For the past couple of years, I have really been trying to get into the graphic novel genre. It’s not my comfort zone. I find switching between reading the text and the visuals at the same time tiring. But, there are so many hyped up graphic novels on the internet that FOMO hits. Plus, I like the idea of a graphic novel, and when I have read them, I find myself really enjoying them – for example, Persepolis, Embroideries, or The Complete Maus have become favorites that I always recommend out to friends.
From Hell though is a different type of comic. Personally, I loved it. But you may be put off by some of the graphic imagery and frankly disturbing panels. This is a dark, dark book. So keep that in mind while I focus on what I love about the book.
About From Hell
Going beyond the myriad existing theories on Jack the Ripper, Moore presents an ingenious take on the slaughter. His Ripper’s brutal activities are the epicentre of a conspiracy involving the very heart of the British Establishment, including the Freemasons and the Royal Family.
My Review
Technically a comic, From Hell by Alan Moore is a lot more than that. It has so many layers – it’s a crime novel, it’s a historical novel, it’s a police procedural. All of which are fine genres on their own. But then, under all of these layers, it’s also wrestling with this huge philosophical, spiritual, occult element. It’s an exploration of Victorian London at this time, especially the infamous Whitechapel area, where prostitutes, criminals, and all the seediest elements of London gather.
As someone new to this city, it was fascinating and sometimes unnerving to read the book and then head out to these exact same places that are quite gentrified now. OK, it may not be Limehouse, but it’s getting there. The London of the late 1800s is completely different from the city of today.
But also not. Some sections of the book discuss the architecture of famous churches and buildings, and it was again fascinating to see these well-known monuments sketched out here with detailed commentary on the building style and possible Masonic influence.
Aah, and now we come to the meat of the matter. I love anything to do with Freemasons – all those coded signs and stuff, it all appeals to the child in me who wanted to create secret societies back in my teens. Spoiler. There eventually was nothing secret about it. We all forgot the codes and it became just a regular friendship that has lasted to this day 𐦂𖨆𐀪𖠋.
Anyway, back to the book. If you are a history nerd, this book might appeal. You get lessons in everything from Osiris to Christ, occult architecture to historical patterns, black magic to philosophy. There is a lot going on in the background, and honestly, that was what kept my interest more than the goings-on of Jack the Ripper.
This book is dark, atmospheric, creepy. It’s unlike any graphic novel I have read. Love it or hate it, it has a unique voice and tone, and easily a classic in its genre.
It’s an amazing and rewarding read if you can get past the violent bits. I definitely want to reread it side by side with the notes at the back of the book and any available online guide. There is a lot in this book that I didn’t fully process (especially that out-of-body experience at the end), and I know a reread is required to do full justice to this book.
I also want to watch the movie starring Johnny Depp and Heather Graham. Quite curious to see how it matches the tone of the book.
