I will admit here and now that I am so very biased on this book.  I really, really, really am.  If you didn't like the movie, if you aren't an idealist, you probably won't agree with me and I'm okay with that.  Really, I'm okay with disagreeing - just do me a favor and don't rant about how much you hated it for some such reason.

First - I have not read a comic much less a graphic novel in a very, very long time.  The first 50-80 pages were a struggle because I was getting far too distracted with the pictures, the detail, and most certainly getting confused.  Then I hit a roll with it yesterday and read the rest of the book all at once it seems.

I really like how Alan Moore does the setting; I've heard and understand Watchmen is similar in that regard.  I just find the whole alternate setting fascinating, how it's conveyed and made real.  I do wish he'd said more about the rest of the world - but maybe I missed some of the more subtle details on that account by plowing through it like I am known to do.  I really liked how the portrayed The Shadow Gallery, a maze of rooms and places, each with a distinct purpose that resonated with the government and yet was his own.

The characters to me were difficult to keep track of - but I blame that on me and not the writing.  I liked V in the book as much as I liked him in the movie.  I liked Eve moreso.  He really conveys deep charicters very well and I thought I had a good idea of how each of them were different, who they were and their motivations.  After those first 50 pages I steadily figured them all out easier, except for a few pages where I had to flip around to remember exactly who whats-his-face was.

The plot - I still adore it, even more in the book. I thought the movie was sort of abrupt, how yes the government was gone - but what now? I like how the book gives a continuing idea of it's not just one man, one event, one house-cleaning, it's a steady, persistent process.  The story was riveting and had me really going.

If you like the movie - read the book. You'll probably like them both better after wards.