The V for Vendetta Graphic Novel is an astounding book. It is the depiction of the movie (if you watched it first like I did) and it is a more in-depth look at Codename V. I recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of: V for Vendetta the motion picture, graphic novels, or even comic books. (since it so closely relates to one)

An otherwise five stars rating, if not for the shameful low quality of the paper and printing.


More than a review, a warning...

...so beware, for this is artwork far from its original shine and luster.

Since this is a masterpiece no one should be without,no matter what, buy it.

Another reviewer has pointed out that there are quality editions around. So keep this one only until you get one of those.

The book, like the movie, is astounding. But... Perhaps, either too jaded by the movie or not enough of a fan of the graphic novel, there is something missing in the novel that makes the movie so wonderful... I believe that too much is given away in the book at the beginning that is left a mystery until the very end, if ever, of the movie, and with that knowledge the book is somewhat dampened. Still absolutely worth read.

Jazzed by the movie, I bought the book and then let it sit around for a couple of years while other matters took precedence. Maybe I should have struck while the iron was hot because when I took up V FOR VENDETTA recently it seemed listless and drawn out to an excruciating degree. That said, I must admit that if I hadn't have seen the film I might have been more taken by Alan Moore's concept and David Lloyd's execution. It's great to have a comic dealing so openly and forcefully with anarchy-related materials, but if you ask me, the movie upped the ante in every respect; the movie made the Shadow Gallery the palace of art, music and culture it was meant to be, the privations of the outside world more real, more chilling.

I know people say that the movie is inferior in that V and Evey are more heroic and lack the complex moral shadings the book gives them. But what some see as "complex moral shadings" others might view as maddeningly etiolated monologues with no visible point. The chief plot twist is kept in the movie, where it's just as unbelievable--that V would torment Evey strikes me as absurd--but luckily some of the cheaply conceived, lackluster "Advise and Consent"-style subplots of the book were dropped entirely. The inner torment of Rose Almond for example. Moore does his best to make her struggle interesting but, well, it's not. Ditto with the sexual power games of Helen Heyer. Could anything be duller than this allegedly Marat-Sade affair? Later on, Moore got good at writing about women but here he's all ideas, ideas ill-suitedly sharing a bed with a wanky titillation.

And please, like everyone else I must register a protest against the horrible printing of the book. You can barely make out what's happening in fully a quarter of the pages. They should give you at least 25 per cent off the cover price, for 25 per cent is illegible, murky, muddy. They should be ashamed to offer this as a product.

The most interesting thing about "V for Vendetta" is that the main theme of the novel isn't actually one man standing up to Fascism, though that's an aspect of it. The more relevant political theme is Anarchism, though it's still only partly about that. The primary themes are about people; about people taking their freedom and the responsibility that goes along with it. The creeping Fascism of the book came not from the scheming of an elite, but from the failure of the countrymen to take control of their own lives, and instead taking the simple way out and following the group that promised to take away their fear.

The freedom of "The Land of Do As You Please" isn't the answer, but rather than the opposite of authoritarian ideas of responsibility they're one and the same, both accepting the easy answer rather than standing up and actively choosing. Moore and Lloyd's Anarchism is a freedom of self-rule, where you take real responsibility for governing your own actions among your peers and hold your ideals in a way that can't be threatened. On a personal level, this a case made well; even Finch, who isn't pushed through this like Evey but goes through a (potentially absurd) revelation is better than Mrs. Heyer's ultimate dependency. The authors skimp, however, on the possible rise of this unruled order - the novel takes place under the old order. It's rather clear they would pin the blame on the people, and not the system, if it didn't work.

Moore is certainly verbose; there's a lot of talking here and most of the fights are abrupt matters. Lloyd's art isn't outstanding or beautiful (though the faded color may due to the printing), but it's never a problem and the lighting, shade, and color augments the action. The minimal use of internal monologue, and complete lack of sound effects or thought bubbles means it has to pull it's own weight and it does. V for Vendetta is a great graphic novel - as much or more for it's warnings of letting us fall prey to our fears and appetites in a subtle way as for the overt threat of Fascism.

