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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen #1
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1
London, 1898. The Victorian Era draws to a close and the twentieth century approaches. It is a time of great change and an age of stagnation, a period of chaste order and ignoble chaos. It is an era in need of champions.
In this amazingly imaginative tale, literary figures from throughout time and various bodies of work are brought together to face any and all threats to Britain. Allan Quatermain, Mina Murray, Captain Nemo, Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde and Hawley Griffin, the Invisible Man, form a remarkable legion of intellectual aptitude and physical prowess: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
In this amazingly imaginative tale, literary figures from throughout time and various bodies of work are brought together to face any and all threats to Britain. Allan Quatermain, Mina Murray, Captain Nemo, Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde and Hawley Griffin, the Invisible Man, form a remarkable legion of intellectual aptitude and physical prowess: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
About the author
Alan Moore
1,677 books20.2k followersAlan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,774 reviews
April 5, 2022
I don't know if it was good, but it held my interest.
Was it just morbid fascination as to what these awful characters would do next or was it because the plot was actually great?
No idea.
You have a bunch of reimagined literary characters who are all (mostly) the worst version of themselves that Moore could imagine. And they are all being recruited (mostly) against their will to work for the British government as (basically) an anti-terrorist unit that protects Brittain against large threats.
Supposedly.
The short prose story at the end was a real annoyance, though. I wanted to be done and move on, and I couldn't because I was afraid this thing was going to somehow be important to the next volume. I ended up trying for almost 2 weeks to read it and finally ended up skimming and then reading the last page. If I'm not mistaken, it's about Quartermain doing a drug that opens his mind to impossible things, such as Lovecraftian elder gods. It fucks him up and he wakes up when Mina shakes him out of his stupor in a drug den at the beginning of this volume.
It was too long and I don't like Lovecraft's stuff enough to read Alan Moore get verbose with his version of it.
This was surprisingly readable. I mean, other than the wall of words at the end, I genuinely thought I would hate it and I didn't.
Was it just morbid fascination as to what these awful characters would do next or was it because the plot was actually great?
No idea.
You have a bunch of reimagined literary characters who are all (mostly) the worst version of themselves that Moore could imagine. And they are all being recruited (mostly) against their will to work for the British government as (basically) an anti-terrorist unit that protects Brittain against large threats.
Supposedly.
The short prose story at the end was a real annoyance, though. I wanted to be done and move on, and I couldn't because I was afraid this thing was going to somehow be important to the next volume. I ended up trying for almost 2 weeks to read it and finally ended up skimming and then reading the last page. If I'm not mistaken, it's about Quartermain doing a drug that opens his mind to impossible things, such as Lovecraftian elder gods. It fucks him up and he wakes up when Mina shakes him out of his stupor in a drug den at the beginning of this volume.
It was too long and I don't like Lovecraft's stuff enough to read Alan Moore get verbose with his version of it.
This was surprisingly readable. I mean, other than the wall of words at the end, I genuinely thought I would hate it and I didn't.
July 22, 2023
The complete first volume of Moore's attempt to merge some major fictional Victorian characters into a single reality. Moore, in a distinctly Victorian fashion uses the likes of Allan Quatermain, Holmes & Moriarty, Wilhelmina Murray, Captain Nemo, The Invisible Man, Jekyll & Hyde, Mycroft Holmes etc. to populate this world as well as numerous cameos by many other fictional Victorian characters. The first volume concerns the assembling of the League by Murray and Nemo and an ongoing war between Moriarty in the West of London and the Doctor in Limehouse and the East of London. Nice piece of work. A 7 out of 12, Three Star Moore jam.
2011 read
2011 read
July 4, 2010
It's easy to see The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1 as a fluffy action confection. It doesn't smack you in the head with a puddle of blood and a happy face pin like Watchmen. Nor does it open with a girl about to be raped in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Fascist London like V for Vendetta. It doesn't open with extreme gravitas.
Instead, we get a fun variation of the classic spy mission opener: Mina Murray (nee Harker, nee Murray) is ordered on a mission by Campion Bond (grandfather of 007) to collect members for MI5's "Menagerie." From this moment to the last, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1 is a cracking tale of intrigue and action, full of famous literary characters who most readers are familiar with and probably even love. It looks, feels and reads like a summer blockbuster (too bad it was such a flop on-screen).
But this is Alan Moore, and he always has a purpose beyond entertainment.
There's much going on in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1. Too much to talk about here. But one of Moore's most important purposes is his need to challenge our conception of heroes and heroism. It's a theme he tackles in all of his best works, but it takes on a special significance in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1 because this time he is working with established "heroes."
Moore makes each and every one of his characters unsavoury -- even nasty -- then allows us love them despite ourselves. Captain Nemo is a pirate, Allan Quartermain is an opium addict, Jekyll-Hyde may very well have been Jack the Ripper, the Invisible Man is a multiple rapist, and Mina Murray is a disgraced woman (at least according to the conventions of her time) who doesn't seem to like men much anymore. None of these heroes seem as ugly as Rorschach or Comedian, nor are any as ruthless as V, so we enjoy their adventure, cheer them on as they cross swords with the first M (who turns out to be the granddaddy of villainous geniuses), and overlook behaviours that are little better than the nastiest behaviour of some of Moore's more easy to disdain protagonists.
What Moore wants us to consider is in the contrast between his characters and the established characters. He wants to challenge our affinity for these heroes. He wants us to ask questions about them and ourselves: why do we overlook the behaviour of the League? Why are we on their side? Why do we support -- and why do they support -- a nostalgic view of Blighty's colonialism? Why do we give these heroes a pass?
His answer is that we do it because they are familiar. We know them. We know of their exploits, either through first hand experience or through hearsay, and we are ready to embrace their "greatness" before we even start reading about them in the League. We're steeped in their mythologies from the original books to film adaptations to stage plays to comic strips to animation, and having already accepted them as "heroes" we accept them as versions of us. They are us, and we can't see ourselves as anything other than likable, so we cut the "Menagerie" considerably more slack than we'd cut for Moore's other heroes -- and Moore wants us to see that our willing delusion when it comes to these characters is wrong.
All the way through this story I couldn't help thinking about The Three Musketeers. It's one of my favourite novels, though I haven't read it for a while, and I don't know anyone who doesn't love d'Artagnan. Hell, I love d'Artagnan. What's not to love? Right? Well, plenty if one takes the time to really consider his behaviour. He's a murderer, a rapist, and a purveyor of myriad nasty little vices. Yet we all (or most us) love him.
Moore wants us to think about that for a while. He wants us to think about why we love the characters we love, then apply that knowledge to the way we see ourselves and the world around us. I believe he wants The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1 to provide as much meaning for audiences as his recognized masterpieces, Watchmen and V for Vendetta. I think he succeeds, even though its manifestation is so subtle it can be easily missed.
The fault, dear Reader, is not in Moore's writing,
But in our reading. That is why we are underlings.
Instead, we get a fun variation of the classic spy mission opener: Mina Murray (nee Harker, nee Murray) is ordered on a mission by Campion Bond (grandfather of 007) to collect members for MI5's "Menagerie." From this moment to the last, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1 is a cracking tale of intrigue and action, full of famous literary characters who most readers are familiar with and probably even love. It looks, feels and reads like a summer blockbuster (too bad it was such a flop on-screen).
But this is Alan Moore, and he always has a purpose beyond entertainment.
