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| The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier | 
 enlarge | Author: Alan Moore
Creator: Kevin O'neill
Publisher: Wildstorm
Category: Book
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $12.90
You Save: $17.09 (57%)
New (38) Used (15) Collectible (1) from $11.21
Avg. Customer Rating:  84 reviews
Sales Rank: 21017
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 10.3 x 6.8 x 0.7
ISBN: 140120306X
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5942
EAN: 9781401203061
ASIN: 140120306X
Publication Date: November 16, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Moore decides to destroy his own creation November 27, 2007
12 out of 19 found this review helpful
Let me start off by saying that I am a huge fan of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. That being said, I was sadly disapointed with this book. I enjoyed the first section of the graphic novel. The idea of setting up the characters in a post 1984 world was a stroke of brilliance. However, that is the only section of the graphic novel where such praise can be given.
We are only presented with one character from the original series and quite honestly if they hadnt shown the bite marks on her neck, I would never have made the connection that it was her. The other protaginst, the son of an original league member, is not developed at all. I will say that Moore's take on James Bond is an interesting addition, but the other new characters were rather boring additions.
The bulk of the book is the titular Black Dossier. I agree with severeal of the previous reviews in that it is pretty hit or miss. I enjoyed the history of Orlando and some of the later sections, but for the most part I would often find myself skipping over sections hoping that something interesting would present itself. Fortunately, none of the text is rellevant to the plot of the graphic novel.
The ending of the graphic novel is done in 3D. It is almost completely unreadable. I meen that both in the sense that reading the 3d text gave me a headache, and that the direction the plot takes is so horrendous that it actually manages to tarnish the previous volumes that I loved so much. I can honestly say that the Movie of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen did the source material better justice than the creator did in this instance.
I realize that my review is a little disjointed, but that simply makes it no better than the source material. I could probably list a couple dozen more aspects of the graphic novel that annoyed me, but really what im trying to say is that they all added up to a very unsatisfying experience. If you must read this edition I would recommend waiting until they release a trade paperback. Otherwise, I would recommend saving your $30.00 and putting it towards buying the absolute edition of the original graphic novels.
 The Crazy Wide Forever December 1, 2007
11 out of 17 found this review helpful
This is the third released The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen graphic novel by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill. Unlike the first two volumes, which were originally released as comic book mini-series, this is a self-contained graphic novel. The story takes place in the England of 1958, where the ageless Mina Murray and Allan Quatermain steal "The Black Dossier", which is a file containing documents relating to the various permutations of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The contents of The Black Dossier are printed in this book, interrupted periodically by comics portraying what Mina and Allan are up to (or is it the other way around?). The contents of the Dossier are in various formats; including comics, book excerpts, plays and many others. This material is very well produced, but it is difficult at times, particularly when it references some obscure characters the reader may not be familiar with. This book is a remarkable achievement, but it is considerably less enjoyable than the previous League graphic novels.
Wonderful artifact, perhaps not a great graphic novel. November 22, 2007
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
I have mixed feelings about this book.
Moore has created an extraordinarily rich mythology in which characters from folk lore, literature and legend coexist without contradiction.
Whilst volume 2 included some additional "background reading", detailing additional journeys undertaken by the two main protagonists, the Black Dossier goes further; and reimagines characters and locations from across the entire breadth and history of fiction.
On first reading, a conventional plot would appear to be lacking. The point is however, that the plot is to be inferred; taken from all the various written passages in combination with the conventional comic book.
I'm hardly disappointed. There is so much to enjoy here, from the perfect stylistic period pieces, to the debauched eroticism and psychedelic finale. However, I think volume 2 was more satisfying, striking a perfect balance between the story and the encyclopedic information pertaining to Moore's new universe.
 Moore and O'Neill have raised the bar again December 2, 2007
10 out of 14 found this review helpful
Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill's "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier" is an amazing work, one that simultaneously fills in much of the background of the LXG universe while providing an entertaining tale in its own right. The sheer breadth of literature that the two draw upon is nothing short of awe-inspiring, and gives readers many hours of enjoyment simply decoding its innumerable literary and cinematic references (or for those too lazy to make the effort, they can always consult the work of Jess Nevins, whose collection of annotations for this volume, Impossible Territories: An Unofficial Companion to The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, will be published in July).
What makes this volume particularly impressive is the sheer number of styles the two invoke. From a British boys' comic recounting of Orlando's life to a Beat pastiche, each one has an authentic ring that makes the work as a whole seem authentically realized. For some, the disjointed nature of the work as a whole (which shifts back and forth between the main tale of Mina and Allen's mission in 1950s Britain and the eponymous dossier of the history of the League that they are reading) may be annoying, but readers used to the richly layered work will find that Moore and O'Neill have taken the LXG concept to new heights here.
 A triumph of.......well nothing January 24, 2008
9 out of 14 found this review helpful
Is there a ton of easter eggs in this book? Probably, but I didn't care to look.
Is this a literary masterpiece? No, but there is more work per page than perhaps anything I have ever read.
Is it worth that wait? Absolutely not, and I would like mt $20 and 2 hours back.
This book is like Modern Art. If Alan Moore spent an hour explaining his book to me, I might recognize it as truly brilliant, but I shouldn't have to have it explained. The Black Dossier will entertain alternative high schoolers and literary majors to no end, as they one-up each others' brilliance, but I prefer a tight read. Something can be brilliant AND accessible. The beauty of the previous LOEG was that you could pat yourself on the back for recognizing a reference, but you didn't have to study a 100 year old encylopedia to get evry reference. I'm sure Alan's close friends loved the book, but forget it.
The book is over-worked and the last 20 pages are such a mess that I can't find a better word in the English language than mess.
And while I am no proponent of drugs, this book is cheaper than dropping acid. And produced the same effect.
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