Todo llego en buen tiempo y excelente estado, hasta mi natal ciudad irapuato, gto. Mexico

comic book style. good supplement to the movie for those who really got the message.

V FOR VENDETTA is Alan Moore and David Lloyd's comic book vision of future, dystopian England, where the fascist government is oppost by an anarchist terrorist.

The comic is considerably more complex than the film; V is crusading for anarchy, not freedom, and neither he nor Evey Hammond are as particularly noble as they are in the movie. This leads, then, as Moore intended, to the reader dealing with two extremes, neither one of which is perfect or necessarily even good.

V for Vendetta is a solid, thought-provoking work, although not Moore's absolute best (Watchmen). The narrative is heavy-handed at times, particularly at the beginning. There are some instances where the reader's suspension of disbelief is stretched rather thin (for example, how, exactly, did V come to have complete control over the Fate computer all these years?). The authors' decision not to use thought balloons or sound effects was avante garde, but ultimately benefits this work. Lloyd's art is on the whole quite realistic, which fits the story very well.

V for Vendetta is recommended to those who enjoy thought-provoking, multi-layered stories.

RECOMMENDED

I saw the Film first, then read the Graphic Novel. Loved both of course and very much would recommend it. Read the book first, the language and writing is as much satired and flamboyant that it feels more ambigious as in the film, the film has its own excellent adaptation of the novel, which makes it more enjoyable. The book has a more Vaudeville and Neo-Dickens-on outlook of it, and it pars well in that much of it feels very cinematic. Both good versions of a cunning and elequent story. 9/10.

A wonderful book that shows the danger of giving any government too much power (for any reason, especially when you are afraid because you feel threatened or in danger ... people seldom make good choices when they are in fear for their life [real or imagined]).
Beyond the important message the book is entertaining and a good read. Written in the 1980's the book is eerily prophetic in its predictions of government surveillance tactics. Keeping in mind that this week the House of Reps just passed a bill that will keep phone companies free of lawsuits for allowing the government to tap phone calls without a warrant it strikes home more than ever.

The book on amazon was cheaper than at my college bookstore and local bookstores. Brand new, came in time, and all together fantastic service.

I am very happy with this product, arrived SUPER fast and was as promised, doesn't get much better!

V for Vendetta is the graphic novel that inspired the movie by the same name. Everyone should both read the novel and see the movie!

This is the original graphic novel that the movie was made from - and the movie took some interesting liberties. I love the movie so I had to get the book.

While scenes in the book are quite different from the movie - especially he Houses of Parliament and the Old Bailey - it's an absorbing read with very good graphics and an excellent story line.

As soon as I finished it, my son grabbed it and I may not see it again unless I threaten him with a baseball bat!!

The Graphic Novel lives up to the term "Graphic Novel". It is a very well written story, with good character development and a very good adventure. The one downside side, although not significant, is the graphics, they leaving you wanting lush full color drawings to further enhance the story. "All-in-all" it is highly recommended.

V for Vendetta is a book that has a lot of impact when you first read it, but it wasn't the most entertaining thing I've ever read. I think it does a lot of things better than the movie, although it does have its shortcomings too. However, I would still recommend reading it.

Allan Moore's V FOR VENDETTA is a true classic in the world of graphic novels. The atmosphere of paranoia and repressed angst created here is unique in its genre. You rarely find such depth of characterization in comics. If you've read any of the other reviews, you surely know the plot by now so I'll skip a synopsis. What I find so appealing about this work is the mystery that is "V". How one man can be a catalyst for change in an oppressive society is actually an upbeat concept at the core of this dark story.
In an interesting style MOORE tells his story strictly through dialog with little to no narration or thought captioning. The pictures tell the story and although somewhat sparse, the artwork by DAVID LLOYD is a perfect fit for the Orwellian world of post world war 3 fascist England. I felt this was better than MOORE's later work, the critically acclaimed WATCHMEN. While that is a good story, I found it somewhat pretentious. V FOR VENDETTA is excellent and is one of the best graphic novels I've ever read. 5 stars.

