Universal Monsters: Invisible Man #2 is a serious mind-trip, pulling you right into the scary downfall of Jack Griffin. This guy’s desperate quest to disappear is quickly tearing apart the last shreds of his humanity. From the moment you crack it open, the creative team, James Tynion IV, Dani, and Brad Simpson, hit you with a chilling look at just how much unseen power costs.
The heart of this second issue is Griffin’s spiraling obsession and the mess it creates. His internal monologue is instantly gripping, showing a scientist who’s tormented by the simple thought of being watched. To him, being seen equals vulnerability, which is what’s driving him completely nuts, making him want to become invisible. This deep-seated paranoia gives his slide into madness a terrifyingly solid foundation.
We get a peek into his personal life through his girlfriend, Flora. Naturally, she’s worried about him spending so many late hours in the lab. Her father, Doctor Cranley, is also curious, though mostly just to see results. Flora holds onto the hope that if the work succeeds, Jack will finally propose. Their relationship is complicated: she loves him, and in his own messed-up way, he seems to care for her. But the story makes it clear that if he lost her, part of him might actually be relieved, as it would be one less person keeping tabs on him.
The dark center of the story is still his research. Griffin’s experiments with the invisibility formula, which uses a substance called Monocaine, definitely need a lot more testing. To keep his work a secret from Cranley, Griffin has been grabbing stray cats and dogs off the street at night and dumping their bodies in the river before dawn.
His one “success” is a one-eyed cat that went invisible before escaping. This creature is now stalking the streets, an unseen predator he’s convinced is watching and mocking him. It’s a perfect, unsettling stand-in for Griffin’s own future, especially when a monkey eventually gets involved.
This issue explores the science of invisibility, but at its core, it’s about the psychological horror of self-isolation. Griffin isn’t some poor victim; he’s already a narcissist with a streak of paranoia, and the Monocaine simply throws gasoline on the fire, turning him into a full-blown sociopath. The way he messes with Kemp and Cranley, and the calculated murder of the ape, shows a truly scary capacity for ruthlessness.
While some readers might think the lack of an actual human transformation by issue #2 is dragging things out (they want the Invisible Man, not the Invisible Cat), that feline predator is a brilliant symbol. It’s a spectral thing born from his own hands, embodying the wild, violent freedom he craves, having fully embraced its role as a killer.
The visual delivery by Dani and Brad Simpson is key to the book’s creepy vibe. Dani’s art is sharp and stylish, using bold, often stark panels to build the tension. The expressive faces really stand out, capturing Flora’s worry or Griffin’s cold, sinister planning.
Simpson’s colors are masterful at setting the mood. The sickly, ethereal blues and pinks in the nighttime market scenes clash sharply with the deep purples and blacks of the lab. The subtle, glowing blue silhouette of the invisible cat is effectively menacing. The whole book feels modern while still perfectly honoring the gothic atmosphere of the classic Universal Monster movies. Becca Carey’s lettering is clean, handling Griffin’s tight, extensive inner thoughts perfectly.
Universal Monsters: Invisible Man #2 is a fantastic, suspenseful chapter that successfully transforms the classic character into a thoroughly modern and terrifying villain. Tynion IV and the art team deliver a tight, psychologically dense story that focuses on the intoxicating rush of unseen power and the ultimate cost of total freedom. If you’re looking for a chilling, atmospheric horror story, this is absolutely one you should pick up.
‘Universal Monsters: Invisible Man’ #2 Review: The Path to Madness
Universal Monsters: Invisible Man #2 is a fantastic, suspenseful chapter that successfully transforms the classic character into a thoroughly modern and terrifying villain. Tynion IV and the art team deliver a tight, psychologically dense story that focuses on the intoxicating rush of unseen power and the ultimate cost of total freedom.
