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Invisible Republic #3
Invisible Republic Vol. 3
The Hugo Award finalist continues! Jump into this fast-paced, poli-sci-fi thriller and see why critics call INVISIBLE REPUBLIC "smart" and "fantastically sordid." When idealism becomes brutality, it's hard to pick a side. No one knows this better than Maia, but is she willing to give up her dreams for the sake of security? Collects INVISIBLE REPUBLIC #11-15.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 13, 2018
The release of Maïa's diary by Croger has had severe consequences. Sol-Gov tightens its grip on Kent and Woronov is dead.
Maia's organisation plays defense and tries a new approach but internal dissent starts to be voiced out. Which will have consequences.
Hardman and Bechko still manage a very good plot, even more somber and political while the ambiguity of most characters isn't resolved one bit, a real delight. Did Maia kill Woronov? That's anybody's guess at this stage and I like it. No clear-cut answers, only shades of grey.
The sci-fi aspect is still mere settings- the intrigue could take place anywhere, anytime- but why the hell not there and then?
The weak point of this particular book would be the first 2 issues, particularly Maia's camping trip which seemed to take forever.
More generally that would be the total absence of any character to relate to except the "then" Maia but we don't know how much of her story is reliable. Croger is too weak, the "now" Maia too shadowy and the rest of the cast is simply outlined. I don't actually mind but does everybody?
Invisible Republic remains an excellent (space) political thriller, well constructed and gripping. We're halfway through, I just wish the authors won't take years to produce the second half.
Maia's organisation plays defense and tries a new approach but internal dissent starts to be voiced out. Which will have consequences.
Hardman and Bechko still manage a very good plot, even more somber and political while the ambiguity of most characters isn't resolved one bit, a real delight. Did Maia kill Woronov? That's anybody's guess at this stage and I like it. No clear-cut answers, only shades of grey.
The sci-fi aspect is still mere settings- the intrigue could take place anywhere, anytime- but why the hell not there and then?
The weak point of this particular book would be the first 2 issues, particularly Maia's camping trip which seemed to take forever.
More generally that would be the total absence of any character to relate to except the "then" Maia but we don't know how much of her story is reliable. Croger is too weak, the "now" Maia too shadowy and the rest of the cast is simply outlined. I don't actually mind but does everybody?
Invisible Republic remains an excellent (space) political thriller, well constructed and gripping. We're halfway through, I just wish the authors won't take years to produce the second half.
February 5, 2022
I became a fan of Hardman and Bechko through their Green Lantern: Earth One graphic novels (very much hoping for at least one more volume), so was always interested in reading Invisible Republic, which as it turns out is as good as I expected it to be, and also disappointing.
In three volumes and fifteen issues they explore the fallout of a corrupt regime on a moon in the distant future when humans have begun colonizing space. The story unfolds under parallel tracks of the early revolution that led to the regime and the result of finding out the truth about that period.
The trouble is that it’s both fascinating and yet also so thinly sketched that for me it’s not what it could have been.
There was a TV show called Revolution on network television about a decade back that also explored a revolution in the future (the, ah, title might give some of that away), that perhaps failed because it was attempting to be an ambitious genre show on network television a few years after that stopped being acceptable to wide audiences, and it maybe looked too much like The Hunger Games. I don’t know if Hardman and Bechko had it in mind, but was in mine, anyway.
Fans of The Expanse books/show might probably find the results easy to appreciate, by the way.
But the problem is it plays out in such a decompressed fashion. This became my problem with Saga, too, by the way, drawing out a story rather than just getting on with it, doing interesting individual things that build up rather than just continue for however long publication can continue. It’s like reading a novel rather than a comic. But did these two really think they had infinite time to play with?
And they don’t have a story, either. For the whole run we watch things play out and there’s never a real sense of context. Characters are concerned about events but everything is in a vacuum. At least in Saga it starts out as a riff on the Rann/Thanagar War, so it’s easy to comprehend. You get the sense that it’s like the messy politics of South America, but no certainty that Hardman and Bechko themselves do. It’s like Joss Whedon riffing on the Lost Cause in Firefly, no concern as to what happens if anyone actually realizes that.
