Invisible Republic #4 slows down significantly as the focus shifts this month. Acting as a breather of sorts after the tense action of the previous issue. Our bruised and battered protagonists soldier on in their harsh, unforgiving world.
WRITTEN BY: Gabriel Hardman & Corinna Bechko
ART BY: Gabriel Hardman, Jordan Boyd
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: June 24, 2015
42 years in the future and stealing the spotlight this round is Croger Babb. After a tense game of hide and seek last issue Babb was wounded but safe with his all too important bag. Although he narrowly escapes the organization that’s after the journal he posses are still out there. Maia on the other hand is discovering all the new difficulties that come along with becoming homeless. After she was violently separated from Arthur last issue she’s been experiencing the double edge sword of life without him. While she must fend for herself she’s also free of his malicious control. Along with both of their new challenges come allies, new and old.
There’s a distinct lack of set pieces this issue, shifting the focus inward instead. Babb’s egocentric personality is fleshed out a bit more. He’s slightly more endearing but still an utterly self centred asshole, which somehow hasn’t grown old yet. Conversely we watch Maia undergo some serious growing up all the while never losing her characteristic compassion.
Croger Babb’s story keeps the plot in motion and proves the more captivating of the two. Maia’s journey is more interesting hypothetically but in practice comes off dull. The bee keepers she ends up meeting offer nothing engaging and are a bore to read about. While Croger Babb’s storyline is overflowing with mystery and intrigue. This becomes more immediately apparent whenever the story shifts perspectives.
Invisible Republic #4 is the weakest issue yet but far from a failure. Characters and plot threads don’t advance much this issue and advances that do happen could’ve been done in significantly less pages. That being said the high quality visuals and dialogue, especially for Babb, elevate Invisible Republic above the norm.