There's much going on in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1. Too much to talk about here. But one of Moore's most important purposes is his need to challenge our conception of heroes and heroism. It's a theme he tackles in all of his best works, but it takes on a special significance in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1 because this time he is working with established "heroes."
Moore makes each and every one of his characters unsavoury -- even nasty -- then allows us love them despite ourselves. Captain Nemo is a pirate, Allan Quartermain is an opium addict, Jekyll-Hyde may very well have been Jack the Ripper, the Invisible Man is a multiple rapist, and Mina Murray is a disgraced woman (at least according to the conventions of her time) who doesn't seem to like men much anymore. None of these heroes seem as ugly as Rorschach or Comedian, nor are any as ruthless as V, so we enjoy their adventure, cheer them on as they cross swords with the first M (who turns out to be the granddaddy of villainous geniuses), and overlook behaviours that are little better than the nastiest behaviour of some of Moore's more easy to disdain protagonists.
What Moore wants us to consider is in the contrast between his characters and the established characters. He wants to challenge our affinity for these heroes. He wants us to ask questions about them and ourselves: why do we overlook the behaviour of the League? Why are we on their side? Why do we support -- and why do they support -- a nostalgic view of Blighty's colonialism? Why do we give these heroes a pass?
His answer is that we do it because they are familiar. We know them. We know of their exploits, either through first hand experience or through hearsay, and we are ready to embrace their "greatness" before we even start reading about them in the League. We're steeped in their mythologies from the original books to film adaptations to stage plays to comic strips to animation, and having already accepted them as "heroes" we accept them as versions of us. They are us, and we can't see ourselves as anything other than likable, so we cut the "Menagerie" considerably more slack than we'd cut for Moore's other heroes -- and Moore wants us to see that our willing delusion when it comes to these characters is wrong.
All the way through this story I couldn't help thinking about The Three Musketeers. It's one of my favourite novels, though I haven't read it for a while, and I don't know anyone who doesn't love d'Artagnan. Hell, I love d'Artagnan. What's not to love? Right? Well, plenty if one takes the time to really consider his behaviour. He's a murderer, a rapist, and a purveyor of myriad nasty little vices. Yet we all (or most us) love him.
Moore wants us to think about that for a while. He wants us to think about why we love the characters we love, then apply that knowledge to the way we see ourselves and the world around us. I believe he wants The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol.1 to provide as much meaning for audiences as his recognized masterpieces, Watchmen and V for Vendetta. I think he succeeds, even though its manifestation is so subtle it can be easily missed.
The fault, dear Reader, is not in Moore's writing,
But in our reading. That is why we are underlings.
March 23, 2018
Great good fun!
Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill collaborate on a TASTY! tale where characters from literature and pulp fiction inhabit an alternate Victorian England and band together to save the empire and have a rousing fine rime of it.
Readers will enjoy Moore’s penchant for adding detail to his DELICIOUS! mix of HAVEATYOU! with inclusions of characters from Dracula, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Allan Quartermain Mythos and the Invisible Man.
And of course there is Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo.
An erudite reader will also pick out scores of references to other characters and even a brief inclusion of a very special Dickens’ character. The “Where’s Waldo” quality of finding references to classic books is half the fun.
Besides the CORNUCOPIA! of allusions and references, Moore spins a novel and spirited tale to boot and adds greater depth to the characters than may be otherwise be imagined. This is an intelligent, smart and entertaining joy ride and O’Neill’s illustrations are spot on.
Bravo! And I’ll be reading more.
Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill collaborate on a TASTY! tale where characters from literature and pulp fiction inhabit an alternate Victorian England and band together to save the empire and have a rousing fine rime of it.
Readers will enjoy Moore’s penchant for adding detail to his DELICIOUS! mix of HAVEATYOU! with inclusions of characters from Dracula, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Allan Quartermain Mythos and the Invisible Man.
And of course there is Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo.
An erudite reader will also pick out scores of references to other characters and even a brief inclusion of a very special Dickens’ character. The “Where’s Waldo” quality of finding references to classic books is half the fun.
Besides the CORNUCOPIA! of allusions and references, Moore spins a novel and spirited tale to boot and adds greater depth to the characters than may be otherwise be imagined. This is an intelligent, smart and entertaining joy ride and O’Neill’s illustrations are spot on.
Bravo! And I’ll be reading more.
February 25, 2021
Being quite the fan of Alan Moore’s Batman and Watchmen stories, I had The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen recommended to me for a long time. My friend has loaned to me the omnibus edition, so I shall be reading and reviewing Volume 1 and 2 separately.
One of the opening tales features Chevallier C. Auguste Dupin investigating the deaths of a mother and daughter in the Rue Morgue. As I really enjoy Poe’s work, this appealed to me from the get go and piqued my interest for the rest of the compendium.
The Ape-like murderer turns out to be Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde, this a wonderful introduction to his character/s. Hyde is often rather humorous, as well as murderous. I really found myself enjoying every time that Jekyll became him.
Moore sets up an unlikely bunch of anti-heroes, whose behaviour the reader will often overlook in favour of them. Another particular favourite of mine is The Invisible Man, even though here he is quite lecherous.
The team is led by Campion Bond (grandfather of James Bond, 007).
It is packed full of beloved, famous literary characters. It is a joy to see them all interact and team up with one another.
I also enjoyed the appearances of James Moriarty and the Artful Dodger.
I think this will either really appeal to people, or it simply won’t work for them. You can very much *tell* at times that it is indeed set in the 1890s, with some characters attitudes seeming very reflective of the time period.
One of the opening tales features Chevallier C. Auguste Dupin investigating the deaths of a mother and daughter in the Rue Morgue. As I really enjoy Poe’s work, this appealed to me from the get go and piqued my interest for the rest of the compendium.
The Ape-like murderer turns out to be Dr. Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde, this a wonderful introduction to his character/s. Hyde is often rather humorous, as well as murderous. I really found myself enjoying every time that Jekyll became him.
Moore sets up an unlikely bunch of anti-heroes, whose behaviour the reader will often overlook in favour of them. Another particular favourite of mine is The Invisible Man, even though here he is quite lecherous.
The team is led by Campion Bond (grandfather of James Bond, 007).
It is packed full of beloved, famous literary characters. It is a joy to see them all interact and team up with one another.
I also enjoyed the appearances of James Moriarty and the Artful Dodger.
I think this will either really appeal to people, or it simply won’t work for them. You can very much *tell* at times that it is indeed set in the 1890s, with some characters attitudes seeming very reflective of the time period.
April 18, 2021
Alan Moore’s steampunk mashup of Victorian and turn-of-the-century actions heroes and penny dreadful characters doesn’t have the existential grime of “Watchmen”, but damn it, it’s fun – even when Moore’s signature darkness creeps into the otherwise fairly standard action/mystery narrative.
A man named Campion Bond hires a freshly divorced Miss Wilhelmina Murray to recruit the (now disgraced and opium-addled) famous adventurer Alan Quatermaine and an exiled Dr. Jekyll to join her aboard the Nautilus so that they can solve a strange mystery having taken place in a boarding school, and subsequently, save the British Empire from a great danger.
I remember the movie, which I really enjoyed, as I am fan of almost all the books and stories referred to (both in the graphic novel and in the adaptation), and while there are some significant differences between the two versions, I would say that both are wonderful escapist rides in their own rights (though I can see why the Invisible Man’s storyline was altered for the movie…).
A lovely book to devour on a lazy spring afternoon, and much smarter than most graphic novels out there.
