***Contains Spoilers***
This one is such a great read. As the great Alan Moore does so well, it does not feel like you are reading the comic but rather a novel. V for Vendetta is a thought-provoking and deep dive into fascism and the consequences of a repressive society. It is an excellent representation of what our world could look like if we trade our freedoms for “security.”
While there is some action and light-heartedness, mainly the story forces readers to think about the slippery slope of fascism. V was very much an anti-hero in the story, sowing anarchy at every turn. I liked that V put the blame not on the leaders but on the people. Their complacency is what allowed it all to happen in the first place. Additionally, he viewed himself as a catalyst versus a savior. All he was going to do was create the opportunity for change and then walk away. He left it up to the people to build the new world — or to fall back into the control of their oppressors.
The artwork did leave something to be desired, especially compared to works of today. At times, it was hard to follow who and what was going on in some of the frames because the art was a bit be crude. That said, it does not take away from the powerful message that Alan Moore was trying to convey.
V for Vendetta is a must-read, not only for comic book readers but for all. This one is a 5-Star, graphic novel classic.
Feature Image V for Vendetta 30th Anniversary cover art by David Lloyd
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