V For Vendetta

                                        

“ There's no certainty – only opportunity.”

“People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”

          

For the comic book aficionados and readers of serious literature, comes a seminal graphic novel which has relegated the lowly considered comic book into a stylish artistic medium. 

A serendipitous flip-through of V For Vendetta ended up in my shopping bag and subsequently etched an indelible impression on my mind, compelling me to stack this book and compare it with others in the same genre such as 1984, A Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451 and Anthem.

This dystopian story is set in Britain which has become ‘totalitarian’ following a nuclear conflict that has left the state somehow intact but badly bruised. Order is restored to society once again but at a tremendous price. Amidst all the chaos and cacophony of this ‘brave new world’ emerges the stylish masked vigilante known simply as “V” who through a series of systemic attacks on the government strives to bring order, restore freedom, hope and liberty to his people. Our anarchist revolutionary has a vast knowledge of computer hacking, subterfuge and the art of explosives. But what distinguishes him from other stereotyped superheroes is his vast literary, cultural and philosophical knowledge. The story panel is strewn with references and dialogues from literary giants such as Shakespeare which makes the reading extremely poetic and intelligent.

Throughout the novel, “V” dons a Guy Fawkes mask, a shoulder length wig of dark brown hair and a floor length cloak. “V” remains an enigma whose personal history is only hinted at in one of the subplots of the story. As the story unfolds we gradually come to the conclusion that the identity of “V” isn’t as significant as much as the idea that he embodies. 

The story is deliberately planned to give a jolt to its readers in their comfortable cocoon of security and provoke or engage them to raise questions on alternate history, freedom and identity. Alan Moore does a commendable job as you, at a sublime level, identify yourself  not only with the protagonist but also the circumstances he is pitched in. There lies the beauty of this Orwellian sci-fi which is nothing but a surreal extrapolation of the present state of affairs, irrespective of nations or race, onto a future totalitarian government. In short a must buy for comic book fans and an ‘unputdownable’ read (if you could allow me that) for the more serious reader.