I picked this up not expecting much, the art looked weak and the story seemed overdrawn. But alas, I picked it up and read it from front to back as soon as I could, nothing short of LOVING it and being very pleasantly surprised. Leave it to Alan Moore to create another engaging story, and the article written by said person was a good wrap-up to the graphic novel.

Essentially, this is a must buy for any good graphic novel fans, especially anyone who liked Watchmen.

I felt that this was a masterfull piece of writting that created one of the most original characters ever in V himself. It was not a Love story, it is a story about revolution and how once Big Brother is allowed to much control, the only way back to peace is Anarchy.

Awsome read. Really Enjoyed it.

I think it is easy to say that Alan Moore is the greatest comic book writer ever (though Frank Miller might be able to give a run for his money). He created the groundbreaking and master of the literary arts, The Watchmen. Moore's other 'big' creation is V for Vendetta, which is definitely influence by Orwell's "1984" among others. It isn't as great as The Watchmen, which should be read by all, but it is high among his great works, though it isn't your typical comic book. There's intrigue, darkness and a whole lot more.

I watched the movie before i read the comic book, and that makes me wonder whether i would have felt the same, had i read it first. Though it is a masterpiece, both in the art work, the plot, the dialogs, and the way the story is knitted together, the ending in the comic book seemed to me as icomplete, something that the directors of the V movie "corrected" in a way, with an explosive, cathartic ending. It is nonetheless a gem on my book shelf, and a reminder that if we the people take no action, sooner than later we will be living in a world as depicted by Moore.

Now, don't get me wrong-I loved Watchmen. But, for some reason, I couldn't get through V for Vendetta. It took me somewhere around three tries to get through it without getting bored and giving up. I don't know why, but I don't think this anywhere near up to par with what Alan Moore can do.

This is the one book that made me rethink my stance on the role of comics in literature. Beautifully rendered artwork combined with an inspired story makes for a real attention-grabber. I'd recommend this book to just about anyone with a brain.

I have never read a graphic novel, till this one. I saw the movie and decided to read the novel. The movie was a five out of five and it is only half as good as this book. The book is eerily familiar to today's political climate, despite the fact it was written twenty years ago. A must read for any comic hero fan.

We are closing in on the 20th anniversary of this wonderful work. Written in1988, and placed 10 years in the futures, "V for Vendetta" is a story of a world torn apart by global war and controlled by fascism and technology. Into this dystopic universe comes a mysterious figure - dressed ludicrously as a 17th century dandy with thigh-high boots, page-boy-style wig and an ever-smiling ceramic mask. Calling himself "V," the hero is a difficult figure. Standing for good, he is brutally violent. Standing for freedom, he imprisons. Standing for free will, he manipulates and holds secrets. V is a master schemer who slips effortlessly through the cracks of his world, trying to wake up the population to oppose the tyranny that provides them comfort and security.

"V for Vendetta" is a complex work, and hard to understand on the first pass. There are at least a dozen main characters, some of whom age and grow over the course of the book. The comic book style was never one for subtlety, and I found it hard to recognize the characters from page to page. Yet I was unwilling to slow down to get my bearings. A second reading will be needed to straighten out al the characters and their relationships but it will be a pleasure to put in he work.

"V" maintains a very fast pace. Every page explodes with new twists, new surprises and new energy. The book is quite violent, with bombings and shootings throughout. There is a small amount of nudity, and several scenes from a "girlie" dance review, but these fit the story line and aren't completely gratuitous. A dictatorship that thrives on controlling its populace would not stint at "merely" exploiting its women.

"V" is terrific. Its hero is complicated, yet always courageous and cunning. Its values lie on the right side of the divide of tyranny versus freedom, its message is timeless and its delivery is superb. A must-read.

