Scan barcode
method3000's review against another edition
3.0
Merely entertaining. The big idea is that a bunch of Victorian-era literary figures (Jekyll & Hide, Invisible Man, Captain Nemo, Allan Quatermain) join forces. Part of the fun is supposed to be how it preserves the tone and attitudes of Victorian popular fiction while also satirizing it by adopting a grotesque artwork style and by having the characters act immorally to varying degrees (Invisible Man is a murderous psychopath). The book depicts Arabs and Chinese people ("Mohammedans" and "Chinamen") in a fairly sinister and subhuman light. Presumably this is supposed to be a reflection of the source material and in fairness everyone in the book is a grotesque, but it gets a bit awkward and hard to justify at points. All that said, I'll still read the second volume to see where things go.
lindsayharmon's review
3.0
I liked the literary aspects of this, although now I feel like I need to revisit some classic literature to remind myself who some of these characters were. This was only the fourth or fifth graphic novel that I've read, and the others were much more text-heavy (Fun Home, Persepolis). I had to remind myself to look at all the illustrations and not just skip ahead to the next panel with words. This is the next installment in our student/faculty/staff book club, so I'm very interested to see what they have to say, especially since I'm about the only non-artist in the group.
ashkitty93's review
4.0
4-4.5 stars
The adaptation-loved-it shelf may change. Bear in mind, I saw the movie years before I even knew the graphic novel existed (and, thus, years ago). I do still love the idea of some of literature's most beloved characters banding together to create a kickass supergroup. And something else I loved about the book that I think got pushed aside in the film, but Mina being the leader? Hell yeah, girl. Looking forward to volume 2, the Black Dossier, and the rest.
The adaptation-loved-it shelf may change. Bear in mind, I saw the movie years before I even knew the graphic novel existed (and, thus, years ago). I do still love the idea of some of literature's most beloved characters banding together to create a kickass supergroup. And something else I loved about the book that I think got pushed aside in the film, but Mina being the leader? Hell yeah, girl. Looking forward to volume 2, the Black Dossier, and the rest.
midnighterbae's review
5.0
A great steampunk/Victorian adventure story and also a subtle deconstruction of those stories. Allan Quatermain is a drug addict, Invisible Man is a borderline psychopath, Captain Nemo is sexist and world weary, Mina Murray struggles with her identity as a "liberated woman" in the Victorian Age, and Jekyll/Hyde continue to have the same problems he had in the Stevenson novel. The art by Kevin O'Neill is grotesque and filled with details and allusions to late 19th century/early 20th century literature. I loved his steampunk London skyline, and his ability to create characterization through facial expressions. The bonus Allan Quatermain prose story is a great tribute to early psychological horror (H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe) and fleshes out that character even more. This book isn't politically correct and contains some racial slurs and sexism/homophobia, but it's written as a period piece. The first volume ends on a great cliffhanger, and I can't wait for more.
rebelbelle13's review
4.0
I've been a fan of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen since the movie came out in the late 90's. I know most folks didn't like it, but I found it exciting, intriguing and different. I enjoyed all the literary references of the Victorian and Edwardian age; Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Dorian Grey, Captain Nemo, and the Invisible Man. I was unaware that a graphic novel existed of the team, and I was thrilled to stumble across this one. The art style is a little dark and gritty, but as you read you get used to it rather quickly. Each member of the team has their strengths and weaknesses, and the narrative weaves them well in equal measure. I was also pleased to see that the authors were true to the time period they were writing about. The story takes place in 1898, and it reads that way. History and language is not changed for modern sensibilities. What you read is how society was; both in how they spoke and how they acted. It feels much more immersive this way.
I also really enjoyed most of the extras at the back of the book.
There's a few downsides. There is a lot of violence and gore, particularly in the scenes that involve Mr Hyde, so be forewarned. Secondly, to my chagrin, Dorian Grey does not make an appearance in this bind-up. Perhaps he's in future stories? Thirdly, Miss Murray's true identity and reason she is on the team is not revealed. I was hoping we'd see it in this collection, but I was sadly disappointed. In this particular collection, there's a short story about Allen Quartermain at the end of the graphic novel. I read the first two chapters and found it incredibly convoluted and uninteresting, so I gave the rest of the story a pass.
If you really enjoyed the movie with Sean Connery, I highly recommend giving this graphic novel a try. I had a great time with it, and I'm intrigued to see where the story goes from here!
I also really enjoyed most of the extras at the back of the book.
