Customer Reviews

Black And White, Volume 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is simply wonderful. Though the story might be somewhat stereotypical, the art and characters redeem it. The art is a strange hybrid of Japanese and French styles. The characters are really touching, Black and the way he protects the retarted White, and White with his happy, almost microcephalic observations and attitude. I can't wait to read volume two, and I bet once you read volume one, you won't be able to wait either. Well worth the price of admission.

This book is one of the best examples of a graphic novel I've ever had the privilage to read. The art is surreal, and the story is magnificent. It's what Of Mice and Men should have been. The characters, even if stereotypical, are very touching, especially White. You really get a feel for them. Read this book. It's well worth the price of admission.

It all comes together. The line quality is in itself endlessly diverting. The vision of the city and its technology and architecture is totally unique. The story... the fabulous, ass-kicking flying boy-hoodlums with hearts of gold, perching atop telephone poles and living in an abandoned car... a techno-post-modern peter pan cast in a deliciously not-anime Tokyo ghetto. These 3 books are incredible. Don't miss them.

this book is one of the best graphic novels i've read. i liked the drawings a lot. simple but spicific. i liked the friendship between black and white. and the freindship between the two kids and chocolate the gangster. i recomend it very much

Traditional manga reads from right-to-left in order to maintain the original Japanese style, but this one was translated left-to-right to fit into an American format. Personally, I prefer manga in its original form, but I won't let that affect my opinion of the story.

Also not traditional to Japanese manga is the lack of clean, elegant, and eye-pleasing illustrations. The ones in Black & White are very rough, crewed, and may make one feel as if a kid drew them. This I will let my opinion be affected over.

It wasn't until I read a little about the author that I understood the reason for his artistic approach. It appears that Matsumoto traveled throughout France to refine his techniques, and so the French comic style leaked into his own. This helped me to forgive the poor style graphics, at least somewhat . . .

Story overview:

Two young boys (I'm guessing between the ages of ten and twelve) live on the streets of a town called "Treasure Town." Their bed is the inside of an abandoned car, and their means of survival comes from mugging those unlucky enough to cross their paths.

Their names are Black and White (resembling no skin or other features). White is a simple minded boy who is a follower of Black (Black seems to be the reason White can stay alive) whereas Black is intelligent and perceptive (White seems to be the only one who can keep Black somewhat human).

When a mob tries to move into town, Black takes it upon himself to force them out (yes, these boys are young, but brutally effective). In the process Black finds himself entering deeper into the `dark side' (so to say) while White wishes and dreams of the life of a normal boy.

My thoughts:

At first, I could barely stand reading this one. The awful illustrations, the despicable characters, the poor dialog, and the confusing and seemingly pointless story had me forcing myself to turn the pages. It wasn't until the end that I actually saw a redemptive ray of hope. Still, it wasn't enough to make me want to read the next book in the series. Not with so many others that have more potential. That does not mean there is not a following and those who have the taste buds for this sort of thing, but this one was not for me.

Things to consider:

Warning. This is not a good manga for kids. I read it because it was on a list of popular manga, and since the story resides around children, it is easy to assume it is safe for children to read. Do not believe this. The language is adult, the situations are crude and brutal, and the drawings sometimes graphic. I wouldn't rate this for anyone under Young Adult, and even then I'd caution them to not waste their time.

James D. Maxon

Author of, The Cat That Made Nothing Something Again

Manga and speculative fiction reviewer:
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