Zeb Larson reviews Invisible Republic #7…
An old enemy is their new friend.
Invisible Republic picks up from last issue’s cliffhanger, with security forces moving in on Maia Reveron. This issue delves a little more deeply into the relationship between Nica and Maia, who have had a complicated relationship for a long time now. We learn a little bit more about the revolution, though the goals of the respective members are coming even more into question. Is Maia as innocent as she claims in all of this? And given Nica’s prior support for the revolution, what is she up to now? I will be discussing spoilers here, so consider yourself forewarned.
In the present, Maia and Croger narrowly dodge the initial shots from the attacking soldiers. Things look bleak for a second, but as quickly as the attack happens, Maia’s own soldiers turn the tables on the attackers and annihilate them. Nica merely grimaces when she gets the news, cryptically stating Maia always assumed the worst about her. In the past, Nica takes Maia and Jas to visit a market reserved for the wealthy. Jas uses the opportunity to run, only telling Maia that “things are bad” back in the group. When Arthur learns of this, he disappears for a few hours, and Maia believes he’s murdered him.
More and more, I’m questioning whether Maia is a reliable narrator in all of this. In the past, she came across as distinctly apolitical and innocent, wanting to see change and justice but disapproving of all of the violence. Then again, she’s been the one doing all of the writing, and it presents her in the best possible light. We know that many people on this planet have a certain nostalgia for parts of the McBride revolution, and Maia represents all of those good things with none of the bad parts. I’m still unclear as to how Arthur fits into all of this, though he seems to be the perfect kind of empty vessel a more talented manipulator can stand behind.
Nica’s been upfront about Arthur being the face of the revolution rather than an actual leader, and if we’re sticking with that interpretation, then the feud between Maia and Nica could be one that stretches back for decades. Nica might have left the planet because Maia had the upper hand when Arthur was head of the government, and that he’s out of power, she wants another shot. Of course, I could be wrong: Arthur could have been a more adept manipulator than anybody gave him credit for, and Maia might be interested in politics now because the revolution turned out so badly the first time. We need a lot more information, but the levels of intrigue are really shaping up here.
Rating: 8.6/10
Zeb Larson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=ROisAvdW5SY
Originally published November 27, 2015. Updated April 15, 2018.
