Akira, Volume 1

Rating:
Summary: Very Excellent. A classic must-read.
Review: This sort of manga is dark and dramatic. However, the concept really digs into the future of our race as well as the untapped potential we all have. Metaphor and incredible art merge to make this gritty character-perspective story into a tale you won't forget, and will share with friends. I wouldn't show this to kids under 13 though. Its content is highschool level. The movie was a fine testament. The books are where it all comes from.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it.
Review: This was the book that got me started in the whole Anime/Manga stuff,how could I not like it? This book has got a wonderful, interesting storyline..one that is so original that it is unique in a very nice way. What caught my attention was the storyline,but now I can safely say that I fell in love with the artwork as well. But,my heart is with the characters. As I read this,I found myself developing a connection with the characters and because of this,unfortunately,I heard myself talking out loud,and that got me wierd looks :) "Watch out! Oh,no,don't do that! Wrong way!" No other book has ever gotten that reaction from me. It is a tad bit gorey at some parts,but nothing too terribly violent. Myself being female,I can honestly say that it wasn't as awful as I thought it would be. From a high schooler's perspective,as well as a newbie to Anime,I can say this was an awesome book..I highly recommend it to Anime/Manga fans of old and new.

Rating:
Summary: ...prepare to be blown away
Review: When I heard of Akira, people regarded as the finest Anime ever. I watched when I was 11 or 12, and it blew my mind. It was unlike any other animation I have ever watched before. Years past, and I have watched more anime. Akira didn't hold the same spot as it once did. With series like Evangelion and Cowboy bebop and movies like Ghost in the Shell and Princess Mononoke, who can blame me? Well, to celebrate the revival of Akira on the scren, Dark Horse brings the fame anime in a form most americans have never seen before...Manga! I knew there was a manga for it, but never had the chance to read it. Luckly, my friend (and fanboy in arms) ponied up the... bucks for volume one. You knowhow people say the book is better than the movie...it's so in this case. And, all things considered, it makes sense. A 2,000+ page manga cut down into 2 hours means a lot of things will be left out. It's a shame, but now comes a chance to redeem yourself...like myself. Pick this book and see what I mean. Oh, and one more thing: Tetsuo!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: AKIRA RoOlz!
Review: When people say that Akira is the best manga of all time, they sure are not kidding! Action explodes from one page to the next in a hip, stylish fashion. The sweet gunfight in the beginning is especially awesome! It kept me entertained for hours at a time, and I am sure it will keep you like that too! Akira is GREAT AND A MUST-BUY FOR ANY ACTION OR MANGA FAN!!!!! It is appropriate for kids 10 and up, because some scenes are bloody, and it has some bad language in it. But.....IF YOU DO NOT OWN AKIRA; WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Quiet Beginning to a huge epic!
Review: While, I enjoyed the Akira movie, I found I enjoyed the comic much more. The first volume of the 6 Part reprint is incredible and definately hints at the huge epic the book is to become. The theme of the book is power: who has it and who wants it.
When a street punk named Tetsuo runs almost runs over a strange looking psychic, Tetsuo finds that he has psychic powers himself that seem to have no end. Unfortunately he needs a large and steady suplly of drugs to keep a monster headache at bay. Meanwhile, Tetsuo's friend Kenada ends up working with a group with an unknown agenda for the mysterious person known only as Akira... a person who destroyed Tokyo. Kenada later finds out that Tetsuo not only has deadly powers but also an alliance with the rival gang known as the clowns. But when these old friends become foes, Kenada discovers that Tetsuo is more dangerous that he or even Tetsuo could ever have imagined!
It's a fast paced exciting work featuring some incredible artwork and marvelous storytelling. No black and white characters, in this series everyone is guilty of sin. Tetsuo is a great quasi-villain who is no longer merely a punk but also a MONSTER! I can't wait to pick up the second volume.

Rating:
Summary: Very Excellent
Review: Wow! I saw the anime (which has some of the best animation I've seen) and had to buy the graphic novel. I found that the pictures were detailed and the action sequences were very, very good. I'm thankful that they didn't try to squeeze the pen and ink drawings into tiny little boxes, making everything barely visible. It didn't skimp on the number of panels in each scene, making it smooth and easy to read. Buy this book.

Complaints:
1. I saw ten books in the series at the book store at twenty dollars each. That's $200 for part of a series.
2. Not recomended for young readers. There's loads of blood and cussing.
3. I've heard that this series used to be in color. The first few pages are in color and it's very nice. However, I realize that if the entire comic was in color, the price would probably be doubled.