David Lloyd looked quite bemused at the long line of caped and masked acolytes waiting for an autograph or photograph from him at Comic Con 2014. The artist of the classic graphic novel V for Vendetta , set in a scary United Kingdom ruled by fascists, was on his first visit to Bangalore. “I was earlier in Delhi,” he commented settling down for a quick chat after a wave of fans had gone by clutching autographs while posting pictures of their moments with Lloyd online.
“I am kind-of surprised how popular V is here. Having said that, V for Vendetta is one of those stories that crossed boundaries. It is a perennial book that means something to everyone. The theme is universal.”
Elaborating on V, the anarchist at the centre of things, (played by Hugo Weaving in the movie version directed by John McTiegue) Lloyd says: “Guy Fawkes was a revolutionary who failed. He was resurrected as a success as V in V for Vendetta . The world is full of revolutions that are wildly successful and then run out of steam.”
Talking about the genesis of V’s look with cape and mask, Lloyd says, “It was summer and I couldn’t find the mask anywhere (Guy Fawkes Day is on November 5), so I designed the mask with a kind-of smile. It turned out to be a good thing as the mask transcended geographic and cultural boundaries. It is an all-purpose symbol. The mask represents freedom from tyranny, perceived tyranny even. It is now used as a symbol against repression across the world.” The mask has been used in the Occupy Wall Street protests as well as others across the world.
Lloyd was artist on some Hellblazer stories (among various other things, Lloyd says with a smile). What does he have to say about the blond demon hunter John Constantine (supposed to be modelled on the musician Sting) turning dark haired in the form of Keanu Reeves in the movie? “That movie represents Hollywood at its worst. V for Vendetta, on the other hand, while not being a great movie (it wasn’t as close to the graphic novel as it could have been), was a good movie.”
Does Lloyd have a special affinity to anti-heroes considering both Constantine and V walk on the dark side? Lloyd says: “Constantine is different from V in that he doesn’t believe in anything.”
Ask the 64-year-old artist of his favourite works and he says: “ Vendetta is one of my favourites, I also like Kickback , which I wrote and drew. It is thematically similar to Vendetta with a corrupt policeman at the centre of things.”
The British artiste is very excited about his new project, Aces Weekly , (www.acesweekly.co.uk) where comics by well-known names are available online. “Technology is a great help. You don’t need printing and all the paraphernalia that comes with it. The internet is the best distribution system. You don’t need wholesale, retail, a shelf… this way the artist connects directly with the readers without any middlemen. It is the future.”
Lloyd says he uses computers “for enhancements, lettering, backgrounds… A computer is useful for specific effects. But it should never take over the art form. Aces Weekly preserves the purity of the art form.”
While Lloyd says he prefers to write and draw as it gives him “complete control, I have also worked on collaborations. I was initially asked to write and draw Vendetta . I thought working with Alan (writer Alan Moore) would be a good idea and it was.”
