Comic Info
Comic Name: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Publisher: America’s Best Comics
Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Kevin O’Neill
# of Issues: 6
Release Date: 2000
The League of Extraordinary Gentemen #1
Reprints The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen #1-6 (March 1999-September 2000). Throughout time there has been multiple Leagues of Extraordinary Gentlemen assembled from the heroes of the time. It is 1898, and London and the world are threatened by a man calling himself the Doctor. Now, a new League must be assembled by Campion Bond and his master M. Mina Murray is in charge of assembling and collecting a team made up of Allan Quartermain, Captain Nemo, Hawley Griffin, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and Jekyll’s monstrous partner Mr. Edward Hyde. If the League doesn’t kill each other, they might be strong enough to stop the Doctor’s evil plans.
Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Kevin O’Neill, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (now called The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1) was met with great acclaim and fanfare. An unfortunate film version of the story in 2003 has unfortunately soured the view of the original story.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a fun story especially for readers. It is laced with references to the stories and characters that are a part of literary history. The best part of the story involves how they can incorporate these classic characters and to see characters of one story interact with other characters from different stories.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen #6
The masked Fu Manchu plot also adds depth to the story. The fact that Fu Manchu can’t be mentioned (licensing issues) is almost even better. He lurks in the shadows much like M who is revealed to be Professor Moriarty. With the shadowy figures, it almost thrusts all the characters into a noire style of story that didn’t exist at the time. It combines it with the gothic style into something new that it is interesting.
O’Neill’s art also is strong. What Moore can’t fit into the script, O’Neill is able to illustrate. His pictures hold tons of clues to other characters and visuals that really have you scanning the panels. In particular, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’s headquarter in the British Museum houses a lot of fun artifacts from other novels which predate the characters here.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a great story and well worth looking into. Each issue contains part of an Allan Quartermain story but honestly, I have a hard time reading the “serious” stuff. Moore always manages to make something creative an do something different with comics. The ABC line seemed like a pet project for Moore so many of the titles in the series had a lot put into them. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen does end on a rather intense cliffhanger which will have you buying the second volume quickly.
Related Links:
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen—Volume II
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier
