12 Apr / Death Note I: Black Edition (vols.1-2) by Tsugumi Ohba, art by Takeshi Obata, translated by Tetsuichiro Miyaki
So phenomenally successful is the Death Note series, it’s available in multiformats in the U.S. alone. Not even considering all the endless spin-off enterprises like anime, films, and games, Death Note on the page comes in single volumes (12 total), or a complete box set, or even as iPad downloads (accessible with Viz Media’s free iPad reading app).
Most recently, for Luddites like me who can never let pen and ink go, the newest Black Edition series with multi-volumes packaged into a single book debuted at the end of 2010 with continuing volumes planned throughout 2011. Black Edition I includes original volumes 1 and 2. Although I posted about the stunning visual quality of single volume 1 on the iPad (shocking, I know!) some months back, I was still relieved to find the ‘real’ manga back in my hands.
With the mysterious Death Note – a frightening notebook that gives the owner the power to control death – Light Yagami, genius high school student, is playing god. At first he thinks he’ll just rid the world of the most heinous criminals. But that’s just not enough … especially as his power grows, aided by Ryuk, the Death Note’s Shinigami (a death god). With the multiplying murder rates, the international law enforcement community gathers to devise a plan of counterattack.
Light’s ultimate goal to create his version of utopia means he’s not letting anyone – and certainly not any laws – stand in his way. So if people get a little too close, figure out a little too much, Light knows just when to end their chase. His seeming omnipotence, magnified by his ability to almost teasingly stay one step ahead, is thus far invincible … but what happens when your own father becomes your next formidable foe?
Death Note is surely a bone-chilling read, making you question everything from Machiavellian ends to good vs. evil, to even your own family ties. Light and Ryuk’s eerie adventures are certain to keep you up at night thinking (and plotting?) …
For all the other volumes of Death Note (12 total) on BookDragon, click here.
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2010 (United States)
DESU NŌTO © Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
Original Japanese edition published by Shueisha Inc.