No depth. Just that one (well, parallel) story, everyone scrambling for fifteen issues, telling only the bare minimum elements to marginally move things along.
This all sounds negative. I get that. But when the material is better than the average, you can sound negative while also saying, “This is worth being frustrated about.” Not enough reviews bother to acknowledge such distinctions. Sometimes it isn’t, most of the time. But sometimes it is.
And maybe at some point there will be more of this, too. Had it been a Vertigo series, which in some prior existence it would have, there would have. And now, of course, there is no Vertigo, and companies like Image can’t keep just anything running indefinitely. So we maybe see where there are problems that weren’t previously considered.
In three volumes and fifteen issues they explore the fallout of a corrupt regime on a moon in the distant future when humans have begun colonizing space. The story unfolds under parallel tracks of the early revolution that led to the regime and the result of finding out the truth about that period.
The trouble is that it’s both fascinating and yet also so thinly sketched that for me it’s not what it could have been.
There was a TV show called Revolution on network television about a decade back that also explored a revolution in the future (the, ah, title might give some of that away), that perhaps failed because it was attempting to be an ambitious genre show on network television a few years after that stopped being acceptable to wide audiences, and it maybe looked too much like The Hunger Games. I don’t know if Hardman and Bechko had it in mind, but was in mine, anyway.
Fans of The Expanse books/show might probably find the results easy to appreciate, by the way.
But the problem is it plays out in such a decompressed fashion. This became my problem with Saga, too, by the way, drawing out a story rather than just getting on with it, doing interesting individual things that build up rather than just continue for however long publication can continue. It’s like reading a novel rather than a comic. But did these two really think they had infinite time to play with?
And they don’t have a story, either. For the whole run we watch things play out and there’s never a real sense of context. Characters are concerned about events but everything is in a vacuum. At least in Saga it starts out as a riff on the Rann/Thanagar War, so it’s easy to comprehend. You get the sense that it’s like the messy politics of South America, but no certainty that Hardman and Bechko themselves do. It’s like Joss Whedon riffing on the Lost Cause in Firefly, no concern as to what happens if anyone actually realizes that.
No depth. Just that one (well, parallel) story, everyone scrambling for fifteen issues, telling only the bare minimum elements to marginally move things along.
This all sounds negative. I get that. But when the material is better than the average, you can sound negative while also saying, “This is worth being frustrated about.” Not enough reviews bother to acknowledge such distinctions. Sometimes it isn’t, most of the time. But sometimes it is.
And maybe at some point there will be more of this, too. Had it been a Vertigo series, which in some prior existence it would have, there would have. And now, of course, there is no Vertigo, and companies like Image can’t keep just anything running indefinitely. So we maybe see where there are problems that weren’t previously considered.
December 29, 2019
Hunt for journall is over. Things are getting more complicated, keeping peace in colonies is not easy thing. Everything is more complicated than it seems. Hopefully one day series will be closed, as this is closing only first half.
April 19, 2022
Spodziewałem się czegoś lepszego. Początek był niezły, ale po trzecim tomie nie widzę szans na satysfakcjonujący finał. Który nie wiadomo kiedy powstanie. Fabuła jest nawet interesująca, ale nie jest w stanie zaoferować emocji. Nie czekam na ciąg dalszy. Szkoda. Poziom dobry, ale i tak poniżej oczekiwań.
May 26, 2017
I just finished the generously sized final issue of this arc, but haven't read the bound volume, to be published in May.
Though I'd love to talk about the story details, especially after this last issue, I'm keeping this review spoiler-free, as though I'm writing for someone who has not yet read Volumes One or Two, either.
