Writer: G.Willow Wilson – Artist, Colorist, Cover Artist: Christian Ward -Editor: Karen Berger
Thanks to Dark Horse & Berger Books for providing review copies!
Synopsis: On the Sundog, Grix is desperately fleeing Lux . . . and running out of fuel. On Duni, Vess wrestles with her spiritual doubts and the newfound knowledge that she is not alone. When she responds to the Sundog’s mysterious distress signal, the unlikely pair will learn too quickly that there is no turning back now.
Review
Invisible Kingdom has solidified a spot on my recommendation list with the 3rd and 4th installment. This story continues to ask important questions about timely terrestrial issues through far flung cosmic cavorting. Too much alliteration? Never!
As the depth of conspiracy between the Lux corporation and the religious order the Invisible Kingdom comes into focus, new order member, Vess, has no choice but to doubt her beliefs. This leads to some dangerous choices for Vess, and also for Sundog captain Grix. The Sundog is running out of fuel, and Grix has to decide whether to fight against the Lux corporation and expose their contrived battle with the church or to run and just try to survive.
These 2 issues really work well as a combined unit, I do recommend reading them back to back if you can. They are packed with action, but you also get to know the Sundog crew a bit better. I feel like the real trajectory of the larger story is taking shape as this opening arc comes to a close. It makes me really optimistic for the direction the next arc will take. Firefly fans rejoice, this is a book for you!
Color plays such an important role in the emotion of this series. Whether or not a panel is set in space, every moment has the look of a nebula. Colors blend into one another in an organic and meaningful way. I love how each species has their own distinct color palette as well. The feel of this book would be completely different if rendered in greyscale.
One thing I notice when reading is the attention to mouths in the character design. The Nones cover their eyes with their Vestments, so their mouths become the focus of their facial features. Not only is this disconcerting when the character is baring their teeth at the reader, but it speaks to the importance of words among the believers. So much of The Invisible Kingdom’s support system is predicated on people believing in little more than words. Sure some of those words are kind, but many are blatant falsehoods dressed up as truth. It’s a marvelous parallel to real world organized religion, and I can’t get enough of it.
If you like your Science Fiction with a healthy dose of thematic meat, you need to add Invisible Kingdom to your reading list ASAP.
If you have recommendations for similar titles, or want to chat more about this one, send me a message on Twitter and Instagram!
Invisible Kingdom #3 and 4 are out now.
