From Hell
FROM HELL is the story of Jack the Ripper, perhaps the most infamous man in the annals of murder. Detailing the events leading up to the Whitechapel killings and the cover-up that followed, FROM HELL is a meditation on the mind of a madman whose savagery and violence gave birth to the 20th century. The serialized story, presented in its entirety in this volume, has garnered widespread attention from critics and scholars. Often regarded as one of the most significant graphic novels ever published, FROM HELL combines meticulous research with educated speculation, resulting in a masterpiece of historical fiction both compelling and terrifying. This new edition, which has been completely re-mastered, is certainly the finest edition of the book produced to date.The mad, shaggy genius of the comics world dips deeply into the well of history and pulls up a cup filled with blood in From Hell. Alan Moore did a couple of Ph.D.’s worth of research into the Whitechapel murders for this copiously annotated collection of the independently published series. The web of facts, opinion, hearsay, and imaginative invention draws the reader in from the first page. Eddie Campbell’s scratchy ink drawings evoke a dark and dirty Victorian London and help to humanize characters that have been caricatured into obscurity for decades. Moore, having decided that the evidence best fits the theory of a Masonic conspiracy to cover up a scandal involving Victoria’s grandson, goes to work telling the story with relish from the point of view of the victims, the chief inspector, and the killer–the Queen’s physician. His characterization is just as vibrant as Campbell’s; even the minor characters feel fully real. Looking more deeply than most, the author finds in the “great work” of the Ripper a ritual magic working intended to give birth to the 20th century in all its horrid glory. Maps, characters, and settings are all as accurate as possible, and while the reader might not ultimately agree with Moore and Campbell’s thesis, From Hell is still a great work of literature. –Rob Lightner
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Review for From Hell
The book came in the condition as described by the seller so I was very pleased.
5 Stars Onwe reservation
This is an excellent book, well written and illustrated.
BUT the words are printed so cmall and in a strange type face that makes it very difficult to read. I have to use a magnifying glass and high intensity lamp to be able to read it.
3 Stars Geat story, painful art and lettering
Let me start by saying this is a great story.
It combines police work, intrigue, politics, and mysticism in one package.
But you have to WANT to read this novel because the poor lettering and the poor artwork make it very difficult to read.
Some may consider it to be part of the “art” of the graphic novel, but I really think they could do better.
If it was not for the poor artwork and the poor lettering, I would have given it 4 or 5 stars.
For parents:
This is NOT a graphic novel for teenagers or younger.
It has graphic and explicit sex, violence, and defamation of the female figure.
5 Stars unmissable if you love London, steam era, serial murders or simply comics
A great work, both historically and artistically.
Reading the massive notes by Alan Moore to each page looks challenging but adds unmissable informations, plus they’re often funny. Moore and Campbell did a great research on Victorian era history, life and photographs.
Very dark.
5 Stars An absolutely amazing piece of work, by far Alan moore’s best book
From Hell is a graphic novel set in 1888 London during the times of the Jack the ripper slayings. You the main character is actually a little bit of every one. Of course there is a detective but you will see the story from the part of view of the detectives, Prostitutes, the police on the cases and of course jack the ripper himself. At first the beginning of the book doesn’t really make any sense. You just happen to go from person to person. One minute it will take you to a prostitute and next you will be sons to the hire of the throne. Its not until like chapter 2 you begin to understand why these people had any thing to do with the jack the ripper slayings.
The plot is absolutely rock solid. There are reasons for every ones being in this book. The art is some of the best art I’ve seen in a graphic novel. The actual way you read the words makes it feel like you are in there actual time. I normally don’t read books that are like 600 pages but this book had me hooked for a while. Once you start, you won’t stop.
Filed under: Top Graphic Novels