Analyse the Invisibles? Whooo, baby, this'll be a long one.

The Invisibles is a heavy series, full of metafictional and metaphysical elements, obscure references and symbolism. Due to the nature of the work, the Invisibles is highly open to interpretation, so this is just AN interpretation.

!Symbolism and recurring motifs:

A lot of the more confusing and mind screw-y elements of the Invisibles are just allegories, symbolism or puns meant to convey the actual message.

This is some of the symbolism in The Invisibles explained:

* The labyrinth: The labyrinth represents the journey of self-discovery and the search for truth. It is a symbol of the unconscious mind and the mysteries of the psyche.
* The Fool: The Fool is a Tarot card that represents the beginning of a journey and the potential for new beginnings. It is often associated with the character of Jack Frost, who is a rookie Invisible.
* The Tree of Life: The Tree of Life is a symbol from Kabbalah that represents the structure of the universe and the path to enlightenment.
* The Moonchild: The Moonchild is a concept from Aleister Crowley's writings that represents the ultimate spiritual goal of uniting the conscious and unconscious minds. In the comic, the Moonchild is that but [[PlayedForHorror played for horror]]: When it's crowned, the King-Of-All-Tears will cross to our world and unite all manking... under its authoritarian fascistic regime.
* The Anarchist symbol: The Anarchist symbol represents the Invisibles' philosophy of rejecting authority and embracing individual freedom.
* The phoenix: The phoenix is a mythical bird that is reborn from its own ashes. It is a symbol of transformation and rebirth, often associated with characters who undergo significant personal growth or change.
* The color red: The color red is often used to represent passion, intensity, and danger. It is associated with characters who are rebels, revolutionaries, or otherwise outside the mainstream.
* The black sun: The black sun (or a figure similar to it, like the eclipse) is a symbol of hidden knowledge and the power of the unconscious mind.
* The chrysalis: The chrysalis is a symbol of transformation and metamorphosis. It is often associated with characters who are undergoing a process of personal growth or evolution.
* The serpent: The serpent is a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, and temptation. It is often associated with characters who possess secret knowledge like the Blind Chessman.
* The ouroboros: The ouroboros is a symbol of infinity and the cyclical nature of existence, which ties to one of the themes of the Invisibles of eternalism and all things being one thing.
* The mirror: The mirror is a symbol of reflection and self-examination. It usually appears as the magic mirror, which will be discussed further.

!Magic

Magic is a prominent theme throughout The Invisibles, and it is depicted as a force that can be used to manipulate reality, bend time and space, and access other dimensions. The characters use various magical practices, including shamanism, chaos magick, voodoo, and Hermeticism.

Magic in The Invisibles is often linked to the power of the imagination and the ability to create and shape reality through thought and intention. The characters often use visualization and ritual to manifest their desires and manipulate the fabric of the universe.

The concept of "sigils" is also important in The Invisibles, which are symbols that are charged with intention and used to focus the will of the practitioner. The characters use sigils to cast spells, create servitors (magical constructs), and to communicate with other dimensions.

The Invisibles also explores the idea that reality itself is a kind of magical construct, created and sustained by the collective imagination of humanity. By changing our beliefs and perceptions, we can alter the world around us and manifest new realities.

!What/who is Barbelith?

Barbelith is a central concept in "The Invisibles" that represents the highest level of consciousness and spiritual awareness that a human being can achieve. In the story, Barbelith is described as a "hyper-sigil," a symbol that is so powerful it can shape reality itself.

According to the mythology of "The Invisibles," Barbelith is an artificial satellite that's the link between the Invisible College and our reality. It is also the gateway to the higher dimensions of reality, and those who achieve a state of enlightenment are said to be able to access it. It is often depicted as a red sun or a void, symbolizing the infinite potential and unknown possibilities that exist beyond the limits of human understanding. It is also a state of mind, a spiritual awakening, the realization that there is more to reality than it appears.

Finally, Barbelith represents the idea of transcending the limitations of the physical world and accessing higher levels of consciousness and knowledge. It serves as a central concept in "The Invisibles," representing the search for enlightenment and the struggle against oppressive forces that seek to suppress individual freedom and spiritual exploration.

In the final issue, NASA makes contact with Barbelith, who "pops", signalizing humanity achieving Nirvana.

Barbelith is based on VALIS, a concept present in Philip K. Dick's works, a satellite sent to establish connection between humanity and an alien race. The concept of Barbelith is also heavily influenced by the work of philosopher and mystic Aleister Crowley, who used the term "Barbelo" to refer to the primal creative force in the universe. The name "Barbelith" is likely a play on words, combining "Barbelo" with the biblical city of Bethel, which was said to be a site of divine revelation.

!Eternalism:

Eternalism is a philosophical concept that appears in "The Invisibles" as a central theme. It refers to the idea that all events, past, present, and future, are equally real and exist simultaneously. This concept is linked to the idea of determinism, which posits that all events are determined by prior causes and conditions, and that the future is already set.

