The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volumes 1 & 2

Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Kevin O'Neil
Publisher: Americas Best Comics/DC Comics

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was the first of Alan Moore's work that I read based on his previous work. Prior to this I had only read Watchmen (It was one of the few graphic novels/comic my library had) and the never heard of, often forgotten(With good reason)Spawn/Wild C.A.T.S. But I had heard the Alan Moore was a very accomplished writer and if I wanted to experience the quality of his work first hand, then I should read The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen when its released.

Of course when It came out I did love it, thought it was a brilliant well thought out concept and was thoroughly enjoyable. I did not read any of the prose back up stories but in all honesty none of that mattered at that point I just really enjoyed the main story. Which Ill briefly summarise here.

Its 1898 the world is changing and England is now prone to being taken over from within. The British empire needs protection from this and a team of rather unique individuals are tasked to do this. This League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is compromised of Mina Murray,Allan Quatermain,Captain Nemo, Doctor Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde and the Invisible Man Hawley Griffen. This League when formed takes on Fu Manchu and to stop his devious plans for taking over Britain. But behind the league's heroic efforts there are devious plans afoot.

Now I originally read The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen back in 1999 and I really did enjoy it. I knew just enough information about the main characters in the league, although I had never read any of the original stories/books they were featured in. Whilst revisiting the book I found I still did enjoy it and this time round I wanted to read the additional prose story featuring Allan Quatermain(Allan and the Sundered Veil)but I was sure it would be a bit of a challenge for me.
I have read books before and at time they can be very difficult for me but I really do enjoy reading. Reading "Allan and the Sundered Veil" was incredibly difficult for me. I knew from reading Watchmen that Alan Moore is a very intelligent writer and he use of language is at times phenomenal and this is what I often struggle with. To read the main (comic) story in the it took me a couple of hours but it took me 2 days to read the prose story. Once I finally read the story I was glad I had as it was highly enjoyable and gave me an insight in to the future of Allan Quaetermain.

All in all though I really enjoyed Volume 1 and Im pleased that I finally read the prose story even though it did feel like gargantuan task. For other dyslexic readers I would strongly suggest that if you are going to read the prose part of the graphic novel, that you read it in you ideal reading conditions. Ideally I would of liked to read the book at home in silence but that was not the case for me, I ended up reading it on a night shift at work so I did not give it 100% of my attention.
Next I started reading League of Extraordinary Gentlemen volume 2. As before I originally read this when it cam out in comic form and I had not read it since. Also I had never read any of the additional material at the back of each issue. I had been informed that the back up material expands on the future of some of the characters so this time round I also wanted to read this.
This book features the league in the War of the worlds storyline. The story develops the characters a little further and their relationships with one another. Allan and Mina become involved whilst Mina also seems to have a calming effect on Edward Hyde. Whilst the previous volume dealt with the formation of the team, this volume see's the team break apart.

Overall I really enjoyed this story much more than the original although I did feel a bit bad that the team broke up essentially. My favourite character in this volume would have to be Mr Hyde. Where in the previous volume I was not bothered about him, I found myself quite intrigued by the relationship he developed with Mina. Whilst absolutely insane I felt that Hyde did have the best(and most brutal)intentions when defending the country from traitors with in and the invading alien horde.
Unfortunately I do have something negative to say about the book, which should not be seen as a mark against Alan Moore. I tried and eventually succeeded reading the additional material "The New Travellers Almanac" but I found it incredibly incomprehensible. I felt at times there was far to much information and a lot of it was just wasted on myself as I am sure there were references to other literaturary characters but I can be totally sure. Although the one part of it I did enjoy was discovering the fate of the few members of the League and it was nice to know what eventually happened to them.

If you are dyslexic and you wish to read "The New Travellers Almanac", then I suggest you spend a good long time reading it as it is a dense read and at times it felt very daunting.

I really enjoyed Volume 2 more so than Volume 1 and its only downfall for me was the back up material. A great piece of work and I cant wait to move on to the Black Dossier next!