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He is seen in the likeness above in a rare, 19th century woodcut. This
image was rumoured to have been
commissioned after a bout of unpleasantness
in the White Chapel district of London. Do enjoy your stay and peruse our many, varied offerings, much of which cannot be found elsewhere!
:: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen ::
Comparing the comic book mini series with the feature film
by Dweller
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is incredible. I am talking about the first six issue limited series, as the new movie was in fact pretty bad.
The comics, volume 1 (available now in a lovely trade), are quite possibly the best stand alone limited series since Watchmen. The basic plot combines characters from famous 19th century literature together as a supergroup of heroes to foil an evil plot. Captain Nemo (20000 Leagues Under the Sea), Henry Jekyll / Edward Hyde (The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), Hawley Griffin (The Invisible Man), Ms. Mina Murray (Dracula), and Alan Quatermain (Various serialized adventures) are recruited by the mysterious "M" to foil a Brilliant but Evil Chinaman called simply "the Doctor" and take back the "Cavorite" which is basically an antigravity device.
Alan Moore pens an excellent story and Kevin O'Neill's artwork fits the period of the story though it is not as flashy as today's great artists. What I enjoyed most about the story was the "in jokes", references to characters from and events taken place in other famous works of literature from the time period. people familiar with the classics should get a kick out of them, and they do not overwhelm the story. The first half of the story involves Ms. Murray and the ever growing team recruiting the players. This is creative and Shocking to the point of having to set the book down for a few moments and thinking to yourself, "I've thought about being invisible, but I never would have thought of that." After the team is formed intrigue and violence ensue followed by gratuitous violence and a nice twist at the end.
There is a backup story called Alan and the Sundered Veil, which is simply written and illustrated as opposed to the sequential art format of the comic. This story honestly isn't that great, and you find yourself not really wanting to continue. It makes the author (Alan Moore) seem a little pretentious.
The Movie released by 20th Century Fox isn't anywhere near as good as the book. Basically Sean Connery must lead the above mentioned team (though Mina's name is changed for the literacy impaired, and the invisible man is a thief who stole Dr. Griffin's formula, because the writer(s) of this film obviously didn't pick up on the possibilities left at the end of H.G. Wells' classic story) with the addition of Dorian Gray ("The Picture of Dorian Gray") and Tom Sawyer (Tom Sawyer (duh)) now an adult and secret service agent. They must stop a Brilliant but Evil guy with a difficult to place, possibly German accent simply called "the phantom". The movie ends with almost the same twist as the book though not as well done. Also the literary references were severely dumbed down.
I wanted to like this movie, I really did. Most of the actors played the hell out of their respective parts. Sean Connery was a convincing Alan Quatermain , though the character was written too goody goody and not the opium rattled shell of former greatness that the book offered. Shane West played the best "Tom Sawyer is now an American Secret Service agent with an itchy trigger finger" possible. The Characterization of Jekyll/Hyde was awe inspiring. Captain Nemo, Dorian Gray, and The Invisible Guy, were spot on. Peta Wilson's performance as Mina Murray...sorry...Mina Harker left something to be desired. She feebly attempted a Sean Connery impression. Also the Villain was not terribly convincing.
The characterization and the mostly fine acting were unfortunately not enough to save our heroes from the film's real villain.....the Plot. A lot of BS, tired plot devices and look what just happened... so what, were the name of the day. Guess what, someone dies at the end, someone who in my opinion shouldn't have died. However we are still left open enough for a sequel. I think that upon seeing this movie the following people would be insulted: Alan Moore, H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, R.L. Stevenson, A.C. Doyle, and Bram Stoker. I don't really care how Oscar Wilde would feel.
I did not go to this movie alone. I went with someone who has never read the comics, and hasn't read many of the classics. He said, " I dunno, I liked it."
The Comics A-
The Movie C -
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