Old Boy Volume 1

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.

Great artwork, found it rare to find in mainstream stores

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.

Amazing piece of art

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.

Oldboy is a great series and I loved it, it was atmospheric and goes very well with the film. This is far better then the film. I would advise it for people starting to get in to manga as it is very good and not too hard to read.

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

I could be way off base here,but the review I read on here sounded way too feasible(#8-let down..)-Tghe problem with adaptations(In either direction) is that you automatically compare with whichever you came to 1st.Take MPD Psycho-I first found it 'coz I'm a Takashi Miike fan.When I found there was a Manga of it-I jumped in-and found it blows Takashi-san's adaptation away;mostly because he just focused on the 1st coupla books.NOw I am engaged in an info battle with Dark-Horse Manga to see why we can't get anything higher than Vol.9 in english! I'm dying to see what happens next,and a french company are up to Vol.13,that I know of-VERY ANNOYING!To have something like "Oldboy"(probably my favourite of Park Chan-Wook's films)let you down at the end,of the manga would drive me batty!Could it be that there is just too much stuff out there,and some of it isn't getting the treatment it deserves?