V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is, like its author's later Watchmen, a landmark in comic-book writing. Alan Moore has led the field in intelligent, politically astute (if slightly paranoid), complex adult comic-book writing since the early 1980s. He began V back in 1981 and it constituted one of his first attempts (along with the criminally neglected but equally superb Miracleman) at writing an ongoing series. It is 1998 (which was the future back then!) and a Fascist government has taken over the UK. The only blot on its particular landscape is a lone terrorist who is systematically killing all the government personnel associated with a now destroyed secret concentration camp. Codename V is out for vengeance ... and an awful lot more. V feels slightly dated like all past premonitions do. The original series was black and white and that added to the grittiness of the feel while the colouring here in the graphic novel sometimes blurs David Lloyd's fine drawing. But these are small concerns. Skilfully plotted, V is an essential read for all those who love comics and the freedom, as a medium, they allow a writer as skilled as Moore. The graphic novel contains all the V series plus two additional stories concerning V that were originally considered "interludes". This edition also contains an essay from Moore dating from 1983 explaining the creation process. For any comic fan it's a must-have. --Mark Thwaite

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In its way, better than Watchmen - Rated
I came to V For Vendetta having seen the film first, so I was obviously a late-comer. Maybe this affected my perception of the novel, but I thought it was exceptional.

First off, the artwork is distinctive and ecovative of a Britain in decline. It is absolutely perfect for the story, and it's fair to say that it would be a great deal worse off without it.

The plot itself requires a suspension of disbelief, as Moore himself notes in the Preface. When he wrote V, he was under the impression that a limited nuclear war would be survivable, something which no longer appears to be the case. However, the same Preface notes that it's all too plausible for the UK to slide into tyranny, and the characters are so well-rounded that it's hard to argue with the realism.

Some of the devices that Moore would use in Watchmen are present here, notably This Vicious Caberet, in which a significant section of backstory is fleshed out in a song played by V, presented in full musical notation (remember the newspaper articles and interviews in Watchmen)

All in all, a vital addition to any comic collection.

Tinged with adolescent angst - Rated
I did enjoy this book... it's laden with Moore's trademark symbolism and metaphors... but I think it almost suffers from too much of this. With the "Watchmen", Moore hit his perfect pitch - but with "V for Vendetta", he gets a bit bogged down in his own lyricism. The character "V" does tend to witter on a bit, revelling in his own mystical concepts of anarchy. Everything he says has a double meaning which, after a while, gets a bit contrived.

V's obsession with rebellion and liberty smells a lot like thinly veiled teen angst... as a statement, he's the literary equivalent of sticking a Che Guevara poster on your wall: unreasonably idealistic, with naive plans for a better world.

Other rankling points include the following (caution, spoilers ahead):

- Why does "Evey" become "Eve" halfway through the book?
- As noted by others, the Scottish character's dialect was infuriating.
- The character of 'Rosey' was absurd. My abusive husband has died and the only avenues left in life are nude dancing and political assassination?
- V's underground lair can be accessed by walking down a tube station? Wouldn't this criminal mastermind have devised something a bit safer?
- A balding cop taking LSD to solve the crime? Don't make me laugh.
- The colouring in this book is a bit duff... way too dark at times. Not sure if it's updated or the original?
- This was the killer blow for me: we're expected to believe that Evey can fill V's shoes? She's spent the entire story as a transparent plot device i.e. V's sounding board... now she's qualified to wreak anarchy across the rooftops of London and loftily quote Shakespeare? Sorry, I couldn't swallow it.

One final thing I want to add: what's up with the uber-bleak introductions from Lloyd and Moore? David Lloyd wastes a good opportunity to give us some insights and instead takes a pop at the common public. Alan Moore, in a statement from 1988 (couldn't even deign to give fans something up to date?) tells us sulkily that: "I'm thinking of taking my family and getting out of this country soon. It's cold and it's mean-spirited and I don't like it here anymore."

Come on guys, grow up! You can produce bleak work and not be utterly bleak as people. You collaborated once and created something that's been hugely successful for you both. Stop being so snobby about your own work and the society that made it popular.

Breathtaking - Rated
Breathtaking. A masterpiece.

An incredible collaboration between Alan Moore and David Lloyd. If you have any love of comics or graphic fiction then you will not be dissapointed.

I used to be a huge 2000 AD and Judge Dredd fan in my younger days. I have rediscovered comics and graphic novels and have recently bought and enjoyed Watchmen (another Moore effort)and the Dark Knight Returns.

It's a close run thing, but for me I think V for Vendetta tops them both.

Incredible writing and artwork.

Great dystopian fiction - Rated
A classic, everybody should read this at least once.


FAR superior to the movie adaptation.

Great comic. - Rated
The actual story and the art work is fantastic. It's worth however getting the more expensive, hard-cover version since you can't really appreciate the art work in this cheaper publication.