Old Boy Volume 1 Kindle & comiXology

Great artwork, found it rare to find in mainstream stores

This is a very good comic with great writing and superb artwork. It is a very compelling read and for anyone who is a fan of the film, I would easily recommend it as it builds on the film's story in a very interesting way.

Amazing piece of art

I've not seen the film, and I was apprehensive that this book would be unduly grim Japanese fare, blood and torture manga of an unrelenting nature.Although the scenario is the now familiar one of a person being released from a mysterious incarceration and having to find his way in the world, it is as much a tale of Robinson Crusoe type ingenuity as one of embittered vengeance. The plot fare whizzes along, the characters are intriguing while the art work is light and legible. There is some violence, but by any standards this is not a violent or dark book.It is easy to see how the original books were a popular and engaging read, this may all be slightly generic and pot-boiler-ish but it is entertaining and well done, recommended.

I have just finished reading oldboy (book 8) and have to say the series is fantastic. It reminded me of old noir detective films- a great plot with well rounded characters and plenty of atmosphere. As manga goes there isn't alot of physical violence, the characters in the books use their brains alot more than brawn (there is a fair bit of sex / nudity but it never feels gratuitous). The story is a slow burner and always keeps you wanting to know more. The art is amazing, the tones and lines are reproduced very well and the artist throws alot of realistic cityscapes / background details into the mix, you really feel the authenticity behind his depictions of backstreet urban Japan. The combination of the well paced story, detailed artwork and good translation make this a dark and atmospheric noir-manga classic. Highly Recommended.

I'm afraid I have had an opposite experience to the other reviewers. I came to this series of books having been blown away by the Battle Royale series which proved to be so much more than the movie. Having found the Old Boy movie to have one of the most astounding climaxes I have seen in the cinema I was hoping for similair from the book series.When I got to book 8 and realised it was the end I couldn't believe it. Where were the twists and turns? The reveal was dull and made no sense in comparison with the movie.Overall for me this was a disaapointing manga series.

This book has re-kindled my interest in Manga books, it's clever, witty, violent and most importantly - dark!This is the book that the 2003 film "Oldboy" was based on by Chan-wook Park, you can instantly see the parts that the film was based on, but there's so much more that wasn't in the film.If you liked the film, you'll love this book

So far I've read up to number 6 and 7 and 8 are in the post. I'm sure i'm the first person to have read the books before seeing the film (the way manga should always be) and I love it, the way each movement and gesture is recorded its like a beautiful illustrated film. and the character goto is brilliantly dark and reclusive. A grainy smoky dark novel where you cant help but hope goto wins! a step in a good direction for manga.