Graphic Novel Review - 'Invisible Woman: Partners in Crime' by Mark Waid (Writer), Mattia de Iulis (Artist)

'My name is Susan Storm Richards, and I am a kaleidoscope. [...] When you look at me, you see an adventurer...a mother...a wife...a big sister...a friend. [...] As one of the Fantastic Four, I've spent years touring the wonders of the multiverse.'



She prefers a perfect cup of coffee on earth.



This woman is anything but invisible.

I came into 'Invisible Woman: Partners in Crime' with little knowledge of Susan Storm, aka the Invisible Woman - or what little I did know wasn't positive - and I at least hoped that this literal decades overdue solo comic adventure would elevate my opinion of her and make me at last appreciate one of the earliest superheroines to ever exist, Marvel or otherwise.

Hooray, I was in luck!

'Invisible Woman: Partners in Crime' surpasses all expectations. Sue Storm is finally given some dignity and respect, as a badass, smart, brave, competent and well written heroine in her own right; where her usual male cohorts and overseers either take a backseat, are deliberately not positive influences, or are just not present in her story at all.

As limited as my Marvel knowledge is, nonetheless it is remarkable how I cannot recall a single moment ever where Sue has received any love; in the comics and among the men writing her. Do not get me started on the 'Fantastic Four' film adaptations. Even Stan Lee thought she was the weakest member of the Fantastic Four, apparently. Baring in mind the comic book industry's portrayals of women in its history, the treatment of Sue has still been glaringly...not great. Often treated apathetically, dismissively or deplorably or all of the above - because of good ole fashioned sexism, started from the sixties.

Wee blonde wifey Sue is just too emotional, too woman, you see. Never mind that invisibility and force field generation are freaking awesome abilities to possess; useful in every area and circumstance there is.

This contemporary comic, however, blows all the aforementioned crap right out of the water and gives us a Susan Storm who actually feels like a real character and superhero. And superspy, as it turns out. Fitting when she can turn herself and other people and things invisible. Her powers are used to their fullest potential, and more.

Brief plot synopsis: Susan Storm Richards is glad to be interrupted from her daily domestic/universe-saving superhero/slice-of-life suburban mom routine by the CIA, who, it turns out, patronisingly want her to provide them with information, and nothing else. However, she is a seasoned superhero, decades in action, and a goddamn adult, and she is not backing down from a mission that's personal to her. Aided by what little is left of S.H.E.I.L.D., she is on a most top secret mission to save college students taken hostage - as well as her former male spy partner from years ago - and prevent an international incident, terrorist threat, and weaponised new high tech all rolled into one. Very exciting, and very up Sue's alley.

I'd say that 'Invisible Woman' is somewhat revolutionary right off the bat. I mean, Sue is a wife, and mother of two teenagers, so it's safe to assume she's supposed to be middle aged, despite the lack of wrinkles in the art that still prettifies her (though does she invisible them away? Hmm). And she has multiple jobs; superhero-ing and spying being an equal, everyday part of the package. AND her family and homelife do not hinder her work in any way, shape or form. We get pithy glimpses of them in her narration boxes, to show her well roundedness and character development, and that's it. There's barely anything related to the Fantastic Four here - this is Sue's individual, solo outing, that fleshes her out as her own unique person. Readers not so familiar with the FF won't be lost.

The comic also makes excellent and creative uses for her invisibility and force field powers - each more resourceful and adroit than the last.

Talk about utter respect and appreciation for a formerly undermined and *ahem* invisible heroine, who was known only for her relationships with much more popular men in the past.

There are in fact many competent and complex women in 'Invisible Woman', with varying morality spectrums. Sue's teen daughter Val, who is only in one panel and mentioned once in narration boxes, is still shown to have the potential to be as brilliant a scientist as her parents. Black Widow appears in one issue to help Sue out, and they are a dynamic, action-packed spy team! Oh and Maria Hill, who is a CIA agent now, is in the crowning issues...I don't have much of an opinion on her. She does warm up to Sue and work with her, too, to meagre degrees of success, she really is an idiot at any rate.

The art in 'Invisible Woman' looks very nice and polished, and it does its job efficiently. The facial expressions of the villain at the end are especially, effectively scary. Though I've heard that a lot of the "art" is traced, which I am definitely not a fan of. Did any of the images originate from porn mags, as is common practice by hack artists? It isn't noticeable, anyway, so I'll give it a pass in this instance.

'Invisible Woman: Partners in Crime' - it's a triumph. Totally makes up for every "lesser" label pinned on Sue Storm as a character since her inception some sixty years ago. Fun, heartfelt, and as gripping and intense as any great spy thriller movie. I enjoyed the heck out of it.

Final Score: 4/5