guinness74's review
3.0
So, I've now seen the movie and read the "book." Actually, before I get started on that...can someone please explain the difference between a graphic novel and a comic book collection? They seem to be one and the same. Regardless, I've been entering the graphic novel world gently as of late, sort of testing the waters to see if it's my sort of thing. I like the fast pace of the reading, and this particular novel tested my intellectual skill. Moore is an excellent writer there is no doubt. Mr. Lloyd's artwork left a little more to be desired in my opinion, and possibly it's the age of this particular work, but I just found it lacking. Also, the movie seemed to be "inspired" by the book, more so than based upon. Still, both works are entertaining and engaging in their own right. I am not sold on the graphic novel just yet, but I haven't given up on it either. However, if you're looking for a novelization of the film, this is not it. Certainly the players are there and there is some overlap in story, but the two are markedly different.
harjas's review against another edition
4.0
This was a difficult read. Not just because of the themes that the book is dealing with but there are parts of the book that are just difficult to get through. The book demands your attention and doesn't spoon feed you anything.
Beyond that (and in the opposite fashion to Watchmen), the book is dark. I mean that, literally. The illustration is very noir - dark colors, blurry pictures, everything is a shade of black and the shapes can only be made out in contrast. There is a constant foreboding of dread that accurately paints of a picture of the time the novel is trying to depict that makes the reading experience uncomfortable and unsettling.
It is probably a testament to how Alan Moore's mind works, how he visualizes his stories, that they come across as movie screenplays or storyboards. The story intercuts between multiple parallel narratives and some of the illustrations are like cinematic shots (the one that stands out is when V holds his fist in front of the dominoes about to flick the first one down). It’s like poetry where multiple things happen together at the same time but are beautifully interwoven to produce a tapestry. It’s confusing and asks patience of the reader while reading, but it all culminates in a beautiful crescendo.
Some of the sequences that really stood out for me were the Killing of Lilliman, V’s broadcast, The Vicious Cabaret, Evey’s dream sequence and her prison “torture”. In fact, I don't remember any other novel depicting the non-linear, stream of consciousness, confusing nature of dreams any better.
Like Watchmen, the characters have flaws. The hero is not all good and the villains are not all bad. There are sides that you can take but neither side is perfect. V’s obsession and extremities (particularly in torturing Evey) flesh out his character even more from his experimental trial days at Larkhill - as much as he became a planning mastermind and a master of theatrics, that the trials did puncture his sense of limitations of empathy. I see in V what I saw in Rorschach. A morally upright and upstanding rebel who wants to rid society of its evils but they come with inflexibility - that he is right and everyone else is wrong and the world is fucked and it needs a savior and he is it.
As difficult as this was to get through, anything that challenges you in the way as this does, is worth reading. Anything that bends your notions of what is "expected" is a testament for an artist at the top of his game and a master of his craft.
Beyond that (and in the opposite fashion to Watchmen), the book is dark. I mean that, literally. The illustration is very noir - dark colors, blurry pictures, everything is a shade of black and the shapes can only be made out in contrast. There is a constant foreboding of dread that accurately paints of a picture of the time the novel is trying to depict that makes the reading experience uncomfortable and unsettling.
It is probably a testament to how Alan Moore's mind works, how he visualizes his stories, that they come across as movie screenplays or storyboards. The story intercuts between multiple parallel narratives and some of the illustrations are like cinematic shots (the one that stands out is when V holds his fist in front of the dominoes about to flick the first one down). It’s like poetry where multiple things happen together at the same time but are beautifully interwoven to produce a tapestry. It’s confusing and asks patience of the reader while reading, but it all culminates in a beautiful crescendo.
Some of the sequences that really stood out for me were the Killing of Lilliman, V’s broadcast, The Vicious Cabaret, Evey’s dream sequence and her prison “torture”. In fact, I don't remember any other novel depicting the non-linear, stream of consciousness, confusing nature of dreams any better.
