black jack

black jack, vol. 1
osamu tezuka
graphic novel/manga/drama
vertical inc
published 2008

Black Jack is a mysterious and charismatic young genius surgeon who travels the world performing amazing and impossible medical feats. Though a trained physician, he refuses to accept a medical license due to his hatred and mistrust of the medical community's hypocrisy and corruption. This leads Black Jack to occasional run-ins with the authorities, as well as from gangsters and criminals who approach him for illegal operations.

Black Jack charges exorbitant fees for his services, the proceeds from which he uses to fund environmental projects and to aid victims of crime and corrupt capitalists. But because Black Jack keeps his true motives secret, his ethics are perceived as questionable and he is considered a selfish, uncaring devil. The Black Jack series is told in short stories. Each volume will contain 16-20 stories, each running approximately 20-24 pages in length.

Black Jack was a serialized comic that gain cult status back in the 70s.  These volumes are collections of the short, 20-ish, page stories that were published back then.  The stories center around Black Jack, an unlicensed but brilliant surgeon who can perform miracle surgeries for the right price.

While he comes across as arrogant & greedy to his patients and other doctors he's actually quite the opposite, but I think his loner style likes to keep people away.  The stories are a bit creepy, completely fantastical with a touch of realism to them.  It was a great, fun read!