I just managed to track down a copy of Kabuki: the Alchemy #1 after re-reading the Echo mini in Daredevil. David Mack is ridiculously good. Which I knew, but Kabuki is beyond anything else I've seen from him. I've never read the other Kabuki books but I was immediately drawn into this story and character.

On a side note, I would kill or maim for the chance to see David Mack do something with Neil Gaimen.

On another side note, most comics take me 10-15 minutes to read. This one took me about 30.

Final side note, I NEVER write gushing fanboy posts, but *damn*.

Oh, and in the interest of making this more of a conversation, anyone else reading this, and what do you think?

Matt Linton

This post has been edited by Matt Linton: Aug 31 2004, 06:38 AM

If you do decide to check out any of Mack's previous Kabuki material, I'd recommend picking up Metamorphosis (volume 5) or Circle of Blood (volume 1) first, then filling in the blanks from there.


Yes.


I think it's brilliant and I love it. Can't wait for #2!

I think it was Ken who suggested this in one of my many "I need something to read threads".
I took circle of blood on holiday. Increased the weight of my hand luggae a bit but well worth it.
Alchemy #1 was just outsatnding and I'll be picking up metamorphosis this week.

Yep, I've said it before and I'll say it again...Kabuki and Mack are genius.

If you want some synopsis, check the "archives" area on my site, as I've got a comprehensive breakdown of each Kabuki storyline without major spoilers, as well as an interview with Mack.

The second issue ships in September, so consider yourself luckier than most, who have read number one for what feels like eons ago (lol) and have been waiting for the next installment!

ALL the series are good, but I'd have to say in terms of a "full package" Metamorphosis is the best. It is the columnation of all the various storylines before it and leaves our hero with a new lease on life once it is thru.

EXCELLENT stuff.

If you get a chance to meet David, you will never meet a nicer, more personable or brilliant man. His art and storytelling defy explanation.

I never feel like I'm reading a comic book when i read any of David's stuff.

Matt- did you read MAck's earlier DD stuff? The arc where Echo is first introduced is more convetional story telling, but brilliant none the less.

Finally broke down and read some Kabuki. Alchemy was great. I wasn't lost at all, considering I was a new reader that was very important, and all the characters felt real.

It was very neat, because it felt like meeting an actual person. I realized that they have had things going on in their life before they met me, but it wasn't a hindrance on me getting to know them.

If that makes sense at all, that's high praise in my book.

I think I read this somewhere else.

Oh, that's right, on the back pages of the alchemy!

Seriously, loved the book, but when I man puts in 5+ pages of "I love me" letters you gotta worry.

Yeah, I read Parts of a Hole and Vision Quest, and liked both of them (although Vision Quest really should have been it's own miniseries) but I thought this was even better than those.

The return of side notes: I found all five (maybe 6?) Kabuki trades at my local borders and I'll definitely be picking them up, but I'm a little wary of the different styles/artists from book to book. Not necessarily a bad thing, just not sure how jarring a transition it might be.

Matt Linton

I actually picked up the last 5 Kabuki trades from Mack at Chicago (and yes, he is just the nicest person ever!). I'm working through Metamorphosis right now, but everything up to that point has been absolutely stunning (and from what I've read of Metamorphosis, it's probably the best out of the entire run). I actually really liked Greg T's comment about it being like meeting an actualy person. I think it's a very accurate description of how Mack writes these characters.

As far as the artistic change, it really isn't that jarring. Every change is warranted by the storyline involved and feels very organic. Even Masks of the Noh, which has four or five different artists holds up very well because each artist handles a different character instead of a different chapter.

This is honestly one of the most dense, intropsective, creative, and beautiful pieces of literature I have ever seen.

Just wanted to thank all of you for the kind words about my work.
Thanks for taking the innitiative to begin reading Kabuki :)

Glad you are picking up Metamorphosis. That is probably my favorite of the volumes. And the current series ALCHEMY begins right where it leaves off.

For those of you new to Kabuki, there is a new site that just launched called davidmackguide.com which should answer any of your questions.

And feel welcome to check out my site davidmack.net.

And KABUKI: The Alchemy #2 ships next week :)

Kindest regards,
David