Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Gabriel Hardman, Corrina Bechko
Artist: Gabriel Hardman
Release Date: 18th March 2015

---

Set over eight decades into future on a remote moon named Avalon, Invisible Republic’s first issue is told from the primary viewpoint of Croger Babb, a reporter and author searching for reasons as to the Malory regime’s recent collapse. It is a readily identifiable world to those of us familiar with dystopian sci-fi, akin to those conceived in the mind of Philip K Dick and his ilk. Although there are clear technological advancements, Avalon is dingy, overcrowded, and miserable and Gabriel Hardman is able to evoke these ideas with just one establishing shot, and some expertly composed panels thereafter.

It’s perhaps the most impressive thing about this opening issue, the subtle blending of genres and themes without one element spoiling the mix. This is clearly dystopian sci-fi, but it’s also a political thriller, a mystery, and isn’t afraid of an action sequence or two either. After Babb finds a stack of papers in a back alley, which tells a hitherto unknown secret of a prominent figure in the ruling government, we are invited into the past of Arthur McBride through the recollections of his cousin. This is where the meat of the story, and the bulk of the action takes place, and it’s fantastic how Hardman is able to use our pre-conceived notion of a potential victim against us through character design and composition.

The art throughout is efficient, incredibly detailed and fits synergistically with the script, perhaps only to be expected when the same person is doing both. Layouts range from inventive borderless panels that appear to float above the page in the book’s present, to more conventionally contained panels in the flashback. A retrained colour palette by Jordan Boyd goes through some subtle changes, too, from greyish browns, to more earthy tones.

One other thing that struck me about the book is the prevalence of Arthurian symbolism in the narrative. Of course, it may simply be a coincidence, but Arthur, Malory, and Avalon are all prominent names in Arthurian Legend. Avalon in particular is the island where Excalibur was forged; the weapon that would ultimately bring him to power, and I thought that perhaps this Arthur forged a different kind of weapon on Avalon, i.e. a mind-set to help him in his own quest.

Coincidence or not, there are many intriguing avenues to be explored in the coming issues, and I’d strongly advise you jump on-board. It looks like another one in the win column for Image Comics.

Rating: 4/5.

---

The Writer of this piece was: Martin Doyle
You can follow Martin on Twitter
You can check out more of Martins reviews and thoughts on random retro things over at Retromuse

---