Tekkon Kinkreet / Black & White [Paperback]

Taiyo Matsumoto (Author), Andrew McKeon (Compiler), Elisabeth Kawasaki (Editor), Annette Roman (Editor), Jason Thompson (Editor), Lillian Olsen (Translator), Amy Martin (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2007

2008 Eisner Comic Winner! Street urchins Black and White have skyscraper-sized chips on their shoulders, but are fiercely loyal to each other. Black is especially quick to avenge any slight against his dim-witted pal. The result? The citizens of Treasure Town are afraid of them, the police are afraid of them--even the local yakuza gangsters are afraid of them! But when the crime boss known as the "Rat" returns to Treasure Town, it looks like there's gonna be a rumble... The violence in this unique European-influenced manga title is more mindful than it seems at first glance, and the subtle relationships between its unique cast of characters are marked by surprising poignancy.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Taiyo Matsumoto is the cult favorite artist of Black & White and NO. 5, both published by VIZ Media. With line work that mirrors his story lines in a combination of smooth and rough styles his work makes for a truly unique look and feel in manga.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media, LLC (September 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421518678
• ISBN-13: 978-1421518671
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,962 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece., September 22, 2007

By 

Luca Vitale - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tekkon Kinkreet / Black & White (Paperback)

This might be the best graphic novel ever written, and I don`t say that lightly. It`s a shame that it doesn`t have a wide circulation in Europe and US. It`s pretty much impossible to compare to anything else, Tekkon Kinkreet it`s the most lyrical and at at the same time the most anti-conformist comic you`ll ever read. Think Miyazaki, Tank Girl and Takeshi Kitano all wrapped up in one story that is so good it hurts. Just get it, if you like indie comics chances are this is your new favorite one.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, absorbing graphic narrative, March 8, 2008

By 

zinegrrl "xa" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tekkon Kinkreet / Black & White (Paperback)

During a trip to Japan recently I came across the film version of this book, which had just won many awards. When I learned it was based on a graphic novel, I scoured the bookstands here in the US for it to no avail. Luckily Amazon had it (along with the English-subtitled movie). Tekkon Kinkreet is a richly engaging graphic narrative, its visual language referencing French comics but with the horizontal, angled paneling of more traditional Japanese Manga. Though it's about two scrappy kids, this is most definitely NOT a comic book for children: it's full of violence and references to the seedy underworld of the city (gangsters, strip clubs, etc.). Though those things would usually turn me off, I found this to be a completely absorbing narrative. Beyond the violence it elegantly explores the issues of gentrification, friendship, identity, and change. The film's great too, but you should definitely read the book first. Totally different visual styles going on. Great stuff. Check it out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple Story, Amazing Art Work!, September 9, 2007

By 

W. Xia (Gainesville, FLorida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tekkon Kinkreet / Black & White (Paperback)

What a great book! The art work is like nothing I've seen...The story is simple but heart felt, and the characters easy to identify with. While I can tell that the translation took a lot away from the original ( I can read some Kanji characters, and I could see some of the left over original text was more incorporated into the artwork), it still kept to the mood and the atmosphere pretty well.... I read this book in 4 hours because it was so hard to put down.