There's a few downsides. There is a lot of violence and gore, particularly in the scenes that involve Mr Hyde, so be forewarned. Secondly, to my chagrin, Dorian Grey does not make an appearance in this bind-up. Perhaps he's in future stories? Thirdly, Miss Murray's true identity and reason she is on the team is not revealed. I was hoping we'd see it in this collection, but I was sadly disappointed. In this particular collection, there's a short story about Allen Quartermain at the end of the graphic novel. I read the first two chapters and found it incredibly convoluted and uninteresting, so I gave the rest of the story a pass.
If you really enjoyed the movie with Sean Connery, I highly recommend giving this graphic novel a try. I had a great time with it, and I'm intrigued to see where the story goes from here!
kittymamers's review
4.0
selle loo põhivõlu on ilmselgelt see, et kasutatakse teistest raamatutest ja lugudest pärit tegelasi, kes peavad ühise tiimina... vaenlasega võitlema (vaenlase täpsem olemus hakkab mul juba pool päeva pärast lugemist vaikselt ununema, nii et see ei tundunud mu jaoks ilmselgelt väga oluline). kindlasti oleks lugemine enamgi rõõmu pakkunud, kui ma kõiki neid tegelasi ja nende taustu paremini tunneksin. kapten Nemo ja dr Jekyll/mr Hyde ja (Wellsi) Nähtamatu on siin selged, aga Mina Murray ja Allan Quatermaine'i osas pidin küll väikse uurimistöö tegema (yup, neid raamatuid võiks ka lugenud olla, oma viga, et ei ole).
see-eest tundsin ära portsu kõrvaltegelaste viiteid, millest osad nt läksid nii sügavale ameerika lasteraamatute valdkonda, et äkki neid siis ei tea jälle need, kes Haggardit ja Bram Stokerit teavad. (Katy Carr!)
noh, ja siis on sellele kõigele kõigepealt paar vinti otsa keeratud (kõik tegelased on pigem negatiivsed - näiteks Nähtamatu on sarivägistaja, sest... miks mitte? Quatermaine on oopiumisõltlane, mr Hyde tapab Pariisis prostituute) ja siis toimub see kõik alternatiivajaloolises aurupunk-Londonis. sõidetakse aga Nautilusega otse Thamesi sisse ja nii ta läheb. loos endas on actionit rohkem kui huumorit, aga lõpuks jääb mulle ikka meelde pigem vaimukuse kui muu poolest.
see-eest tundsin ära portsu kõrvaltegelaste viiteid, millest osad nt läksid nii sügavale ameerika lasteraamatute valdkonda, et äkki neid siis ei tea jälle need, kes Haggardit ja Bram Stokerit teavad. (Katy Carr!)
noh, ja siis on sellele kõigele kõigepealt paar vinti otsa keeratud (kõik tegelased on pigem negatiivsed - näiteks Nähtamatu on sarivägistaja, sest... miks mitte? Quatermaine on oopiumisõltlane, mr Hyde tapab Pariisis prostituute) ja siis toimub see kõik alternatiivajaloolises aurupunk-Londonis. sõidetakse aga Nautilusega otse Thamesi sisse ja nii ta läheb. loos endas on actionit rohkem kui huumorit, aga lõpuks jääb mulle ikka meelde pigem vaimukuse kui muu poolest.
mattycakesbooks's review
4.0
So this is the LEAST impressive of the Alan Moore books I've read, so I'm giving it 5 stars. I originally read it like, 5 or 6 years ago and it went completely over my head. The reason was that I hadn't read any Victorian literature, so all of the references went over my head.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but to future readers of LXG (as the horrible movie called it), I suggest getting at least some of the following under your belt before starting in. You'll enjoy it much more:
-Dracula
-The Invisible Man
-Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
-At least some Sherlock Holmes (the modern series will actually help you with a lot of the references)
-20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
-War of the Worlds
-King Solomon's Mines (I actually hadn't read any Allan Quartermain before reading this, and I feel the poorer for it)
-At least some James Bond
-Moby Dick
-The Time Machine
You wouldn't read the Avengers or Justice League not knowing any of the characters, right? Don't do it here.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but to future readers of LXG (as the horrible movie called it), I suggest getting at least some of the following under your belt before starting in. You'll enjoy it much more:
-Dracula
-The Invisible Man
-Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
-At least some Sherlock Holmes (the modern series will actually help you with a lot of the references)
-20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
-War of the Worlds
-King Solomon's Mines (I actually hadn't read any Allan Quartermain before reading this, and I feel the poorer for it)
-At least some James Bond
-Moby Dick
-The Time Machine
You wouldn't read the Avengers or Justice League not knowing any of the characters, right? Don't do it here.
brettregister's review
4.0
Sitting on my shelves right now, this is one I constantly break out for a re-read.
wwrlad's review
3.0
I did see the movie years ago so I had a general knowledge of the characters which is pretty much all the two had in common. It was okay. I liked the art style but couldn't get into the story.