Like Watchmen, the characters have flaws. The hero is not all good and the villains are not all bad. There are sides that you can take but neither side is perfect. V’s obsession and extremities (particularly in torturing Evey) flesh out his character even more from his experimental trial days at Larkhill - as much as he became a planning mastermind and a master of theatrics, that the trials did puncture his sense of limitations of empathy. I see in V what I saw in Rorschach. A morally upright and upstanding rebel who wants to rid society of its evils but they come with inflexibility - that he is right and everyone else is wrong and the world is fucked and it needs a savior and he is it.
As difficult as this was to get through, anything that challenges you in the way as this does, is worth reading. Anything that bends your notions of what is "expected" is a testament for an artist at the top of his game and a master of his craft.
veelaughtland's review
3.5 stars.
I haven't seen the movie adaptation of V For Vendetta, so I only had a vague inkling of what the story was about. First off, it's incredibly political, which was a nice change for me as I don't tend to read anything particularly politically charged. It depicts a totalitarian London in the mid-90s, where one party rules over all citizens using a broadcasting propaganda mouthpiece known as Fate. Black people, homosexual people, and liberals have been eradicated from society, deemed as dangerous, and the world is frankly balls to the walls crazy.
When young Evey Hammond attempts to prostitute herself for money, and is almost raped by police as a result of this venture, she is saved by a strange masked man who goes only by the name of V. He's out for vengeance in an explosive way, and no one seems able to stop him.
I loved the central concept behind this graphic novel: it was almost believable in some ways, with certain elements hinting back to the Nazis in World War Two. I felt that the London setting was also particularly strong, with Alan Moore's use of accents and slang for both English and Scottish characters. Although the way V spoke was a little annoying at times, it fit his elusive character and I liked the moments where he would drop in different quotes from various aspects of pop culture.
What I wasn't a big fan of was the art style. I found David Lloyd's style to be a little... generic? I don't mean that as an insult, he is clearly a talented illustrator, but for the majority of the secondary characters I found them incredibly difficult to tell apart, or even remember. All their faces blended into one another, and didn't have very strong identifying characteristics. This was what contributed to my boredom in book 2 of the story (there are three books within the volume) - it focused mainly on said secondary characters and I found myself losing interest and not paying much attention to the art as a result. The only saving grace in that section was Evey's storyline.
I felt the graphic novel started out incredibly strongly, and there were some awesome parts towards the end, but the slower sections did drag it down for me and impacted on my enjoyment a little. I would still recommend this graphic novel though as an entertaining and at times scary read. I'm glad I just rented it from the library though. I'm looking forward to watching the movie now!
I haven't seen the movie adaptation of V For Vendetta, so I only had a vague inkling of what the story was about. First off, it's incredibly political, which was a nice change for me as I don't tend to read anything particularly politically charged. It depicts a totalitarian London in the mid-90s, where one party rules over all citizens using a broadcasting propaganda mouthpiece known as Fate. Black people, homosexual people, and liberals have been eradicated from society, deemed as dangerous, and the world is frankly balls to the walls crazy.
When young Evey Hammond attempts to prostitute herself for money, and is almost raped by police as a result of this venture, she is saved by a strange masked man who goes only by the name of V. He's out for vengeance in an explosive way, and no one seems able to stop him.
I loved the central concept behind this graphic novel: it was almost believable in some ways, with certain elements hinting back to the Nazis in World War Two. I felt that the London setting was also particularly strong, with Alan Moore's use of accents and slang for both English and Scottish characters. Although the way V spoke was a little annoying at times, it fit his elusive character and I liked the moments where he would drop in different quotes from various aspects of pop culture.
What I wasn't a big fan of was the art style. I found David Lloyd's style to be a little... generic? I don't mean that as an insult, he is clearly a talented illustrator, but for the majority of the secondary characters I found them incredibly difficult to tell apart, or even remember. All their faces blended into one another, and didn't have very strong identifying characteristics. This was what contributed to my boredom in book 2 of the story (there are three books within the volume) - it focused mainly on said secondary characters and I found myself losing interest and not paying much attention to the art as a result. The only saving grace in that section was Evey's storyline.
