Before I can begin this review, let me simply say this: Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill accomplished Rule 34 in style.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Volume 2, is simply dazzling to read from start to the unfortunate fact of a finish, but I can’t help but throw praise to a comic that gives a interesting spin on classical fiction of the late 19th and early 20th century. Allan Quatermain, Mr Hyde, Hawley Griffin, Captain Nemo and Mina Murray are back in an extraordinary tale of Martians invading Earth and it can only mean “The War of the Worlds” has begun on the doorstep of our intrepid league of gentlemen.

Volume 2 has an interesting storyline that takes a stance of re-examining certain ideas in the original source material and reworks established scenarios of the fictional tales of yore, but elevates them into believable situations while introducing darker conclusions of how it is explained. An example of it can be found near the end with how the Martians are defeated, the natural introduction of the common cold was their destroyer originally but Alan Moore has presented a perfect example of human deception at its best.

Victorian steam-punk is a fantastic setting and Kevin O’Neill conveys the grandeur of a world where technological efforts are stylishly shown off, I simply can’t complain about the artwork that seems to convey the world of imagination without feeling childish or simple. Calling his artwork simple or childish would be insulting—this man is an artist to show off a world in unattainable steam-punk glory.

Alan Moore is a master of crafting believable characters, and he doesn’t fail. Romance is found between Quatermain and Mina, redemption is obtained by Mr Hyde, Karma rapes Griffin and Nemo just stands there to be awesome.

Extra material at the end provides additional information (in the form of a newspaper article) on the world The League inhabits and provides a fair few twists on classic books.

The plot is perfectly paced and balanced, characters give the reader a reason to care, the artwork conveys the mood and setting brilliantly and has a nice way of surprising the reader. TLOEG is must have for fans of classical literacy and to anyone who enjoys the work of Alan Moore.

Thought of the Day: September 11th:

Let the madness come and go I’ll still stand to the end.