V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, David Lloyd

​Ah, finally. I read this book. It’s considered a classic. I like classics. So there. Of course, I kinda sorta knew the plot going in, but in a pretty long ago and far away sort of way. Which was great, getting to experience the story for the first time, again.
And what a story. A vision of a post-nuclear war (ok, even Moore admits that was goofy, but guess people knew less about it back then) England that has turned to fascism.  A combination of dramatic exaggerations and eerily prescient predictions.
Don’t you just love the way good fiction can anticipate the world to come?
Anyway, in this England made great again (yeah, they use that in the book) one man dares to stand up to the system, to disrupt the totalitarian regime with dreams of anarchy. Power to the people and all that. One explosion at a time.
The man hides behind a Guy Fawkes mask, quotes the classics, and has some very disturbing mentorship ideas when it comes to his young protégé. In other words – a memorable character.
The story itself…well, at time sit does overwhelm itself with its intricate politics and proselytizing (as in reads like Alan Moore’s ode to anarchy) and the art has a distinctly 80s vibe to it, but overall it’s clever, complex, interesting, original, and exciting. Visually attractive too. And what more can you ask for from a book, really?
No, this isn’t the classic that Watchmen is. Yes, it is more dated, though at the time of publication it was technically set in the near future that’s now a distant past. Yes, it is more a product of its decade. But it is still very much a worthy and important read. Especially given the zeitgeist of current affairs. Perhaps those who don’t learn from the past, might learn from fiction? Nah, probably not, though it’s a nice thought. Either way, this is definitely worth a read. Recommended.