Of course, this isn't a typical adventure. It's a mystery, teeming with cameos and reference. When compared with writer Moore's other works, it is surprisingly humourous and lighter in subject matter. Moore does darken some of the charcters though, reminding us that Captain Nemo is an Indian prince embittered with England, Quartermain is an opium addict, and the Invisible Man ... well, just read it and see.

The art is, as always with Moore's works, reflective of the time period. The comic panels usually look like Victorian era etchings, which makes for a nice effect.

Overall, it is a great read, leaving you satisfied for having done so. More to the point, it will leave you desperately awaiting the live action movie this summer, starring Sean Connery as Allan, a role he was born to play.

Come on, it's Alan Moore. Just buy the sodding thing already.


Just Didn't Get It   December 31, 2002
 13 out of 25 found this review helpful

First off: Alan Moore is brilliant, just to get that out of the way. The "Comics-as-Literature" movement is due in large part to Moore's work in the 80s, "The Dark Knight Returns" and "Watchmen." His writing is typically dark and satirical, but his creations are some of the most inventive and imaginative out there. Comics are what they are today because of Alan Moore, and he is the best at what he does.

Usually.

But this... this seems more like a writing exercise than a complete story. It's a pastiche of the writers of the day, written in the style of the day. Like he said, "I'm bored. Let's see, what would happen if Captain Nemo and Allan Quartermain were drafted by the British Government." The story comes second to research, as Moore tries to squeeze in as many "in-jokes" as possible on each page.

O'Neill's art is serviceable, but a little on the "underground" side--that is, scratchy and cartoony. And there were several times when the art was hard to follow.

All in all, very disappointing. Since most of the characters in the book are in public-domain, there are other novels available dealing with the concept of fictional characters meeting each other, and they are done better than this.


A literate delight   August 3, 2001
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

As a 19th-century scholar, rather than a graphic novel fan, I was prepared to be picky about how TLOEG portrayed characters from "my" era. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise. This is clearly the work of someone who not only loves but understands 19th-century fiction, both its enduring appeal and its sometimes exasperating conventions.

The shining example of this series' achievement is the character of Mina Murray, the brilliant heroine of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Here she becomes even stronger and more assured, the clear-eyed, coolly efficient leader of this motley crew of "gentlemen." Yet, appropriately and hilariously, the men in the group (who tend to confound Victorian stereotype by being more emotional than Mina) respond to her assertive intelligence by labelling her a harpy, a shrew, a revoltingly "mannish" creature. As far as I'm concerned, Mina is the real hero--and what a hero! Finally, a woman in a graphic novel I can really admire and empathize with.

TLOEG offers many such delicious treats for fans of Victorian fiction or intelligent, witty adventure tales. Dig in and enjoy.


dark, delightful graphic novel   May 14, 2003
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

I used to read comic books a lot when I was younger and recently, having heard good things about graphic novels, decided to check out some of the highly rated ones. I was certainly not disappointed by this extraordinary tale with its fantastical characters and settings.

In this story, the mysterious Mr. M has commissioned Wilhelmina Harker Murray (from Bram Stoker's Dracula) to gather a league of adventurers who will perform extraordinary tasks when the need arises. The first part of the story is devoted to the formidable Miss Murray's finding and assembling her group: Allan Quatermain, H. Rider Haggard's hero; Captain Nemo from Jules Verne's tale; Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Jekyll (and his counterpart Mr. Edward Hyde); and Hawley Griffin, from H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man. Along the way they are assisted by Auguste Dupin, literature's first detective, and threatened by Fu Manchu. There are lots of other literary references and these are fun, but you can easily enjoy this fine graphic novel without catching them.

Throughout the book, in editorial notes, author blurbs, etc, the conceit is maintained that this tale was written and published in the 19th century. Also included is a heavily-illustrated prose tale, 'Allan and the Sundered Veil'.

Caveat: If you are a parent buying for children, you might want to find something else -- there is a lot of graphic violence and coercive [explicits].


A Modern Illustrated Classic   December 24, 2003
 11 out of 13 found this review helpful

In the 1960s I loved "The Classics Illustrated" series of comics. The stories were based, as the title implies, on classic novels. Perhaps my favorite was "Master of the World," based on the novel of the same name by Jules Verne. The science fiction theme and the characters created this wonderful world that appeared as though it could be real, rather than the complete fantasy of Superman or Marvel's venerable lineup of mutants and superheroes.

"The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" is reminiscent of those great Classics Illustrated comics, but with a much more adult edge. Early in the book we find Alan Quatermain addicted to opium and apparently well down the road to an oblivious death. We soon find Hawley Griffin, "The Invisible Man," creating multiple pregnancies attributed to either demons or saints. Clearly this story is far different from the comics I read as a youth. But what a story it is. While told with a distinctly adult edge, the story is an epic tale of some of the best literary characters of the Victorian era fighting against a villain intent on (what else?) conquering the world.

In the course of the travails of the dubiously phrased good guys a number of deaths occur, and the significantly less than pure predilections of our heroes form a dark base to a story that is nominally of good versus evil, but turns out to be more of evil versus not-as-evil.

The real marvel of the story is the style in which it was written. I have read many of the classics that form a basis for this graphic novel, and the style herein emulates that style in a disconcertingly exceptional way. There were points where I wondered how Alan Moore was able to capture the style of 100 years ago in a newly created novel. If there were gross inconsistencies with that style, I was unable to find them. Those unfamiliar with classic literature may find the style a bit difficult to read, but once you get into it you find that it challenges your mental abilities and makes you think about events and writing in a different way.

There have been few graphic novels for which I would provide more than a mild recommendation to another reader. In the case of this novel, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys graphic novels and classic literature, particularly adventure classics. If you enjoyed "Classics Illustrated" series of books that date quite far into the past, you will find some similarities. However, be warned that this is clearly an adult story. Enjoy!