Reviews

Moore continues his trip through pulp genres with this second volume of The League. This collection includes plenty of faux-Victorian backup material, including the comic book series' original covers, and a lengthy prose short story by Moore. Although the film version was a bust, the source material remains an enjoyable, beautifully executed adventure series. Set in an alternate, technologically advanced 1898 London, the story finds legendary literary heroes Allan Quartermain, Captain Nemo, Hawley Griffin (the Invisible Man), Edward Hyde and Mina Murray fighting battles that the British Empire can't handle without them. Here, the eclectic team is defending Earth from a Martian invasion, partially set in motion by another pulp hero, Edgar Rice Burroughs's John Carter of Mars. Moore spares no opportunity to play up the team's origins. Edward Hyde, the monstrous side of Dr. Jekyll, is a nasty brute, while Nemo is an imperious egomaniac, and the once-dashing Allan Quartermain is in the twilight of his powers, yet manages to romance Mina Murray, of Dracula notoriety. Moore remains faithful to the stories' structures (e.g., the Martian invasion is a pulpy romp, complete with burning farm houses, silly-looking creatures and plenty of political intrigue). O'Neill, his artistic collaborator, continues his fine run on the series. His drawings are influenced by 19th-century woodcuts but remain loose and lively. His exquisite renderings of machines and urban landscape remain a reason to look at this series-rarely has an adventure comic been so much fun to observe. (Dec. 2003) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

According to Publishers Weekly, Volume 1 of this literary megacrossover series was the best-selling graphic novel of 2003; interest in this second volume is likely to be high, then. When H.G. Wells's "Martians" from The War of the Worlds invade Victorian England, Mycroft Holmes (Sherlock's brother) summons his team of operatives for help. While Captain Nemo and Mr. Hyde defend London, Mina Murray (Mina Harker from Dracula) and adventurer Allan Quatermain go in search of a mysterious doctor who holds the key to the world's survival. But the Invisible Man (appropriately, perhaps) disappears. The story is less exciting and action-packed as might be expected, but it does take the characters in interesting directions. Moore's writing is intelligent, and the book, especially a long text travelog at the end, includes an astonishing array of further literary references, which may inspire some readers to seek out the original works. O'Neill's artwork is angular, moody, and sometimes grotesque, with impressive panoramic scenes of combat and destruction. Though not quite as enjoyable as the first book (but close), this is recommended for all libraries. Some surprisingly explicit sex and violence will limit it to adult collections. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.