The Invisibles (Vol.3) #12 (of12)
by Grant Morrison & Philip Bond

In this issue, we are caught up to speed (or in my case, introduced) with what has happened in the past two volumes. And then the groundwork is laid for the final twelve issues of The Invisibles. By the way, this first issue is numbered twelve because they're counting down. It's the end of the world, silly!

In England, the psychic detectives of Division X are tracking Sir Miles Delacourt, a man who seems to have been involved in many major world events over the past couple of decades. He is at a warehouse, picking up what may or may not be an extra-dimensional entity, whom is to be placed on the throne of England by Sir Miles on August 11. This will speed-up the end of the world, which is on-track to arrive on December 22, 2012. By the way, this 12/22/12 end-of-the-world is one of the major plot points of this book's run.

In the Invisibles training academy in North Africa, Jack Frost, who "may well be the future Buddha, the new messiah for the Age to Come" according to the intro, is learning how to fight correctly. In India, there are plans being made to use a satellite overtaken by The Invisbles (the book's protagonists, if you haven't figured that out yet) to broadcast propaganda over existing television shows.

Also in this issue, the lead inspector of Division X is abducted, and we learn something VERY interesting about Princess Diana's death. But I won't spoil it for you.

I will recommend this comic with every fiber in my body. It makes The X-Files (a fine show in it's own right) seem like Saved By The Bell. Grant Morrison is a wonderful writer, who has done much research into the topics covered in this comic. He stands by his claim that everything in it is true, except for the conspiracy by extra-dimensional forces to end the world. Philip Bond, whom I mainly remember as the guy who's pubic hair provided the setting of an old issue of the magnificent British Tank Girl, does a nice job with the artwork. Speaking of Tank Girl, I'm sure Jamie Hewlett would have a field day with this comic. Oh, and Brian Bolland does a nice job with the cover, which made Peter not want to read the comic. But it really does make sense after you read the book.

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Michael Keegan
4.3.1999