Originally published in serial form in 1988, the centenary of the Whitechapel murders of 1888, From Hell: Being A Melodrama in Sixteen Parts establishes itself as a compelling work of fiction that shares characteristics with a wide variety of literary styles and genres, as well as sets itself apart within its comic book and graphic novel medium by taking us away from the ever-popular Superhero comics. English 2118 would be a much better course if From Hell was added to the syllabus. This graphic novel, containing over forty pages of notes and research, is a unique work of literature that infuses the crime noir genre with the occult and supernatural, as well as with elements of modernist fiction. Ultimately, it can teach students about the Victorian era, its depictions of the rampant misogyny and the need of early feminist activism in 19th Century England, the use of science fiction and the influence of supernatural elements on a non-fictitious series of historical events, as well as its combination of fact and fiction in order to make such an interesting story. …show more content…
As its 40-plus annexed pages of notes and research show, a large portion of the graphic novel is based on fact. Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell have included pages upon pages of gathered research and notes to help the reader understand the real facts surrounding the Jack the Ripper and Whitechapel murders, as well as know where they took liberties to delve into the realm of fiction, something quite different from the other texts studied in English 2118. This important addition works as a way to show the ever-evolving genre of comic book and graphic novel writing, allowing it to become a work of historical fiction as well as a telling piece of crime