From Hell in DC Public Library

Nov 30, 2017 Molly rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2017

If you're into comics and graphic novels, this is one you have to read so you can have an opinion about it. You might not enjoy it (raises hand) but you have to read it.

The best way I can articulate my overarching issue with From Hell is to say that it is clearly a passion project reflective of years of obsessive research on Moore's part, and it was clearly not written with a broad audience in mind.

The art doesn't do what great comic art is supposed to. Not only did the chosen style fail to ad If you're into comics and graphic novels, this is one you have to read so you can have an opinion about it. You might not enjoy it (raises hand) but you have to read it.

The best way I can articulate my overarching issue with From Hell is to say that it is clearly a passion project reflective of years of obsessive research on Moore's part, and it was clearly not written with a broad audience in mind.

The art doesn't do what great comic art is supposed to. Not only did the chosen style fail to add the emotion and movement to the story, it made the story harder to follow because of the lack of detail. I had a hard time distinguishing characters from one another and on multiple panels didn't know what was going on until I read the appendix entry for that page.

The appendix is necessary for any reader other than Moore to really understand what's happening or implied throughout the book. But that's a crazy design decision. If the reader has to flip to the back of the book and rehash each scene every 2-4 pages, your story doesn't stand on its own. As a reader I had a hard time maintaining momentum and interest because of the frequent, necessary appendix breaks.

Moore tries to accomplish two types of books in one and it would have been stronger if he'd chosen one perspective and stuck with it. He tries to lay out a factual case for his Ripper theory while also weaving in a bunch of Masonic mysticism. Either story would be interesting, packing both in a single book made it a bloated drag.

Finally, the overall design of the compiled set of 16 chapters is inconvenient and unpleasant. The book is huge, the print is tiny. Don't count on having it open on your lap and readable, don't count on laying on your back and holding it open with one hand. You're going to have to find a way to get your face close enough to read the text while also having something sturdy underneath the book. You'll be just uncomfortable enough to ensure you never actually relax and get lost in the story.

If you are undertaking this bad boy I recommend: reviewing an overview of the known Ripper facts and members of the British monarchy in 1888, and using the appendix early and often. ...more

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Jan 14, 2017 Robert rated it really liked it

Shelves: graphic-novels

From Hell is one of the quintessential graphic novels. Alan Moore's meditation on Jack the Ripper is a tremendous achievement, though perhaps not as enjoyable as it is impressive. That said, the depth to which he constructs his story and the diligence with which he arranges its elements are astounding. It's a crime novel that, instead of seeking to solve the crime, yearns instead to solve its era and the effect the killings had on society overall. From Hell and many of Moore's other graphic nove ...more

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Dec 24, 2015 Kate rated it liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2015

This was a gruesome and disturbing look at the Jack the Ripper crimes. The drawings were brilliantly done in the spirit of the work. However, I felt that, at times, I had to work too hard to remain interested in, or even understand, the story. I particularly could have done without all the freemason lore.

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