Alan Moore Month Continues with V for Vendetta!

V FOR VENDETTA

BY Alan Moore and David Lloyd

There’s no denying Alan Moore’s literary brilliance, and V for Vendetta is a strong addition to his library of works. This is one of his more realistic stories, drawing strength from his vision of how things could be in the future, but from a 1980’s mindset.  Obviously, things didn’t quite turn out the way he envisioned, but I don’t think he meant the story to be a prophecy of what was to come, but what could come.  It tells us of dystopian life in the UK after nuclear war. The government is a fascist one and the populace is kept in check with violence and methods of control, not that much different from the Nazis during WWII.  In fact, eerily similar. From the concentration camps, population curfews, extermination of alternative lifestyles and racism, it resonates Nazi-ism.  Only this time, there is no allied forces to the rescue, only V.

V is an anarchist, resolving to terrorism to bring down the fascist government. He’s a complex character, an intellectual who communicates in poetic riddles, a brilliant tactician in complete control of his emotions. There’s also strong elements of madness to his persona. His identity is mostly kept secret behind a smiling mask and his attire appears influenced from the famous 16^th/17^th century restorationist, Guy Fawkes.  In fact, that influence goes much farther as V does everything that Fawkes failed at, and more. He has resorted to doing whatever must be done to topple the government, and his ingenious plot is carried out with precise deliverance throughout the story.  You will be hard pressed to find a deeper anti-hero in any story.

Moore writes heavy politics into V for Vendetta , fleshing out the layers of the government for us to digest. At times, it can be confusing and complicated as to the agenda’s of the people involved, but it’s all done intelligently.  There was times I felt that I wasn’t educated enough to follow it all with a clear understanding, but I got through. It’s a long read, covering 3 books with about 10 chapters per book, and I’d advise anyone to take their time soaking it all in. Lloyd’s art is ok, a throwback to the 80’s style with minimal colors used, but I found that complemented the stories dark, depressing setting. Looking back at it all, I still find myself with many elements to meditate on, so if you’re the intellectual type, you should really get something out of reading this. I did, and I don’t consider myself an intellectual.  It’s a great book that deserves a chance, and another hit from the man himself. Keep ‘em coming Mr. Moore, but I think we’ll be taking a break from your mind-thrashing tales at WCR for a while. That doesn’t mean we don’t love you anymore though.

Martin

The Proof is out there, and Mike will show us why next week. Following that will be Parker: The Hunter!

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