The greatest graphic novel we’ve ever read
From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, doorstop-size trade paper edition from Top Shelf, Php1548 at the recent National Bookstore Cut-Price Sale, Php1935 regular price.
We’d call it the greatest graphic novel in the history of the world, but we haven’t read everything.
We saw the movie adaptation starring Johnny Depp and Ian Holm many years ago and found it quite entertaining. Having read the book, and even in the knowledge that cinematic adaptations require some futzing with the source material, we now feel horrendously cheated. Whatever it was the Hughes Brothers made, it was not From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell.
There are many theories as to the identity of Jack the Ripper, the brutal murderer of at least five women in London in 1888. Suspects have included a member of the British royal family, the author of Alice in Wonderland, and, oddly enough, our national hero Jose Rizal (who was also rumored to be the father of Adolf Hitler). From Hell is based on a particularly fascinating conspiracy theory involving the British royals and the Freemasons.
This is not a simple whodunnit—it does not rely on the unmasking of the killer for its thrills. We already know what is going to happen; it is what we discover along the way that is truly unsettling. From Hell is ambitious, massive, and so densely-layered it demands several re-readings to process its ideas about how ancient history, the Female and Male principles, Masonic rituals and other esoterica are encoded in the architecture and geography of London.
Moore and Campbell have created nothing less than a socio-political history of Victorian London—a dark, filthy place where to be poor and especially a woman was to be in hell—and a prelude to a new century bathed in blood. In some of the novel’s most amazing sequences, the killer has visions of the 20th century, and he recognizes it as his spawn.
Alan Moore’s prose is majestic, his research meticulous, his insights staggering. Eddie Campbell brings it all to life with his gritty, evocative pen-and-ink drawings. This graphic novel is not for the weak of heart or stomach. For sheer ambition, it makes other comics with mythological-historical associations look twee.
Compelling, harrowing, a work of genius, From Hell should be required reading in literature courses.
What is the greatest graphic novel you’ve ever read? Tell us so we can look it up.
P.S. Watchmen isn’t small potatoes, either.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
September 11th, 2013 at 10:41
I haven’t read “From Hell,” but I have to say “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” is one of the best. True, “Watchmen” is also up there.
As a side note, I think that the Watchmen film adaptation was fairly good, the LXG was so unfaithful and, well, almost unrecognizable (I did enjoy the LXG film for what it was, a silly superhero popcorn flick, but it was so antithetical to the purpose of the novel that it was, at best, sad).
Beyond Moore, pretty much all the Gaiman Sandman compilations are among the best, and I can’t decide which is best of the entire series. Probably “Season of Mists.” I have the entire collection in paperback but am planning to get the Absolute Editions, which are oversized hardcovers.
In the mainstream, I still think “Kingdom Come” is the best. DC has always been a world of mythic heroes, and to see this unravel in an apocalyptic “Biblical” future is an awe-inspiring read. It paints a very fascinating portrait of what make Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman the same and yet different, and it gives a lot of easter eggs for long-time fans. I cannot believe DC has not adapted this in its animated movies. This is the first one I ever got in the Absolute Edition (and I also have it in its first print run of four issues and the subsequent trade paperback).
And for one of the lesser-known graphic novels, the gorgeously painted “A League of One,” which is basically a Wonder Woman novel featuring the JLA, is great. I may be biased, of course, as WW got me into comics. However, this novel (with some nods to Tolkien-type fantasy) showcases why Wonder Woman is relevant and how she can actually take down the JLA by her lonesome in order to face a dragon threat alone that will otherwise kill all of them, as prophesied. I have this on hardcover, which I don’t think they are printing anymore.
And the mother of all crossovers, “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” will probably be never matched in scope and impact by any event that mainstream DC or Marvel can ever put out. It defined what crossovers should be. I only have the TPB but will gift myself with the Absolute Edition soon.
September 11th, 2013 at 10:45
P.S. I forgot to include “Death: The High Cost of Living,” which is an offshoot of the Sandman series. This was even in development for a film adaptation, to be penned by Gaiman himself, but it’s still in limbo. It is a great must-read story – once a century, Death takes on human form to better understand the human experience and the life she regularly takes.
September 11th, 2013 at 11:32
The Sandman, by Neil Gaiman and multiple artists:
– It’s what got me into ‘graphic novels’ and made me a Neil ‘loyalist’ despite his later hits and misses, and his now mainstream status.
– I read the series years after it ended, but it was such a bonus to ‘literally read through’ Neil’s progress as a writer. (He says that there are still bits there that he’s embarrassed by, and that he found his voice by the 8th issue – probably one of the quietest issues in comic history.)
– I’ve read the entire series at least 4 times, and each time I’m still surprised by something. Mostly hints in the art.
– I hope you don’t mind – I’m pasting here part of a review I did around May 2003. Just a sampling of what The Sandman offers.