In "The Invisibles," the idea of eternalism is particularly obvious when Fanny is doing her ritual of initiation with Tlazoteotl. There, she sees different moments in her life, such as her rape, her drugging in the drag club and even her eventual death. This ability challenges traditional notions of causality and linear time, suggesting that all moments are interconnected and equally real. The timesuit works similarly: It is told to us that it moves through the dimensions of time, ergo, the same way we can move on three dimensions on the present space, all available at the same time, we can move on other "directions" in time, all also available at all time.

The theme of eternalism also ties into the larger metaphysical and spiritual ideas presented in "The Invisibles," particularly the notion of a multiverse and the idea that all realities and possibilities exist simultaneously. The concept of eternalism suggests that these multiple realities are not separate or distinct, but rather existing together as a unified whole.


!What's a fiction suit?

A fiction suit is a concept that refers to the idea that our identities and beliefs are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves and others. According to this concept, our lives are like a "fiction suit" that we wear, made up of the stories we believe about ourselves, our culture, and our society.

The concept of the fiction suit is closely tied to the idea of magic in "The Invisibles." By recognizing the power of stories and beliefs, the Invisibles are able to use magic to shape their own reality and create the future they desire. They understand that the universe is fundamentally malleable, and that they have the ability to shape it through their thoughts and intentions.

On a broader sense, Morrison has said a fiction suit is the avatar one uses when introducing oneself in a story. When they appear at issue 27 of Animal Man, that's really them but wearing a fiction suit to interact with their characters. This is present in The Invisibles in the interpretation that the story is a self-insert fanfic that Ragged Robin wrote, which makes the Rags of the story a fiction suit made by the real Kay.

!What's a magic mirror?/What's that blue goo that keeps popping up?

That blue goo is a magic mirror. It frequently emanates from characters like Jack Frost and Lord Fanny when they are engaging in powerful acts of sorcery (typically being vomited up in the process).

It tends to be drawn as a bluish-silver mercurial substance almost like the globules inside a lava lamp. In the second volume it’s revealed that the thing that was captured in Roswell in 1947 is an entity composed of this substance. So what is it? Plotinus, the third century Greek philosopher and founder of Neoplatonism, would call this substance The One. Plotinus was an idealist monist. He believed that everything was resolvable to one fundamental substance or reality, and everything emanates from that reality. The One is an ineffable substance that is the highest level of reality. Modern Westerners would call this God. Because literally all substance and reality can be broken down to The One, then that means humanity itself is a microcosm of The One. Therefore for humanity to achieve salvation or enlightenment, it needs to engage in an ontological mystic process to merge with The One and become indistinguishable from it. In other words, humanity’s salvation is to become one with God. Now let’s apply this to The Invisibles. When Jack Frost and Lord Fanny engage in mystical practices and produce Magic Mirror, they are briefly achieving a kind of enlightenment by realizing that their inherent nature is being part of The One and tapping into that power.

Morrison’s infamous Kathmandu experience clearly colored their idea of what the nature of reality is, so Magic Mirror/The One/God might be the ultimate substance of the divine but there can be physical representations of it. The Roswell incident is basically portrayed as one of these physical representations of God (that looks strikingly like what Morrison described during their Kathmandu experience) that created the universe we inhabit accidentally falling into its own creation and becoming imprisoned. This is implied to have been connected to the use of nuclear weapons. The Outer Church and its demonic adherents (known as Archons) seize on the opportunity to stream into our reality and imprison this piece of their creator and bend it to their evil whims. What a bunch of jerks.

!Fiction and reality:

The Invisibles often deals with the concept of reality and fiction. The series blurs the lines between what is real and what is imaginary, and explores the idea that reality is shaped by our perception of it. The series uses a variety of mystical and magical themes, drawing on traditions such as Kabbalah, voodoo, and shamanism.

One of the key themes of The Invisibles is the idea that our perception of reality is malleable and can be manipulated. Characters in the series often use magic or other means to alter their perceptions or the perceptions of others. This reflects the idea that our understanding of the world is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves, and that those stories can be changed or subverted.

The series also explores the idea that reality is a collective construct, created and maintained by our collective beliefs and perceptions. Characters in the series work to disrupt the dominant narratives of power and control, in order to create a more open and free reality.

In many ways, The Invisibles can be seen as a critique of the dominant paradigms of Western culture, which often prioritize rationality and objectivity over the subjective experiences of individuals. The series suggests that our understanding of reality is always shaped by our subjective experiences, and that the stories we tell ourselves can be just as real as the physical world around us.

!Metafiction and the fourth wall:

The Invisibles is well-known for its use of metafiction, which is a literary technique that breaks the traditional narrative boundaries and acknowledges the work's fictionality. The series often blurs the lines between reality and fiction, challenging readers to question what is real and what is not.

