Each week, DC Comics will be releasing a free—that's right, FREE—digital comic book issue featuring a sample chapter from one of our 25 Essential Graphic Novels as well as sample pages from the 2014 Essentials catalogue. These special issues, which will be available for free for one week, are ideal for new fans looking to learn more about DC Universe and its mature readers imprint Vertigo, and provide the perfect reading guide for those looking to wade the waters of DC Entertainment's extensive library of graphic novels and collections.

This week: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen!

With Watchmen and V for Vendetta among his credits, Alan Moore is arguably the most famous creator in comics history.  In The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Moore creates a literary supergroup of Victorian classics and reimagines them as a tea-drinking pseudo black ops team.  Featuring Allan Quatermain, Mina Murray, Captain Nemo, the Invisible Man Hawley Griffin, and an interpretation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde even better than the original, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is in essence the Justice League for English majors.

As the twentieth century approaches, League finds Victorian London in need for a new kind of champion—adventures not bound by the chaste order that characterizes the stagnant Victorian Era. The enigmatic Campion Bond of British Intelligence (grandfather of a certain James) has begun a recruiting mission, collecting a menagerie of individuals who can be of value to his superiors due to… activities that have forced them beyond the pale. But as these extraordinary individuals will soon realize, British Intelligence has plans for them that go far beyond mere spying.

With the influence of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen still being seen today, most recently in Showtime’s hit Penny Dreadful television series, now is a great time to check out this classic graphic novel. So, pick up VERTIGO ESSENTIALS: THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN #1 for FREE starting today until November 10^th!