Snakes and Ladders

by Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell

Snakes and Ladders is about English revolutionary Cromwell, who was dug up three years after his death in order to be executed. To further shock you, we learn that Pre-Raphaelite beauty Lizzie Siddal was also exhumed so that Rossetti could retrieve his manuscript book of poems, given to her in her death as a token of his eternal love.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Alan 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.

Reviews

[Berna Labourdette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A partir del relato de cómo Arthur Machen logró sobreponerse a la pérdida de su primera esposa, Alan Moore conecta múltiples eventos relacionados con la pérdida, el sufrimiento (las serpientes) y el cómo conectar con las escaleras (la creatividad y la magia). Muchísima información en pocas páginas que hay que leer y disfrutar con calma.

[Dan Cassino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much the beta version of the recently released “Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic.” Sketches out Moore’s take on primal myths, his hometown, and the nature of magic. Guest appearance by John Constantine (the real one).
Doesn’t work as a comic, but isn’t meant to: more of an illustrated (very well by Eddie Campbell, evocative of 90s Vertigo) meandering essay.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

La obra es súper interesante pero la edición es de lo peor que he visto en comic. Hay páginas que no se pueden leer, la letra super pequeña y trae una entrevista con Alan Moore maquetada tipo fanzine.... La no traducción de termino como golden dawn etc es de traca

[Evey Morgan]

Ni siquiera soy capaz de puntuarlo. No he entendido absolutamente nada. Y eso es todo cuanto puedo decir. Narración más errática y superflua no la recuerdo. Puede ser de Moore pero esto no hay por donde entenderlo.

[Mike mcghee · Rating 5 out of 5]

his real stuff. necessary.

[Timothy Benoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterfully woven spell by alchemist Alan Moore. A tale of the beginning of the universe. And of the future. And of a few things between. This is peak Moore. If you are a fan, you must have it.

[Pandaduh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to get a worn copy via interlibrary loan. My one critique with the art was on pages 40-41, where the panels run accross both pages. They could have used a snake to help the reader "slide" down to the next panel. Ladder imagery is used effectively elsewhere, but really the game reference never peaked for me. Otherwise the art helps the reader interpret what would have otherwise been very hard to understand in its spoken form. Taken from a recording, this now sells for 60 dollars used.

It is poetry turned into illuminated manuscript. This is a "comic book" (48 pages) about sex, which is life and death (snakes and ladders?) to Moore. The magic it creates. Still mulling over what "magic" means, but I can see how this might be a stepping stone for the Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic. At one point, Moore says he was visited by his character Constantine. When he's talking about Arthur Machen's "Baghdad" (which I still am trying to wrap my head around as I know little of Machen), I can see where Promethea came from.

[Frank · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugly art, barely legible lettering, incomprehensible writing, so incomprehensible that the description doesn't even know what it's about, and pages that turn your thumbs black. But I made it to page 28.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is unfiltered Moore. Blurs the lines between performance, play, magician's act, and seance. Not unlike a Lynch film, the reader slowly realizes they're not just a member of the audience.

[Why · Rating 1 out of 5]

Qué es esto y por qué no entiendo nada

[Alberto Carlos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tenía muchas ganas de leer Serpientes y Escaleras tras El Amnios Natal, pero me ha decepcionado.

No está mal, pero creo que aquí Alan Moore está mucho más disperso y divaga sin asentar las cosas esta tesis sobre la vida, el universo y demás neuras suyas.

[Eric]

This is a creepy book, especially if you read along with the cd. Not sure that it made much sense, but it definitely put you in the story.

[Roy]

Alan Moore just keeps on going !!!!!

[Dony Grayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me lo regalaron porque la persona a la que se lo regalaron no le gustó.