V for Vendetta

Rating:
Summary: We've been here before. . .
Review: One cannot help but compare V FOR VENDETTA with Moore's superior WATCHMEN -- the dystopian future of all-powerful conservative elites and the faceless protagonist struggling against them; the literary allusions and well-wrought histories; the attention to detail. But while WATCHMEN succeeds as a brilliant, original vision of superheroes, V FOR VENDETTA languishes as a smug rehash of dystopian literature mixed with some pop anarchism.

V FOR VENDETTA is remarkably appropriate to our times today -- and not because of the pro-terrorism, anti-government resonance with the radical left. Rather, its appropriateness comes from the shift of "anarchy" from the philosophy of -- say -- blue collar dreamers in the Spanish Civil War, to the lame excuse of the techno-brats of the late 20th, early 21st century: the software pirates, hackers, and BBSers for whom "anarchy" was interchangeable with the 1940's "No Girls Allowed".

The eponymous V advocates devolving power to the people -- even while smearing the people as petty, worthless, meaningless (an attitude eerily resonant with autocratic Communism, one of the great betrayers of the true anarchists). Through him, Moore derides corporations and pop culture -- while quoting popular music, popular theater, popular movies, and, almost embarrassingly, relying on the requisite quotation from "Things Fall Apart." How much more cliche can one get?

Ultimately, though, V FOR VENDETTA's problem isn't its self-contradiction: this can be explained away (as reviewers have tried) as a nuanced look at whether the protagonist is a hero or a villain. Rather, the problem is that we've been here before in a dozen works of dystopian literature. From 1984 to The Stars My Destination, the neo-fascist corporate spy-state has been so thoroughly trod that one needs an original angle to make it worth the while -- and no, naming branches of the government "The Finger", "The Eye", and so on doesn't cut it.

If V FOR VENDETTA were driven by its story, rather than its middling advocacy of anarchy and its depiction of a cliche, better-handled dystopian future, it might be possible to forgive its flaws. Unfortunately, the story is flat, the dialogue only acceptable, and the characters tedious archetypes.

The book gets three stars for striving at intellectualism, for putting a lot of words on the page -- rather than just pretty pictures -- and because Alan Moore is owed at least three stars out of deference to WATCHMEN.

Skip this book and read that one; or better yet, read Orwell. Either way, you'll be doing yourself a favor.

Rating:
Summary: Better than Watchmen
Review: For real. This comic is better than Watchmen. And that's saying a heck of a lot. This is what started my love affair with Alan Moore's writing. The fact that you're reading this review trying to decide to buy it is suspect. Have you ever read Moore??? Of course anything he did for Image doesn't count as he even admitted that was all .... So stop reading and buy the book, it's a piece of graphic novel history.

Seriously.

Rating:
Summary: It's not a comic, it's an art form.
Review: That somebody could write a tale like this as a graphic novel is ineffect a bewildering achievement. George Orwell, 1984 and all that. Well, the old man would have been proud of an accomplishment like this himself. Alan Moore's obvious talent, if it was ever in doubt that is, shines through in this awesome piece of work.

Rating:
Summary: Very importance of V for Vendetta and the Vunerable liVes
Review: There is something about Alan Moores writing; there will be a certain point in his story that makes me want to put the book down and tear up due to the gutwrenching emotion that has been stabbed into my minds comprehension. I did the same thing with the Killing Joke (obviously the best Joker story ever to be told) and it happened again in V for Vendetta. I became interested in this book because I as told (after reading the Killing Joke) that this run was his...Manifest Destiny as it was put. I had to buy it. I did. Not only did the story enfold me with his characters' empathy (or in other cases, the lack thereof), plus these politics coinside with my own. I'm an anti-fascist and for the most part anti-establishment so I could relate to V rather easily. But...What's soo sad about this story is...It could happen. One of these days our own government will collapse on itself and all people will turn to is hate mongers and bigots because they are tired of all the fighting. Fascisim must be eradicated...By whatever means necessary. V for Vendetta takes it's blow on it. I recommend this to any Frank Miller fan. Or any fan of Batman, cause V is kinda like a mix between Batman and the Joker. I imagine more would disagree but that's just the connection I made. Freedom belongs to the individual. May our own will and imagination prevail, rather than the people on top. Peace above all. V for Victory, V for Vengence and V for Vendetta.

Rating:
Summary: A very accessible anarchist document
Review: ...Moore has created a very accessible anarchist document here. He emphasises that anarchy refers to a system without leaders- not without order. It is just that we've been brainwashed into thinking that the world cannot run without it's immense bureuacracy of leaders, bosses, experts- and their hired muscle. We've given our power away to monsters and paracites out of nothing more than our own stupidity and complacency. Well, Moore has written a well balanced story that emphasises both the inherent evil of toltalitarian governments, as well as, the complicity of the common man in their continued existance.
One thing did jump out at me here, the fascists take over in England (apparently the Scots are still resisting) with the SUPPORT of the major corporations- not unlike the way our corporations prefer to do business with oppressive dictatorships in the Third World (democracies are too "messy", unpredictable, and disorderly.)
In the forward, the author expresses his disgust with Thatcher and the Conservatives and describes Britain as a "cold, mean place." I can't help but wonder how he is liking the U.S. these days under Bush and Cheney....

Rating:
Summary: Alan Moore at his best
Review: If this is not the best graphic novel ever, then it is definitely one of the best. The art and the plot and even the songs all fit neatly together. If you have never read a graphic novel, this is a good place to start. Having said that, this deals with adult themes and is not suitable for pre-pubescents.

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the finest graphic novel ever written
Review: You can't go wrong with this excellent tale of Orwellian intrigue.

Equal parts "1984" and "The Prisoner"

Rating:
Summary: Moore's Best Work?
Review: Despite the praise for Watchmen, I find this Moore's best work. Absolutely chilling, with stunning artwork by Lloyd. I get a lump in my throat everytime I reread the damn thing.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best!
Review: One of the greatet graphic novels written. This isn't just a compilation of comic books and it isn't a takeoff on super hero comics but it is a true novel. Allen Moore understands the potential power of combining words and pictures to create a new form of literature. The scene where V stands below Madam Justice and talks about how she changed from an object of his affections to "Liar! ...Deny that you let him have his way with you, him with his arm-bands and jack boots!" And so, in frustration with the oppression of jack booted justice he has turned to Anarchy (are you listening John Ashcroft?) is worth the purchase price alone.

If you want to see where comics become graphic novels get this book!

Rating:
Summary: "Ideas Are Bulletproof..."
Review: Don't let the medium fool you. What may look like a comic book ( or "Graphic novel" to give it the oh-so-pretentious moniker that collections of comic books gained in the 1980's ) is actually one of the finest novels to come out of the 1980's. It is at once a retro-futuristic thriller, an alternate history of England in the 1990's, an homage to the likes of Orwell, Huxley and Guy Fawkes and a story of personal liberation ( and the inherent responsibilities that come with it ). The more eagle-eyed amongst you will recognise deft acknowledgements to the likes of Arthur Koestler, The Rolling Stones, The Stockholm Syndrome and even the enigmatic 60's television series, "The Prisoner". The "Valeries Letter" sequence alone is worth the price of purchase. England Prevails, as do Alan Moore and David Lloyd.