Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man #1: Perception Embodied

The Universal Monsters line from Image’s Skybound imprint has been remarkably successful in reimagining and breathing new life into classic monster tales. By revisiting iconic stories such as Dracula and The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the series has proven it can both honor the legacy of the Universal Monsters while also offering fresh, modern perspectives that resonate with today’s readers. Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man continues this trend, with writer James Tynion IV returning to the line to tackle the tragic and unnerving story of Jack Griffin. In Tynion’s hands, Griffin is not merely a scientist who stumbles into horror, but a deeply troubled individual desperate to make himself as invisible as he already believes he is in the eyes of society.

Tynion excels at building this world and diving deep into Griffin’s psyche, peeling back the layers of paranoia, isolation, and obsession that define the character. The narrative does not simply present Griffin as a villain; instead, it allows readers to sit inside his head, experiencing firsthand the spiral into madness that pushes him to create the very formula that ultimately consumes him. This emphasis on mental instability provides the story with a sense of tragedy, grounding the horror in something disturbingly human. The paranoia that drives Griffin is not just a symptom of his fractured mind, it becomes the justification for his descent into monstrosity.

What makes this book especially compelling is how distinct it feels from the other entries in the Universal Monsters line. Tynion previously explored gothic terror with Dracula, leaning into themes of immortality, temptation, and corruption. Here, however, the tone shifts to psychological horror. Griffin’s story is not about supernatural forces but about the dangers of unchecked obsession, the fragility of the human mind, and the lengths one might go to escape being seen, or unseen, by the world around them. This makes The Invisible Man stand out while still fitting seamlessly into the overarching vision of the line.

The art, provided by Dani, elevates the story even further. Dani captures the period setting with striking accuracy, evoking the atmosphere of the classic Universal Monster films while simultaneously weaving in modern stylistic choices. The visual storytelling feels like a careful balance between the past and the present. The heavy use of shadows, moody compositions, and stark contrasts infuse the pages with a noir sensibility that feels reminiscent of artists like Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, yet wholly original in execution. The art does more than simply illustrate the story, it establishes tone, creating a haunting sense of dread and unease that lingers long after the page is turned.

Dani’s work also humanizes Griffin. The way facial expressions are rendered, often twisted in paranoia, fear, or rage, makes the character’s unraveling believable. At the same time, the design of the world itself reflects Griffin’s fractured state of mind: claustrophobic interiors, looming shadows, and fractured angles that echo the instability of his psyche. The synergy between Tynion’s script and Dani’s visuals is seamless, making this one of the most thematically cohesive and visually distinct entries in the Universal Monsters series so far.