V For Vendetta

"Remember, remember the fifth of November of gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot."

"Good evening, London. It's nine o'clock and this is the voice of fate...It is the fifth of the eleventh nineteen-ninety-seven". England has become a fascist state. Freedom has been taken from people. Everyone is under surveillance, and there are strict consequences for breaking any law. The government has become corrupt and citizens suffer. V is a masked man who stands up to the government. He takes the law into his own hands, and encourages people to fight the government. He saves a woman named Evey from the police, and they help each other.

The development of the characters is incredible. Evey's growth from a scared girl to a strong woman is an amazing transformation, and one that should not be missed. Women do not always get large or decent roles in graphic novels/comic books, so it was refreshing to see a character like Evey, and watch her grow. I like how we slowly learn what is behind V's plot, and where he intends to take it.

I really liked this book. One of my favorite things is that we never completely learn who V is. We learn a little about him, but he is never fully revealed. V realizes it is not who is underneath the mask that is important, it is what the mask represents, and what it can inspire people to do. It is very powerful, and I thought this was an incredible way for Moore to portray a "hero".

The writing in this book was fantastic. At times, it left me horrified. The way people treat each other in this story makes you sad for humanity. There are glimmers of hope. There are a lot of lines that really hit home, and can inspire you. It is an engrossing tale, and I quickly became invested in the characters.

I highly recommend reading this book.