Anarchy for the Masses: The Disinformation Guide to the Invisibles

When I'm waiting in line this weekend to see The Matrix: Reloaded, chances are I'm going to re-reading the graphic novel series The Invisibles that, even though the Wachowskis haven't admitted this, largely influenced their blockbuster films. Created by Scottish writer Grant Morrison in 1994, The Invisibles took the conspiracy theories of X-Files and turned them into something even darker, fusing them with an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink mixture of Aztec mythology, time travel, Enlightenment and Situationist philosophy, mind-altering substances, transgenderism, rebellion, and pre-millennial angst. Led by the bald-headed and sunglasses wearing leader (sound familiar?) King Mob, the Invisbles were a group of freedom fighters (although in post 9-11 discourse, they would probably be called terrorists), dating back before the French Revolution, dedicated to fighting the establishment, who made deals with demons and controlled the population with dark magicks.

What made Morrison's comic so intriguing was his ability to weave a myriad of sources and ideas into a story that appealed to both angry post-adolescents and readers with advanced degrees in literary theory. But like the cinematic Matrix, even a reasonably informed reading of The Invisibles could only scratch the surface of its meaning. Sure, it was pretty easy to guess that in one sequence, where the characters were invoking the ghost of John Lennon, there was an attempt to link the Beatles to the beetle that carries the sun in Egyptian mythology. But what can one do when characters start speaking of Russian revolutionaries such as Kropotkin or Lenin? Or, when you read further and see an apple, which is the Beatles record label and a symbol of forbidden knowledge in Christianity? Or, even just the play on words between the homophonic names of Lennon and Lenin? Who would have thought that reading a comic book could be so draining and enlightening?

Well, I'm happy to say that the good folks at Disinformation have published Anarchy for the Masses: The Disinformation Guide to The Invisibles, a guidebook to help readers decipher all the layers of meaning and symbolism contained in Morrison's mind-blowing series. Authors Patrick Neighly and Kereth Cowe-Spigai have done a commendable job of connecting the dots for readers. Each issue of the comic has its own chapter, providing both a synopsis of the action and copious notes explaining the people, places and possible symbolism contained within. Even after reading this series at least a dozen times in its entirety, I found myself amazed at how many things I overlooked, or just wasn't aware of. The book also has original interviews with Grant Morrision and many of the artists involved with The Invisibles, which further expanded my understanding of it.

Whether new to the series, or a longtime reader, there is much treasure to be mined from this volume. The Matrix may have me in its grip, but The Invisibles had me first, and I highly recommend that fans who enjoy the film check out this book, as well as the original series, which is readily available in paperback.

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