Review: MASTER KEATON

Let's wrap up this year's Old School Month with an old-school adventure from one of manga's most notable creators.

MASTER KEATON (Masuta Kiton), written by Naoki Urasawa, Hokusei Katsushika, and Takashi Nagasaki, with art by Naoki Urasawa.  First published in 1988 and first published in North America in 2014.

PLOT:

Taichi Hiraga-Keaton is a man of many talents.  He's an insurance investigator for the auction house Lloyd's, he's an archaeology lecturer who travels the world, and he's a former high-ranking SAS member with a particular knack for survival skills.  His jobs take him all over the world, from seaside Grecian villages to the middle of the western Chinese deserts, and along the way he solves everything from murder mysteries to his own family woes with his father and daughter.

Review: CRUSHER JOE

Let's go all the way back to the 70s for some rare old-school sci-fi manga.

CRUSHER JOE (Kurassha Jo), based on the novel series by Haruka Takachiho with art by Fujihiko Hosono.  First published in 1979 and first published in North America in 2000.

PLOT:

In the 22nd century, there are a group of interplanetary adventurers who for a price will help anyone in need or investigate any mystery.  They are known as Crushers, and one of the most legendary crew of Crushers are the crew of the Minerva: cyborg strongman Talos, teen genius Ricky, the runaway princess Alfin, and their hot-headed leader Joe.  Together they will take on everything, be it a 'ghost ship' warping at random, a mysterious young woman hiding her scientist father's greatest secret, or a businessman seeking revenge for the events of a lifetime ago.

Review: DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS

Let's continue with an old favorite for manga-boom-era fujoshi.  But does this one still hold up?

DESCENDANTS OF DARKNESS (Yami no Matsuei), by Yoko Matsushita.  First published in 1996 and first published in North America in 2004.

PLOT:

Between heaven and hell, there is the Ministry of Hades.  Here lost souls are gathered and judgement is rendered upon them by shinigami such as Asato Tsuzuki.  He and his partner, Hisato Kurosaki, are called upon to solve cases such as a suicide victim whose spirit is stuck in the mortal world or an idol singer under the spell of a vicious vampire.

Review: BLACK JACK

Once again it's Old School Month, and I can't believe it's taken me this far into the pandemic to talk about this particular series. 

BLACK JACK (Burakku Jakku), by Osamu Tezuka.  First published in 1973 and first published in North America in 2008.

PLOT:

Black Jack is a man of mystery.  No one knows his real name, but everyone knows of his talent.  There are many stories about him, but there are a few things that everyone can agree upon.  He is said to be a doctor of peerless skill.  He can and will operate on those who have no other options available to them, but will do so at an astronomical cost.  He is said to be able save anyone or anything, no matter how dire their condition may be, and sometimes he is even able to use his hands to right some of the wrongs of the world.