Master Keaton, Vol. 1 (Volume 1)

My Grandson loves these books and has started a collection, he's delighted

This is a must read - and not just fans of comics or manga. The story concerns a mixed race Japanese wannabee archaeologist and former SAS instructor, the Keaton of the title. His senior in the SAS tells him he will only ever reach the second highest rank in that organisation - that of 'Master' because he is too nice. And that he is - the story has no clear overarching plot, but consists of his varied adventures as he tries to fulfil his dream of being an academic while having to work as an insurance investigator. That might sound mundane - but in fact it's essentially a detective action story that often veers into Indiana Jones style and military action plots as well.What makes this manga very unique is the almost spiritual journey that Keaton goes on - he is constantly getting involved in other peoples problems around the world (most of the action takes place in Germany, then newly reunified, England and Japan - though there are detours all over Europe and the Middle East) and suffering for it, but evolving through this. He never seems to get what he wants because he is always getting sidetracked by other peoples problems, but through this he gains something more valuable. The stories, most of them self contained but with recurring characters and a gentle arc of overall development (albeit at a relaxed pace) often brought a tear to my eye - they are beautifully constructed and excellently researched in terms of history and location. The beautiful landscapes and expressive faces add to the evocative impact (although this is an earlier work, the art holds up fantastically well and this is some of Urasawas' most detailed and wonderful art).It is also unusual for a Manga in that it is not afraid to tackle controversial topics - racism, Japanese behaviour to POW's (assiduously avoided in most Japanese media), immigration, poverty and so on. It does so in a way which is not populist but actually well researched - many stories involve the IRA for example, but the author's work is well researched and balanced, and has what is undoubtedly the correct but not necessarily (back then) popular position on The Troubles. Unlike many Manga, it refuses to fetishise the West or glamorise Japan, so I think it was a daring manga to write for the authors at home and risky in terms of exporting it to the West - so they deserve a lot of credit for making it both fantastically entertaining and socially responsible. By 'socially responsible' I mean that Keaton's adventures involve people with genuine problems - such as poverty, homelessness, war etc, not like todays comics (and all other media) where problems seem limited to alienation and angst because you are 1) gay 2) a woman 3) both. These may well be problems, but to read stuff nowadays, you would think that they were the only ones going. Comics and other media nowadays seem to think they are 'inclusive' and 'liberal' because everything has, for example, a lesbian character in it. But what about all the disabled, immigrant and gypsy or homeless characters? How come we don't have those in everything? Are you seriously telling me that women for example have it so hard that many Marvel characters such as Thor, Wolverine etc have to be rewritten as women or gay but disabled people can't get a look in except as tech support in a wheelchair? Basically gay and female characters seem to have an effective monopoly or priority in representation and inclusion as well as 'victimhood' in comics and I think this is at the expense of other groups such as disabled people. It is really great to see that these authors managed to produce a comic in the late 80's in Japan of all places that is more inclusive than anything we see today - there is much more variety of human experience and suffering on display here, but ultimately with a hopeful message.Will appeal to kids and adults alike and has a look reminiscent of French comics like Tintin and Asterix but with much more detailed art. No gratuitous nudity or violence (also refreshing), but it is a rollicking action packed collection of yarns, so for older kids.The book itself contains about 1.5 volumes of the manga in a single Viz 'Signature' edition, not your usual floppy manga but high quality covers and paper in a large volume with plenty of colour panels. I have read up to volume 10 and am sad that I only have two volumes to go.

Excellent

I haven't read a ton of manga outside classics like Tezuka and Tatsumi, so I can't really compare. For me I found this story gripping and stunning from the get go. It is really wonderfully written, with funny and dynamic characters.I really wish I could find out more on controversy of the authorship! As I realise people are uber-Urasawa fans, I haven't read his other work, and while I enjoyed the art style. It was the writing that did it for me, so I wish I could find more information on Katsushika & Nagasaki.Keaton is so endearing as a part-time professor and part-time insurance investigator , who at first seems like the blundering type a la Pink Panther. But this very intense military background that is gradually revealed, which changes your perspective on him. All the secondary characters are brilliant, his father, daughter, his boss at the university, and slightly frantic partner in London who gives him pretty mad cases. As well the history and research that went into all the stories, from the middle eastern architectural digs, the fall of the german dynasty to the Corsican drug route is pretty remarkable!I really enjoy the slow build of the world of Keaton through the short chapters/stories and how the all link up in the tie in the a wonderful story at the end. My favourite story has to be 'Memories of Summer Pudding' where you get to explore more of Keatons relationship with his daughter, and his father.A MUST READ! Can't wait for the next volume.

Book in good condition, no complaints