The Invisible Man is a famous 1897 science fiction novel by H.G. Wells. It is also commonly mistaken as the title to Ralph Ellison's novel, Invisible Man (1952).

The Movie

Main article: The Invisible Man (movie)

The Invisible Man is also a movie produced by Universal Pictures in 1933, directed by James Whale. The movie is considered one of the great Universal horror films of the 1930s, and it spawned a number of sequels, plus many spinoffs using the idea of an "invisible man" that were largely unrelated to Wells' original story.

Another related movie is the film, Hollow Man, which chronicles Sebastian Caine becoming invisible, and his subsequent madness as well as the ensuing chaos.

The TV Series

At least three television series have been produced for American television, and all three cast the "invisible man" character in the role of secret agent. The first series, The Invisible Man, debuted in 1975 and starred David McCallum as a scientist turned secret agent who invents a machine that turns him invisible, but is unable to change back. It lasted one season. The next year the same concept was tried again in a series called Gemini Man though this time the agent in question uses a device which turns him invisible for short periods. This series lasted only 12 episodes, only half of which were actually broadcast.

A somewhat more successful The Invisible Man series debuted in 2000 and starred Vincent Ventresca , Paul Ben-Victor, Eddie Jones, Shannon Kenny and Mike McCafferty. Ventresca played Darien Fawkes, an ex-con recruited by a low-rent spy organization and given the power of invisibility via the implantation of a special "quicksilver gland" in his head. The gland lets Fawkes secrete a light-bending substance called "Quicksilver" from his pores and follicles. The substance quickly coats his skin, hair, nails and clothes and renders him invisible. (He can still see because the quicksilver covering his eyes shifts other wavelengths of light into the visible spectrum.) He can consciously release the quicksilver, which then flakes off and disintegrates. The catch is that the quicksilver accumulates in his bloodstream and causes intense pain, followed by psychosis and antisocial behaviour, once it reaches a certain level. He requires regular doses of "counteragent" to keep him sane and healthy, which is controlled by said government agency. This series lasted for two seasons, before being cancelled due to cost issues and internal bickering between the Sci-fi Channel and her then parent company, USA Networks.

Several other attempts at "invisible" TV series, including an Invisible Woman, have not gotten past the pilot TV-movie stage.

The Song

The Invisible Man is also the name of a song by the popular rock band Queen.

External links

• Text of the novel