V for Vendetta, by Alan Moore and David Lloyd

With the movie coming out soon, I thought I’d reread the original source. The (anti)hero is a stylish terrorist in a Guy Fawkes mask named V. The villains are the fascist government of England. Anarchy versus fascism—nothing subtle here! A terrorist is certainly an unlikely hero these days, but in comparison to the fascist state it seems almost reasonable. The authors didn’t take the easy way out either and have V be a terrorist with a heart of gold; many innocents and bystanders get hurt here.

Comparisons to 1984 immediately jump to mind while reading, not in the least because it is set in a future that is now in our past: 1996. Interestingly, while the dates are all dated, the content still carries a powerful meaning in today’s world. Libertarians will read this graphic novel and cry out that this is slowly happening here in America. Republicans should take note of the excesses of power and loss of privacy and be warned. Democrats will miss the point entirely, as usual.

Not as good as Watchmen, but still excellent.

First Sentence:

Good evening, London.

Something Under the Bed Is Drooling, by Bill Watterson

My oldest son has recently discovered Calvin and Hobbes. He has been going through my collection of collections, and really enjoying them. A couple of days ago he came up to me and asked for some designer clothes. I asked him why and he told me, “For the babes, Dad.” Between laughs I managed to ask where he had gotten that idea and he showed me the strip. I ended up reading the entire book and found the strips are just as fresh as they were almost 20 years ago. If you haven’t read any of Watterson’s genius lately, do yourself a favor and spend some time with a certain six-year-old and his tiger.

First Sentence:

Don’t turn out the light, Dad!