At at time when war has caused problems for much of the world, the English have elected leadership from a far right religious part. Bad mistake.

This group takes over and moves quickly to totalitarianism, deciding that Orwell's Big Brother is a pretty good plan. Anyone different is rounded up, and dissenters are disappeared.

One of their experiments has gone slightly wrong, and a man is now in a position to do something about it, especially with the superhuman talents he now possesses.

The main focus is on the responsibilities of government to the people, and the people's responsibility to eliminate their bad governments through violence, is necessary. When does anarchy become revolution, and how far do you go to gain allies and aid in the process.

the product was shipped quickly and the quality of the binding and print was great. the story and art are very intriguing!

Alan Moore is an amazing political writer. If you liked the movie you'll like the book.

one of the best comic books made if you are a comic book you have to read this

I loved the movie "V for Vendetta," which I had watched about nine months before I read this book, and, like many other comic book fans, I also greatly enjoyed Moore's Watchmen, so I was really looking forward to finally reading this. The story is about one person who, embodying an idea, attempts to overthrow a Nazi-like British regime, which comes to power during the cold war. It is a very dark tale, and David Lloyd's artwork works well, although I usually prefer more realism in comic book drawing. There are some intricate subplots that do finally come together in the end, but can be confusing until then. The belief that bad governments should fear their people and that things shouldn't be the other way around is definitely a big part of the book. Overall, I really liked the plot but felt like some of the side stories weighed it down a bit. Avid comic book fans will surely enjoy it, but I'd suggest that anyone else just watch the movie, since that version is excellent and captures the best things about "V for Vendetta" without the fluff.

This is more or less the graphic novel that led to the box office hit. The art work is almost the same as the original but with some minor tweaks. In all aspects almost perfect port of the original, the only major difference is on the front cover it has "Now a major motion picture" which completly takes away from the original look but i guess that doesn't really matter unless you're trying to pass a reprint off as an original

This book is estupendous. It's nothing like the movie even better than the movie. It's worth the price. The only thing is that the book is in color and not in black like it's original print, but worth reading. You will not be disappointed, it's a page turner like Stephen King's books.

As just about any comic fan will tell you, V, like Watchmen, is one of the most respected graphic novels out there. For that reason alone, I feel V is an important book for people to be familiar with. Like Watchmen, however, I was a bit disappointed in the end. Moore is clearly talented when it comes to story ideas, but from my experience his endings are anti-climactic.

I would recomend reading this book with the intention of gaining knowlege of comic book culture rather than just for entertainment.

As just about any comic fan will tell you, V, like Watchmen, is one of the most respected graphic novels out there. For that reason alone, I feel V is an important book for people to be familiar with. Like Watchmen, however, I was a bit disappointed in the end. Moore is clearly talented when it comes to story ideas, but from my experience his endings are anti-climactic.

I would recomend reading this book with the intention of gaining knowlege of comic book culture rather than just for entertainment.

First, I have to say that the art work is unbelievably bad. I found it difficult to follow the plot because I couldn't figure out who the characters were supposed to be. All of the characters are portrayed with little scarecrow faces that all look pretty much alike.
Second, there is nothing "anarchist" about this story. A character with vague super powers does things while a quiescent populace looks on and a quiescent readership cheers. Where's social consciousness? Where's individual responsibility? Where's there anything but a passive, consumerist message?

I admit, I never knew about this book until I saw the movie. I am certainly glad I did becuase it is very very powerful read. The plot is similar to the movie, yet very different. It's more complex and has all of the subtle details that make it that much better.

My only complaint is that some of the dialog of the secondary characters is difficult for me to read and understand becuase it is written with a heavy english accent.

The plot is very gripping, I found it difficult to put it down and read the whole thing in a couple of hours. Also, the concept of a graphic novel is new to me, I've never read one before so this was a new experience (that i enjoyed).

All in all, this book is simply brilliant. If you liked the movie then READ THIS BOOK.

I bought this book for My Girl Friend's to use in Englis class, I ended up reading the book before she got a chance to. Its interesting and captivating while it's easy to read like a comic boock, and has all the colored pictures.

