Well, I certainly it isn't another five months before we see the conclusion of this story. Not only do I hate waiting in general, but the strength of this script, with its surprising twists and intensely emotional tone, has me chomping at the bit for more. And if the trailer for the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen film I saw the other day is any indication, that kind of strength and inventiveness won't be found on the big screen.
With Captain Nemo's submarine, the Nautilus, high and dry thanks to a Martian weapon that drained the Thames, Mr. Hyde decides to head back the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen's base of operations within a London museum. There, Hyde reveals a secret he's been keeping from the rest of his teammates... and one particularly former colleague in particular. Meanwhile, Allan Quatermain and Mina Murray discover more about one another in the forest... until something highly unusual discovers them.
Hyde behaves like quite the gentleman in this issue, dressing in elegant clothes, enjoying the fine surroundings of the museum and the delicacies that Nemo and his assistant bring for supper. That refined facade makes his actions later in the issue even more shocking. Given Nemo's reaction, the reader is left thankful that s/he didn't witness Hyde's crime. And it is a crime, which speaks to the strength of Moore's writing. We're given reason to applaud Hyde's actions, but we don't, thanks to the hints of their depravity. It's a shocking moment that reminds us of the ironic quality of the book's title.
O'Neill gets to plex his design muscles here by bringing a wide variety of Moreau creatures to life. He captures how bizarre and ugly Moreau's creations are, but at the same time, he hints at how they could inspire cute, children's stories and legends. Again, I like the contrast of the natural beauty of the British countryside serving as the backdrop for the unnatural sights of Moreau's world. O'Neill also provides some shocking visuals at the outset that demonstrate the power at the Martians' disposal. Given that this issue focuses on more secluded scenes, it also serves as a reminder of the devastating war at the heart of the plot.
The Alan/Mina relationship places a close second after the disturbing Mr. Hyde scene as the strongest element in this issue. The moment they share is a romantic one, but it also smacks of desperation and maybe even lies and self-delusions. I get the impression that their passion for one another stems as much from feeling lonely and rejected by society as it does from an emotional connection. It's an interesting dynamic, and I wish there was more than a single remaining issue to explore it.
