The ’90s Defining Comic: Grant Morrison’s Unforgettable Series

by

The ’90s are often criticized for their comic book quality, and with good reason. This era saw an increase in superstar artists, leading Marvel and Image Comics to focus more on style rather than substance, resulting in many poor-quality comics. While DC Comics was attempting to replicate the success of “The Death of Superman,” they were also producing some of the best written superhero comics ever. Meanwhile, independent publishers like Image, Dark Horse, Valiant, and more provided alternatives to the Big Two, with DC’s Vertigo line offering similar quality. However, it should be noted that there were many excellent comics from this era, particularly those by DC’s innovative creator, Grant Morrison. Notable works include “Animal Man” and “Doom Patrol,” which introduced a surreal edge to comics that had been absent for years. Furthermore, the launch of Vertigo in 1993 saw Morrison deliver one of the greatest comics ever — “The Invisibles.

Unlike many other titles under Vertigo Comics, known for their darkly British and gothic style due to the influence of its creators who were part of DC’s British Invasion, “The Invisibles” stood out as a unique piece. Reflecting the spirit of the ’90s, it tapped into an energy that is distinctively from this era, making it one of the most complex and intriguing comics ever written, offering endless layers of rewards to its readers. Truly embodying the essence of the ’90s, “The Invisibles” encapsulates a period in comic books and pop culture that is often misunderstood by those who followed later.

The Invisibles Captured the ’90s in All Their Messy Glory

It’s surprising how challenging it can be to encapsulate the ’90s era. This epoch was significantly influenced by Generation X and Xennials, who grew up in a world largely shaped by the Baby Boomers. They inherited not only their distaste for authority but also their penchant for hedonism from this generation. The ’90s saw the popularization of conspiracy theories, which the Baby Boomers held dear more than most might suspect. Since the assassination of JFK, the Vietnam War, and Watergate, there was a pervasive belief that the government could not be trusted and that it harbored countless secrets.

Furthermore, electronic dance music reached unprecedented heights, fostering a rave culture centered around substances like MDMA, ketamine, LSD, and others that provided users with feelings of euphoria. The musical landscape was also undergoing change; hip hop was gaining prominence while rock was losing its grip, with grunge and alternative rock marking the final stages of the rock era. There was an optimistic aura to the ’90s, particularly for citizens of the US, UK, and their allies, as booming economies and emerging technology instilled a sense of hopefulness and utopianism, suggesting a bright future if we could surmount the destructive and self-centered behaviors of the older generations.

The evolution of comics was significant during this time. DC Comics introduced a novel style, often referred to as their “British Invasion,” which presented readers with a more sophisticated and mature form of storytelling. This wasn’t merely about increased violence or explicit language, but rather exploring complex themes that transcended the straightforward moral tales typical of superhero comics. Readers seeking something fresh found it in DC’s mature-themed comics, eventually leading to the creation of Vertigo Comics.

The emergence of the goth subculture in the early ’90s greatly impacted narratives, but it was Grant Morrison who introduced the comic industry to this influence with his groundbreaking work, The Invisibles. Immersed in club culture and the new wave of occultism that favored chaos magic over traditional rituals and rules, Morrison also drew inspiration from fashion. This fusion of ’60s mod style and cyberpunk aesthetics, popular in dance clubs globally, was reflected in The Invisibles. The series discarded the nostalgia of the past, particularly that associated with the Beatles, in favor of a bold, uncertain future.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way:

In the world of the book, the central struggle was between The Invisibles, a band of rebels fighting for ontological freedom against the oppressive regime of The Outer Church. This sinister entity was a blend of Lovecraftian horrors and advanced technology, enforced by a brutal fascist system. They held power over the world, ruling from their twisted, orderly alternate dimension. In stark contrast, The Invisibles embodied an exhilarating chaos, striving for absolute freedom. This story was like a supercharged version of shows such as The X-Files, and Alan Moore took it to new heights with his cast of characters – King Mob, Lord Fanny, Ragged Robin, Boy, and Jack Frost. These individuals, who could easily fit in at any London dance club with their shiny vinyl, dark leather, and Adidas trainers, were also skilled in handling weapons and explosives.

The ambiance of “The Invisibles” echoed the spirit of the ’90s. Morrison skillfully blended elements such as sex, drugs, dance music, intrigue, occultism, and rampant violence in movies like “Natural Born Killers” and “Reservoir Dogs,” against the backdrop of the optimism that defined the era. The struggle between “The Invisibles” and “The Outer Church” mirrored our daily battles, with the ultimate goal being a world brimming with beautiful chaos and love, or one fueled by hate and oppressive order. The utopian ideals of “The Invisibles” were deeply ingrained; though victory seemed elusive at times, they fought for it because their success would usher in a brighter future for all. Reading “The Invisibles” is as thought-provoking as any drug passed to you at 3am during a rave in a grungy warehouse, and by the end, you’ll be left feeling transformed forever.

The Invisibles Is the ’90s Filtered Through the Comic Page

The Invisibles is a rare kind of comic book that emerges infrequently. It masterfully encapsulates the ethos of an entire decade, offering a visionary portrayal of utopia that consistently leaves readers astonished by its audacity. The ’90s were undeniably peculiar; there was a pervasive sense of liberty and optimism, despite the subtly tightening grip of control. The end of the Cold War ushered in an era where change seemed imminent and improvements on the horizon. There was a belief that we could break free from the ideological grasp of the Outer Church – conformity, hierarchical order, stark class distinctions, dominance and subservience – to create a world devoid of visibility, a place that would be the ultimate dance floor where the beat never stopped and the attractive person in latex was always smiling at you.

Absolutely, everyone is aware of how things unfolded. The Invisibles successfully preserved their realm from the mighty, but unfortunately, in our reality, we let the pressures of uniformity, masquerading as our fellow dreamers and secret agents with malicious intentions similar to those of the Outer Church, lead us down a harmful path. The Invisibles managed to encapsulate the spirit of the ’90s, providing us with a blueprint for resistance and renewal that we believed we were adhering to. It’s a singular piece from a decade lacking many others like it, and while the battle was lost in the real world, it remains intriguing to read and contemplate what might have transpired if love had prevailed.

Read More

2025-04-07 01:40