A man named Campion Bond hires a freshly divorced Miss Wilhelmina Murray to recruit the (now disgraced and opium-addled) famous adventurer Alan Quatermaine and an exiled Dr. Jekyll to join her aboard the Nautilus so that they can solve a strange mystery having taken place in a boarding school, and subsequently, save the British Empire from a great danger.
I remember the movie, which I really enjoyed, as I am fan of almost all the books and stories referred to (both in the graphic novel and in the adaptation), and while there are some significant differences between the two versions, I would say that both are wonderful escapist rides in their own rights (though I can see why the Invisible Man’s storyline was altered for the movie…).
A lovely book to devour on a lazy spring afternoon, and much smarter than most graphic novels out there.
November 21, 2022
Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill stand on the shoulders of the giants who preceded them!
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, VOL 1 is a graphic novel. It is most assuredly not a comic book intended for children. Rather it is solid proof that mainstream comic books can be combined with exciting, imaginative adventure and story-telling, illustrated with serious, skilled artwork that merits close examination in each and every panel aimed at serious adult readers with eclectic tastes in classic literature. THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, VOL 1 is at once a pastiche and a tribute to the skills of an extraordinary, lengthy and almost bewildering list of adventure, mystery and horror writers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Under order from the mysterious "M", the director of MI5, Britain's intelligence service, Campion Bond has recruited a team of adventurers and spies best known for their ability to get the job done in the face of daunting opposition and insurmountable obstacles. The team consists of Mina Murray, Allan Quatermain, Captain Nemo, Henry Jekyll, Edward Hyde and HG Well's invisible man, Hawley Griffin. Their task, as they understand it, is to locate and recover a container of the anti-gravity compound, Cavorite, before the nefarious Dr Fu Manchu can use it to launch an airship and attack the city of London. But, all is never as it seems, and as challenging as this assignment is, it represents only the beginning of the horrors and the difficulties that Mina Murray and her League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will face in their race to save Victorian London from devastating destruction.
Moore's borrowed cast of characters leaps off the page and into life under the skilled artistry of Kevin O'Neill. But alert readers will quickly discover that it doesn't end with this short list of main players and will delight in scavenging for even the most fleeting references to an almost endless list of literary luminaries - Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes, Dorian Gray, James Moriarty and Sebastian Moran, Auguste Dupin, Selwyn Cavor, Jack the Ripper, Jack Harkaway, Ishmael, Samuel Ferguson, the Artful Dodger ... the list just goes on and on!
Be advised. Readers who consider themselves to be faint of heart should know that Kevin O'Neill has given himself full permission to display violence, fighting, bloodletting and death in the most graphic fashion. But this is far from a criticism, it is only a caution in the full understanding that some potential readers will simply not enjoy the degree to which O'Neill has visually let loose the free flow of blood and guts. Thankfully, I am not on that list and can say that I enjoyed every single word and every single illustration immensely. I'm only sorry to realize that there are only two volumes left in the series which I will be purchasing just as soon as I finish this review.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, VOL 1 is a graphic novel. It is most assuredly not a comic book intended for children. Rather it is solid proof that mainstream comic books can be combined with exciting, imaginative adventure and story-telling, illustrated with serious, skilled artwork that merits close examination in each and every panel aimed at serious adult readers with eclectic tastes in classic literature. THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, VOL 1 is at once a pastiche and a tribute to the skills of an extraordinary, lengthy and almost bewildering list of adventure, mystery and horror writers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Under order from the mysterious "M", the director of MI5, Britain's intelligence service, Campion Bond has recruited a team of adventurers and spies best known for their ability to get the job done in the face of daunting opposition and insurmountable obstacles. The team consists of Mina Murray, Allan Quatermain, Captain Nemo, Henry Jekyll, Edward Hyde and HG Well's invisible man, Hawley Griffin. Their task, as they understand it, is to locate and recover a container of the anti-gravity compound, Cavorite, before the nefarious Dr Fu Manchu can use it to launch an airship and attack the city of London. But, all is never as it seems, and as challenging as this assignment is, it represents only the beginning of the horrors and the difficulties that Mina Murray and her League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will face in their race to save Victorian London from devastating destruction.
Moore's borrowed cast of characters leaps off the page and into life under the skilled artistry of Kevin O'Neill. But alert readers will quickly discover that it doesn't end with this short list of main players and will delight in scavenging for even the most fleeting references to an almost endless list of literary luminaries - Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes, Dorian Gray, James Moriarty and Sebastian Moran, Auguste Dupin, Selwyn Cavor, Jack the Ripper, Jack Harkaway, Ishmael, Samuel Ferguson, the Artful Dodger ... the list just goes on and on!
Be advised. Readers who consider themselves to be faint of heart should know that Kevin O'Neill has given himself full permission to display violence, fighting, bloodletting and death in the most graphic fashion. But this is far from a criticism, it is only a caution in the full understanding that some potential readers will simply not enjoy the degree to which O'Neill has visually let loose the free flow of blood and guts. Thankfully, I am not on that list and can say that I enjoyed every single word and every single illustration immensely. I'm only sorry to realize that there are only two volumes left in the series which I will be purchasing just as soon as I finish this review.
Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
December 15, 2019
While I liked this, it did take me at least three chapters to get into it, or care about the characters. We have a group of rather strange characters, whom most will recognize from some of the classic horror and sci-fi tales, working for a man they don't know really know anything about, and of course, the true boss, hiding in the shadows. The stories are interesting, and kept my attention, but I wasn't truly into it until the characters started forming bonds and being emotionally invested. One thing I didn't like was speech bubbles in foreign languages that weren't translated. I get not everyone speaks English, and that's fine, but if you aren't going to translate text into the language it's published in, then just leave the speech bubbles out. The art is good, and keeps a dark, muddy tone throughout, with a splash of bright color here and there, which I found very fitting. I would recommend this for fans of classic horror and sci-fi, mashups, Sherlock Holmes, the Victorian Era, or England.
*Side note: There is a rather lengthy "short" story at the end, in text form with some illustrations. While it is a good story, it is overly wordy, and repeats itself, using slightly different words or viewpoints, at the beginning of every chapter. It could've easily been a third shorter, just by getting rid of that. I would say read it or skip it, it's up to you, unless you are an H.P. Lovecraft fan. If you are a fan, I recommend reading it.
*Side note: There is a rather lengthy "short" story at the end, in text form with some illustrations. While it is a good story, it is overly wordy, and repeats itself, using slightly different words or viewpoints, at the beginning of every chapter. It could've easily been a third shorter, just by getting rid of that. I would say read it or skip it, it's up to you, unless you are an H.P. Lovecraft fan. If you are a fan, I recommend reading it.
June 14, 2008
Bah. This was another disappointing read for me. I had high hopes for this series. This book brings together a problem-solving team composed of characters from Victorian lit: Mina Murray (whose brief marriage to Jonathan Harker has ended badly), the Invisible Man, Captain Nemo, Allan Quatermain, and Henry Jekyll & Edward Hyde. While Sherlock Holmes is not present in the flesh, he is certainly on everyone's minds. How could such a premise go wrong? Maybe Moore just needs a lot more space and time in order to make characters work. (There are only two volumes in this series, and they are both slim.) There are a couple of interesting moments in the book. For example, when characters speak Arabic or Chinese, there is no translation of the words, and the balloons go on for several panels. On the other hand, there were long, apparently pointless digressions and disturbingly racist and sexist elements. I'm not sure what to make of those or why Moore feels obliged to reproduce those aspects of Victorian culture--maybe they are meant to make a clever point that I am missing. In the end, I found that I didn't care about any of the characters or what happened to them. This volume also contains a painfully written short story by Moore that functions as a kind of prequel to Quatermain's part of the story. Readers heavily invested in steampunk may find this volume a delightful romp through an alternate Victorian universe. (Note: I have not seen the movie nor do I ever expect to.) (Further note: Sadly, I bought Volume 2 at the same time I bought Volume 1. If I make it through, I will post a review.)
