Customer Reviews

Black Jack, Vol. 3

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I love Osamu Tezuka, and this collection of his short stories only makes me love him more.

Black Jack is an unlicensed doctor who charges exhorbent fees, but he is able to perform operations no one else can. He appears to be heartless and only care about money, but we see he really does have a heart and uses the high fees to deal out justice.

In this collection we see him do battle with the dark doctor of death, the very antithesis of Black Jack.

Well written, well drawn, witty, and very relevant and deep, these comics are truly classics. I highly recommend this volume to everyone!

This volume of Black Jack is the most satisfying yet. Tezuka had me in tears at points and laughing at others. Yes, it is possible to be moved to tears by the stories written by the "God of Manga." Some of the stories are straightforward "morality tales" and others are more opaque. Sometimes he ties his stories up nicely with a little bow at the end. Other times, he leaves us to just think. In this volume, we get to know Pinoko, his adorable sidekick a little better. After all the stories, we still don't understand why Black Jack is so demanding of money. Where does it all go?

Osamu Tezuka is known as the "God of Manga" in Japan. He single-handedly made Manga respectable after WWII and pioneered the use of cinematic techniques. He not only entertained the public with characters like "Astro Boy" but he tackled more weighty subjects such as nuclear danger, Buddhism, and care for the environment. He created a "studio" of star characters, like a "Disney for Japan."

Tezuka's most autobiographical character is "Black Jack." Before becoming an artist full-time, Tezuka graduated from medical school. Black Jack is a "super doctor," an un-licensed maverick who is a fantastic surgeon. His exploits are so over-the-top, he must be Tezuka's dream of what a doctor could be. The actual medical terminology used, based on Tezuka's actual knowledge, add a level of realism and interest to the stories.

With fast-paced writing and kinetic artwork, once you start reading Black Jack, you won't be able to put it down.