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‘Invisible Kingdom: Volume 1’ – Advance Trade Paperback Review

Invisible Kingdom follows the crew of a cargo ship working for a giant corporation that spans the universe. The Captain, Grix, is a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, but brilliant, pilot.

A woman, Vess, is one of the few remaining reproductive vessels in her alien culture. Instead of being that vessel, she decides to seek out the life of the Renunciation, essentially a space enclave called the Siblings of Severity; nuns working towards the Invisible Kingdom.

The corporation hates the enclave. The enclave hates the corporation.

“For the path is not straight: it turns and fades. And leads you among lost places.” You know that Grix and Vess will eventually cross paths, and G. Willow Wilson drops us right in the middle of the beginning of their journey. You get to know them by seeing them act and react as opposed to dumping exposition on us right away. It makes for a much more dynamic read.

Wilson is a phenomenal writer. I’ve been reading her comics since Air (an alternate reality Amelia Earhart sci-fi adventure) and, of course, the incredible Ms. Marvel. Not only is Invisible Kingdom another wickedly fun sci-fi space adventure to add to her growing library, but Wilson has something to say about blind faith. As secrets are uncovered, the worlds of both Grix and Vess are shaken, putting them in conflict with some heavy hitters.

I discovered Christian Ward’s artwork in Matt Fraction’s Ody-C, and once again he brings his hyper-vibrant palettes to the page. With such a wide selection of colors being used, you might think that it would get muddy and murky, but the artist is a wizard. Every page blossoms with so much life; it’s difficult not to stare in awe.

I have to say that I’m extremely happy that the creators are veering away from the ice box look of sci-fi; it’s not that I don’t love that, but, often times, the beauty and mystery of space is lost.

Wilson and Ward together find the fun and intelligence in space adventuring.

Creative team: G. Willow Wilson (writer), Christian Ward (artist), Sal Cipriano (letterer), Karen Berger (editor)
Publisher: Darkhorse Comics and Berger Books
Click here to purchase.

Phillip Kelly, Fanbase Press Contributor

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