Too much of something is not always a good thing

That’s the thought that comes to mind when I read the most recent League of Extraordinary Gentlemen book. Now I love both volumes of the League, some of the best stuff you’ll read in comics. Alan Moore mixing classical literature with a Michael Bay like action story is great. There’s more to the series then just action, like any Moore book there is just great scripting here and great character moments. It’s somewhat different from his other stories, there is more action and a looser element of story. But the quality of the stories are there and again, one of my favorite stories of all time.

Sadly when I go pick this Absolute edition I almost get no sense of fun or excitement with this. It’s actually one of the most tiring reads you’ll ever see in an Alan Moore book….and that’s coming from a guy who read ‘From Hell’ in one sitting. Why is this book so boring to me? It’s the fact that Moore decided to focus more on the prose aspects of the story instead of the Kevin O’ Neill (perfectly drawn) segments. Now I like Moore’s prose stuff, I really do…and I know I’m sending a mix message here. But I like them in small doses, I dont like reading a huge amount of this prose story and then only getting a few pages of an actual comic.

It’s sorta goes along the line of the criticisms of Morrison’s prose Batman issue.  I like that story, dont get me wrong, but overall it gets tiring a little bit to read it in one sitting. Now again, mixing messages here, I do like this stuff overall and it’s not much of a negative if you love the prose stuff. But to me I wanna see more of the adventures of these young people being chased by classic literature characters. (not saying who these guys are cause that’ll ruin the story).

The art we do get to see, whether in prose or in the overall comic: ‘Absolute’ly perfect. Kevin O’ Neill is one of the best artists of all time; definitely in my top ten. The trinity on this site said it best: it looks simple at first, but look more in-depth to the pages and you’ll see a ton of detail. Now with the 3D aspects of the art, it’s a gimmick for sure, but I still enjoyed it and it’s pretty messed up when you get to the final page.  Big question though, did this need to be an Absolute/Omnibus? No, especially if the majority of this story is in prose. I mean the sections with O’Neill’s art should be in any prining in large format, but your gonna be disappointed when you just see more words in bigger print then actual drawings.

So yeah it is a recommendation and I still love this series. But Moore took the prose elements a bit too far and overall it can be a big bore if your not into that in your comics. Eventually it might be important in the long run cause the inevitable 4th volume has plot points that reference some of these elements in the story. Still love Moore, still love O’Neill, just be ready for your glasses and your coffee….cause this is gonna be a long read.