I felt the graphic novel started out incredibly strongly, and there were some awesome parts towards the end, but the slower sections did drag it down for me and impacted on my enjoyment a little. I would still recommend this graphic novel though as an entertaining and at times scary read. I'm glad I just rented it from the library though. I'm looking forward to watching the movie now!
nimqua's review against another edition
3.0
honestly would have liked it more if the font was easier to read.
had the same problem with from hell
had the same problem with from hell
jmendle08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
robin_dh's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
seen7037's review against another edition
5.0
Is this thinly veiled propaganda for anarchism being the ideal political model? Yes.
Is it still tremendous? Absolutely yes.
Is it still tremendous? Absolutely yes.
millieu's review against another edition
4.0
In the spirit of 1984 with a comic book flare, V for Vendetta slaps you upside the head with the threat of government gone wild. A must-read. 'Nuff said.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
2.0
This is one of those so-called 'important books you must read' books. I had previously seen, and enjoyed, the film but have yet to be all that impressed with Alan Moore's work. This is the big one, so here goes:
Likes:
There's some good ideas in here.
Dislikes:
Almost everything about this book. As usual with Alan Moore, there is a plethora of really good thoughts and ideas but there seems to be a barrier between their inception and realisation. There's the not-at-all subtle political message that's established pretty much at the beginning with the bit with Guy Fawkes and then the rest of the story is spent repeating that message over and over again. The artwork is washed out and bland as a reflection of the world it's set, except it's so bad I can't tell characters apart or what's going on in some scenes.
The character of V is mysterious and compelling, except he's got no character beyond being a political mouthpiece.
The few female characters are so weakly portrayed they are purely reactionary to the events around them with behaviours and responses that are nonsensical.
I wanted to like this one, but it suffers from so many faults.
I re-watched the film after reading this and found that managed to say what this book did but in a much more compassionate and human way that is still relevant today. Reading the book has enriched my experience of the film which is why I'm giving it an extra point.
Likes:
There's some good ideas in here.
Dislikes:
Almost everything about this book. As usual with Alan Moore, there is a plethora of really good thoughts and ideas but there seems to be a barrier between their inception and realisation. There's the not-at-all subtle political message that's established pretty much at the beginning with the bit with Guy Fawkes and then the rest of the story is spent repeating that message over and over again. The artwork is washed out and bland as a reflection of the world it's set, except it's so bad I can't tell characters apart or what's going on in some scenes.
The character of V is mysterious and compelling, except he's got no character beyond being a political mouthpiece.
The few female characters are so weakly portrayed they are purely reactionary to the events around them with behaviours and responses that are nonsensical.
I wanted to like this one, but it suffers from so many faults.
I re-watched the film after reading this and found that managed to say what this book did but in a much more compassionate and human way that is still relevant today. Reading the book has enriched my experience of the film which is why I'm giving it an extra point.
daybreak's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 4.5
It was a tad confusing at times but nice on the overall. I confess the old drawings were not particularly appealing and were sometimes the cause of the confusion (not recognizing characters etc)
The story of Valérie in particular -and more generally the whole Act 2- was the highpoint of this for me.
The characters had depth and some were very interesting (especially the women : Hélène, Rose...). Unfortunately the story did not really develop on this which is a real pity.
I guess it's an okay story with very great parts.
It was a tad confusing at times but nice on the overall. I confess the old drawings were not particularly appealing and were sometimes the cause of the confusion (not recognizing characters etc)
The story of Valérie in particular -and more generally the whole Act 2- was the highpoint of this for me.
The characters had depth and some were very interesting (especially the women : Hélène, Rose...). Unfortunately the story did not really develop on this which is a real pity.
I guess it's an okay story with very great parts.