling ideologies has been fantastic.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/bOXs4czw2j
— Benjamin Morin (@BiglikeBen) October 9, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #20 gives us "How I Became Invisible" from Grant Morrison, Tommy Lee Edwards, Daniel Vozzo, and Clem Robins.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 10, 2020
Boy tells her story of how she joined the Invisibles on her way to Liverpool to try to "rescue" Jack Frost.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/WzvE0PutcF
WEEK FIVE, The Invisibles Vol. 1, #21 - #25
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #21 takes us to "Liverpool" by Grant Morrison, Paul Johnson, Daniel Vozzo, and Ellie DeVille.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 12, 2020
Dane returns home on the run from the police, evil, evil police, himself, etc. and makes a big mess of everything.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/1KUiRQIyqw
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #22 is the beginning of the end for this volume as "House of Fun" by Grant Morrison, Steve Yeowell, Dick Giordano, Daniel Vozzo, and Clem Robins sets up the Invisibles' rescue of King Mob & Fanny and a confrontation with the archon.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/6UtPcalgnW
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 13, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #23: The type of Invisibles issues in which reality is fuzzy, or rather fuzzier than usual, because Dane is locked in a deceitful battle of the mind. Great stuff. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/2deEjcpXn3
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 15, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1, #24: Throughout this arc I found myself wondering how they were going to sort of reverse the serious damage done to King Mob, and this was a good way. Lots of abstraction in an issue that was also climactic. Good stuff. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/wRiEhl9pEu
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 16, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 1 #25 is somewhat of a tease for what will be coming, in some cases in a while, as "And Half a Dozen of the Other" by Grant Morrison, Mark Buckingham, Mark Pennington, Daniel Vozzo, and Clem Robins tell a tale of Mister Six & Division X.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/BoyNaut3Ak
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 16, 2020
WEEK SIX, The Invisibles Vol. 2, #1 - #5
Vol. 2 #1 of The Invisibles begins with part one of "Black Science" by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 20, 2020
Recuperating stateside, King Mob & Ragged Robin are regaled by venture capitalist Mason about aliens & movies.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/WF6SmqnLxP
The Invisibles Vol. 2, #2: I feel like a simpleton, but this clear and deliberate pivot toward sex and action comics storytelling popular with Americans in the 90s...is really doing it for me, a kid who got into comics as an American in the 90s. Ah well. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/Z0u9tux3iI
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 21, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 2, #3: It’s tough in a series with multiple artists, but this might be my personal favorite artwork yet. The visuals do so much of the work here — from designing the fantastical elements to high action gunfights — it all looks incredible. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/tOhsyt9g0n
— Comics Bookcase (NEXT DOOR One-Shot Coming Soon!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 22, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 2 #4 concludes "Black Science" by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 22, 2020
With nightmare fuel. Pure, unadulterated nightmare fuel. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/Ed9ULrhCcL
The Invisibles Vol. 2 #5 gives us "Time Machine Go" by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Daniel Vozzo & Todd Klein.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 23, 2020
After hearing from one of his research departments, Mason and a bunch of the team go off to see a time machine. With deadly results. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/kzeGIiqsF3
WEEK SEVEN, The Invisibles Vol. 2 #6 - #10
The Invisibles Vol. 2, #6: I don’t know if it’s ever apt to say that this series “answered some questions,” but this issue comes close. It at least clears up the matter of how Ragged Robin could have been born in 1988. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/h6p8W4MDgg
— Comics Bookcase (now with sweet new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 27, 2020
"The Sound of the Atom Splitting" is heard in The Invisibles Vol. 2 #7 by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Daniel Vozzo, Heroic Age, and Todd Klein.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 27, 2020
Spooky action at a distance. Dancing. And bullets.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/poS0T5hIX3
"Sensitive Criminals" from Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Daniel Vozzo, Heroic Age, and Todd Klein begins in The Invisibles Vol. 2 #8.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 29, 2020
While the cell tends to Takashi's wounds, we get treated to a bit of biography for Edith and meeting King Mob.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/ibrxsvYAua
The Invisibles Vol. 2, #9: What a tour de force of amazing sequential narrative artwork by the artists in this book. Seriously. I was blown away page after page reading this comic. Just incredible. That’s it. That’s my whole take for this one. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/Vu40RaoWXm
— Comics Bookcase (now with sweet new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) October 30, 2020
"Sensitive Criminals" concludes in The Invisibles Vol. 2 #10 by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Daniel Vozzo, Heroic Age, and Todd Klein.
