Scan barcode
A review by timgrubbs
Black Dossier by Alan Moore
5.0
A more straightforward anthology and look at the world that does with the story across multiple generations and points of view…
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill was a special one off as part of the franchise that gave a look at all incarnations of the League though most only whetted our appetite for more stories about each…
The premise of the Black Dossier is the mid 20th century years after World War II. The world of the League is in a Cold War with its literary figures deeply involved (including a major spy or ex viously foreshadowed).
Two former members of the League break into a British intelligence office to steal a special collection of records…the only remaining account of the special agents the British government has used dating back to the time of Queen Elizabeth.
Oddly, the records are not any official reports (save one), but actually in the form of personal memoirs, salacious dime novels, small Tijuana Bible-like stories, and other fiction.
The “Black Dossier” is both the story and the artifact itself covering the (up to that point) history of the league.
It’s a lot of fun and relies heavily on the backmatter mentioned in the first two books (which is also the source of the hints of prior leagues).
Many different art styles are presented showing O’Neill’s versatility, and some of the material also showcases the changing culture of the United Kingdom. It’s a far gone world from the Victorian society of the old league and the grim and pessimistic 20th century may consume them all as it tries to destroy all things bright and beautiful.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill was a special one off as part of the franchise that gave a look at all incarnations of the League though most only whetted our appetite for more stories about each…
The premise of the Black Dossier is the mid 20th century years after World War II. The world of the League is in a Cold War with its literary figures deeply involved (including a major spy or ex viously foreshadowed).
Two former members of the League break into a British intelligence office to steal a special collection of records…the only remaining account of the special agents the British government has used dating back to the time of Queen Elizabeth.
Oddly, the records are not any official reports (save one), but actually in the form of personal memoirs, salacious dime novels, small Tijuana Bible-like stories, and other fiction.
The “Black Dossier” is both the story and the artifact itself covering the (up to that point) history of the league.
It’s a lot of fun and relies heavily on the backmatter mentioned in the first two books (which is also the source of the hints of prior leagues).
Many different art styles are presented showing O’Neill’s versatility, and some of the material also showcases the changing culture of the United Kingdom. It’s a far gone world from the Victorian society of the old league and the grim and pessimistic 20th century may consume them all as it tries to destroy all things bright and beautiful.