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The stories center around tall, pale, and gaunt Dream, lord of dreams and nightmares, and one of the seven Endless who are anthropomorphic personifications of universal forces. His siblings are Destiny who is blind and monkish; the cheerful goth-girl and Mary Poppins fan, Death; the laughter-loving and prodigal Destruction; the sexy, wily, and androgynous Desire; the squat and gloomy Despair; and Delirium who is the youngest and was once called Delight.
Tightly woven, cleverly crafted, and deeply humanizing, the tales also tell of Shakespeare’s Faustian bargain, a conference of serial killers, Lucifer commenting on God’s sunsets, a game of identities, America’s one and only emperor, a dreaming city, a love goddess turned stripper… the list goes on.
Though The Sandman is high fantasy – fairies and demons and Norse deity vying for the ownership of Hell, a young Marco Polo meeting a friend of his older self, an inn that is free from space and time – the collection is firmly grounded on reality. Supported by a cast of unforgettable characters, like a heartless girl with multi-colored hair and a wise-cracking preoperative transsexual, The Sandman delves into the known and hidden rooms of the mind and heart, exposing the delicate complexities of life, death, change, and love.
Every facet of what ‘dream’ could be is explored alongside mythology, pop culture, and Gaiman’s own brand of originality. The result is a fantasy so rich it can only be real; it is impossible to un-believe it. And like the best of rare dreams, you don’t want it to end.
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September 11th, 2013 at 14:19
Marvel 1602.
September 11th, 2013 at 14:36
Of the cape and cowl variety, my most favorite is Kingdom Come. A great contrast to that graphic novel’s bleakness is All-Star Superman.
If it’s non-Marvel/DC stuff, I would go for either The Sword for non-stop wall to wall action (last I heard, this will soon be a screen adaptation) or Daytripper if it’s something that’s a touch introspective.
September 11th, 2013 at 14:59
allancarreon, volume-addict: Here’s Alan Moore’s proposal for an unpublished DC series, Twilight of the Superheroes.
http://fourcolorheroes.home.insightbb.com/twilightfree.html
September 11th, 2013 at 15:48
i haven’t read a lot of graphic novels but from the ones that I have, I like ‘Watchmen’ and the ‘Fables’ series most.
September 11th, 2013 at 19:00
i think budjette is the one expert to ask.
but anyway, these are my all-time favorites, in order–
1) watchmen
2) astonishing x-men omnibus by whedon
3) the dark knight eeturns (“i want you to remember the one man who beat you”)
4) jimmy corrigan
5) sandman vol 6, vol 4, and vol 1
6) the long halloween
7) maus I
8) league of extraordinary gentlemen, vol 1
im not a big collector though, and i havent read From Hell. pahiram. :-)
extended ba ang cutprice book sale? i thought it ended last sunday.
September 12th, 2013 at 00:07
Your Grace, this is my list, not in particular order, Your Grace:
1. V for Vendetta (I believe in anarchy!)
2. Watchmen
3. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the first two story arcs)
4. Maus
5. Persepolis
6. Batman: Hush
7. Batman: The Long Halloween
8. Batman: Dark Victory
9. Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and The Dark Knight Strikes Again (but not the All-Star Batman)
10. All-Star Superman
11. Weapon X
12. Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes
13. Daredevil runs by Frank Miller, Brian Bendis and Ed Brubaker
14. Torso
15. Sleeper
16. Fatale (currently on-going!)
17. Saga (currently on-going!)
18. Palestine
19. The Authority (both Ellis and Mark Millar runs)
20. Planet Hulk
21. Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos RULES!)
September 12th, 2013 at 00:12
Your Grace, there’s a “From Hell: Companion” out there now (I saw copies in the on-going International Book Fair in SMX, Your Grace). Furthermore, Jason Aaron of the Ghost Rider, Punisher, Wolverine, AvX and Thor fame still loves “From Hell” even he dropped already Alan Moore as his best comics writer. London is indeed the true star in that graphic novel, and furthermore, the story reflects Moore’s hatred on hypocrisy on moral values.
September 12th, 2013 at 01:07
@6: I did read about that Moore treatment somewhere else too.
Other ones that I neglected to mention on account of being halfway asleep writing out the last post:
-Preacher – it was one of DC/Vertigo’s most popular titles. It included major nods to the movie True Romance, except this romp includes a vampire, Jesus Christ’s blood relative, John Wayne’s ghost, an enforcer called The Saint of Killers, and many other freaky assortments of characters and plot twists.
-The Killer – this one has art by Luc Jacamon and story by Matz. It’s a French comic that follows the life of an assassin. It’s a nail-biter.
-The Unwritten – this one is about a guy who wasn’t aware that his father, a writer, willed him to life. He’s being pursued by characters also from his father’s writings. There are so many nods to pop culture and literature in the series. I won’t spoil anything more for maximum enjoyment.
-Phonogram – the current Young Avengers creative duo of Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen did this set of stories before jumping on the Marvel wagon. This is about young people in London who cast spells. The spells are usually tied to pop music. This graphic novel got me into the music of The Knife, The Long Blondes, and even Robyn. Got to meet Kieron Gillan at a local comic convention and thanked him for the music suggestions personally.
I’ve had the whole series run of Y The Last Man for the longest time but am yet to tear into it.
September 12th, 2013 at 11:39
Hi, Jessica: the thing is, there were accusations that Waid/Ross stole (or at least were inspired) by Twilight of the Superheroes when they did Kingdom Come. It’s very interesting that there are some themes and beats similar between these two, although of course Waid/Ross would deny. Given Moore’s conflicts with DC, I won’t be surprised.
September 12th, 2013 at 11:41
… sorry, fast fingers. I was saying, I won’t be surprised if DC had actually helped rip Moore off and pushed this onto Kingdom Come. To be fair, though, I believe Kingdom Come was a Ross idea from the get-go, so perhaps they worked at incorporating some of the Moore themes in.
September 12th, 2013 at 11:50
Someone mentioned Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. I just have to give my opinion that I think Miller is overrated, and this proved it along with the sequel The Dark Knight Strikes Back. One of my main issues with Miller is that he is obviously misogynistic. No matter how well his other story plots may be, the blatant misogyny turns me off greatly.
His choice of girlfriends also reflect his character, just in my opinion, as his and his GF’s run-in with our very own Dindi Gallardo (former Bb. Pilipinas), who worked for Miller, would show:
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/dindi-gallardo-sues-300-creator-frank-miller-gf-074522029.html
But I digress. I just think that any possible enjoyment I could have had with TDKR was marred by his dismal portrayal of Wonder Woman and several other female characters therein.
September 13th, 2013 at 01:21
@allancarreon. Since you expressed your opinion, I will present mine. The word “overrated” can be applied to ALL of us, being the subjective we humans are since time immemorial is ubiquitous. That accusation of being misogynist is actually not novel at all. There are plenty of accusations can be pointed out to Frank Miller–hypocrite, junkie, loudmouth, etc., etc., etc. It’s like saying that Alan Moore shares the kind of “overrated” treatment up to this day. His arch rival, Grant Morrison, says recently that Moore may be anti-violence, but many of his comics have “rapes” and sexually-charged themes–namely–LOEG’s, From Hell, Watchmen, V for Vendetta, etc, etc, etc. But at least, we can agree upon that Moore is very, very different in the real world from the comics he writes (similar to Mark Millar’s comics–nice in real life but brutal in comics). I am personally not affected on Miller’s misogynist-treatments in TDKR–I am just enjoying how Batman kicks the hell out of Superman (that defines my view, we humans can actually surpass any meta-human beings that only Miller can do well). And if you look closely with my list, I explicitly mentioned that I don’t like his “All-Star Batman (and Robin)” for Miller’s brains was already “fried” due to perhaps his life-long marijuana intakes (just look what happened in his last work–Holy Terror–que barbaridad!) and the frequent “I am the goddamned Batman!” statements (plus, Batman’s brutal treatment on the young and graving Dick, that’s way too much even it’s set on another DC universe). And finally, on the Kingdom Come conspiracy theory stuff, I believe that both Waid and Ross thought of that independently as a brutal critique to the zeitgeist of the superhero comics of 90s. Remember, Ross had a couple of times working with Moore in the America’s Best Comics (ABC in Jim Lee’s Image-Wildstorm imprint) in the late 90s, and Moore said NOTHING against Ross’s Kingdom Come. The finger of this outrageous rip-off conspiracy nonsense should be pointed on DC itself, money sells and talks, especially to Moore’s anti-capitalist exploitative views (and rants, naturally). DC created (and still doing so, look what happened in Before Watchmen bruhaha) controversies by annoying Moore even he’s living in bliss in his British comforts. That’s all.
September 13th, 2013 at 11:38
This is a local webcomic but I really think Mervin Malonzo’s Tabi Po will be arguably the best local graphic novel once it’s in print.
http://www.tabi-po.com/category/isyu/unang-aklat-si-elias
September 14th, 2013 at 07:22
wangbumaximus21: As a note, depictions of rape and/or sexually-charged themes do not necessarily equate to misogyny. It is how these are presented that create the difference.
Also, I did not say that Waid/Ross ripped Moore off – just that there were accusations flying about. As I noted, DC is responsible for any rip-off (“I won’t be surprised if DC had actually helped rip Moore off and pushed this onto Kingdom Come”), so on that point we actually agree. Moore’s conflict with DC is legendary.
September 22nd, 2013 at 23:24
Oh, also: Art Spiegelman’s Maus I and II.
And Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home.
Chris Ware’s Building Stories.