Rating: 
Summary: The Anarchist Version of Atlas Shrugged...
Review: No more needs be said about the brilliance of Moore as a writer and the power of this novel to demonstrate that comics are not just for children. I wanted to take a moment to point out a number of parallels to Ayn Rand's famous novel, Atlas Shrugged. Just as no one knows who V is or what he wants, no one knows who John Galt was or what he wanted. Just as Galt announced he, one man, was going to (as the back cover says) "stop the motor of the world, and did", so V, one individual, brings an end to the fascist state he finds himself in. Just as Galt's final determiniation to act stemmed from refusing to agree to the self-immolation of working in the Starnes' 20th century factory, so to V was formed by a decision to escape from the more literal immolation awaiting him in the fascist concentration camp in which he found himself.Ironically, because Rand was an advocate of limited government and hated that many of her followers advocated anarchy, it is V more than Galt who is true to her view of human freedom and the importance of fighting for your beliefs against the world. Several political philosophers argue that Rand's ethical and epistemological positions lead not to limited government, but to anarchy, in an anarchocapitalist mode. Although Moore's sentiments are more leftish, his artistic skills present an anarchist view entirely consistent with libertarianism. Anarchy is not chaos, as V clearly noted. Atlas and V are two shining examples of novels devoted to the importance of personal freedom and individual autonomy.
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Summary: From art to anarchy and back
Review: Alan Moore and David Lloyd's V for Vendetta is exactly the kind of work that you think it really won't be. If you've never heard anything about V for vendetta, then you are really in for a ride. I had never heard of V (or Lloyd, for that matter) so this tale was really a suprise to me. If I had had more than a vague idea (from the introduction by Moore) of what this comic was about, than quite frankly this might not have been such a page turning thriller. Than again...maybe it would be. The thing about this book is, is that you really can't tell WHERE it's going, until it's already there. I know that i'm being vague, but i'm trying to avoid ranting about just how impressive that this comic becomes by the end. I say by the end, because like any film worth it's salt, it builds up, adding newer and harsher twists as time progresses.
Before I forget, Dave Lloyd is a madman. From what Moore says in the afterword Lloyd came up with the basic premise of what V would be, both character and storytelling technique. On top of that, he's an impressive noir-style artist who really knows how to use both heavy blacks and open spaces to set the mood of each scene. It really is an almost cinematic read, and creates an atmosphere that I felt sitting in detention, in a crowded room in the middle of a bright day.
Really, do yourself a favor,read this book and see exactly where Moore was BEFORE writing Watchmen.
Rating: 
Summary: Radical Democracy ¿ Vendetta Style
Review: Back in1981, Moore imagined a post-apocalyptic 1998 in which Great Britain has become a racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, and Christian fascist state, all run by "the leader" who sits at a bank of video monitors run by a central computer. (For some reason, many readers have the mistaken impression that the setting is one in which the Nazi's won WWII, even though it's clear from flashbacks that that's not what happened). While it's a clear reaction to the Thatcher regime, the setting draws directly from Orwell's 1984, and other dystopian literature. However, standing against this bleak world is the anarchist vigilante "V". Modeled roughly on Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up Parliament back in 1605, V is empowered by superhuman physical and mental attributes acquired while the subject of Mengle-like medial experiments in a now derelict state concentration camp. He's now using his abilities to methodically kill all the government personnel associated with his torture. And when he's not killing people, he's sneaking around blowing landmarks and generally bringing the state to its knees. An important theme Moore hammers home here is that the state is not solely to blame, but the people who place their popular power in the hands of the state are equally to blame. (Those who are interested in this particular streak of political philosophy would be well advised to check out C. Douglas Lummis' book, Radical Democracy.) Instead of a superhero saving the populace, we are given an ambiguous vengeful killer instructing the populace to save itself. There's a whole subplot involving a teenager V rescues from the streets. However, she's largely used as a subject for him to talk at, and for the reader to get the backstory of the setting. There are a number of other subplots as well, involving the shady state functionaries, and Moore does a lot of cinematic intercutting between the various storylines. The story gets somewhat too theatrical at points, and drags at other times, and V's constant quoting (Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground lyrics to Shakespeare) gets old fast. The art is generally pretty nice, although the color isn't really to my taste, it might have looked better in simple black and white. However, it's a pretty decent quick meditation on what it means to be free and how each individual must look within themselves for the answer rather than assigning that freedom to someone else to safeguard.
Rating:
Summary: V for vendetta
Review: An important piece of literature, even if its technically a comic book. The story of a lone Anarchist bent on bringing a Fascist government to its knees with great success. V is a hero to be idolized. Though we boast that we Americans live in a free country.... V shows us that the only true freedom is in anarchy, not chaos, or rulership, and that we must take control of our own lives and not give such a treasure to others for control.
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Summary: freedom !
Review: this a book is a nothing short of a master piece buy this you'll really like "Yes, I know my enemies they're the teachers that taught me to fight me: compromise, conformity, assimilation, submission, ignorance, hypocrisy, brutality, the elite. All of which are American dreams! All of which are American dreams! All of which are American dreams" - Zach de LaRocha .