September 30, 2017
This was much better than I thought it would be. Well done Alan Moore!
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen takes place during the Victorian Era in London and it is a steampunk version of the British Empire. A mysterious head of British Intelligence (Mr. M) wants to put together a League to combat extraordinary threats to the Empire.
This first volume has Mina Murray ( from Dracula- Harker's wife) acting as the recruiting agent. The first few stories show how each member was recruited from opium-addict Alan Quartermain to Dr. Jekyll. I'll let you read the stories for yourself. They are worth it.
The League consists of Alan Quartermain, Mina Murray, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Griffin (the Invisible Man) and Captain Nemo. There is an overriding threat to the Empire, London in particular, and the League must fight against the forces of a mysterious Chinese criminal warlord. But the mystery of Mr. M is finally revealed-it is well done indeed.
I enjoyed this story. A great adventure in a steampunk version of the British Empire. There are a variety of famous literary characters who make cameo appearances and are pleasure to see them come to life under Alan Moore's skillful storytelling. It's top notch!
The art? Kevin O'neill's art isn't truly to my taste (the characters seem to be distorted) but it did grow on me. It excels at depiction of large city or machine scenes but isn't as adept with certain human profiles. But it never hampered the story and wasn't an eyesore.
Good story, decent art, great prose and wonderful characters (Captain Nemo, Mr. Griffin and Dr. Jekyll are my favorites) make for a great story. I am a fan and will look for more of this series.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen takes place during the Victorian Era in London and it is a steampunk version of the British Empire. A mysterious head of British Intelligence (Mr. M) wants to put together a League to combat extraordinary threats to the Empire.
This first volume has Mina Murray ( from Dracula- Harker's wife) acting as the recruiting agent. The first few stories show how each member was recruited from opium-addict Alan Quartermain to Dr. Jekyll. I'll let you read the stories for yourself. They are worth it.
The League consists of Alan Quartermain, Mina Murray, Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Griffin (the Invisible Man) and Captain Nemo. There is an overriding threat to the Empire, London in particular, and the League must fight against the forces of a mysterious Chinese criminal warlord. But the mystery of Mr. M is finally revealed-it is well done indeed.
I enjoyed this story. A great adventure in a steampunk version of the British Empire. There are a variety of famous literary characters who make cameo appearances and are pleasure to see them come to life under Alan Moore's skillful storytelling. It's top notch!
The art? Kevin O'neill's art isn't truly to my taste (the characters seem to be distorted) but it did grow on me. It excels at depiction of large city or machine scenes but isn't as adept with certain human profiles. But it never hampered the story and wasn't an eyesore.
Good story, decent art, great prose and wonderful characters (Captain Nemo, Mr. Griffin and Dr. Jekyll are my favorites) make for a great story. I am a fan and will look for more of this series.
January 14, 2023
Let the different heroes unite for the epic end fight
For dark Moore standards, this is even somewhat easygoing
After having read some other of Moores´works, I simply didn´t expect this a bit more light style. It´s of course still crude, weird, and disturbing, but the evolution of Moore's writing, some may call the different manifestations of a prodigy balancing on the thin, bloody line above the seas of madness, can be seen in detail. But with
Less blood comes more storytelling
And what a brilliant homage to literature this thing is. I don´t know if it´s because Moore is an avid reader and loves books in general or if the works have a special meaning to him, but the central idea is ingenious. Just bring different fictional heroes together in one universe to let them fight for the subjectively good, no matter how bad they originally were. It´s kind of exactly what
Marvel does with the expansion of the universe
Both, the small league series and the Marvel behemoth are fueled by the millenia old ideas of gods, superhumans, or simply extremely smart and skilled individuals, crazy scientists, and warmongering world domination freaks. And as soon as such a legion of already well crafted, multi layered characters is united to fight one big quest, the only option is epicality.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
For dark Moore standards, this is even somewhat easygoing
After having read some other of Moores´works, I simply didn´t expect this a bit more light style. It´s of course still crude, weird, and disturbing, but the evolution of Moore's writing, some may call the different manifestations of a prodigy balancing on the thin, bloody line above the seas of madness, can be seen in detail. But with
Less blood comes more storytelling
And what a brilliant homage to literature this thing is. I don´t know if it´s because Moore is an avid reader and loves books in general or if the works have a special meaning to him, but the central idea is ingenious. Just bring different fictional heroes together in one universe to let them fight for the subjectively good, no matter how bad they originally were. It´s kind of exactly what
Marvel does with the expansion of the universe
Both, the small league series and the Marvel behemoth are fueled by the millenia old ideas of gods, superhumans, or simply extremely smart and skilled individuals, crazy scientists, and warmongering world domination freaks. And as soon as such a legion of already well crafted, multi layered characters is united to fight one big quest, the only option is epicality.
Tropes show how literature is conceptualized and created and which mixture of elements makes works and genres unique:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
April 30, 2015
In a word? Underwhelming.
In a sentence? Boring as hell, needlessly bleak, & oversexed to the point of annoyance.
The elephant in the room is, of course, the movie adaptation. While I'm not blind to the flaws of the film (namely the varied FX quality & the sprawling plot that bounces from one stage to another), I'm not ashamed to say I prefer the screen version. Indeed, I'll go a step further & admit to a great cinematic crime: I like the movie. It makes me smile. This book, however, does not. Certainly I'm not opposed to dark stories (as anyone who knows my tastes will confirm), but I dislike bleakness that exists solely for its own sake. In this case, the overhanging gloom & flag-waving gothicness made the story incredibly flat & forced.
While there are recognizable elements that carry from paper to film, I have to say the adaptation crew did the best they could given a cast of unlikable talking heads & a nonsensical plotline that is equally nonsensical as the heavily reworked movie version, if not moreso. (Yeah, I said it.) The movie took a lighter Indiana Jones-esque approach, & that fits the original characters much better; the paper version takes itself way too seriously & it shows on every page, whether Griffin's rapey antics at the school or Quartermain's sad-sack slumping for lack of narcotics. I could imagine Sean Connery trotting around the world for Queen & Country -- but this guy? No chance. As for Mina...*sigh* Yet again we have Dracula fanfic wherein Jonathan Harker is reduced to a useless noodle and/or oppressive jerk so as to allow him to be tossed aside before the story opens. REALLY? I agree with another reviewer who asks whether anyone has actually read the original novel. At least the movie had the grace to make Jonathan deceased rather than maligned as a terrible husband for whatever reason.
I've read a lot of Victorian lit, including most of the sources these characters are based on (plus many other Victorian penny-dreadful & sensational novels -- I mention this only for trolls who might assume my opinions are based on the movie alone). Despite the failure of this particular book, I'll give a nod to Moore for including so many references to other 19th-c works within this one. That being said, the references were either so hamfisted as to be annoying (example: The Artful Dodger) or so oblique that it felt like an excuse to show how well-read the creators were (example: the Whitby sign). As for the comic itself -- painfully dull dialogue with a plodding succession of panels that went from excruciatingly detailed walks down the street to skipping over action sequences that made little sense to begin with -- I was not impressed.
