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The Bottom Line

Rogue doctor Black Jack returns in another set of stories that mix medical fact with way-out fiction. But this time, Tezuka reveals more about his mysterious doctor's past, and even gives girl-woman Pinoko a few moments to shine.

While this second volume shows Tezuka rehashing themes already explored in the first go-round and recycling more than a few characters from his other works, there are a few new twists where Black Jack shows his softer side.

Black Jack Volume 2 also has lots of eye-popping art with touches of uncommon heart and humor to make it a worthwhile addition to any manga fan's collection.



Pros

• A nice mix of Black Jack stories with both happy and sad endings
• Provides more stories that feature Pinoko, and offers new depth to her character
• More secrets are revealed about Black Jack's past, including the origin of his facial scars
• Tezuka's attention to medical detail makes for fascinating reading
• Includes numerous examples of Tezuka's innovative page and panel compositions

Cons

• Tezuka's tendency to recycle characters makes for some confusing reading
• A few stories show signs of Tezuka relying on some re-hashed plots
• Some stories come to strange and abrupt endings

Description

• Original Title:Burakku Jakku (Japan)
• Author & Artist:Osamu Tezuka
• Publishers:
  • Vertical Inc. (US)
  • Akita Shoten (Japan)
• ISBN: 978-1934287286 (paperback)
• Cover Price: $16.95 US (paperback) / $24.95 (hardcover)
• Age Rating:OT – Older Teens, Age 16+ for graphic surgery scenes and mature themes
  More about content ratings.

• Manga Genres:
  • Seinen (Men's) Manga
  • Anime Tie-In
  • Drama
  • Mystery / Suspense
• US Publication Date: November 2008
  Japan Publication Date: 1987, with stories from 1973 - 1983
• Book Description: 288 pages, black and white illustrations (paperback) 320 pages (hardcover edition)
• More Manga by Osamu Tezuka:
  • Astro Boy
  • Apollo's Song
  • Dororo
  • Ode to Kirihito
  • Buddha

Guide Review - Black Jack Volume 2

Black Jack, the rogue doctor with a heart of gold returns for another collection of short stories that mixes medical fact with fantasy. But what makes Black Jack Volume 2 so rewarding is how Tezuka artfully reveals more facets of his two main characters, Black Jack and Pinoko.

Pinoko takes center stage in Pinoko's Challenge, as the child-woman discovers the heartbreaking difference between how she sees herself and how the world sees her. Meanwhile, we learn more about Black Jack's past, and see him struggle with his own limitations. As more is revealed about these complex characters, we see why Tezuka was able to create several volumes of stories about this pair -- there's just so much in their inner and outer lives to explore.

Over his 40-year career, Tezuka created hundreds of stories and characters. Tezuka loved his characters so much, he couldn't resist giving them cameos in his stories. If you've read Astro Boy or Dororo, you'll recognize familiar faces in this volume of Black Jack.

When the blind musician from Dororo reappears in The Blind Accupuncturist and when Princess Sapphire from Princess Knight shows up as a preschool teacher in Dirtjacked, it seems like a whimsical wink to Tezuka's fans. But other times, Tezuka's recycling of characters can be confusing.

For example, business man Mr. Aritani in Helping Each Other looks just like the beleaguered son in Granny, a story that was featured earlier in the Volume 2, so it makes for a confusing double-take. It takes a bit to realize that it's not the same person in both stories because Tezuka has drawn them identically.

Tezuka does fall back on some themes already explored in Volume 1, like Black Jack vs. soulless corporate hospitals and the innocent man who gets a fresh start with a new face, but there's enough twists in Volume 2 to make it a rewarding ride.