You Won’t Believe the Shocking Real-World Influences in Grant Morrison’s The Invisibles!

The Invisibles” – A Semi-Autobiographical Adventure by Scottish Author Grant Morrison

This gripping narrative revolves around a band of anarchist freedom fighters from the Invisible College, headed by a character resembling Morrison himself, known as King Mob. Accompanied by an eclectic group that includes Lord Fanny, Jack Frost, and Ragged Robin, they engage in a relentless struggle against the oppressive forces of the Outer Church to liberate humanity.

At first glance, it may seem like a straightforward story, but its true appeal lies within the rich complexity hidden beneath its layers – a labyrinth of magic and intrigue that captivates readers who are willing to delve deeper. Those familiar with the film “The Matrix” can anticipate the depth and thought-provoking nature of “The Invisibles“. Here, the characters aren’t merely fighting against adversaries; they’re battling interdimensional deities who believe their victory is already assured. These individuals are not just ‘awake’; they embody the original, enlightened definition of being “woke”, challenging these god-like entities in a struggle for freedom and equality.

The portrayal here seems to condense the complexity of “The Invisibles” significantly, yet it effectively captures the essence of the tale, inviting potential newcomers. What sets “The Invisibles” apart within the Vertigo line is its skillful integration of elements from our world into the plot. Some of these elements are borrowed from existing conspiracy theories and popular beliefs, while others incorporate real-world figures into the Invisible College narrative.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to share some insights into Morrison’s captivating storytelling, where elements from our very world subtly seeped into his narrative. Some of these themes significantly shape the plot, while others enrich the overall setting. One topic that caught my attention right away was Morrison’s deliberate effort to preserve the comic from cancellation after its initial release. He spoke openly about this at the time and even interwove thoughts on magic into the storyline. Diving straight in, let’s explore how these elements contribute to the tale’s enchanting journey.

Keep moving down for additional insights and connections related to these subjects, as well as other intriguing information. If things start feeling strange or perplexing, take it as a sign that you’re delving deeper into unexplored territory; keep pushing forward.

1) Grant Morrison and Their ‘Chaos Magic Wankathon’

One significant reference in real life is the character of King Mob, who serves as a mirror image of Grant Morrison. Initially, King Mob represents a symbol or “sigil” that Morrison could utilize to enhance his personal life. This character embodies chaos magic, much like Morrison claims, and portrays himself as a “counterculture terrorist,” though he doesn’t always condone the violent acts he carries out. By the end of the series, King Mob distances himself from Morrison, but other aspects of Morrison’s personality can still be found throughout The Invisibles. To preserve the storyline, they even hold a “wankathon,” which is an event mentioned by Morrison in an interview with Barbelith.

At the age of 19, I tried a ritual from one of my books to see if it was effective, and it indeed worked! I experienced an unusual manifestation of energy that felt like a gravitational pull on me – let me assure you, this isn’t just nonsense. It was a powerful, emotional whirlwind or something similar, accompanied by a strange visual element. When I discovered it functioned, I started conducting numerous experiments with it and have continued to do so ever since, exploring its mechanics. In the 90s, Morrison stated that the work he was doing was magic.

The Invisibles served as an ongoing investigation into how closely I could align these phenomena by actually writing them down and making them occur. As is well-known to anyone who has read The Invisibles, my experiments eventually led me to the hospital.

The “Wankathon” – a globally initiated event with magical energy aimed at boosting sales of “The Invisibles” (according to Jill Thomson, it’s what landed me in the hospital!) – is indeed a thing, Morrison shared, chuckling. Additionally, he attributed the story’s origin to an alien abduction, claiming that they revealed the tale during a visit to Kathmandu.

2) Marquis De Sade

In addition to real-life factors impacting “The Invisibles,” a pivotal secondary character in the initial comic book versions, is also deeply intertwined. The notorious French author and hedonist, whose work, “The 120 Days of Sodom,” significantly shapes Morrison’s narrative, as elements of this fictional account are hinted to be based on truth. The primary libertines in the story serve roles within “The Invisibles” and continue to symbolize the “cruelty of humanity.

In a straightforward manner, Morrison tackles this concept head-on as the group journeys back to Revolutionary France, where they enlist the Tulpa of De Sade to become part of their team. This move also offers an opportunity for them to delve into themes concerning gender, race, and sexuality through De Sade’s fictional narrative.

3) Aleister Crowley

In the work “The Invisibles“, although Aleister Crowley himself doesn’t make an appearance, his influence can be sensed through some of his creations, particularly The Moonchild. In Crowley’s novel “Moonchild“, this magical entity is conceived by impregnating a woman with the spirit of an “otherworldly being.” This narrative also introduces the struggle between the black and white lodges, which eventually leads them to take sides during World War I, a conflict that shapes the story’s ultimate outcome.

