V for Vendetta graphic novel by Forbidden Planet

V for Vendetta

What can we say about this genre-defining, epoch-making book? Along with Moore's Watchmen and Miller's V for Vendetta this is one of the Big Three, the Holy Trinity of graphic novels. It changed the rules and reset the bar as to what could be expected and accomplished with a mature comic format.

A near-future Britain (well, it was when the book was written!), run by a right-wing dictatorship. Oppression, secret police and concentration camps. Enter Codename V, a faceless figure in a Guy Fawkes mask, slowly taking apart the fascist state in dramatic moves as the net attempts to draw in on him.

Its a brilliant piece of comic art by Lloyd, wonderfully complimenting Moore's tale of a mysterious anarchist who equates artistic expression with freedom. It retains some flavours of the right-wing, Thatcherite period of British politics in the 80s when it was written, but essentially it exists out of time; like works by Dosteovsky it continues to be relevant for each generation; freedom is something you stand up for, always, Moore is saying, let no-one take that liberty from you even 'for your own good'. As such V remains faceless; he is himself and he is all of us.

DC, paperback, 286 pages

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Writer: Alan Moore | Artist: David Lloyd | Publisher: DC

Price: £9.74

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Reviews:

Alan Moore's most overtly political work isn't everyone's cup of tea but probably my personal favourite. It takes a scenario where Orwell's 1984 is realized on the streets of modern Britain. V is fighting back against the state threatening to deaden and crush its own people.

A sprawling polemic aimed squarely at the Thatcher government in power when it was written, it also ultimately shines as a message of redemption and salvation. David Lloyd's art expertly portrays the claustrophobic nature of the story. A masterpiece.

Review by Kenny Penman

Reviews:

Regardless of the Thatcher-Reagan era and Cold War feel to it V continues to be relevant in today's changing, post 9-11 world, despite its 'future' setting (the late 90s) now being in our past. Like Orwell's 1984 or More's Utopia, each generation can re-interpret it in their own way - one of the hallmarks of fine literature in any genre.

Review by Joe Gordon