@Large, Vol. 1 [Paperback]

Ahmed Hoke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 9, 2003 | Series: @Large (Book 1)

The nexus of LA vice and hip-hop life is @Large, an internet gaming cafe with a notorious recording studio upstairs. Everyone comes together in the gaming lounges of @Large - geeks, rappers, techno-ninjas, thugs, wannabe's and undercover cops. As one group of kids, known as DNA, attempt to navigate through the trials of adolescence and gain street credability, they encounter agents of the dark power behind the recording studio. Soon, the DNA crew find themselves fighting for their lives and for the very survival of their community.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"WHAT YOU'LL LOVE: The masterful mix of manga and hip-hop; a remarkable balance of humor and danger." -- Washington Post -- Chris J. Petropoulos,

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (December 9, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591824117
• ISBN-13: 978-1591824114
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,383,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Talk is cheap, punk, and so is reading @large!, December 31, 2003

By 

Del Keyes "Elaborate Chattering Nut" (In The Middle of the Sunshine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: @Large, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

Pro illustrator Ahmed Hoke has really got my attention at his insida' potential: protrayin' 'da true nature on the streets of L.A. on a 160-page manga, or in 'dis case, Amerimanga. Since I got 'da love for Hip-hop 'n/o' Rap music and 'da devotion for readin' imported comics, I couldn't help but take a ride on 'da soul train to the locals to get my hands on a graphic paperback of style and charisma that is "@large". The first 'hip-hanga' of its kind and the first for me to get it as both a hip-hop manga and an American manga altoghter, I was anxious to read it and hoped that 'dis GN would be at the league of all black entertainment 'dat entertain me such as a movie like 'Barbershop' or a TV show like 'Soul Food'.

This GN does portrays 'da real-life occurances that happen on the devil side of 'da city of angels. Dreams of success, selling out, conspiracies on drugs and assault, these are just few of many crazy things that occur from the characters in 'dis Amerimanga, characters consisting of playaz, playa'-haters, wannabes, cops, a foreign mafia, and plenty of Bs and Hs to go around. Man, I'd never realize that it was such a shallow and down-in-the-gutter city the people live in, if it wasn't for 'dis GN.

I kinda have mixed feelings with tha' art style of "@large". I do love the graffiti style that Ahmed did with 'da characters and the whole thing, it's a fresh style of its own, I got no problems with the look. It's just that because of the graffiti style, at certain pages in the book, it's kinda hard to tell if I'm looking at a brotha' or a brick wall; comparing a background to the character is a rap battle that's just too much for one guy to take part of comprehending.

Y'know, as much as I love hip-hop music and Hoke's concept on life on the streets, "@large" doesn't really make much of a breakthrough on anything. Sure, this is the start of 'hip-hanga', but "@large" is as inspirational as 'The Wash'. My beef with this GN is 'dat there's nothing fresh in the depth of the story. All the characters are categorized, but not as ubiquitous as real-life civilians dealin' with L.A. I mean, where's the hot 20-sumthin' selling herself to support her child? Where's the teen dealing with abuse from his/her father? Where's the white guy wantin' to be a rapper? Where's the guy who cares nothing more than to do his best to keep his small business alive? Is there at least ONE homeboy that isn't talkin' slang, or what about homosexual rappers breakin' the ice and takin' on the front stage? I just don't think the true nature on the L.A. streets is really there on "@large".

I give '5 stars' for Ahmed Hoke's effort to bring visual enactment on L.A. to the Amerimanga with 'da mix of hip-hop flava', and for that, I still give "@large" a good recommendation. I just wish this have a lil' sumthin' sumthin' to keep this fresh, but it just ain't givin' me all that much. No offense, Hoke, but I've walked down this street before.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hip Hop and Art, January 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: @Large, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

@Large is an intellectual and artistic exploration of the hip hop scene in inner city Los Angeles. This first Hip Hop Manga Comic can be experienced on several levels for its illustration, characterization and dialogue. Ths artwork is meticulous and cleverly illustrated; The characters in the hood defy stereotype in spite of the ghetto influence of their environment. This is a comic for readers looking to move outside the comfort zone of the overworked themes shown in the "Garden Variety" hip hop music videos and who are willing to explore the diversity of hip hop.

I gave @Large 5 Stars because (1) it is the first in its genre; (2) because it is a well-written and well illustrated and above all it is entertaining.