FANTASTIC BOOK! arrived in perfect condition, at least two weeks before shipping date. GREAT SERVICE!!! very impressed.

Violent, madcap meditation on politics and freedom. Borrows its window dressing from seminal dystopias like Orwell's 1984, Huxley's Brave New World, and Zamyatin's We. Here, the hero may actually have a chance to spark a revolution. Dark, grim, pensive, but ultimately hopeful. Far superior to the film in its ability to wed ideas with imagery.

The plot is brilliant, complex, thrilling and quick-paced. The tandem Moore-Lloyd has come up with wonderful ideas. Dialogues are great. Drawings/coloring are a bit dim for nowadays taste. Even if this book does not reach the perfection of some of Moore's later works, I found it really great. (Note: The movie based on the book does not faithfully render the complexity of the plot and has washed away many important details and subtleties. I found the movie was OK, but the book far much better.)

this product was shipped quickly and it was in good condition when sent. The story itself is very interesnting and really lets the reader see how the story was ment to be told when it was first written.

"V for Vendetta" is one of the best pieces of work I've read in a long time. I strongly feel that everyone should have it in their personal library! This book / movie exposes the massive deception that is regularly carried out on a daily basis by our mis-Leaders. When a tiny group of elites own the media (like in the US), it's becomes relatively easy to manipulate an entire population. Besides the action and great plot, this is one of the many things that I enjoyed about this movie and book. Eventhough it's classified as fiction, one can plainly see the parrallel to what has happened to our freedom in the past 5 years. The message is clear, "People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people!"

Dr. Matthew J. Loop

- Author of "Cracking the Cancer Code"

Wow!
I admit that I had not heard of this masterpiece until the film came out, but it doesn't matter how one is introduced to a great work, so long as they get to meet it. On the other hand, I was a bit too young when it was written I think to really appreciate what this story is. I just wish more people understood that just because the comic book may be the chosen forum it doesn't mean that the story should be taken any less seriously.

Having now seen the film and read the graphic novel, I'm not sure that one is better than the other. They both tell the same powerful story. Different forums, different conventions, but both excellent. I don't think you can have one without the other.

In any case, this is definitely worth reading! Wow!

Graphic Novel. Plot is similar to the movie of the same name, however there is greater depth and significant changes in the particulars of the story as well as several digressions that occur in the graphic novel but not in the movie. I prefer the movie based on shere entertainment value, but it is interesting to see where the idea had originated. It is mildly disturbing, many of the scenes are very in-your-face and theoretically provocative. The basic premise brings you into the underground resistance, lead by the character "V," against a totalitarian empire that had taken over England following a devestating catastrophe. In the movie, it was disease and threat of war; in the comic, I was less certain of exactly what had brought about the rise of the iron-handed state. All the same, it is the story of how this figure, "V," effectively turns this totalitarian state upside down and eventually makes it crumble. The artwork is artistic without being cartoonish, it is meant for a mature audience and deals with serious and mature subject matter in a slightly fanciful manner.

This summer a friend of mine realized I had never seen the movie "V for Vendetta" and he insisted that I saw it. I didn't think it looked like my type of movie, but I watched it with him anyway. As I was watching it I was glued to the story line the whole time. I went home and looked up more information on the movie, and realized it was based off of a book, and not just a book, but a comic book.

I was a little intimidated about buying the book, because I had never read a comic book before, or graphic novel as it is referred too. But I can't love a movie and then not read the book. I started reading it and became just as hooked as I was when I watched the movie. The story was similar, yet very different. I enjoyed reading the extra details that the book included (as most books include while the movie excludes them.) Often I found myself just looking at the art; it is so cool to look at.

I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoyed the movie. It is defiantly not a kid's comic book, it is a high quality piece of literature.

I first saw the movie that was put out recently and i was taken in by the story and political aspect of the movie. I went in search for the book and found that the book in all ways was rich with brillance. The movie captures a portion of this, but the book really does justice to graphic novels. I highly recommend it.

