V for Vendetta - The Graphic novel

Comic book writer Alan Moore’s ’V for Vendetta’ is similar in many ways to Frank Miller’s ’Ronin’. While both writers are known best for 2 other seminal graphic novels (’Watchmen’ and ’Dark knigh returns’ respectively), it is with these 2 books that they really created strong first impressions, not because these were a first step for both authors towards something grander in scope, but also because both these books have been overshadowed by the triumpth of their latter (and no doubt much better) works.

Which is not to say that ’V’ (or ’Ronin’ for that instance) aren’t just as good, if not pure equals. ’V’ in some ways has a storyline more elaborate, labrynthine and structured than ’Watchmen’ and the central character is the very antithesis of what a superhero should be, despite having archetypes of a typical superhero (hidden identity, costume, defiance etc). The storyline is typically bleak and set in the then future England (the decaying last few years of the 20th century) where a fascist government has come to power. While Moore is conscious of his political views being naive and in some ways not consistent, the central figure V is at once both a saviour and a hypocrite and his relationship with his captive and eventual partner in crime Evey is almost as fleshed out as any other character arc Moore has ever written, more so here because he is allowed to focus so intently on the exchanges between just them. A high point of V is how much fun Moore as a writer and we as readers have with some very neat literal references. The parallels with Guy Fawkes, the commencement of each chapter with at chapter heading formed using the letter V, even the use of the letter ’V’ in sublime fashion during flashbacks and even the original comic covers themselves using ’V’ to form images or objects.

Ultimately, the book may be laborious and difficult, improbable and arcane, but is richly rewarding for cynically astute comic book readers looking for that extra something. Grand in its design and meticulous in its sublime culmination, like clockwork it comes together with such perfect harmony of prose and pencilling that it leaves you astounded.

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