One example of metafiction in The Invisibles is the use of King Mob, who is modeled after writer Grant Morrison himself. King Mob occasionally breaks the fourth wall by addressing the reader directly or commenting on the comic book form, such as when he says "I'm breaking the page up into bite-size chunks to fit your limited attention span." This self-referentiality reinforces the idea that The Invisibles is a work of fiction and invites readers to engage with the narrative on a deeper level.

As said, in The Invisibles, there are several instances where the fourth wall is broken. The characters often speak directly to the reader, acknowledging that they are in a comic book. In issue #12, King Mob says, "We're characters in a comic book, remember? Reality doesn't mean squat." In issue #18, the characters comment on the comic book medium itself, saying "This is what happens in comics - the story starts to take over."

The series also employs various other metafictional devices, such as dream sequences that blur the line between reality and fantasy, characters who exist both inside and outside of the narrative, and references to other works of fiction and pop culture. All of these elements combine to create a complex and layered work that challenges traditional storytelling conventions and invites readers to question their own perceptions of reality.

!Language and its power:

Language and reality are important themes in "The Invisibles" comic book series. In the series, the characters explore the concept of language and how it shapes our understanding of reality. They believe that language is not simply a means of communication, but rather a tool for shaping and constructing reality itself.

The Invisibles believe that the Archons, who represent the forces of control and oppression, use language as a means of controlling humanity. During KM's torture sequence, Sir Miles mentions that the whole alphabet is just the name of a very powerful demon who limits human understanding and consciousness by not having enough letters/words to express themselves. That's why characters such as Helga are so powerful and can defeat Sir Miles, because she has developed a full alphabet that can express much larger and complex ideas that wound Delacourt philosophically. When she reads an alien alphabet while high on Key-23 she sees Terrence [=McKenna=]'s Machine-Elves trying to mine the word "master" out of our vocabaulary. The Achrons use language to create a false reality, one that is based on fear, anxiety, and submission, and the Invisibles seek to break free from this false reality and create a new one based on freedom, creativity, and self-expression.

Another main theme of ''The Invisibles'' is the Sapir-Whorf theory, that states that language is key to shape our views of the world. Sure enough, in ''The Invisibles'''s universe words are the same as what they represent, which is obvious when King Mob makes the King Archon blow up with the word "pop".

!Freedom:

"The Invisibles" explores the concept of freedom in various ways. The series portrays the struggle of the Invisibles fighting against the oppressive forces of the Archons, who seek to control humanity and restrict their freedom. The Invisibles' fight for freedom is not only physical but also spiritual and philosophical.

King Mob represents a certain idea of freedom. He is a violent, anarchic rebel who seeks to overthrow the Archons and establish a new order. His character represents the idea of individualism, where freedom is achieved through the destruction of all constraints and the assertion of the self.

On the other hand, the character of Dane [=MacGowan=] represents a more humanistic approach to freedom. He seeks to establish a world where people are free to be themselves, without the need for violence or destruction. His character represents the idea of community and collective freedom, where individuals can express themselves freely within a society that values diversity and inclusivity.

The concept of freedom is also explored through the Invisibles' encounters with various magical and spiritual beings. These entities represent different aspects of reality and offer the Invisibles new perspectives on the nature of freedom and the universe: personal, social or cosmic.

!What is the Supercontext?

The Supercontext is a term used to describe the underlying, interconnected fabric of reality that exists beyond individual perceptions and experiences. It is a sort of meta-reality that includes all things and all possibilities, and can only be accessed by transcending the limitations of the physical world and the ego. It represents the idea that there is more to reality than what we can perceive with our limited senses and understanding. It encourages the reader to question their assumptions about the nature of existence and the possibilities for personal growth and transformation.

!The importance of De Sade:

In "The Invisibles," the Marquis de Sade is a recurring character and an important influence on the story.

One possible interpretation of de Sade in "The Invisibles" is that he represents the power of transgression and the rejection of societal norms. De Sade was known for his controversial and provocative writings, which challenged the moral and social codes of his time. In "The Invisibles," de Sade's rejection of societal norms is depicted as a powerful force for change, inspiring the other characters to question their own assumptions and push beyond their limitations.

In addition to this interpretation, de Sade also represents a complex and contradictory figure. While he is depicted as a powerful force for change and transformation, he is also associated with violence and sadism, reflecting the darker aspects of human nature.

!The Black Sun/The Eclipse:

The eclipse is a recurring motif in The Invisibles, symbolizing a moment of change and transformation. In the series, the eclipse is often associated with moments of great power or upheaval, and characters often refer to it as a time when the veil between worlds is thinnest. This suggests that the eclipse is a time when the boundaries between reality and the supernatural are blurred, and it is often used as a time for characters to achieve great feats or make significant changes in their lives.

For example, in the first volume of The Invisibles, Dane accepts his role as humanity's saviour after being abducted by Barbelith, who looks like an eclipse. Similarly, the eclipse is also used to mark the birth of the Moonchild.

The eclipse is a powerful symbol in The Invisibles, representing a moment of change and transformation, and suggesting that the boundaries between reality and the supernatural are more fluid than we might think.