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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
God, it took me so long to finish this one. It's very dense, but so good.
One of the best, but it's still tough for me to embrace Moore. He's kind of a dirty old man, and it makes me uncomfortable to think about him thinking about how to get sweet artists to draw women with big breasts. This applies to every review I've written of Moore's stuff, btw.
Thanks to Gabe Tomasulo for this book.
Thanks to Gabe Tomasulo for this book.
Undeniably impressive in research and scope and creativity, it isn't really my cup of tea. But compelling enough to finish.
While this storyline was wonderful and the book was very interesting I was rather disappointed in a handful of wordy, pretentious, unnecessary chapters. I feel like this could have used some editing to be way stronger.
Difícil de analizar una novela gráfica cuando el autor es un fenómeno como Alan Moore pero cuando el arte es exageradamente malo. Moore escribe con niveles de semántica y semiótica increíbles, como el maestro que es, pero desgraciadamente el arte de Campbell no lo sostiene. Hasta da cólera saber que un genio de tan alto calibre tenga tan mal gusto para escoger al artista de una obra tan importante.
This book is a tour de force. It's easily my favorite work by Alan Moore (though I must admit, I'm in the middle of his Saga of the Swamp Thing, and Watchmen is due for another reread). The story is set at the turning of the centuries, from the nineteenth to the twentieth, and is about the "real story" behind the Jack the Ripper murders--a story that involves royal bastards, Masonic coverups, and an insane man who is able to prey on the lower classes thanks to his social status. The art style is offputting at first, but reflects the haziness of trying to accurately account a story from so long ago. It also does a tremendous job of capturing the necessary facial expressions--some malevolent, some terrified, some weary.
I think one of my favorite things about this book is the attention it gives to the victims. It's their story too, after all, and Moore writes the last few days of their lives with respect. He doesn't force us to be compassionate towards them; he trusts that we'll have that response naturally (again, that whole respect thing.) The violence in the book isn't sensational or gratuitous. In fact, it's often revolting. But the ending of the story speaks to something about the passing of time and the dignity inherent in human lives. At this point, I'm rambling. I've just finished it, and I love it. I'm sure some of what I've expressed Moore doesn't agree with, but that's great art, isn't it? It's not only an expression of the creator, but a reflection of the consumer.
I can't recommend it highly enough.
I think one of my favorite things about this book is the attention it gives to the victims. It's their story too, after all, and Moore writes the last few days of their lives with respect. He doesn't force us to be compassionate towards them; he trusts that we'll have that response naturally (again, that whole respect thing.) The violence in the book isn't sensational or gratuitous. In fact, it's often revolting. But the ending of the story speaks to something about the passing of time and the dignity inherent in human lives. At this point, I'm rambling. I've just finished it, and I love it. I'm sure some of what I've expressed Moore doesn't agree with, but that's great art, isn't it? It's not only an expression of the creator, but a reflection of the consumer.
I can't recommend it highly enough.
I really wanted to like it, but I just wasn't able to sit through it. The story seemed too disjointed and cumbersome. I ended up putting it down without finishing it. Sorry, Alan. :(
Way too massive of an undertaking for something I simply wasn't enjoying. I know better now!
I'm usually a fan of Moore, however this particular piece was difficult to read. The art, whether by stylistic conscious choice or other reasons, was incredibly difficult to follow in terms of narrative storytelling and at times the lettering/dialogue is difficult to read. I like the idea more than the execution.
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes