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Absolute V for Vendetta (2023 Edition)
Alan Moore and David Lloyd's powerful epic about loss of freedom and individuality gets the Absolute treatment!
Taking place in a totalitarian England following a devastating war that changed the face of the planet, V FOR VENDETTA was the inspiration for the hit 2005 movie starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving.
This amazing graphic novel spotlights a mysterious man in a white porcelain mask and his young protégé as they fight political oppressors through terrorism and seemingly absurd acts. It's a gripping tale of the blurred lines between ideological good and evil and details a world where political and personal freedoms are non-existent.
Taking place in a totalitarian England following a devastating war that changed the face of the planet, V FOR VENDETTA was the inspiration for the hit 2005 movie starring Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving.
This amazing graphic novel spotlights a mysterious man in a white porcelain mask and his young protégé as they fight political oppressors through terrorism and seemingly absurd acts. It's a gripping tale of the blurred lines between ideological good and evil and details a world where political and personal freedoms are non-existent.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2023
16 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Alan Moore
1,577 books21.6k followersAlan Moore is an English writer most famous for his influential work in comics, including the acclaimed graphic novels Watchmen, V for Vendetta and From Hell. He has also written a novel, Voice of the Fire, and performs "workings" (one-off performance art/spoken word pieces) with The Moon and Serpent Grand Egyptian Theatre of Marvels, some of which have been released on CD.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
As a comics writer, Moore is notable for being one of the first writers to apply literary and formalist sensibilities to the mainstream of the medium. As well as including challenging subject matter and adult themes, he brings a wide range of influences to his work, from the literary–authors such as William S. Burroughs, Thomas Pynchon, Robert Anton Wilson and Iain Sinclair; New Wave science fiction writers such as Michael Moorcock; horror writers such as Clive Barker; to the cinematic–filmmakers such as Nicolas Roeg. Influences within comics include Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Kirby and Bryan Talbot.
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August 18, 2025Introductions, by David Lloyd and Alan Moore
--V for Vendetta, Absolute Edition
V: Behind the Painted Smile, by Alan Moore
Biographies
--V for Vendetta, Absolute Edition
V: Behind the Painted Smile, by Alan Moore
Biographies
November 1, 2025
Zmierzyłem się z komiksową legendą i odbiłem się od niej okrutnie 🫣
May 15, 2025
How ironic that Goodreads doesn’t feature the cover of this book when it’s a graphic novel…
Full disclosure: I am not a fan of graphic novels. I have read a number of them. I can name two that I like, and this isn’t it. I was intrigued in the first couple of chapters to see where the plot was going. I wanted to be able to cheer for the character V, or any character, for that matter; however, I came away with not liking any of the characters. None. This book is very violent and seriously deranged. I can’t figure out what the author is getting at. I can see how he’s painting a picture of a fascist society that is very comparable to modern day. It is terrifying and not a choice that we as a society want to make. I definitely see the value of educating people about the dangers of fascism. Perhaps a graphic novel is a good way to reach some people? On the other hand, the author is offering anarchy as the only other option. Fascism or anarchy? That’s it. Is that the point? Are we supposed to read it and talk about a more peaceful, in-between solution? The problem is dumb people will read this book and embrace anarchy. At least, now I know where all the creepy Guy Fawkes masks come from.
This is a very dark, nihilistic novel. All of the women are abused and incredibly sexualized; Evey, the main female, in particular. Again, I’m left wondering is that the point? Am I supposed to be offended? Or, is this how the author and illustrator see women? I really didn’t enjoy this book at all. The plot twist at the end is not satisfying. I am forcing myself to finish the last couple of pages.
I have been told that the movie is better than the book, however, I am really not interested in this kind of darkness. Nope, no thanks.
Full disclosure: I am not a fan of graphic novels. I have read a number of them. I can name two that I like, and this isn’t it. I was intrigued in the first couple of chapters to see where the plot was going. I wanted to be able to cheer for the character V, or any character, for that matter; however, I came away with not liking any of the characters. None. This book is very violent and seriously deranged. I can’t figure out what the author is getting at. I can see how he’s painting a picture of a fascist society that is very comparable to modern day. It is terrifying and not a choice that we as a society want to make. I definitely see the value of educating people about the dangers of fascism. Perhaps a graphic novel is a good way to reach some people? On the other hand, the author is offering anarchy as the only other option. Fascism or anarchy? That’s it. Is that the point? Are we supposed to read it and talk about a more peaceful, in-between solution? The problem is dumb people will read this book and embrace anarchy. At least, now I know where all the creepy Guy Fawkes masks come from.
This is a very dark, nihilistic novel. All of the women are abused and incredibly sexualized; Evey, the main female, in particular. Again, I’m left wondering is that the point? Am I supposed to be offended? Or, is this how the author and illustrator see women? I really didn’t enjoy this book at all. The plot twist at the end is not satisfying. I am forcing myself to finish the last couple of pages.
I have been told that the movie is better than the book, however, I am really not interested in this kind of darkness. Nope, no thanks.
August 3, 2023
"V is for Vendetta" is a highly disturbing piece of literature that explores a dystopian future where every single piece of media you consume is propaganda for a militaristic government. The book begins when the main character, Evey, is arrested by undercover cops for prostitution. As she is being overpowered, a man with a Guy Fawkes mask appears and kills the officers, rescuing Evey. The mysterious man introduces himself only as V. V is an anarchist who has a grudge against the government and its officials due to them doing heinous experiments on him and fellow prisoners at a concentration camp. He is looking to systematically destroy the government by executing all of the people who have wronged him. V slowly builds a bond with Evey and eventually recruits her into his plans. V kills several key figures in the government, prompting its slow collapse. Things come to a head when V attacks a detective and mortally wounds him, being shot several times in the processes. Dying, he returns to Evey, saying goodbye and giving her instructions for his final plan. Evey dons V's costume, puts his body on a train filled with explosives, and sends the train heading straight under 10 Downing Street, which is the office for the Prime minister. The government faces an insurrection and the book ends with the total collapse of the British society. Overall, this book is a fantastic look into freedom, and how fascism and anarchism come into play when discussing it. The real issue in the book is the lack of freedom the people have, and the lack of tolerance the government has for those who are different. Overall, it is a thrilling read and I would highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
This is the graphic novel of the story. It compiles all the individual issues of the comic book in one location. I'm sure I read the novelization of the movie made from these comics, because I remember things that were not in the movie and are not in this book.
I'm sure most of us have seen the movie. If not, we have heard of it. I vaguely knew there was a written source behind it. This summer, I found a copy of the graphic novel. It has things left out of the movie either for time or because they were a bit darker than the film makers wanted to show. It is a dark tale. Stories of how a society can fall into the kinds of terrorism of its own citizens that exist here are very dark indeed.
The comic was very insightful. It should be read, if only to stop us from falling into it.
I'm sure most of us have seen the movie. If not, we have heard of it. I vaguely knew there was a written source behind it. This summer, I found a copy of the graphic novel. It has things left out of the movie either for time or because they were a bit darker than the film makers wanted to show. It is a dark tale. Stories of how a society can fall into the kinds of terrorism of its own citizens that exist here are very dark indeed.
The comic was very insightful. It should be read, if only to stop us from falling into it.
August 31, 2024
My ratings of books on Goodreads are solely a crude ranking of their utility to me, and not an evaluation of literary merit, entertainment value, social importance, humor, insightfulness, scientific accuracy, creative vigor, suspensefulness of plot, depth of characters, vitality of theme, excitement of climax, satisfaction of ending, or any other combination of dimensions of value which we are expected to boil down through some fabulous alchemy into a single digit.
November 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
I just read this comic for the first time and I finally understand the praise and recognition. An amazing books that has a lot to say about the human condition.
Please make sure to check this for trigger warnings. There are very raw representations about Racism, sexual abuse, bigotry and domestic violence. If you watched the movie first, trust, the source material is infinitely better.
I just read this comic for the first time and I finally understand the praise and recognition. An amazing books that has a lot to say about the human condition.
