V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd
Series: V for Vendetta
Published by Vertigo Comics in 1982
Genres: Comics, Politics, Mystery
Pages: 296 : Paperback
Source: Checked out from my local library
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“Good evening, London.” It’s nine o’clock and this is The Voice of Fate… It is the Fifth of the Eleventh, Nineteen-Ninety-Seven…

“The people of London are advised that the Brixton and Streatham areas are quarantine zones as of today. It is suggested that these areas be avoided for reasons of health and safety…

Police raided seventeen homes in the Birmingham area early this morning, uncovering what is believed to be a major terrorist ring. Twenty people, either of them women, are currently in detention awaiting trial…

The weather will be fine until 12:07 A.M. when a shower will commence, lasting until 1:30 A.M…

Have a pleasant evening.”

A frightening and powerful tale of the loss of freedom and identity in a chillingly believable totalitarian world, V for Vendetta stands as one of the highest achievements of the comics medium and a defining work for creators Alan Moore and David Lloyd.

Set in an imagined future England that has given itself over to fascism, this groundbreaking story captures both the suffocating nature of life in an authoritarian police state and the redemptive power of the human spirit which rebels against it. Crafted with sterling clarity and intelligence, V for Vendetta brings an unequaled depth of characterization and verisimilitude to its unflinching account of oppression and resistance.

“Remember, remember the fifth of November…”

As per usual, I watched the movie first before reading the Alan Moore graphic novel, and I’m torn once again between which one is better (the first instance of this being Watchmen). While I think V for Vendetta is a better movie, it definitely does not follow the graphic novel as closely. The main themes of the story are all there, but it’s…different.

The graphic novel is certainly more literary and focuses on the minor characters more. I also felt that V had less of a presence in the graphic novel overall, which is strange, considering the entire thing is about him. When you really boil down the graphic novel though, you truly see that it is a commentary about our governments, while also being a very tragic love story. There is a certain 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury feel about it’s dystopian-ness.

The images themselves, as per the DC universe, were stunning in their darkness. While Marvel focuses I think more on the brighter side of good and evil, DC takes a completely different route and darkens humanity as a whole. I actually like this though. I think it’s necessary to really convey the whole idea of “the true nature of humans” and all that good stuff. However, I definitely think there is a certain beauty to the darkness.

Overall, another really wonderful novel (and movie) and something that I will have to buy to keep on my shelves to read again and again.