The concept has so much potential. But I think Moore would have been better served to write an actual prose novel & include some illustrations for atmosphere -- something like Brom's Child Thief. This collection has too much wasted space & annoying dialogue bubbles that do nothing to bolster the characters. Never for a moment could I forget this was fiction, & poorly realized fiction at that.
In a sentence? Boring as hell, needlessly bleak, & oversexed to the point of annoyance.
The elephant in the room is, of course, the movie adaptation. While I'm not blind to the flaws of the film (namely the varied FX quality & the sprawling plot that bounces from one stage to another), I'm not ashamed to say I prefer the screen version. Indeed, I'll go a step further & admit to a great cinematic crime: I like the movie. It makes me smile. This book, however, does not. Certainly I'm not opposed to dark stories (as anyone who knows my tastes will confirm), but I dislike bleakness that exists solely for its own sake. In this case, the overhanging gloom & flag-waving gothicness made the story incredibly flat & forced.
While there are recognizable elements that carry from paper to film, I have to say the adaptation crew did the best they could given a cast of unlikable talking heads & a nonsensical plotline that is equally nonsensical as the heavily reworked movie version, if not moreso. (Yeah, I said it.) The movie took a lighter Indiana Jones-esque approach, & that fits the original characters much better; the paper version takes itself way too seriously & it shows on every page, whether Griffin's rapey antics at the school or Quartermain's sad-sack slumping for lack of narcotics. I could imagine Sean Connery trotting around the world for Queen & Country -- but this guy? No chance. As for Mina...*sigh* Yet again we have Dracula fanfic wherein Jonathan Harker is reduced to a useless noodle and/or oppressive jerk so as to allow him to be tossed aside before the story opens. REALLY? I agree with another reviewer who asks whether anyone has actually read the original novel. At least the movie had the grace to make Jonathan deceased rather than maligned as a terrible husband for whatever reason.
I've read a lot of Victorian lit, including most of the sources these characters are based on (plus many other Victorian penny-dreadful & sensational novels -- I mention this only for trolls who might assume my opinions are based on the movie alone). Despite the failure of this particular book, I'll give a nod to Moore for including so many references to other 19th-c works within this one. That being said, the references were either so hamfisted as to be annoying (example: The Artful Dodger) or so oblique that it felt like an excuse to show how well-read the creators were (example: the Whitby sign). As for the comic itself -- painfully dull dialogue with a plodding succession of panels that went from excruciatingly detailed walks down the street to skipping over action sequences that made little sense to begin with -- I was not impressed.
The concept has so much potential. But I think Moore would have been better served to write an actual prose novel & include some illustrations for atmosphere -- something like Brom's Child Thief. This collection has too much wasted space & annoying dialogue bubbles that do nothing to bolster the characters. Never for a moment could I forget this was fiction, & poorly realized fiction at that.
January 10, 2020
Wow!!! I should've known that Alan Moore, the man behind V for Vendetta and Watchmen, would bring his A-game for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which I can only describe as the best graphic novel I've read in a long time.
Fun and full of action, the story twisted in a way that I wasn't expecting but was still easy to follow. Nice to have in there characters we're already familiar with (Holmes, Jekyll & Hyde etc).
THIS is how a graphic novel is done.
Fun and full of action, the story twisted in a way that I wasn't expecting but was still easy to follow. Nice to have in there characters we're already familiar with (Holmes, Jekyll & Hyde etc).
THIS is how a graphic novel is done.
July 28, 2021
«Ліга видатних джентельменів» Алана Мура та Кевіна О’Ніла — це найочікуваніший комікс для мене за останні роки. А для видавництва «Vovkulaka» — найбільш вистражданий та пекельний у своєму роді. Пройшло понад два роки з часу мого передзамовлення й можу сказати, що я таки невимовно радий, що тримаю це видання українською мовою у своїх руках, хоча й так пізно. Та все ж воно чудове і весь цей час очікування вже згадується з посмішкою.
⠀
У цьому коміксі ми потрапляємо у вікторіанську епоху, де Британська імперія зіштовхнулася із серйозною проблемою, через те, що секретна служба її Величності втратила досить небезпечну дрібницю. Щоби виправити цю помилку вони звертаються за допомогою до Вільгельміни Мюррей (або просто міс Міни), загадкової жінки, яка пережила зіткнення із надприродним монстром, що смокче кров зі своїх жертв. Ця зустріч назавжди змінила її, але вона вправно приховує свою таємницю від оточуючих. Після того, як Міну найняв керівник британської секретної служби Кемпіон Бонд, перед нею поставили завдання зібрати команду із видатних та неординарних персон. А все для того, щоби перемогти іноземну загрозу, що росте в самому серці Британської імперії.
Аллан Квотермейн, Капітан Немо, доктор Генрі Джеккіл (а-ля Едвард Гайд), Гоулі Ґріффін та, звісно, міс Міна Мюррей власною персоною — це таємнича ліга, яка буде намагатися врятувати Британську імперію від краху. Це така собі вікторіанська команда супергероїв, яка, як і в жанрі супергероїки зазвичай, незважаючи на різницю між класом, честю, ставленням, мораллю та вдачею, у кінцевому підсумку якимось чином знаходить спі��ьну мову для досягнення мети. Тому слідкувати за їхніми недомовками, розбіжностями чи емоційними перепалками вкрай цікаво. Бо кожен із них не просто персонаж, а добре продуманий герой, який має свої цікаві якості та займає особливе місце в історії Алана Мура.
⠀
Про омажі на різні твори в цьому мальописі можна говорити багато, тут ви знайдете відсилки на «Дракулу» Брема Стокера, «Шахти царя Соломона» Райдера Гаґарда, «Шерлока Голмса» Артура Конан Дойля чи «20 000 льє під водою» Жуля Верна. Тому краще це залишити для вас, адже під час знайомства з коміксом — це додасть ще більшої цікавості та глибини історії.
⠀
А ось, про що дійсно варто згадати, це про малюнок Кевіна О’Нілла, який створює фантастичну атмосферу на сторінках цього коміксу. Художник не малює реалістичних і тим більше тільки вродливих людей. Я б сказав, що він просто малює персонажів, які мають свої особливості, хтось красивий, а хтось потворний, хтось зарозумілий, а хтось правдоподібний. Я намагаюся сказати, що просто зустрівши якогось персонажа, тільки з його візуального вигляду можна вже уявити, що собою цей персонаж представляє. Але, мабуть, найцікавіше те, що його герої якось ненав’язливо виглядають і відчуваються британцями. Ось так дивишся й у думках проскакує: «викапаний британець». Я не знаю, чи це така гарна співпраця з Аланом Муром чи щось зовсім інше, але ти розумієш, що читаєш щось виключно британське. А ще, якщо доповнити все сказане тим, як уважно й детально Кевін О’Нілл підходить до малювання міст чи різноманітної машинерії, то все набирає ще кращих барв. І ще раз повторюся, що в комплексі малюнок створює фантастичну атмосферу цього світу.