Please make sure to check this for trigger warnings. There are very raw representations about Racism, sexual abuse, bigotry and domestic violence. If you watched the movie first, trust, the source material is infinitely better.
September 13, 2024
3.5 star rating. This book started out so good! Dystopian United Kingdom, loved the setup and eery vibes of it all. Somewhere in the 50% I was losing the storyline and I felt like it jumped. Overall a good read.
August 31, 2025
Not Moore's best work. And the over sexualisation of women in this book. It's still a great story about a fascist ran England. With themes about the abuse of power, corruption and the consequences of complacency. There are many reasons V for Vendetta still holds up today.
May 11, 2025
better than the movie imo
November 12, 2025
Starts strong, ends strong, but man does it plod along in between. Movie is better too. It takes all the best elements and cuts the excess
October 12, 2024
«Anarchie veut dire "Sans maître" pas "Sans ordre".»
On va commencer par le négatif :
Le format Nomad (poche) n'est pas adapté pour Alan Moore.
C'est un auteur qui est souvent couplé avec des dessinateurs au trait gras et chargé. Ici, le dessin se veut volontairement peu lisible pour servir le propos.
Comme on est dans le Londres d'une Angleterre néo-nazie totalitaire, le dessinateur crée des personnages, hommes comme femmes, qui se ressemblent beaucoup. L'objectif ici est de montrer l'uniformisation et donc la déshumanisation par le retrait de l'individu. De plus l'ambiance générale est tournée vers la nuit, le gris du mois de novembre, ou le froid des murs de prisons.
Tout cela mélangé donne un style qui marche bien avec le propos d'Alan Moore, mais qui n'est pas très lisible notamment à cause du format beaucoup trop petit.
Aussi, Alan Moore est un auteur très littéraire, il aime les mots, il aime l'art littéraire, il y fait d'ailleurs de nombreuses références dans ce comics. C'est donc un auteur qui écrit beaucoup de texte et fait des dialogues assez long.
Pour le fond, il y aurait des milliers de mots à écrire pour donner une analyse poussée de V pour Vendetta. On va essayer de faire court.
Alan Moore est très critique dans ce comics, en s'attaquant au fascisme il peut taper sur pleins de points d'un coup et en étant très clairs. Il critique alors le racisme, l'homophobie, l'obscurantisme, etc, tout ce qui sont les caractéristiques du fascisme. Il critique aussi la facilité qu'ont toujours les humains à se rendre serviles, sans pour autant être moralisateur, blâmant surtout les dirigeants plus que les individus.
Quant au personnage de V, bien que voulant libérer l'Angleterre de joug de ses tyrans, agit comme un symbole, un guide qui est obligé de prendre les devants, pour ouvrir aux anglais les portes du libre arbitre. C'est un peu la version costume noir de La Liberté guidant le peuple. Cependant à aucun moment V ne veut décider à la place du peuple. Il a aussi toute conscience du mal qu'il fait. Il n'est d'ailleurs aucunement glorifié par les auteurs. N'hésitant pas à critiquer sa vengeance personnelle, et nous laissant seuls juges de ses méthodes.
Bref, c'était très bien.
On va commencer par le négatif :
Le format Nomad (poche) n'est pas adapté pour Alan Moore.
C'est un auteur qui est souvent couplé avec des dessinateurs au trait gras et chargé. Ici, le dessin se veut volontairement peu lisible pour servir le propos.
Comme on est dans le Londres d'une Angleterre néo-nazie totalitaire, le dessinateur crée des personnages, hommes comme femmes, qui se ressemblent beaucoup. L'objectif ici est de montrer l'uniformisation et donc la déshumanisation par le retrait de l'individu. De plus l'ambiance générale est tournée vers la nuit, le gris du mois de novembre, ou le froid des murs de prisons.
Tout cela mélangé donne un style qui marche bien avec le propos d'Alan Moore, mais qui n'est pas très lisible notamment à cause du format beaucoup trop petit.
Aussi, Alan Moore est un auteur très littéraire, il aime les mots, il aime l'art littéraire, il y fait d'ailleurs de nombreuses références dans ce comics. C'est donc un auteur qui écrit beaucoup de texte et fait des dialogues assez long.