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Literature, hidden in the form of a comic book
Review: In the early 1990's, Earth has fallen to a terrible nuclear war. The oceans have engulfed many areas, such as Australia, while other areas have barely managed to survive. In the aftermath of the war, Britain fell into utter chaos. In the chaos came the strong arm of the fascist, who marched in with no resistance. The year is 1997, and the fascist has a government in place, and has ruled with an iron fist. There is no political freedom, there is no personal freedom, and there is no hope. This is the setting for V for Vendetta, a tale written by Alan Moore, also known for his Watchmen series. The story begins with a young woman named Evey Hammond, who accidentally solicits an undercover cop. By law, the cop and his friends can do whatever they want to her. Before that can happen, and man in a cloak and mask appears to save the day. He calls himself "V". He kills one man with an exploding hand, fires tear gas at the others, then takes Evey to the rooftop where he blows up Big Ben and launches a display of fireworks (something that no one has seen since before the war). That's just in the first few pages of this book! The rest of the story revolves around our mysterious hero, who only calls himself V, and how he slowly dismantles his enemies and oppressive government, all while educating the naive Evey. This book is a fantastic commentary on socialism and human nature. It depicts a very dark world where fascism is taken to the extreme. Our hero, "V", is the complete opposite of all this. He (or she) wears a mask and pounces around London as if it is his own. He comes and goes as he pleases and quotes Shakespeare as if he had written the lyrics himself. He is violent. So much so that this book is not for the squeamish or the young. Parental Discretion is advised. With the many small plots and overall commentary of the world, this deep book certainly is not for everyone. The hero (or anti-hero), is not your typical comic-book, spandex-wearing do-gooder. The story reads like a play, where players come and go, and "V" is the star. The story focuses on Britain, and how one person can change everything. It is a very interesting tale of Good and Evil, and how the lines are all blurred in-between. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for good story that may just make you change your view on life. "All the world's a stage. Everything else is Vaudeville!" -- V
Rating:
Summary: V.V.V.V.V.
Review: What happens when a brutal and repressive government creates its own nemesis, then hides the evidence? What if that nemesis learns and exploits each and every weakness of the rulers, at whatever personal cost? "V" is one person, but this is really about the "impossibile" things that each and all of us can do, if we refuse to give up that last vital inch of our will. This is nearly a perfect work, and still remains fresh and vital, even though the inherent timeline is a bit obsolete. The art, the words, even seemingly small things like the absence of sound effect words... each image and phrase is precise and essential, and the story unfolds with the inevitability of falling dominoes (a central image in the story). I think that "V for Vendetta" is particularly relevant right now, although the subject matter is a little difficult for these days- the main character is (by the definition of the facist government in the book) a terrorist, and he blows up a couple of buildings amongst other things... However, it is (in part) a magnificent cautionary tale about what happens to a society where people are too willing to sacrifice civil liberties for safety... the details are British, but the story is eternal. Read it- and think.
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Summary: The dark face in the mirror
Review: In the aftermath of a cataclysmic nuclear war, Britain's government topples, to be replaced by a fascistic group calling themselves "Norsefire." With the assistance of a giant supercomputer named "Fate," they exert precise control over the population, eliminating such "luxuries" as freedom and privacy. Like all fascists, they hope to create order through unity, and foster unity through the elimination of diversity. The "subhuman" elements of society are rounded up into camps where they become the subjects of vile experiments before they all perish. All but one inch. In that inch is born V, at once the mirror image and the antithesis of the fascist state which created him. He opposes their identical faces by having none of his own. His anonymity is as much a weapon as his knives and bombs. Against the state's thought control, he knows and spreads the literature, art, and music the state hopes to suppress. V is ruthless, and determined to topple the order that the state is equally ruthless in upholding. The convenience of hating fascists masks for many readers the truth that V is no less cruel than the state. His moral triumph lies in knowing when he must pass on to his viking funeral, leaving a new face to help rebuild. V's recognition of his own personal evil (an evil separate from the idea he embodies) and acceptance of its unsuitability for the new world he has created is his most heroic characteristic, and is unique among comic-book heroes. V for Vendetta is a masterwork, among the finest pieces of literature produced in the twentieth century. Certainly it ranks in the top few works of speculative fiction. Alan Moore's writing in this story is astonishing and honest, and achieves stunning synergy with the art. Unrelenting and unapologetic, this is a book no well-appointed shelf should be without.
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Piece of Fiction Ever Written
Review: What more can I say? Alan Moore, the greatest living comic book writer, and David Lloyd, one of the greatest living comic book artists combined to make the most beautiful piece of fiction ever created by anyone, living or dead, in any medium. Alan Moore's other work such as WATCHMEN, FROM HELL, and THE KILLING JOKE are also magnificent, but V takes the cake. A familiar story: a dystopian future society with one leader who monitors everything and everybody through a supercomputer and rules with a facist regime. But the whole society is thrown into upheaval because of one man's machinations: he does not have a name, you can call him V.
In many ways, it's a superhero story mixed with elements of Shakespeare's HAMLET and Orwell's 1984, but is a multi-layered, multi-charactered story and anyone with a passion for great literature and especially those with a passion for great graphic novels.
AVE ATQUE VALE.
Rating:
Summary: Not overly original but still worth reading
Review: England turned into a fascist state ran in several sections by one pollitical party. Loud speakers, blathering false statistics and news to every corner of London. Propaganda trying to control what common people think. A horrifying future where the power of the state means more than the rights of individuals. Yeah, you have heard it all before. Obviously Alan Moore was very inspired by George Orwell's brilliant classic, 1984 when he wrote V for Vendetta. Still, the shaggy genius of comics inserts enough of his own luminous ideas; smooth, cinematic narration and amazing action scenes to make V for Vendetta an intriguing read. The themes of personal responsibility take a larger role in V for Vendetta than they did in 1984 by the way of Evey, a callow teenager from the streets V takes under his caped wing who learns what the laziness and action mean when society tries to keep the common people oppressed. And what about V? Moore and Lloyd's mysterious, theatrical masked anarchist quotes everyone from Shakespeare to the Velvet Underground as he charismatically dashes through the Orwellian world, fooling enemies and dazzling readers. V for Vendetta may be firmly grounded in Orwell's masterpiece but Moore's own creative genius make it a work only one or two notches down from its predecessor.
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