V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, art by David Lloyd.

V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, art by David Lloyd. Paperback book published by  Vertigo/DC 2005, 296 pages with colour and monotone illustrations.

Yep, that's the same mask as worn by some members of Anonymous (click here). It's a Guy Fawkes mask that is often used on effigys of Guy Fawkes on Guy Fawkes night. Guy Fawkes night was once celebrated here in Australia with a bonfire with an effigy on top. The Springvale North effigy never had a mask... at least not as far as I can remember. It did have a lot of tyres, that I do remember.

V for Vendetta was written by Alan Moore, who if you don't know anything at all about comics or graphic novels is one of those people you really do need to know about or at least have some sort of vague knowledge of. I've read a number of his works over the years and even seen some of the films... and like Alan have been a bit disappointed by the films including V for Vendetta. Unlike Alan, I am willing to associate my name with seeing the films... he doesn't want his name associated with the films at all. If you've never read any of his books it's hard to explain why this is, but generally (and briefly... and my understanding of the situation) there is an integrity to his stories that loses something in the adaptions and Mr Moore is a man of integrity and doesn't like bullshit.

Going back to the Anonymous people, the publishers blurb to this book gives an inkling as to why they like the mask from this story as much as they do:

“A frightening and powerful tale of the loss of freedom and identity in a chillingly believable totalitarian world.”

I think this is an important book which despite have been written over 25 years ago, is still relevant to todays political climate. I don't think i'm alone in thinking this. Watch the news, you'll see what I mean...