Pour le fond, il y aurait des milliers de mots à écrire pour donner une analyse poussée de V pour Vendetta. On va essayer de faire court.
Alan Moore est très critique dans ce comics, en s'attaquant au fascisme il peut taper sur pleins de points d'un coup et en étant très clairs. Il critique alors le racisme, l'homophobie, l'obscurantisme, etc, tout ce qui sont les caractéristiques du fascisme. Il critique aussi la facilité qu'ont toujours les humains à se rendre serviles, sans pour autant être moralisateur, blâmant surtout les dirigeants plus que les individus.
Quant au personnage de V, bien que voulant libérer l'Angleterre de joug de ses tyrans, agit comme un symbole, un guide qui est obligé de prendre les devants, pour ouvrir aux anglais les portes du libre arbitre. C'est un peu la version costume noir de La Liberté guidant le peuple. Cependant à aucun moment V ne veut décider à la place du peuple. Il a aussi toute conscience du mal qu'il fait. Il n'est d'ailleurs aucunement glorifié par les auteurs. N'hésitant pas à critiquer sa vengeance personnelle, et nous laissant seuls juges de ses méthodes.
Bref, c'était très bien.
April 7, 2024
Parce que j'ai vu le film et que je suis #rebelle #anarchiste CHAOS MWAHAHAHA
C'est clairement plus sombre, plus complexe et plus développer que le film mais on retrouve certains éléments :)
"- Voilà ton vrai visage est finalement dévoilé. Tu n'es plus ma justice. Tu es sa justice maintenant. Tu as choisi un autre amant. Eh bien, on peut être deux à ce jeu.
- Qui est-elle ? Comment s'appelle-t-elle ?
- Elle s'appelle anarchie. Et c'est une maitresse bien meilleure que tu ne l'as jamais été! Elle m'a appris que la justice n'est rien sans la liberté. Elle est honnête, elle ne fait pas de promesses et ne les trahit pas. Tout ton contraire, Jézabel. Je me suis longtemps demandé pourquoi tu ne pouvais me regarder dans les yeux. Maintenant je sais. Adieu, donc ma belle. Notre séparation me peinerait même maintenant, si je ne savais que tu n'es plus la femme que j'ai aimée. Les flammes de la liberté, si belles, si justes… Anarchie, joyau de mon cœur…"
"On peut être vil, méchant ou aigre mais ni pédé, ni youp, ni nègre dans ce carnaval d'enculés, dans cet infame cabaret !"
C'est clairement plus sombre, plus complexe et plus développer que le film mais on retrouve certains éléments :)
"- Voilà ton vrai visage est finalement dévoilé. Tu n'es plus ma justice. Tu es sa justice maintenant. Tu as choisi un autre amant. Eh bien, on peut être deux à ce jeu.
- Qui est-elle ? Comment s'appelle-t-elle ?
- Elle s'appelle anarchie. Et c'est une maitresse bien meilleure que tu ne l'as jamais été! Elle m'a appris que la justice n'est rien sans la liberté. Elle est honnête, elle ne fait pas de promesses et ne les trahit pas. Tout ton contraire, Jézabel. Je me suis longtemps demandé pourquoi tu ne pouvais me regarder dans les yeux. Maintenant je sais. Adieu, donc ma belle. Notre séparation me peinerait même maintenant, si je ne savais que tu n'es plus la femme que j'ai aimée. Les flammes de la liberté, si belles, si justes… Anarchie, joyau de mon cœur…"
"On peut être vil, méchant ou aigre mais ni pédé, ni youp, ni nègre dans ce carnaval d'enculés, dans cet infame cabaret !"
May 4, 2025
Je pense ne pas du tout avoir été le public cible, je n'ai pas apprécié le style des dessins, et j'ai eu du mal à suivre l'histoire, à comprendre qui était qui, ce qu'ils faisaient et pourquoi...
Mais le message reste malgré tout puissant et intéressant !
Mais le message reste malgré tout puissant et intéressant !
August 31, 2023
Remember the 5th of November
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews