Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man #4 – A Chilling Conclusion

Issue #4 of Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man drives home Jack Griffin’s deeply layered characterization harder than any of the preceding issues. With the twist of fate at the end of last month’s issue #3, Jack’s arrogance and obsession both reach a fever pitch that drive him to take a risk without his characteristic scientific calculations. Having his back against the wall pushes Jack to throw caution to the wind, driving most of the plot’s narrative forward.

James Tynion IV uses the dialogue in this issue to reinforce the normalcy of Jack’s world rather than build on the suspense or horror. This approach highlights Jack’s psychology in a way that makes him seem more pitiful than horrific. The writing here wastes no time and jumps right through the usual fluff that many horror comics adorn their ending issues with.

In the past three issues, DaNi’s artwork has been split between the horror of Jack’s dark inner monologue and the mundane reality of his surroundings. And in issue #4, Jack’s world feels further away than ever, pushing readers into a detached state as they witness Jack’s insanity at its zenith. DaNi’s artwork achieves this through small tactile details embedded in their line work. Splitting floorboards and stress lines on the faces of characters give the background a surreal quality that enhances the subtle tension of the issue, a hallmark of Tynion’s stories that go beyond just plain gore without substance.

Tommy, the young street orphan tortured by Jack in last month’s issue, is a key character in this issue. After being turned invisible last issue and escaping Jack’s twisted grasp, he was set up to have immense narrative potential with one large payoff in issue #4. This is where the issue ultimately falls short, as Tommy is used more as a roadblock than a real antagonistic force. Even as Tommy tries to intimidate Jack fairly early in the issue’s double-sized page count, he seems more like a looming reminder of Jack’s failure than a tangible threat.