Black Jack, Vol. 6

Black Jack in 17 volumes #6

by Osamu Tezuka

Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community's hypocrisy and corruption. This leads Black Jack to occasional run-ins with the authorities, as well as from gangsters and criminals who approach him for illegal operations.

Black Jack charges exorbitant fees for his services, the proceeds from which he uses to fund environmental projects and to aid victims of crime and corrupt capitalists. But because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. The Black Jack series is told in short stories. Each volume will contain 16-20 stories, each running approximately 20-24 pages in length.

Black Jack is recognized as Osamu Tezuka's third most famous series, after Astro Boy and Kimba, the White Lion.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Japan, Comics Manga, Fiction, Mystery

336 pages, Paperback

First published February 12, 1981

About the author

Dr. Osamu Tezuka (手塚治虫) was a Japanese manga artist, animator, producer and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. He is often credited as the "Father of Anime", and is often considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, who served as a major inspiration during his formative years. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the father of manga" and "the God of Manga."

Reviews

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent artwork (as always), but I do find the stories (in broad terms) to be a tad repetitive, especially when read back-to-back-to-back in collections like this. Still, well worth the time and helpful to get me to take my mind off whatever might be causing me insomnia.

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a huge fan of Osamu Tezuka's work, I immediately purchased this when I saw that it had been released. While I'll admit that not every story in the series so far has been something I'd want to re-read over & over again (mostly due to sad subject matter), each story has been a gem. Honestly, I have to wonder why it took so long for this series to come back into circulation here in the US, especially considering the glut of hospital & medical shows that have come out in the last 10 years. Vertical Publishing, I thank you for not only bringing this series back but also making a very strong attempt to keep the series as close to it's original adaptation as possible.

The stories in this volume are as always, self contained stories. So if you are a new reader, feel free to jump into this volume. While some of the stories in the series do mention a bit of a back story, almost all of the volumes can be read independently of the other. This one is no exception. The stories in this volume range from a persnickety old man caring for a tree to a story where a young man has fallen into an active volcano! I have to admit my favorite story was one that showed that despite being a surgeon who often demands insanely high prices, he does have very strong convictions. (The story I'm referring to is one where Black Jack was imprisoned for being an unlicensed doctor & was not allowed by the medical board to operate on a dying patient.)

I really can't say enough good things about this series. It's been one of my favorites ever since Viz first made the attempt to release it years ago & foolishly let their license lapse. (Among other wonderful titles that Viz let slip through their fingers.) While the average medical student (or just savvy patient) can notice the improbable feats that occasionally happen in the manga, it's the wonderful storytelling & beautiful artwork that really grips the reader. I can honestly say that while I've seen several people attempt to copy his style, I've rarely seen artwork as expressive & cartoonish as Tezuka's- let alone at the same time! Still, I do have to stop & realize that some people may not be used to this form of manga art, but I implore them to give the series a very good chance before they turn their backs on it!

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, this one had some crazy stuff in it. What was up with that mutant deer with the brain in its chest?

[Tuatara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarja jatkuu samaan tyyliin ja yhtä hyvänä kuin aiemmissakin osissa. Katsaus ihmiselämään ja moraaliin on ajoittain rujoa nähtävää ja sitten taas yllätetään positiivisesti.

[Sarun Choompuchanapai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterpiece

[4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

nadare..... rokuro makube i miss you so much

[Oliver Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel no need to review each of these individually, but as this series of manga shorts continues, their emotional impact seems to be increasing. Overall, they're good but a mixed bag - Tezuka is clearly riffing to meet page counts, as he jokes at various points in the text - but every so often there's an installment that packs the pop-literature punch of an O. Henry story.

[Lissibith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great collection. This one addresses a bit more the situation Black Jack is in as an unlicensed doctor. Most of the time, it's just an aspect of his daily life, but this one actually contained a few stories about getting licensed, and about the penalties he faces for not being so.

I think I liked this a bit better than the last one.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries

[Mary Goodnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bon, ça y est. Je suis amoureuse de Kuroo Hazama.

[Aurelio Ippandoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading from Tezuka-san.I think I've enjoyed this more so than his other manga(of the little that has been translated).although "The Three Adolphs" was pretty good.

[Ilib4kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

741.5952 TEZ V.6