Не знаю, що для мене тут більше переважає, історія чи малюнок. Тому краще зупинюся на тезі, що все гарно збалансовано й доповнює один одного. І, якщо шукаєте стімпанк фантастику, події якої відбуваються у Вікторіанської Англії, де автор красиво і витончено працює із класичними персонажами, створюючи особливу історію, яка ж, у свою чергу, має класну візуальну частину, то думаю вибір очевидний. Не баріться, купуйте та знайомтеся із цим мальописом.
⠀
У цьому коміксі ми потрапляємо у вікторіанську епоху, де Британська імперія зіштовхнулася із серйозною проблемою, через те, що секретна служба її Величності втратила досить небезпечну дрібницю. Щоби виправити цю помилку вони звертаються за допомогою до Вільгельміни Мюррей (або просто міс Міни), загадкової жінки, яка пережила зіткнення із надприродним монстром, що смокче кров зі своїх жертв. Ця зустріч назавжди змінила її, але вона вправно приховує свою таємницю від оточуючих. Після того, як Міну найняв керівник британської секретної служби Кемпіон Бонд, перед нею поставили завдання зібрати команду із видатних та неординарних персон. А все для того, щоби перемогти іноземну загрозу, що росте в самому серці Британської імперії.
Аллан Квотермейн, Капітан Немо, доктор Генрі Джеккіл (а-ля Едвард Гайд), Гоулі Ґріффін та, звісно, міс Міна Мюррей власною персоною — це таємнича ліга, яка буде намагатися врятувати Британську імперію від краху. Це така собі вікторіанська команда супергероїв, яка, як і в жанрі супергероїки зазвичай, незважаючи на різницю між класом, честю, ставленням, мораллю та вдачею, у кінцевому підсумку якимось чином знаходить спі��ьну мову для досягнення мети. Тому слідкувати за їхніми недомовками, розбіжностями чи емоційними перепалками вкрай цікаво. Бо кожен із них не просто персонаж, а добре продуманий герой, який має свої цікаві якості та займає особливе місце в історії Алана Мура.
⠀
Про омажі на різні твори в цьому мальописі можна говорити багато, тут ви знайдете відсилки на «Дракулу» Брема Стокера, «Шахти царя Соломона» Райдера Гаґарда, «Шерлока Голмса» Артура Конан Дойля чи «20 000 льє під водою» Жуля Верна. Тому краще це залишити для вас, адже під час знайомства з коміксом — це додасть ще більшої цікавості та глибини історії.
⠀
А ось, про що дійсно варто згадати, це про малюнок Кевіна О’Нілла, який створює фантастичну атмосферу на сторінках цього коміксу. Художник не малює реалістичних і тим більше тільки вродливих людей. Я б сказав, що він просто малює персонажів, які мають свої особливості, хтось красивий, а хтось потворний, хтось зарозумілий, а хтось правдоподібний. Я намагаюся сказати, що просто зустрівши якогось персонажа, тільки з його візуального вигляду можна вже уявити, що собою цей персонаж представляє. Але, мабуть, найцікавіше те, що його герої якось ненав’язливо виглядають і відчуваються британцями. Ось так дивишся й у думках проскакує: «викапаний британець». Я не знаю, чи це така гарна співпраця з Аланом Муром чи щось зовсім інше, але ти розумієш, що читаєш щось виключно британське. А ще, якщо доповнити все сказане тим, як уважно й детально Кевін О’Нілл підходить до малювання міст чи різноманітної машинерії, то все набирає ще кращих барв. І ще раз повторюся, що в комплексі малюнок створює фантастичну атмосферу цього світу.
Не знаю, що для мене тут більше переважає, історія чи малюнок. Тому краще зупинюся на тезі, що все гарно збалансовано й доповнює один одного. І, якщо шукаєте стімпанк фантастику, події якої відбуваються у Вікторіанської Англії, де автор красиво і витончено працює із класичними персонажами, створюючи особливу історію, яка ж, у свою чергу, має класну візуальну частину, то думаю вибір очевидний. Не баріться, купуйте та знайомтеся із цим мальописом.
December 14, 2010
1.5 to 2.0 stars. I was really disappointed with this graphic novel after going into it was high expectations. Not quite bad enough to rate 1 star as there are some clever scenes and some of the dialogue is engaging. On the whole though, this is an AMAZING CONCEPT that deserved better treatment than it received here.
December 15, 2019
"Well, gentlemen, at least we now know why we're here. British Intelligence [has] assembled us to thwart a plot against the Empire." -- Ms. Wilhelmina Murray, a.k.a. 'Mina Harker'
Now here was an inspired and rousing but yet problematic sci-fi / adventure story, which is chiefly known or remembered (other than inspiring Sean Connery's final cinematic outing before retirement - I haven't seen said film version) for uniting several fictional British characters for a group effort at the close of the 19th century. It would seem like a 'sure thing' to unite Mina Harker (Dracula), Allan Quartermain (King Solomon's Mines), Captain Nemo (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), Hawley Griffin (The Invisible Man), and Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde ('nuff said) into a new crime-busting team . . . which is formed by a distant ancestor of James Bond!!! This initial outing boasted a pretty good storyline, but there was still one particularly bothersome issue which kept this from being a great graphic novel.
It's the disgusting actions of Hawley 'Invisible Man' Griffin. Early in the plot he is tracked down to be recruited after committing several sexual assaults at a girls' academy / private school. One of these incidents is even shown in progress. Several scenes later Griffin cold-bloodedly murders a London policeman - who was simply walking his beat - to acquire his clothing. That these crimes receive a 'hand wave' and are quickly glossed over by his teammates - or that the writer included them at all - shows incredibly poor taste. I don't get easily offended, but what the hell was Alan Moore thinking?
Now here was an inspired and rousing but yet problematic sci-fi / adventure story, which is chiefly known or remembered (other than inspiring Sean Connery's final cinematic outing before retirement - I haven't seen said film version) for uniting several fictional British characters for a group effort at the close of the 19th century. It would seem like a 'sure thing' to unite Mina Harker (Dracula), Allan Quartermain (King Solomon's Mines), Captain Nemo (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), Hawley Griffin (The Invisible Man), and Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde ('nuff said) into a new crime-busting team . . . which is formed by a distant ancestor of James Bond!!! This initial outing boasted a pretty good storyline, but there was still one particularly bothersome issue which kept this from being a great graphic novel.
It's the disgusting actions of Hawley 'Invisible Man' Griffin. Early in the plot he is tracked down to be recruited after committing several sexual assaults at a girls' academy / private school. One of these incidents is even shown in progress. Several scenes later Griffin cold-bloodedly murders a London policeman - who was simply walking his beat - to acquire his clothing. That these crimes receive a 'hand wave' and are quickly glossed over by his teammates - or that the writer included them at all - shows incredibly poor taste. I don't get easily offended, but what the hell was Alan Moore thinking?
September 16, 2016
Olvidémonos todos de la película, por favor. Y tengamos en cuenta una cosa: Este es un cómic para amantes de los libros con mente abierta.
Esta es una de las pocas grandes obras de Alan Moore que me quedaban por leer, y llevaba años con ganas, al principio tengo que decir que me decepcionó un poco, me parecía la típica historia de aventuras ambientada en la época victoriana... Pero los personajes literarios tan oscuros como geniales, los miles de guiños, los paralelismos con las novelitas baratas de la época (penny dreadful)... todo eso acabó enganchándome y me acabé dando cuenta de que aunque la historia en sí no fuera especialmente remarcable, todo resultaba tan original que me encantaba.
Altamente disfrutable, quiero más.