— 🎃d'EVIL emerson DEADy 🎃 (@93418) October 30, 2020
The '20s Invisibles cell charge the Hand of Glory. Sex with ghosts. Spooky stuff with time. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/60edB5K3us
WEEK EIGHT, The Invisibles Vol. 2, #11 - #15
The Invisibles Vol. 2 #11 begins "American Death Camp" by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Ray Kryssing, Kevin Somers, Digital Chameleon, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 3, 2020
Boy does a runner and we get headfucked.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/Q84myJXNct
"American Death Camp" continues in The Invisibles Vol. 2 #12 by Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, John Stokes, Kevin Somers, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 3, 2020
King Mob's cell try to track down Boy. Boy breaks bad.
#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/z8U80NaDOY
The Invisibles Vol. 2. #13: Huh. Didn’t see that twist coming. Boy was not being manipulated by the enemy but rather by another Invisibles cell that was doing it for everyone’s own good...but also had to keep it secret. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/KUw3yAkh0e
— Comics Bookcase (new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) November 5, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 2. #14: The Invisibles go down to New Orleans; it’s a hot and humid night (feels like a hot shower); and every character in the cast gets some. Oh, there’s also some stuff about betrayal going down. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/UvOunbw8XI
— Comics Bookcase (new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) November 6, 2020
"The Philadelphia Experiment" unfolds in The Invisibles Vol. 2 #15 by Grant Morrison, Chris Weston, Ray Kryssing, Daniel Vozzo, Heroic Age, and Todd Klein. With special thanks to Michael Lark.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 7, 2020
King Mob and Ragged Robin investigate a church. Quimper waits.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/BTvxPaa76C
WEEK NINE, The Invisibles Vol. 2, #16 - #20
The Invisibles Vol. 2. #16: A really great-looking issue, with tons of art highlights. One of those that made it hard to narrow it down to four panels. But! I did the thing. Also, the end twist is wild. Hard to not read on until tomorrow... #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/gdHo8Hcu1W
— Comics Bookcase (new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) November 10, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 2. #17: I read through this issue so fast, I guess really wanting to know what happens but also just thoroughly engaged. This run has had so many great character combinations and we get several in this one issue. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/DMW8RmVxyx
— Comics Bookcase (new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) November 11, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 2 #18 continues "Black Science 2" from Grant Morrison, Ivan Reis, Mark Pennington, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein with special thanks to Michael Lark.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 12, 2020
King Mob & Co. set out to get themselves some magic mirror/substance from Roswell.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/BCy7ELqFxg
The proverbial shit hits the fan in The Invisibles Vol. 2 #19 for part 3 of "Black Science 2" by Grant Morrison, Chris Weston, Ray Kryssing, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 13, 2020
As Quimper and his otherworldly friend believe they've taken the upper hand.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/EFGnKFIRA6
Everything gets a little meta in the conclusion to "Black Science 2" in The Invisibles Vol. 2 #20 by Grant Morrison, Chris Weston, Ray Kryssing, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 14, 2020
Ragged Robin writes a book and Fanny & Jack hook up with some baddies.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/yQpr2vmPK1
WEEK TEN, The Invisibles Vol. 2, #21 - #22, & Vol. 3 #12 - #10
The Invisibles Vol. 2 #21 gives us "All Tomorrow's Parties" by Grant Morrison, Chris Weston, Ray Kryssing, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein with special thanks to Kristy Kryssing.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 16, 2020
Ragged Robin goes back to the future.
