The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (Vol. 2)

    (America’s Best, 2002-2003)
™ and ©2002 Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill

A barebones description of this series is enough to make any literature major drool with glee. Take a handful of fictional heroes from the Victorian era, populate their world with bizarre and obscure literary references, and throw in a Martian invasion. It’s hard to summarize the scope of this series in a few short words. The first series, excellent as it was, dealt with the formation of the group and development of personalities. With that background info all out of the way, the League can get down to business.

Four issues into the run, the Martians are just one of the impositions threatening to destroy our favorite group. Deception and betrayal, coupled with the pining rage of Mr. Hyde and a somewhat strenuous relationship, are all tugging at the frail threads which hold this ragtag band together.

Moore’s cinematic writing style is extremely evident. He has a knack for constructing interesting and complex storylines, but (unlike many writers) also strings them together in a fluid, flowing motion. Scenes interact with each other brilliantly, combining two moods seamlessly together. Check out the scene in #4, wherein Hyde’s raging bashes are interplayed with the burgeoning (and frantic) romance between Mina Harker and Alan Quartermain. Effects like this can’t be purchased with any Hollywood budget.

With a major film to be released this summer and a third series already planned, there’s no doubt that the League is a force to reckon with (both economically and literally). With all the hype surrounding these projects, it would be easy to have shattered expectations. Thankfully, Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neil are at the helm, and they have yet to disappoint.

— Scott Semet
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  • 1
    #1
    Wraparound cover by Kevin O’Neill
    Sep 2002
    Cover: $3.50
    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
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  • 2
    #2
    Oct 2002
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    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
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  • 3
    #3
    Nov 2002
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    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
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  • 4
    #4
    Feb 2003
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    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
    10 copies from $1.96
  • 5
    #5
    Jul 2003
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    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
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  • 6
    #6
    Nov 2003
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    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
    13 copies from $1.04
  • Bk 2
    Book #2
    Cover: $14.95
    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
    Collects League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The (Vol. 2) #1-6
    4 copies from $5.75
  • CS 1
    Collector's Set #1
    Dec 2002
    Cover: $5.95
    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
    1 copy for $6.95
  • CS 1/A
    Collector's Set #1 Variation A
    Orange Cover A Edition
    Dec 2002
    Cover: $5.95
    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
    2 copies from $9.50
  • CS 2
    Collector's Set #2
    Apr 2003
    Cover: $5.95
    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
    Collects League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The (Vol. 2) #3 and 4
    2 copies from $1.50
  • Dlx 1/HC
    Deluxe Set #1 Hardcover
    Hardcover Edition
    Cover: $24.95
    W: Alan Moore  ·  A: Kevin O’Neill
    Collects League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The (Vol. 2) #1-6
    1 copy for $20.00