Esta es una de las pocas grandes obras de Alan Moore que me quedaban por leer, y llevaba años con ganas, al principio tengo que decir que me decepcionó un poco, me parecía la típica historia de aventuras ambientada en la época victoriana... Pero los personajes literarios tan oscuros como geniales, los miles de guiños, los paralelismos con las novelitas baratas de la época (penny dreadful)... todo eso acabó enganchándome y me acabé dando cuenta de que aunque la historia en sí no fuera especialmente remarcable, todo resultaba tan original que me encantaba.
Altamente disfrutable, quiero más.
December 2, 2016
I found this utterly entertaining. What i loved most are the dialogues. The way the characters talk to each other is just beautiful.
Can't wait to continue with the series <3
Can't wait to continue with the series <3
September 19, 2020
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen created quite a stir when it appeared and I intended to pick it up long ago, but then I saw the film and didn't think it was very good so I lost any enthusiasm for it. I've finally gotten around to it, and I'm glad that I did. It's basically a very well written Victorian version of the Avengers, utilizing famous literary characters from the end of the 19th century. (Penny Dreadful did the same thing several years afterwards told from a horror-genre perspective.) There are several clever twists and turns in the steampunk plot, with cases of incorrectly assumed identity and surprising revelations. The artwork is uniformly excellent, with many sly little Easter-eggs and fun, obscure historical and literary references. (I'm sure that I didn't catch them all.) There's irony aplenty, too, one good example being that the field-leader of the Gentlemen team is a woman, none other than Mina Murray. The panels are laid out in a strictly traditional geometric style, and the whole book is framed with period phrasing, style, and flavor. There's a long prose story after the graphic section than features Allan Quartermain which goes on just a bit beyond a comfortable length, but it's a nice Haggard pastiche. It's not a comic for kids: there are some rape references and I doubt that readers without a working familiarity of Wells, Verne, Stoker, Haggard and other such romance adventure writers of the time would get much from it. It's much, much better than the film; I enjoyed it quite a bit.
May 4, 2021
A ver, es una idea genial enlazar tantos personajes de la literatura clásica. Pero como muchos, me había visto la película hace tiempo y bueno solo se conserva la idea global del comic, un grupo de personas con características únicas que luchan en favor de Londres, la trama de la película se encuentra a kilómetros de este primer tomo, y la verdad no se si está basada en alguno de los tomos de este comic (este primer tomo es autoconcluso). Debo confesar que he quedado un poco a la expectativa de algo parecido a la película pero no, de igual manera traté de apreciarla lo mejor que pude, ya que realmente el comic fue lo que dio origen a todo.
Como ya he mencionado antes, la idea central es genial, sin embargo, hay algunos aspectos que le restan puntaje:
* Le ha faltado explotar muchas cosas, por ejemplo, nada mas y nada menos que las habilidades de 2 integrantes, el cazador y Mina, ya sabemos cuales son, pero no se demostraron en este primero comic...
* Faltó mostrar mayor impacto en la importancia de la primera misión, luego de algunas páginas fue que entendí cual era el objetivo de todo.
* En lo particular el dibujo no me ha gustado mucho, claro vengo de leer Locke & Key, The Watchmen y The Boys, en los cuales la calidad del dibujo es sumamente superior, entonces la calidad de este comic no me ha impresionado tanto...
Como ya he mencionado antes, la idea central es genial, sin embargo, hay algunos aspectos que le restan puntaje:
* Le ha faltado explotar muchas cosas, por ejemplo, nada mas y nada menos que las habilidades de 2 integrantes, el cazador y Mina, ya sabemos cuales son, pero no se demostraron en este primero comic...
* Faltó mostrar mayor impacto en la importancia de la primera misión, luego de algunas páginas fue que entendí cual era el objetivo de todo.
* En lo particular el dibujo no me ha gustado mucho, claro vengo de leer Locke & Key, The Watchmen y The Boys, en los cuales la calidad del dibujo es sumamente superior, entonces la calidad de este comic no me ha impresionado tanto...
May 31, 2023
When a piece of Cavorite goes missing, Campion Bond recruits Mina Murray, Alan Quartermain, Captain Nemo, the Invisible Man, and Dr. Jekyll to get it back...
I was on my way out of comics when this was originally coming out so I missed it and the movie didn't make me want to track it down. I got the first four trades on Shopgoodwill for cheap so here we are.
This is a love letter to the adventure heroes of the late 1800s/early 1900s. It's action packed and has some humorous moments. It also shows that Alan Moore could write an adventure yarn with the best of them when he wasn't busy being a curmudgeonly old warlock. My one gripe with the book is that sometimes, I didn't feel like the art fit the tone of the story.
I can't decide if Alan Moore is a great writer or just writes exactly the stories I want to read. Either way, this was good shit.
I was on my way out of comics when this was originally coming out so I missed it and the movie didn't make me want to track it down. I got the first four trades on Shopgoodwill for cheap so here we are.
This is a love letter to the adventure heroes of the late 1800s/early 1900s. It's action packed and has some humorous moments. It also shows that Alan Moore could write an adventure yarn with the best of them when he wasn't busy being a curmudgeonly old warlock. My one gripe with the book is that sometimes, I didn't feel like the art fit the tone of the story.
I can't decide if Alan Moore is a great writer or just writes exactly the stories I want to read. Either way, this was good shit.
May 17, 2008
Great concept, terrible execution. Moore manages to reduce about a dozen Victorian adventure classics to fit into his apparently pea-sized brain, and out comes this. This book offended both my conservative and my liberal impulses, with banal pornographic sequences, flat, amoral "heroes" and offensive Asian stereotypes. (Moore has less sympathy for Chinese people than Tolkien has for orcs.) This book certainly isn't suitable for children, and it's too childish for me. So I don't know who the audience is.
July 17, 2016
Za pocetak dosta bolje od filma. Ako vas je film razocarao strip ce vam vratiti poverenje u ove likove i ovu pricu.
Sama prica je dosta jednostavna mada se fino uklapa u format steampunk-a i lici na nesto sto bi mozda i Zil Vern napisao ali glavna prednost su sami heroji koji vode ovu pricu. Mada termin heroja bas i nije adekvatan posto imamo pirata, ubicu, silovatelja, narkomana i raspustenicu (sto za ono vreme nije bas pozitivna osobina :) ). Ali sama prica je dosta mracna i smestena u okruzenje Londona koje je dosta mracno i odurno tako da do kraja ipak navijamo za nase likove da izadju kao pobednici.
Jedna od boljih stvari koje ovde srecemeo je fino uklopljen mix imaginarnih likova iz raznih knjiga i to na nacin koji ihpretstavlja onakvim kakvi su originalno a opet nudi dovoljno razloga da objasni zasto su postali to sto jesu u ovoj prici.
Stil crtanja je interesantan, originalan mada ne bas po mom ukusu ali to je vec subjektivno pitanje. Kazimo samo da je atmosfera odlicno pogodjena.
U svakom slucaju nastavljam sa citanjem serijala.
Sama prica je dosta jednostavna mada se fino uklapa u format steampunk-a i lici na nesto sto bi mozda i Zil Vern napisao ali glavna prednost su sami heroji koji vode ovu pricu. Mada termin heroja bas i nije adekvatan posto imamo pirata, ubicu, silovatelja, narkomana i raspustenicu (sto za ono vreme nije bas pozitivna osobina :) ). Ali sama prica je dosta mracna i smestena u okruzenje Londona koje je dosta mracno i odurno tako da do kraja ipak navijamo za nase likove da izadju kao pobednici.
