Breaking Bad meets Blade Runner. Arthur McBride’s planetary regime has fallen. His story is over. That is until reporter Croger Babb discovers the journal of Arthur’s cousin, Maia. Inside is the violent, audacious hidden history of the legendary freedom fighter. Erased from the official record, Maia alone knows how dangerous her cousin really is…

This interesting “gritty epic” was the surprise of the week for me so far. I’ve generally enjoyed the previous work of writers Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko, but didn’t know too much going into this first issue. Not knowing much I think was what made the difference. I wasn’t expecting the story to be about a journalist, and the dual perspectives it’s told from is a breath of fresh air in comics. It caught me off-guard in a good way and it all made me immediately want to read more.

What I liked as well is how the story evolved, playing out like a mystery, and we learn as the main character Croger Babb learns as well. The flow and pacing are top-notch due to that as well.

The art by Hardman and Jordan Boyd has a gritty style that perfectly captures the landscape that’s been ravaged by war. The two present a city that’s now dealing with the ramifications of what’s happened, and small details in every panel helps enhance it all.

Invisible Republic #1 is one of the strongest debuts so far of 2015, and I can’t wait until I get a chance to read the second issue and see where it all goes.

Story: Gabriel Hardman, Corinna Bechko Art: Gabriel Hardman, Jordan Boyd
Story: Art: Overall: Recommendation:

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review