Universal Monsters: Invisible Man #1
Creative Team
writers: JAMES TYNION IV
artist: DANI
colorist: BRAD SIMPSON
letterer: BECCA CAREY
publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Reviewed by Rossano D’Angelo
Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man #1 delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche, showing how the eager curiosity of a scientist can turn him into a monster.
James Tynion IV returns with a new Universal Monsters story, this time focusing on one of the most iconic figures in horror history: the Invisible Man.
The story begins with Jack Griffin, an assistant in the laboratory of Doctor Cranley, a chemist renowned for his work on food preservatives. Griffin enjoys experimenting with the chemicals they order, and one substance in particular catches his attention: monocaine, a derivative of cyanide. He discovers that, in the right dose, it can drain pigment from a subject’s skin. Fascinated, Jack begins testing it on the lab mice, who soon become the first victims of his twisted curiosity. But it’s not just invisibility that the substance produces - the mice also show an increase in intelligence.
Not even the woman he loves can pull him away from this ambition. His consuming curiosity drags him deeper into darkness, pushing him toward a place where not even his humanity can save him.
What makes this first issue especially compelling is how Tynion handles Griffin’s descent. Even readers who have never seen the classic film will be drawn in by the way the narrative slowly peels back the layers of his mind. Griffin isn’t presented as a monster right away; instead, we witness a gradual, unsettling journey into madness. And while we don’t see it in this opening chapter, it’s clear - thanks to the powerful storytelling - that experimenting on mice won’t satisfy Jack for long.
All this is accompanied by the solid artwork by Dani that mirrors Jack’s state of mind: sharp and rational, yet tinged with chaos. The art delivers the message without dwelling on excessive detail, while still making the reader feel the urgency of Jack’s thirst for knowledge. This effect is further enhanced by the coloring of Brad Simpson, whose use of accentuating tones makes for a perfect fit with the story.
Final Verdict
Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man #1 doesn’t simply retrace the story cinephiles know as a masterpiece of horror cinema. Instead, it expands on it, digging deeper into Jack Griffin’s psychology and giving his descent into madness a fresh urgency that feels both timeless and unsettling. It’s a powerful start — and one that’s definitely worth keeping an eye on in the weeks and months to come.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.5 |
| Story/Plot | 9.5 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.5 |
| Colors | 9.5 |
| Final Score | 9.5/10 |