Jedna od boljih stvari koje ovde srecemeo je fino uklopljen mix imaginarnih likova iz raznih knjiga i to na nacin koji ihpretstavlja onakvim kakvi su originalno a opet nudi dovoljno razloga da objasni zasto su postali to sto jesu u ovoj prici.
Stil crtanja je interesantan, originalan mada ne bas po mom ukusu ali to je vec subjektivno pitanje. Kazimo samo da je atmosfera odlicno pogodjena.
U svakom slucaju nastavljam sa citanjem serijala.
May 15, 2021
I love that the concept fits so well with Alan Moores writing style, it's filled with loads of references of british literature and I must admit I don't know half of them. It isn't only fun its also incredibly bold with the jokes, something you don't see anymore in todays comics.
A clear 5.0 out of 5.0 stars for me.
A clear 5.0 out of 5.0 stars for me.
September 7, 2022
The Avengers, but with a difference! This slice of alternate history sees Alan Moore band together a group of fictional characters, reimagined as real life antiheroes, into a Victorian crime-fighting team. With stylised art and a steampunk setting, the result is colourful, gory, occasionally rude and offensive, and always great fun.
(And am I the only person who liked the film??)
(And am I the only person who liked the film??)
September 22, 2007
Alan Moore has had terrible luck with the film industry. The only adapatation of his work that he had the presence of mind to disavow before its release was the surprisingly good "V for Vendetta." The others of his works produced for the screen were the tepidly-received "From Hell" and the god-awful "League of Extraordinary Gentleman" adaptation, "LXG."
The film was stillborn, creatively, lacking the tongue-in-cheek humor and moral ambiguity that made the books so enjoyable, and was very obviously the work of a group of movie executives who were determined to create a hit new action franchise. The problem: how to make a seriously-intended action movie starring Alan Quatermain, a vampire, the Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Captain Nemo?
(The answer: you can't.)
The comic opens with the retrieval of Alan Quatermain from a Moroccan opium den, by Mina Murray and Captain Nemo. A confrontation with an evil spirit, documented in the appendices to the comics, has left Quatermain a shadow of a man, a bedraggled wretch lying on filthy mattresses, hopelessly addicted to opium. Miss Murray and the captain are on assignment to the British government's secret service, and take their orders from stout gentleman by the name of Bond.
One by one, the team is rounded up, some of the members found in places that would not make it to the silver screen. The terrifying Mr. Hyde is the perpetrator of the Murders in the Rue Morgue, a job being investigated by Edgar Allen Poe's Inspector Dauphin. The Invisible Man has been running rampant in a girl's boarding school, some of whose occupants believe they have come to be impregnated by the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the series, even minor characters are given a backstory; most of them are borrrowed from turn-of-the-20th century literature. The results are delicious and frequently hilarious. Captain Nemo's first mate is a sailor from the Pequod; one of the schoolgirls attacked by the Invisible Man turns out to be Pollyanna, (who, not surprisingly, is determined to be positive about the whole affair.) Over the two volumes, appearances are also made by Professor Moriarty, Shelock Holmes himself (and his allegedly more brilliant brother, Mycroft,) Mr. Toad from Wind in the Willows(!), Rupert the Bear, Dr. Moreau, the Martians from War of the Worlds, and the alien Sorns from C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet. Topping it all off are the hilarious letters to the editor pages, managed by a draconian Victorian moralist and written in the purplest of prose.
(Oh, and the artwork is spectacular.)
The film was stillborn, creatively, lacking the tongue-in-cheek humor and moral ambiguity that made the books so enjoyable, and was very obviously the work of a group of movie executives who were determined to create a hit new action franchise. The problem: how to make a seriously-intended action movie starring Alan Quatermain, a vampire, the Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Captain Nemo?
(The answer: you can't.)
The comic opens with the retrieval of Alan Quatermain from a Moroccan opium den, by Mina Murray and Captain Nemo. A confrontation with an evil spirit, documented in the appendices to the comics, has left Quatermain a shadow of a man, a bedraggled wretch lying on filthy mattresses, hopelessly addicted to opium. Miss Murray and the captain are on assignment to the British government's secret service, and take their orders from stout gentleman by the name of Bond.
One by one, the team is rounded up, some of the members found in places that would not make it to the silver screen. The terrifying Mr. Hyde is the perpetrator of the Murders in the Rue Morgue, a job being investigated by Edgar Allen Poe's Inspector Dauphin. The Invisible Man has been running rampant in a girl's boarding school, some of whose occupants believe they have come to be impregnated by the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the series, even minor characters are given a backstory; most of them are borrrowed from turn-of-the-20th century literature. The results are delicious and frequently hilarious. Captain Nemo's first mate is a sailor from the Pequod; one of the schoolgirls attacked by the Invisible Man turns out to be Pollyanna, (who, not surprisingly, is determined to be positive about the whole affair.) Over the two volumes, appearances are also made by Professor Moriarty, Shelock Holmes himself (and his allegedly more brilliant brother, Mycroft,) Mr. Toad from Wind in the Willows(!), Rupert the Bear, Dr. Moreau, the Martians from War of the Worlds, and the alien Sorns from C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet. Topping it all off are the hilarious letters to the editor pages, managed by a draconian Victorian moralist and written in the purplest of prose.
(Oh, and the artwork is spectacular.)
July 16, 2016
I was so not impressed by this. It's my first Alan Moore book, and possibly my last because this just really didn't float my boat. We see a lot of racism and sexism straight away, and a lot of brutality. I don't really mind brutality in graphic novels, but this was just silly and I wasn't interested in the story. The art was rubbish-y (although art is fairly personal so some may like it, it's just not my style) and the story was just a lot of nonsense (again, in my opinion). Sadly, not for me. 1*
August 29, 2022
I loved Moore's story just as much as I loved the movie, which is why I would've loved to see Tom Sawyer and Dorian Gray included in the original story as well. Mina's vampire abilities too. But at the same time, I'm pretty excited to see Virginia Woolf's Orlando join the main cast in the next volumes.
March 11, 2019
Wonderful! Ms Mina Murray gets her boys into shape- Captain Nemo, Dr Jekyll and Edward Hyde, the Invisible Man and Alan Quartermain, Ex opium addict come together to battle against the evil Dr. Moriarty.
February 17, 2012
Sorry...not my cup of English Breakfast Tea. I found it rather disappointing. I'd never read any of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen before this, I'd only seen the movie (of course it was a bit disappointing to so...)
This, like a lot of books that I've been disappointed in is one I think is a good idea. It just doesn't, "come off". Willamina who is not Mina (am I the only one who actually read that novel????). Allan Quatermain is an opium addict, Captain Nemo is still trucking around under the sea...a bit. Edward Hyde is running amok... you get the idea. (At least I didn't see Tom Sawyer).
This just didn't draw me in nor even appeal to me. If you're a League fan, enjoy. Don't plan to follow it up.
This, like a lot of books that I've been disappointed in is one I think is a good idea. It just doesn't, "come off". Willamina who is not Mina (am I the only one who actually read that novel????). Allan Quatermain is an opium addict, Captain Nemo is still trucking around under the sea...a bit. Edward Hyde is running amok... you get the idea. (At least I didn't see Tom Sawyer).
This just didn't draw me in nor even appeal to me. If you're a League fan, enjoy. Don't plan to follow it up.
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