Sales of V for Vindetta increased dramatically when the movie came out earlier this year. I happened to be one of those guys that wanted to read the graphic novel before I saw the movie. I am so grateful that I did.

The movie is somewhat entertaining and I did enjoy it, but the Wackowski brothers turned the classic story into a Bush bashing movie which upset me greatly. In fact, you can in several places while pausing the movie see signs that say some horrific things about President Bush. Very childish behavior in my opinion but I digress. This is not a review of the movie but of the book in which it is based off.

There is a reason why Alan Moore wanted nothing to do with the movie and didn't want his name anywhere to be seen. The movie completely waters down the beauty of this book. V for Vindetta tells a great story of a futuristic London that has fallen into corrupt government hands, and how one lone person is able to motivate thousands that have been depressed into fighting back for their freedoms and rights.

Very intertaining and highly recommended for any comic book fan. Read it. Think about it, and read it again. V for Vindetta is worth every penny.

Note to parents: This book is not for younger readers but for mature audiences only. Adult situations, adult language, nudity and sex, is throughout this book. Reader Discression is advised.

This was the first Alan Moore graphic novel that I have read, and I must say I was very pleased. This novel is much weightier than I expected as it grapples with philosophical and political issues such as "what is the government's responsibility to it's citizens?", and "can a terrorist be a hero?". The writing is definitely top notch, and the artwork was very good (not as good as Frank Miller's Sin City series, but still quite good). I would definitely recommend this graphic novel as well as the film adaptation (read the novel first if possible - I believe I enjoyed the film version much more having read the original source).

A stones throw from the concept of the movie, which seemed to be Democracy vs. Fascism, this book read quite a bit better than the movie played. The movie was truly a good movie, so then it must follow that this book is an excellent book.

V, in the book, held all the same qualities that he did in the movie, but he was fleshed out a little more here. Evey was also not quite the innocent she was portrayed as in the movie, which gave you a better sense of who she was as well. The comic series was ten books and the movie couldn't really give you all that the book did, so they changed a few of the plot items and removed some of the personnel and gave you (too many) condensed versions of scenes that needed elaboration but still did a good job of conveying what Alan Moore had put down on the paper with the help of David Lloyd.

In my opinion, the biggest change from the book to the movie was the aforementioned Anarchy Vs. Fascism (book) and Democracy Vs. Fascism (movie) and the endings of each, which gave you the truth of that statement. Read the book, watch the movie, neither are disappointing, only different.

The reviews that warn about fascism partly miss the point of Alan Moore's writings. It is about both fascism and anarchy. The written version is not as artistically skilled as the movie - but the movie took liberties that re-shaped Moore's writings in a way that actually lost some of the seminal points in Moore's book.

There is no doubt that there is a danger both ways. Even in our culture. In many respects, as Alan Moore recognizes, both in his fiction and his public statements, we see the threat of both in our culture.

Fascism is one and the same with Communism (though many don't understand this). It, like Communism, is about control. Equating McCarthyism and Nixon's actions with fascism is a mistake stemming from a superficial understanding. Moore, however, "gets" fascism. It is, regardless of its form or orgin (religious or godless) about control of a human race.

Anarchism, on the other hand, is society without any control. It is about freedom without the rule of law - and that too has dire consequences as Moore recognizes in Vendetta. The irony is, both neo-conservatives and modern liberals want both a bit of anarchy - whether freedom from business regulation (the neo-con) or from artistic expression (the lib) - and a bit of control - e.g., a stronger police power in the fight against terrorism or other violent crime (the neo-con) or stronger regulations against endangering the environment (the lib). They just want it in different areas. Both liberals and neo-cons are part fascist, part anarchist. Ultimately, there is danger in both because they want power.

In the end, anarchy and fascism come full circle. The weak in both systems live in terror from the strong. Such, it appears to me, is one of the comparisons Alan Moore hopes for his readers to grapple with.