V for Vendetta Review
The beginning suggests a unique and possibly unconventional narrative: "Good evening, London. It's nine o'clock and this is the Voice of Fate broadcasting on 275 and 285 in the medium wave...it is the fifth of the eleventh, nineteen-ninety-seven." A panel depicting a state-controlled factory, with perhaps one of many security cameras perched high on a lamp pole, immediately follows it. "For your protection," it says underneath the camera in stark black mocking letters.
Like in Watchmen, Alan Moore doesn't waste time getting into the universe surrounding the story. And every panel has its purpose here, whether it be seemingly pertinent or not, flavor material or pure narrative motion. He doesn't pass up on a chance to speak about the characters or this `past-future' world with every single crucial detail of art here. When V, as he is called and nothing else, goes about an initially unknown activity that leads to a shock bombing of the Parliament houses punctuated by a great tumult of striking pyrotechnics, we are there with him and in that way Alan brings us into his created world like no other comic writer does.
Evey knows she doesn't have a choice in this world but to provide some services of the lewd kind; approaching a man whom she doesn't take for much of a Fingerman (the equivalent of a policeman in this fascist ruled society) and gets into very hot soup because of it. After near-death, she has to bear the brunt of being taken in by V, whom we find out very soon to be a rather delicate, if very bizarre caretaker of sorts. The fabric surfaces more, with The Leader running things, coordinating an initiative to take down V for decreed revenge. The underlying system of this graphic novel seems contradictory to the claim that Watchmen was far more elaborate than what lies on the English-comic-strip-styled pages of V for Vendetta. Alan certainly doesn't lose a beat here, cementing the work with poetic prose.
Although terribly organic, an absorbing foray into the bleak nature of some of the more deviant characters, which although juxtaposed against an overt totalitarian form of government, grinds into the nominal truths of human nature. Reverend Anthony Lilliman would be a perfect example of morally pure externals overlapping wicked and sinful internals. After delivering an all-inspiring acclamation, he sees fit to indulge in a little sinful fornication. Alan doesn't tone down on the small, minute allegories.
The most amazing thing, perhaps, is the polished readability of this immensely British story (most prominent in the way women behave in this story for example) in today's modern times. It bears no disappointment as to the degree of quality it precedes as well (Alan was doing Swamp Thing while he was working on V), and it may even be passed off as a work of elaborate literature, albeit in the graphic form, a work surpassed by few graphic novels of its kind.
V for Vendetta Overview
In an alternate future in which Germany wins WWII and Britain becomes a fascist state, a vigilante named "V" stalks the streets of London trying to free England of its ideological chains.
V for Vendetta Specifications
A frightening and powerful story of the loss of freedom and identity in a totalitarian world, V for Vendetta takes place in an alternate future in which Germany wins WWII and Britain becomes a fascist state. A vigilante named "V" stalks the streets of London trying to free England of its ideological chains. Moore's poetic language coupled with Lloyd's eerie, washed-out color art makes this a captivating read sure to stay with you.
Available at Amazon Check Price Now!
Related Products
Customer Reviews
A very unique classic noir by comic books finest - DK-Y2Y -
I ordered this book with 4 other Batman graphic novels. I have always been an Alan Moore fan, his works such as Watchmen and The Killing Joke are very provocative and unique.
This graphic novel collects the original graphic novel with some deleted scenes, large collection of artworks and a good afterword. I loved the movie, which was boring in many cases. The book is unique in its on genre. V for Vendetta stars a mysterious freedom fighter codenamed 'V', fights for freedom against a fascist group led my an evil leader. Alan Moore illustrates a wonderful insight on freedom and resistance to fatal moments. The amazing artwork mixed with literature brings a poetic epic to the industry.
Excellent
Mediocre writing - Deb R -
I have been copiously lectured on the importance of Alan Moore and the moving-and-shaking he did towards revamping the legitimacy of comic books. Consider my opinion here limited because I have only read Vendetta -- I don't think he's that terrific of a writer. He's not bad, but the appellation of "best writer in the comic book industry Ever" just doesn't ring terribly true with me. I enjoyed Vendetta, but to be honest I enjoyed the movie more, and his out-spoken bitching about the movies they make of his books (and yes, some have been doozies of movies) speaks more to me of an unearned arrogance and a peevish over-defensiveness of his frankly mediocre writing. Now I need to go and make cookies for the inevitable slew of fan-boys showing up at my door to lynch me.
Trailblazing Work of Graphic Fiction Excellence - Scott Allen - New York
In the great Alan Moore's book "V For Vendetta," V is an intriguing anti-hero, strangely clad in a black robe and a Guy Fawkes mask, rebelling against the fascism of post-nuclear war England. The mood is Blade Runner meets Orwell's 1984. "V" is typical Alan Moore brilliance: deep characterization, dialogue that draws upon classic literature, and political/philosophical blood coursing through its veins. The interplay between V and his female "protégé" Evey is particularly satisfying; it both moves the story along and adds definition to the characters.
If you are like me and slept through most of the forgettable movie, go out and read this book! "V for Vendetta" shows clearly Moore's maturation as a writer, as he went on to masterpieces like Watchmen and Swamp Thing.
The artwork in this volume is not captivating and at times is hard to follow. Alan Moore credits the artist David Lloyd with being a co-creator of the storyline. I'm spoiled by the level of artistry in graphic novels today. The inking and colors in "V" are primitive in quality compared to today's stratospheric standards. Perhaps some of the sparse panels were done for artistic effect - so I could be misinterpreting what the artist was trying to accomplish.
This novel rises to the level of quality fiction such as 1984 or Animal Farm, dispensing with the tired superhero genre. On a broader level, this book made me contemplate why and how superheroes had hijacked the graphic medium in the United States for so long. Only recently are we getting top-quality "comic books" that don't deal with superheroes - such as "Fables" "Last Man" and "Ex Machina." "V for Vendetta" blazed a trail for those modern masterpieces, even though it took decades for them to follow.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 23, 2010 04:00:12
No comments:
Post a Comment