#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/x9rZehKPtp
The Invisibles Vol. 2, #22: Compared to recent issues, this one felt a bit subdued. It also stands out to me for being heavy on Mason, heavy on the other side, and steeped in things that may or may not be about to happen. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/I06LucIfjW
— Comics Bookcase (new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) November 18, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 3 #12 is the beginning of the end with the first part of "Satanstorm" by Grant Morrison, Philip Bond, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 19, 2020
Division X scopes out Sir Miles. Jack and Roger get their training on. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/C2e0goDbW0
The "Satanstorm" continues to rage in The Invisibles Vol. 3 #11 by Grant Morrison, Warren Pleece, Philip Bond, Daniel Vozzo, & Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 19, 2020
Jack continues training. Division X search for their missing member & profile on Miles. And we find out who shaggy is. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/2ZqTQb65X6
The Invisibles Vol. 3, #10: The Division X stuff has been a fun diversion and a nice bit of long-form storytelling, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say the scenes with The Invisibles we’ve seen the most of aren’t more welcome to me. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/n1CtoMq89X
— Comics Bookcase (new logo!!!) (@ComicsBookcase) November 21, 2020
WEEK ELEVEN, The Invisibles Vol. 2, #9 - #5
The Invisibles Vol. 3, #9: This was a good issue. Like the rest of the arc, a bit heavier on Sir Miles than I initially suspected. I think the most interesting story thread to me at the moment is whatever is going on with Jack. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/1l8wWAHqj3
— Comics Bookcase (@ComicsBookcase) November 24, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 3, #8: Another sex issue, of sorts. This one is a little further afield than the one from the previous volume, which was essentially all our characters hooking up. It also ties in some ideas from much earlier in the run. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/pD331hlQzt
— Comics Bookcase (@ComicsBookcase) November 25, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 3 #7 keeps "Karmageddon"'s slow slide into the end by Grant Morrison, Sean Phillips, Jay Stephens, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 25, 2020
King Mob and Mason discuss civilizations. Edith continues to prepare for the end. Mr. Six chooses sides.
#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/iFtc6rxz8v
"Karmageddon" rolls on in The Invisibles Vol. 3 #6 by Grant Morrison, Sean Phillips, Jay Stephens, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 27, 2020
Edith reaches the end. Helga experiments with language. And an enemy rears his ugly head.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/eHaGh9x66a
The Invisibles Vol. 3 #5 concludes "Karmageddon" by Grant Morrison, Sean Phillips, Jay Stephens, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) November 27, 2020
The wheel turns. Kali destroys. Forces gather. And a funny thing happened on the way to the apocalypse.#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/EKCn64raZW
WEEK TWELVE, The Invisibles Vol. 3, #4 - #1
The Invisibles Vol 3, #4: So, for most of this volume I’ve felt a bit lost (look, I’m not too proud to admit it), but for whatever reason, I felt like I picked up the thread a little bit in this issue. I guess moving toward an impending clash will do that? #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/MRDUb06lZJ
— Comics Bookcase (@ComicsBookcase) December 1, 2020
The Invisibles Vol. 3, #3: Oh hey, this was another issue I totally got—I think. And I really really liked it. The different art teams don’t make the book feel disjointed, mostly because they’re all so good, and the pacing is fantastic. #TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/hqPuLgV4Ex
— Comics Bookcase (@ComicsBookcase) December 2, 2020
The end comes in The Invisibles Vol. 3 #1 with "Glitterdammerung!" by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, John Stokes, Daniel Vozzo, and Todd Klein.
— d. emerson eddy (@93418) December 3, 2020
The future is a kaleidoscopic, neon wet dream.
#TurningInvisibles pic.twitter.com/iuplDYFk3Y
Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles
Finally, you can buy the seven volumes of The Invisibles here:
Also, checkout the Best Comics on ComiXology Unlimited!
Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.