In a departure from the usual narrative structure, “The Invisibles” introduces a fully-grown character called Moonchild, who is rumored to be bred from the British Royal Family’s bloodline and nurtured by the Outer Church. This character, often referred to as a beast, is kept hidden behind a mysterious mirror. The creature exhibits wild, unpredictable behavior, consuming its food with a foamy discharge that liquefies the carcasses it feeds on. Its purpose is to serve as a vessel for Rex Mundi, the leader of the Outer Church and the ruler of the Archons, malevolent cosmic entities believed to control world events from behind the curtains. This concept draws inspiration from teachings by Aleister Crowley.

4) Aum Shinrikyo / Aum Supreme Truth

The Japanese doomsday sect responsible for the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas incident was also involved in “The Invisibles.” Their charismatic leader, Shoko Asahara, appeared on television as two of his followers watched and waited for their next instructions. Though the sensational aspects of the cult may have created a terrifying boogeyman image, the truth is more complex, filled with tragedy, and tinged with sadness.

In a somewhat deceptive manner, Asahara, also known as Chizuo Matsumoto, led a cult and successfully attracted numerous educated individuals with his promises of levitation, predictions of an apocalypse, and secret teachings. His followers were persuaded to drink his bathwater, undergo what they believed was yoga but was actually shock therapy, and he claimed to possess extraordinary abilities, demonstrating them by making himself float. Ultimately, Asahara and six other cult members were executed in July 2018 for their involvement in a sarin gas attack on Tokyo that resulted in the deaths of 14 people.

5) 2012

Looking back, the Mayan prophecies from the late ’90s and early 2000s, which predicted the end of the world in 2012, were a source of amusement. However, at that time, they caused quite a stir as some places seemed to be heading towards turmoil. These predictions led to a surge in book sales, the creation of movies, and an influx of online content. In the end, it was all for naught, just a false alarm, much like a disappointing burger with no substance – a non-event, if you will. There is no impending doom related to the Mayan calendar.

The threats we face today may seem hollow, but in “The Invisibles,” the climax does arrive, leaving many puzzles unsolved for everyone. Is this just a recurring pattern across time? Could it be a tale spun by Ragged Robin? Perhaps it’s a game designed by an alternate version of King Mob? The answers could be numerous or none. It’s intended to symbolize progression or a restart, but with the wisdom from past experiences. That’s the charm of “The Invisibles,” yet a challenge for new readers. Regardless, our time together has ended. Back to work.

6) Roswell/Dulce Base

In the realm of “The Invisibles,” an event known as the Roswell incident took place, drawing attention to what became known as the mysterious “looking glass.” This artifact serves as a gateway to other dimensions, where characters such as Jack Frost and Moonchild have ventured into the malevolent universe of the Archons. On the opposite side, there exists a benevolent force symbolized by the Invisible College. The enigmatic silver substance that forms the looking glass is suggestive of the medium in which all universes float, with our own universe appearing as a flat plane to beings from these dimensions.

In relation to Dulce Base, it appears to be a fabrication, both within Morrison’s narrative and in reality. This notion, originating from UFO lore, presents an unusual scenario where extraterrestrials collaborate with humans, eventually leading to a conflict between the military and the base’s alien security forces. If this tale seems outlandish, rest assured that you are in sync with everyone else. Indeed, it is bizarre, yet intriguing. Dulce Base encapsulates the idea of secret underground bases operated by sinister organizations, as seen throughout various stories. The protagonists initially enter the base to recover a cure for AIDS but eventually become captives and subjected to brainwashing instead.

7) Queen Elizabeth and Other Real-World Figures

In “The Invisibles,” real-life individuals are integrated into the narrative to add complexity and sometimes distort historical events, concealing the true story, as depicted in the graphic novel. The Queen Elizabeth conspiracies aren’t unprecedented but often veer towards anti-Semitic beliefs due to the ‘lizard people’ claims. However, in Morrison’s work, the Queen is under the control of the Archons and even swears the Moonchild into service as it transitions to a new body. Additionally, Robert Oppenheimer, who interacts with the magic mirror, quotes his well-known lines from the “Bhagavad Gita,” “Now I am become death, the Destroyer of Worlds.” Notably, Lord Byron, Percy Shelley, and Mary Shelley are portrayed as previous team members.

Ultimately, “The Invisibles” weaves together a tale so complex that it may require multiple reads to fully grasp. These books are essential additions to your collection due to their ambitious approach to challenging topics. Diving into the four volumes available for purchase could lead you on a journey filled with confusion and questions. However, getting lost in this narrative might not be such a bad thing, as being lost can take various forms.

2025-06-08 15:41