This dystopian science fiction political thriller is deep, moving, and feels thoroughly real. Characters are so well realized. The world, covering a generation in time, and several planets, is rich and sprawling. Most of this story, now at the halfway point, follows the rise of a dictator from two timelines, showing his early life as a young rebel who comes to lead an uprising, and then the consequences of his rise, and the lives of those who followed him. It is darkly poignant, to a degree that I would now say feels eery and uncomfortable in the early months of 2017, as we see the rise of political extremism and violence in the world, as one man terrifyingly continues to remake the world's most powerful nation into a personality cult.
The art of Invisible Republic has continued to improve since Issue 1. Even Issue 15 seems to break new ground in detail and nuance that the series still has not seen. So too, the story is deepening and the intrigue is rising.
I will continue to read this title one issue at a time until the end. This wife and husband creative team, and their fantastic colourist, deserve the support. Besides that, every issue is generously supplied with thoughts on comics creation by Hardman, and essays on the natural world by Bechko. This book is an example of creator owned comics at its finest, easily in league with current titles such as Saga or The Walking Dead, and deserves to earn a place besides classics such as Sandman.
When people ask for a recommendation of a current title that shows comics at their finest today, this one is in the top five that I ever mention. If you love beautiful art, and challenging, dramatic, intelligent storytelling, with amazing world building and fully realized characters, read this Hugo award nominated political thriller.
Though I'd love to talk about the story details, especially after this last issue, I'm keeping this review spoiler-free, as though I'm writing for someone who has not yet read Volumes One or Two, either.
This dystopian science fiction political thriller is deep, moving, and feels thoroughly real. Characters are so well realized. The world, covering a generation in time, and several planets, is rich and sprawling. Most of this story, now at the halfway point, follows the rise of a dictator from two timelines, showing his early life as a young rebel who comes to lead an uprising, and then the consequences of his rise, and the lives of those who followed him. It is darkly poignant, to a degree that I would now say feels eery and uncomfortable in the early months of 2017, as we see the rise of political extremism and violence in the world, as one man terrifyingly continues to remake the world's most powerful nation into a personality cult.
The art of Invisible Republic has continued to improve since Issue 1. Even Issue 15 seems to break new ground in detail and nuance that the series still has not seen. So too, the story is deepening and the intrigue is rising.
I will continue to read this title one issue at a time until the end. This wife and husband creative team, and their fantastic colourist, deserve the support. Besides that, every issue is generously supplied with thoughts on comics creation by Hardman, and essays on the natural world by Bechko. This book is an example of creator owned comics at its finest, easily in league with current titles such as Saga or The Walking Dead, and deserves to earn a place besides classics such as Sandman.
When people ask for a recommendation of a current title that shows comics at their finest today, this one is in the top five that I ever mention. If you love beautiful art, and challenging, dramatic, intelligent storytelling, with amazing world building and fully realized characters, read this Hugo award nominated political thriller.
January 28, 2023
Allora, premessa...STUPENDO.
Allora perché solo 4 stelle e non 5?
La domanda da porsi è ...ma è finto ?
Io ho comprato l'edizione cartonata della Cosmo.
Nella descrizione del volume Cosmo la descrive come la raccolta INTEGRALE dell'intera opera.
Ma l'ultima pagina si ferma nel bel mezzo di un cliffhanger con un bel CONTINUA....scritto in maiuscolo.
Non voglio dilungarmi troppo, davvero una storia bellissima con disegni altrettanto accecati, copio incollo una mini trama che non è farina del mio sacco ma descriverà meglio di me cosa è Invisible Republic.
La serie racconta della luna Avalon, colonizzata dall’umanità diversi secoli nel futuro, ma non senza sacrifici. Questi ultimi per altro sono rimasti nell’ombra fino al terzo arco della serie, che solo ora sta gettando luce sul passato dell’ambientazione e sul suo rapporto con il resto dell’universo.
