Scott's Reviews > The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1

"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?