Kabuki: The Alchemy [Hardcover]

David Mack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2009

It's a new start for Kabuki and the perfect jumping-on issue for new readers! When you are a former operative for a Japanese agency, how do you start a new life? You've heard about all the awards... you've heard everyone talking about why Kabuki is so amazing and mind-blowing... now is the chance to see what all the talk is about! From the award-winning writer and artist of Daredevil that brought you "Parts of a Hole," "Wake Up," and "Echo," this new series marks the 10th anniversary of Kabuki! Collecting all nine issues of the acclaimed, Eisner Award-nominated Kabuki: The Alchemy series from Marvel's Icon - for the first time ever! Readers have been waiting to get the newest Kabuki story in collected form, and this prestige hardcover delivers with loads of extras, including the never-before-seen original ending sequence cut from the single issues, new pages of art, new design pages, a commentary by the author, a "best of" letters column, and more! A whopping 320-pages, this high-end hardcover features an embossed cover, watermarked end pages, a book mark, a dust jacket with all-new cover art, and an introduction by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Marvel (February 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078513249X
• ISBN-13: 978-0785132493
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #638,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guidebook to the possibilities of the medium, November 26, 2009

By 

Philodeliakarta "Nick" (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kabuki: The Alchemy (Hardcover)

I approached Kabuki: The Alchemy with an open mind, which I've decided is almost certainly the only way to approach the book. I read The Alchemy as it was released in single issue form, which may or may not have influenced my impressions of it. What I found in Kabuki: The Alchemy was an engaging, fascinating map of the endless possibilities of graphic narratives. David Mack is extremely inventive and playful in his use of word and image, frequently turning the conventional standards of comics on their head. I appreciated his artistry and experimentation, and found a ton of content that was worth revisiting. I'm not sure of Mack's "agenda" or whatever else people seemed to be complaining about. I didn't get any socioeconomic or political message getting crammed down my throat. If in fact they were complaining about the artistic liberty Mack took with his work, then I can certainly say it is not for everyone. It is unconventional, but if you're interested in new and exciting ways to tell a story, it is worth the time and attention.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, June 13, 2010

By 

Alex I. Aronowicz "Very Picky Music Man" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kabuki: The Alchemy (Paperback)

For me, this book was inspirational. The way it explored metaphysics, time, and the nature of self-limitation and self liberation. The artwork is always beautiful, disturbing and hilarious, often at the same time. David Mack said that this is the book about Kabuki's new life. And that is what this book feels like, a fresh start, a new beginning, with so many possibilities and directions.

I can see how some may have trouble with this latest entry in the Kabuki series. It is not a typical comic book, easy to digest, linear, traditional. This book challenges you as a reader, a thinker, and as a human being. To live your life the way you always wanted to before you let yourself be molded into "their" ideas for you.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoy thought provoking art.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Experience, If you are up to it..., March 17, 2011

By 

Jay R Larsen - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kabuki: The Alchemy (Hardcover)

This book by David Mack is his most amazing yet.
It is rare to read a comic that delivers life-changing glimpses into what life is and could be.
As I read this book, the standard perspectives of character, author and reader were twisted and rearanged until I was not sure if I was creating the book or the book was creating me.
I know it is strange to attribute a graphic novel with this kind of magic and majesty, but this is no ordinary graphic novel.
I'll say it again: Amazing.