Quella che è iniziata come la storia di due fuggiaschi, Arthur e sua cugina Maia, scoperti nell’anno 2800 sulla spiaggia da alcuni soldati, è ormai diventata una vera e propria space opera, che viaggia parallelamente su almeno due piani temporali e su narrazioni interne non necessariamente affidabili. A distinguere i due tempi, oltre alle occasionali didascalie e ovviamente all’età dei personaggi, sono le cornici delle vignette, assenti nel 2840 e con bordo nero nel 2800.
I fatti dei primi anni del 2800 sono raccontati attraverso il diario di Maia Reveron, la cugina del dittatore caduto Arthur che è stata attentamente rimossa da quasi tutti i documenti. Nel 2840, il giornalista in disgrazia Croger Babb trova casualmente le sue memorie. Maia è però ancora viva e intende, o per lo meno così dice, portare a termine la rivoluzione che suo cugino ha iniziato e fallito, finendo per essere ricordato come un tiranno. Non vuole perciò che quei diari così privati siano resi pubblici, perché per il suo progetto ritiene di dover controllare la propria narrazione
Allora perché solo 4 stelle e non 5?
La domanda da porsi è ...ma è finto ?
Io ho comprato l'edizione cartonata della Cosmo.
Nella descrizione del volume Cosmo la descrive come la raccolta INTEGRALE dell'intera opera.
Ma l'ultima pagina si ferma nel bel mezzo di un cliffhanger con un bel CONTINUA....scritto in maiuscolo.
Non voglio dilungarmi troppo, davvero una storia bellissima con disegni altrettanto accecati, copio incollo una mini trama che non è farina del mio sacco ma descriverà meglio di me cosa è Invisible Republic.
La serie racconta della luna Avalon, colonizzata dall’umanità diversi secoli nel futuro, ma non senza sacrifici. Questi ultimi per altro sono rimasti nell’ombra fino al terzo arco della serie, che solo ora sta gettando luce sul passato dell’ambientazione e sul suo rapporto con il resto dell’universo.
Quella che è iniziata come la storia di due fuggiaschi, Arthur e sua cugina Maia, scoperti nell’anno 2800 sulla spiaggia da alcuni soldati, è ormai diventata una vera e propria space opera, che viaggia parallelamente su almeno due piani temporali e su narrazioni interne non necessariamente affidabili. A distinguere i due tempi, oltre alle occasionali didascalie e ovviamente all’età dei personaggi, sono le cornici delle vignette, assenti nel 2840 e con bordo nero nel 2800.
I fatti dei primi anni del 2800 sono raccontati attraverso il diario di Maia Reveron, la cugina del dittatore caduto Arthur che è stata attentamente rimossa da quasi tutti i documenti. Nel 2840, il giornalista in disgrazia Croger Babb trova casualmente le sue memorie. Maia è però ancora viva e intende, o per lo meno così dice, portare a termine la rivoluzione che suo cugino ha iniziato e fallito, finendo per essere ricordato come un tiranno. Non vuole perciò che quei diari così privati siano resi pubblici, perché per il suo progetto ritiene di dover controllare la propria narrazione
September 6, 2018
Well, I think this is where I get off this train. Spaceship. Whatever.
After a kickass second volume, we have an inexplicable time jump, and the problem of the first volume (past WAY more interesting than the present/frame story) is exacerbated here. Maia is really the only compelling character, and huge, potentially interesting events happened offstage and, yeah. After volume 2, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this, but this is clearly turning into something that's not for me.
After a kickass second volume, we have an inexplicable time jump, and the problem of the first volume (past WAY more interesting than the present/frame story) is exacerbated here. Maia is really the only compelling character, and huge, potentially interesting events happened offstage and, yeah. After volume 2, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this, but this is clearly turning into something that's not for me.
September 16, 2018
Volume 3 of this science fiction story in graphic novel form is every bit as good as Volume 2. This is a continuing story so the end leaves loose ends with the promise of continuation. I definitely think reading the prior volumes is required to appreciate this volume but the story builds very well with developing complexity.
