The story is complex and incredibly well-thought out. The characters each have their own motives for wanting to take down the Leader (Mr. Susan) and his lackeys. The intricate play of human motivation is impressive. One thing I have come to respect about Alan Moore’s writing is the intense amount of back story each character is given; when even minor characters seem to come alive, it makes the larger story that much more believable. Along with the writing, I loved the artwork. The depiction of V in a Guy Fawkes mask — the persona encompasses a bit of what V is all about. He truly is an idea, rather than just a man, which is shown in the slightly different ending the novel had compared to the film.

Although it may seem clichè, my two favorite characters were the Leader and V. The novel really highlighted their insane intelligence and how it affected them personally. Insights into the Leader’s rule and time spent with Fate (government watch computer and program) were fascinating, and V’s time at Larkhill was probably the most interesting single plot line in the novel. I really enjoyed V for Vendetta, and although it’s not my favorite graphic novel, it is definitely in the upper register. For fans of the film (as I am; I love the movie, and will still repeatedly watch it even after reading the novel), I would highly recommend reading it. For those of you who haven’t seen the movie and are interested, I would also recommend the novel — it is a great political statement and fascinating character-driven story.