A few days ago, I was online, reading critical reviews of V for Vendetta the novel versus V for Vendetta the film. The author, Alan Moore, was so disappointed in the film adaptation that he refused credit, payment, and distanced himself from the project. He even decided that he didn't want to associate with Hollywood, or the motion picture industry.
I also fond a post by Emily Asher-Perin, a writer who uses the message of the film adaptation, to discuss the films continued importance and relevancy for the LBGTI community during Pride Month 2019.
So, I quote V and Emily Asher-Perin quoting V :
But for three years I had roses, and apologized to no one
The message that V for Vendetta leaves the reader with is that by allowing political leaders, or those who fashion themselves to be "leaders", to strip away and redefine the rights that we the people are entitled to, we will eventually witness devolution, vigilantism and anarchy. The theme of V shows that by allowing a select group of people to redefine the definition of freedom, people find ways to be heard. Heard in innovative, unique and revolutionary ways.
In Chapter Three of Understanding Comics: Blood in the Gutter, McCloud discusses the way comics ask us, the readers, to fill in the " in betweener" massages between panels, He goes on to say that since comics are "mono sensory..within panels." it is then "between panels none of our senses are required ...which is why ALL of our senses are engaged" ( McCloud pg 89)
V for Vendetta has many "betweener" moments. One that was particularly riveting and suspenseful happens when Evie is in the cell that Valarie used to occupy. Evie finds a note from Valarie written on toilet paper that details her life and the horrors she experienced in the cell. She ends the note by saying" I don't know who you are...I may never see you ...but I love you" ( Moore pg 160). While reading this section of the book, the perspective is shifted from Evie to Valerie and Valarie's past. During the "between", I create the reality shift internally. This shift allows me to be " released, like a trapeze artist, into the open air of imagination, then caught by the outstretched arms of the ever-present next panel." ( McCloud pg 90).
While reading the text of V and looking at the pictures, I felt like I was looking at what I imagine a concentration camp. Evie's head was shaved, she wore a shapeless gown, Her identity as a person was stripped away. The comic was dark, there were very few details other than the pained expression on Evie's face. As the story progresses, Evie decides she'd rather die than lie . She accepts that she will meet her end " behind the chemical sheds" ( Moore pg 162). After accepting her fate, the "blindfolds" of Evie's existence are stripped away, and she experiences a moment of biblical like transfiguration. She "...becomes transfixed...become transfigured forever"( Moore pg 172)
As Evie morphs into another being, the panels in V vary in size, the artwork shows only Evie and V. McCloud calls the moment of clarity and understanding " power that can break through the wall which separates all artists from their audience ---the power of understanding." ( McCloud pg196)
It is in this moment of pain, suffering and ultimately, understanding that the reader and writer find an accord and we see together " comics is closure" (McCloud pg 87)
Does V for Vendetta glorify anarchy? No, I don't think so but it does clearly shows how the characters devolved into anarchists. It does ask us to hold our government accountable. It definitely asks us to uphold the rights that all citizens are entitled to-- regardless of race, creed , color or sexual orientation, McCloud's " dance of visible and invisible through the power of closure" (McCloud pg 205) allows readers to witness these truths in the panels of V.
After Evie is set "free, she and V decide to "give the world what Valarie wanted it to have--roses. A great abundance of roses" ( Moore pg 179). I hope Emily Asher-Perrin continued re-reading V for Vendetta, and realized that the roses would return.
Moore, A V for Vendetta. DC Comics, New York 1988-1989
McCloud, S Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Harper Collins, 19923
I also fond a post by Emily Asher-Perin, a writer who uses the message of the film adaptation, to discuss the films continued importance and relevancy for the LBGTI community during Pride Month 2019.
So, I quote V and Emily Asher-Perin quoting V :
But for three years I had roses, and apologized to no one
The message that V for Vendetta leaves the reader with is that by allowing political leaders, or those who fashion themselves to be "leaders", to strip away and redefine the rights that we the people are entitled to, we will eventually witness devolution, vigilantism and anarchy. The theme of V shows that by allowing a select group of people to redefine the definition of freedom, people find ways to be heard. Heard in innovative, unique and revolutionary ways.
In Chapter Three of Understanding Comics: Blood in the Gutter, McCloud discusses the way comics ask us, the readers, to fill in the " in betweener" massages between panels, He goes on to say that since comics are "mono sensory..within panels." it is then "between panels none of our senses are required ...which is why ALL of our senses are engaged" ( McCloud pg 89)
V for Vendetta has many "betweener" moments. One that was particularly riveting and suspenseful happens when Evie is in the cell that Valarie used to occupy. Evie finds a note from Valarie written on toilet paper that details her life and the horrors she experienced in the cell. She ends the note by saying" I don't know who you are...I may never see you ...but I love you" ( Moore pg 160). While reading this section of the book, the perspective is shifted from Evie to Valerie and Valarie's past. During the "between", I create the reality shift internally. This shift allows me to be " released, like a trapeze artist, into the open air of imagination, then caught by the outstretched arms of the ever-present next panel." ( McCloud pg 90).
While reading the text of V and looking at the pictures, I felt like I was looking at what I imagine a concentration camp. Evie's head was shaved, she wore a shapeless gown, Her identity as a person was stripped away. The comic was dark, there were very few details other than the pained expression on Evie's face. As the story progresses, Evie decides she'd rather die than lie . She accepts that she will meet her end " behind the chemical sheds" ( Moore pg 162). After accepting her fate, the "blindfolds" of Evie's existence are stripped away, and she experiences a moment of biblical like transfiguration. She "...becomes transfixed...become transfigured forever"( Moore pg 172)
As Evie morphs into another being, the panels in V vary in size, the artwork shows only Evie and V. McCloud calls the moment of clarity and understanding " power that can break through the wall which separates all artists from their audience ---the power of understanding." ( McCloud pg196)
It is in this moment of pain, suffering and ultimately, understanding that the reader and writer find an accord and we see together " comics is closure" (McCloud pg 87)
Does V for Vendetta glorify anarchy? No, I don't think so but it does clearly shows how the characters devolved into anarchists. It does ask us to hold our government accountable. It definitely asks us to uphold the rights that all citizens are entitled to-- regardless of race, creed , color or sexual orientation, McCloud's " dance of visible and invisible through the power of closure" (McCloud pg 205) allows readers to witness these truths in the panels of V.
After Evie is set "free, she and V decide to "give the world what Valarie wanted it to have--roses. A great abundance of roses" ( Moore pg 179). I hope Emily Asher-Perrin continued re-reading V for Vendetta, and realized that the roses would return.
Moore, A V for Vendetta. DC Comics, New York 1988-1989
McCloud, S Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. Harper Collins, 19923
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