February 1, 2019
I loved the art but the storytelling was too dense. Here’s a confession. After issue 11 I searched Wikipedia to read a plot summary to help me figure out what was happening. Lots of 42 year jumps back and forth that confounded me. Maia,Babb, McBride... I just couldn’t connect to them at times because of the plot twists but having said that I will continue to read the series.
May 18, 2017
The art and writing continue to be first rate. This volume continues the great story with even more complex twist and turns. I must admit that I'm getting a little lost so I'll be sure to reread the first 3 volumes as when the next one arrives.
July 27, 2017
Really, really well written. An important series in our troubled times. It perfectly presents the strange bedfellows of politics, dictatorship and revolution while also showing the frustration and confusion associated with them.
September 5, 2017
Really interesting read on its own, but I highly recommend rereading volume 2 if it's been a while. This opens with a time jump and little in way of attempts to catch you up with what happened at the end of the last volume, which was tough for me to break into the story again.
May 5, 2017
Political science fiction. I like.
October 3, 2017
The art is once again perfect. If you haven't read this series yet WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? Take it slow and enjoy every panel in some natural sunlight to fully appreciate this series.
November 24, 2017
My only gripe is that we have a long wait before the next half of the story comes out.
February 13, 2018
So-so comics. The drawings are good, but the story line leaves a lot to be desired.
July 4, 2018
Continuation of one of the most intelligent political SciFi graphic novels I’ve ever read.
August 17, 2018
I like this volume better than the previous one. I still feel like the series is missing a real evaluation or incorporation of themes.
December 23, 2018
This was such a good series, and then, like so many things today, it became ideological bullshit.
June 5, 2021
Of all the series that appear to have been quietly cancelled, this is the one that is most upsetting to me. Had it continued it could easily have ended up on my top 5 list.
December 30, 2022
Excellent Political, Hard Sci Fi. I can only wish that the series had continued and been brought to resolution.
September 3, 2024
Wouldn't mind watching a TV series based on this. These comics press my buttons and I'm glad to have found them, and the story has a density I enjoy. I do want more!
January 12, 2026
This is getting so good and then I find out it's been on hiatus since 2017... womp womp.
June 3, 2019
Switching back and forth between past and present is just as confusing now as in the previous volume. I'm certain now that I'm not focused enough when reading this story, so I'm missing important details. Or it's simply not for me. It's just too difficult to focus on what's important when the story moves at a snail's pace. It might be that it's crap, but somehow I refuse to believe it. Still, I wonder how healing a dog-like creature or a pregnancy are so pivotal to the story when the named characters barely do anything that compares to the protests staged by the regular people. While this last aspect would by far be the most entertaining, though it's less than obvious what all the fuss is about, its scale is trivialized. You never get the sense of a global movement when the author insists on focusing on impotent, lifeless, soap opera characters that I can't care less about.
I must conclude that this comic is a far cry from being a page turner. And the worst thing about it is that it's only half the story. It was only when I found this that I realised that this series was a waste of time.
I must conclude that this comic is a far cry from being a page turner. And the worst thing about it is that it's only half the story. It was only when I found this that I realised that this series was a waste of time.
May 21, 2017
The full ramifications of past and present actions begin to hit home in this arc
March 19, 2021
Read for the 2nd time...
April 22, 2017
*Received a digital galley from Image*
Maybe it was just that I had a delay between reading volume 2 and volume 3, but I found this one slightly more difficult to get in to. As the story grows more complex, there are more characters and story threads to keep track of.
That's really my only complaint, however - if it can even be called a complaint. I am consistently impressed with this series. I really enjoy the art. The twists of the plot are exciting, the story is engaging, and it's driven by interesting characters and consistently complex, solid storytelling.
Maybe it was just that I had a delay between reading volume 2 and volume 3, but I found this one slightly more difficult to get in to. As the story grows more complex, there are more characters and story threads to keep track of.
That's really my only complaint, however - if it can even be called a complaint. I am consistently impressed with this series. I really enjoy the art. The twists of the plot are exciting, the story is engaging, and it's driven by interesting characters and consistently complex, solid storytelling.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews