The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier Review

• 20th May 2012

Authors: Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill

You know it’s going to be a thick weave of history, social diplomacy and literature icons when it comes to the LOEG. Finally!  The UK is getting the Black Dossier which indeed was published some time ago and acts as, well, sort of a stand alone adventure. It takes place inbetween the first two instalments of the Century series (which concludes this summer) but is not really part of the narrative.

Alan Quartermain (Anyone who got a bit lost with his character in the 1969 LOEG graphic Novel (which the UK got before this book) can nod in approval as to why he looks so dramatically younger) is back with Mina Murray as they try to seek out the titular document which holds valuable information regarding the league.

And this is what really sets this book apart from previous LOEG books. Upon obtaining the dossier the majority of the contents of the Graphic Novel are the actual contents of the dossier – Varies chapters on various characters and their exploits. Each is presented in a different style. From time to time we break back to Alan and Mina as they deal with the repercussions of stealing the dossier.

To say that things get difficult for them and the boundaries of reality start to cave in on the reader is an understatement. One of the pure joys is what you get mixed in with the actual narrative – even in the opening pages of the book will be a barrage of faux documents and advertisements that at the very least add to the feel of the book if not directly reference the world it deals with.

You even get a set of pull out 3C glasses later on. You may think this is another joke ad, but you are actually gonna need them for the closing chapter!  And the artwork there is just gorgeous. Not that it isn’t elsewhere.

Moore and O’Neil really know how to let their imaginations fly in a medium they have mastered. The Black Dossier is a great companion to the LOEG full of depth and wonder. Lover sof the series will not be disappointed, and film lovers can only pray that in the years to come the series is adapted properly for the screen.

Steven Hurst