The League Of Extraordinary
Gentlemen - Volume One
Alan Moore, Kevin O'Neill,
Ben Dimagmaliw, Bill Oakley
DC Comics / Wildstorm / Titan Books

Wow. The stories are out there, you just have to know the right place to stick your head in the lake and fish them out - and if Alan Moore isn't the master craftsman, then I don't know who is.
    Bewilderingly original and beautifully created, this Titan compendium is delivered in a package that rivals some of the best 70s gatefold sleeves (come on, you know what I'm talking about!).

So just what the hell is it all about? Basically, The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen brings together Captain Nemo, Hawley Griffin, Henry Jeckyll, Edward Hyde, Allan Quartermain and Mina Murray to 'service the Empire' in its time of need. Their job: To help win back London's skies - but if they win their battle, will it unleash a far greater evil?
    Even as a simple story, this would be pushing the boundaries, but Moore is a miner, and it is that skill that builds the adventure over so many levels - most of which have probably passed me by and won't kick in until around 2005. Remember Watchmen? Same game, different stadium.
    This time around, Moore is backed up by the wonderful artist Kevin O'Neill. Together they have produced one of the most exciting pieces of intelligent literature to be seen in nearly a decade.

For the record, the movie is due out next summer, but only a fool would wait to see the $80 million sure-fire blockbuster with Sean Connery. Directed by Stephen Norrington of Blade fame with a script by James Robinson (Starman), it's going to be long hot summer!

:: Sion Smith