Who Are The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen?

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The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a fictional team of iconic characters from classic literature, created by Alan Moore and illustrated by Kevin O’Neill. The team appears in a series of comic books published by America’s Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics.

The League is composed of characters adapted from 19th-century literary works, including:

  • Allan Quatermain (King Solomon’s Mines, by H. Rider Haggard)
  • Mina Harker (Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
  • Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
  • Captain Nemo (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne)
  • The Invisible Man (The Invisible Man, by H.G. Wells)

The story blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure, presenting an alternate universe where these characters coexist and undertake missions to protect the British Empire and the world from extraordinary threats. The series is renowned for its rich intertextuality and countless references to literary and cultural works.

In addition to the comic books, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen was adapted into a film in 2003, starring Sean Connery. However, the adaptation received mixed reviews from fans and critics due to significant differences from the original material.

Why is it relevant?

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a celebration of classic literature and an example of how comics can reimagine well-known characters in creative and innovative ways. It’s a must-read for fans of comics, literature, and pop culture.